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ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood said artificial intelligence could turn the loss of entry-level corporate jobs into an entrepreneurial boom, backing Elon Musk’s proposal to use Grok to create an “instant one-person company.” <\/p>\n
Wood Sees AI Fueling Startup Boom <\/p>\n
“As Elon suggests, AI is likely to create an entrepreneurial explosion,” Wood wrote on X. “The disappearance of entry-level jobs in corporate America is a blessing in disguise for new graduates. Start your own company to solve a problem, with AI as your only employee. Only 10% of startups survive,” she added. <\/p>\n
Knowing that only ~10% of new businesses survive, founders looking for a hedge will find that other companies are searching for talent with the initiative to start their own companies and solve problems, doing so only with AI. Excited for the future! <\/p>\n
\u2014 Cathie Wood (@CathieDWood) August 21, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n Don’t Miss: <\/p>\n Musk had written, “Make an instant one-person company with @Grok @Bot,” promoting xAI’s agent tools for automating business tasks. Wood has previously warned that AI is “hurting” entry-level jobs and urged young workers to develop AI skills. <\/p>\n The labor market adds urgency to that argument. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York said unemployment among recent college graduates remained elevated at about 5.6% in the second quarter, while underemployment climbed to 42%. Reuters reported this month that global youth unemployment reached 12.4%, with the International Labour Organization warning AI could further pressure entry-level work. <\/p>\n Startup Failure Still Builds Valuable Skills <\/p>\n Wood said failure does not erase the value of trying. “Knowing that only ~10% of new businesses survive, founders looking for a hedge will find that other companies are searching for talent with the initiative to start their own companies and solve problems, doing so only with AI. Excited for the future!” <\/p>\n See Also: Avoid the #1 Investing Mistake: How Your ‘Safe’ Holdings Could Be Costing You Big Time<\/a> <\/p>\n Her enthusiasm fits ARK’s investment thesis around Musk-led companies. As of June 30, Tesla Inc. represented 10.5% of the ARK Innovation ETF, while Space Exploration Technologies Corp. accounted for 4.6%, ARK’s quarterly report showed. The firm has continued buying both names during pullbacks. <\/p>\n Story Continues <\/p>\n Wood Keeps Betting On Musk Companies <\/p>\n Wood has been bullish on SpaceX since its June listing. In July, she said it could become “the most important company in history, and I mean in global history,” citing its launch capabilities and communications network. ARK has also described SpaceX as perhaps the clearest example of technological convergence across launch infrastructure, satellites, AI and advanced manufacturing. Wood’s firm has also repeatedly bought SpaceX shares during its post-IPO decline. <\/p>\n Photo Courtesy: Frederic Legrand \u2013 COMEO on Shutterstock <\/p>\n Read Next:\u00a0 <\/p>\n Building Wealth Across More Than Just the Market <\/p>\n Building a resilient portfolio means thinking beyond a single asset or market trend. Economic cycles shift, sectors rise and fall, and no one investment performs well in every environment. That’s why many investors look to diversify with platforms that provide access to real estate, fixed-income opportunities, precious metals, and even self-directed retirement accounts. By spreading exposure across multiple asset classes, it becomes easier to manage risk, capture steady returns, and create long-term wealth that isn’t tied to the fortunes of just one company or industry. <\/p>\n Arrived <\/p>\n Backed by Jeff Bezos, Arrived Homes makes real estate investing accessible with a low barrier to entry. Investors can buy fractional shares of single-family rentals and vacation homes starting with as little as $100<\/a>. This allows everyday investors to diversify into real estate, collect rental income, and build long-term wealth without needing to manage properties directly. <\/p>\n Frontieras <\/p>\n As electricity demand accelerates alongside AI and domestic energy production becomes a growing priority, Frontieras is developing patented technology that converts coal into fuels, chemicals, and low-emission energy products without combustion<\/a>.<\/a> Through its Regulation A offering, investors can gain exposure to an emerging energy infrastructure company focused on modernizing American industrial and power resources. <\/p>\n FarmTogether <\/p>\n Farmland has historically held its value through market volatility and delivered returns uncorrelated to stocks and bonds. For accredited investors, FarmTogether offers direct access to high-quality U.S. farmland starting at $15,000<\/a> \u2014 fully managed, with no landlord headaches. <\/p>\n Fundrise <\/p>\n Private real estate and private credit can add income and stability to a stock-heavy portfolio. Fundrise offers access to diversified private real estate<\/a> and credit strategies through an easy-to-use platform, with professionally managed portfolios designed to generate passive income and long-term growth. <\/p>\n Qnetic <\/p>\n As electricity demand rises alongside AI, data centers, and renewable energy, long-duration energy storage is becoming increasingly important. Qnetic is developing a kinetic energy storage system designed to provide long-lasting, chemical-free electricity storage<\/a>, <\/a>offering investors exposure to the infrastructure supporting a more resilient and reliable power grid. <\/p>\n EquityMultiple\u00a0 <\/p>\n For accredited investors looking beyond stocks and bonds, EquityMultiple provides access to vetted commercial real estate deals starting at $5,000<\/a>,<\/a> with only ~5% of opportunities passing their due diligence process.\u00a0 <\/p>\n BluSky AI <\/p>\n