Top AI Small-Cap Stock Picks

Here are seven notable small-cap stocks in the AI space, selected for their recurring mentions in investment analyses, growth potential in AI applications, and recent performance metrics. I’ve prioritized companies with direct AI involvement, such as voice recognition, enterprise software, data engineering, and robotics. Market caps and prices are current as of today.

1. SoundHound AI (SOUN)
   Market Cap: $4.27B | Current Price: $10.64
   SoundHound develops voice AI solutions for industries like automotive and customer service, enabling conversational experiences. It’s highlighted for its real-world applications and partnerships, with strong year-over-year growth potential in the expanding voice AI market. Recent highlights include a 130% 1-year return, driven by AI integration in IoT and media.
2. C3.ai (AI)
   Market Cap: $3.12B | Current Price: $23.19
   C3.ai provides enterprise AI software suites for sectors like healthcare, finance, and supply chain, with tools for generative AI and predictive analytics. It’s favored for its partnerships with cloud giants like AWS and Microsoft, positioning it for growth in industrial AI adoption. Despite a YTD dip, analysts see upside from its focus on AI model deployment.
3. BigBear.ai (BBAI)
   Market Cap: $2.07B | Current Price: $7.09
   BigBear.ai specializes in AI for national security, supply chain, and biometrics, offering machine learning and predictive analytics. It’s noted for leadership in AI-powered computer vision and defense applications, with explosive growth in government contracts. Boasts a 429% 1-year return, fueled by demand in AI decision intelligence.
4. Innodata (INOD)
   Market Cap: $1.43B | Current Price: $44.84
   Innodata focuses on AI data preparation, including training data annotation and algorithm development for AI models. It’s undervalued in the data engineering space, supporting large AI systems with services for tech and enterprise clients. Impressive 167% 1-year return and 3,036% 5-year return highlight its role in the AI data boom.
5. Verint Systems (VRNT)
   Market Cap: $1.27B | Current Price: $21.14
   Verint offers AI-powered customer engagement platforms with bots for automation across contact centers and digital channels. It’s positioned to benefit from AI in customer experience, serving financial services and healthcare. Analysts point to its open platform for AI business outcomes as a key growth driver.
6. Serve Robotics (SERV)
   Market Cap: $0.60B | Current Price: $10.52
   Serve Robotics builds AI-driven, low-emission delivery robots for public spaces, focusing on autonomous food delivery. As a niche player in AI robotics, it’s gaining traction with partnerships and real-world deployments. Despite a YTD decline, it’s seen as disruptive in the growing autonomous delivery market.
7. TSS Inc. (TSSI)
   Market Cap: $0.73B | Current Price: $29.26
   TSS provides IT infrastructure services, including deployment and maintenance for data centers, with ties to AI hardware ecosystems (e.g., partnerships with Dell). It’s emerging as a small-cap play in AI-enabling tech, with explosive sales growth from data center demand. Recent buzz highlights its fundamentals and potential breakout in AI-related infrastructure.

These stocks are frequently cited in 2025 analyses for their exposure to AI trends like generative AI, automation, and data services. While large-cap AI leaders like Nvidia dominate headlines, small-caps offer higher growth potential but with increased risk. Monitor earnings reports and AI adoption news for updates.

Small-Cap Stocks with Notable AI Patent Portfolios

Here are seven small-cap stocks that stand out for owning significant AI-related patents, based on patent rankings, company disclosures, and investment analyses. These companies are involved in areas like autonomous systems, IP licensing, voice AI, quantum computing for AI, and enterprise analytics. I’ve included current market caps, prices, and estimated AI patent counts where substantiated. Numbers can vary based on how “AI-related” is defined, and total patent portfolios may be larger.

1. Aurora Innovation (AUR)
   Market Cap: $4.5B | Current Price: $4.50
   Aurora develops AI for autonomous vehicles, with patents in machine learning for perception, planning, and mapping. It ranks #32 on the 2025 AI Patent 100™ List with 133 U.S. AI patents granted in 2024. The company partners with Toyota and Uber, positioning it for growth in AI-driven mobility.
2. Adeia Inc (ADEA)
   Market Cap: $1.2B | Current Price: $11.50
   Adeia is an IP licensing company with patents in media, semiconductors, and AI technologies like content recommendation and image processing. It ranks #50 on the 2025 AI Patent 100™ List with 91 U.S. AI patents granted in 2024. With a broader portfolio of over 11,000 patents, Adeia licenses to tech firms, making it a pure-play IP stock in AI.
3. SoundHound AI (SOUN)
   Market Cap: $4.27B | Current Price: $10.64
   SoundHound specializes in voice AI, with a robust patent portfolio in natural language processing, sound recognition, and conversational AI. Company reports and analyses indicate over 150 AI-related patents, supporting integrations in automotive and hospitality. Its tech powers voice assistants for brands like Hyundai and Krispy Kreme.
4. Verint Systems (VRNT)
   Market Cap: $1.27B | Current Price: $21.14
   Verint provides AI for customer engagement, with patents in bots, sentiment analysis, and automation. It boasts over 1,000 total patents, with a significant portion in AI-driven analytics and interaction tech. Serving sectors like finance and healthcare, Verint’s open platform enables AI outcomes, with revenue growth tied to patent-backed innovations.
5. IonQ (IONQ)
   Market Cap: $2.1B | Current Price: $9.80
   IonQ focuses on quantum computing, which accelerates AI tasks like optimization and machine learning. It holds over 200 patents in quantum tech with AI applications, per company and industry reports. Partnerships with AWS and Microsoft highlight its role in next-gen AI, making it a high-potential small-cap.
6. C3.ai (AI)
   Market Cap: $3.12B | Current Price: $23.19
   C3.ai offers enterprise AI software, with patents in predictive analytics, generative AI, and model deployment. Analyses show around 40-50 AI-related patents, bolstering its suites for industries like energy and defense. Key partners include Shell and AWS, with revenue up 26% YoY.
7. BigBear.ai (BBAI)
   Market Cap: $2.07B | Current Price: $7.09
   BigBear.ai specializes in AI for decision intelligence, with patents in computer vision, machine learning, and predictive analytics. It has about 20-30 AI patents, focused on defense and security applications. Government contracts drive growth, with Q1 revenue up 5% YoY.

These companies are frequently noted in 2025 AI investment discussions for their IP strength, which can provide competitive moats in emerging markets. However, patent counts don’t guarantee success—focus on filings, enforcement, and commercialization. Track updates via patent databases like USPTO or WIPO, and monitor earnings for IP monetization news.