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It’s impossible to scroll through WellFound, Product Hunt, or TechCrunch these days without spotting the same recurring visual.
Oftentimes it's a swirling, geometric symbol next to a clean sans-serif brand name.
It seems like every other company opts for a hexagon-shaped logo.
In an age when AI startups are popping up daily, why are they converging on the same aesthetic?
Let’s break it down.
Here are 22 AI startups (from the thumbnail) that I just found in less than 10 min—and they all reflect this visual trend:
I'm pretty sure that if I spent another 15 min or so—I would probably make it to 50 at least.
The hexagon isn’t just a trendy shape—it carries deep symbolic and visual meaning:
Found in honeycombs and molecular structures, hexagons are nature’s way of packing strength and space efficiently.
With six equal sides and perfect rotational symmetry, the hexagon feels inherently logical and stable.
It’s futuristic without being abstract.
Geometric but not rigid.
Clean but still dynamic.
These traits map well to what AI startups usually want to communicate:
We’re seeing a clear visual convergence in the branding of AI startups:
This trend is especially rampant among:
These logos feel techy and some of them do look “smart.”
However, here’s the issue: when everyone uses the same design language, no one actually stands out.
The ChatGPT logo, introduced by OpenAI, semms to be a visual landmark in the AI space these days:
After ChatGPT exploded in popularity, a flood of AI startups adopted similar forms.
Likely hoping to ride the wave of visual trust and familiarity.
However, what started as a great design choice quickly spiraled (pun intended) into overuse.
While logo trends can help signal “we’re part of this wave,” they carry serious risks:
When 50 other startups use a hexagon with a swirl, even great products can look like clones.
Founders often default to “what looks like AI” instead of asking questions like:
What does our product stand for?
What emotion do we want to evoke?
Remember, what works for them, doesn't necessarily works for you.
Do you remember the early 2010s “flat design” boom?
Or the 2020 crypto logos that all used hexagons and cube illusions?—Trends expire. Fast.
A logo should be distinctive, memorable, and aligned with your positioning—not just what’s hot right now.
You’re not the only one who noticed this.
They hilariously dissected how many AI logos resemble anatomical swirls instead of intelligent design.
They broke down how the AI logo trend mirrors what happened during the crypto boom—hexagons, grids, and abstract illusions that all end up looking the same.
Both articles point to one conclusion: good branding stands out.
Great branding reflects strategy.
If you're branding an AI startup today, consider these guidelines:
What makes your product unique? Who is it for?
Think beyond hexagons—can you use brainwaves, light, movement, or organic forms?
Slight asymmetry, custom glyphs, or raw forms can evoke emotion and personality.
Aim for timelessness, not trendiness.
The hexagon might be symbolic, trendy, and tech-approved—but in 2025, it’s also way to commonly used.
If you're building the future, your brand identity should be timeless—not a recycled shape from last year’s launch.
Check out my portfolio and schedule a call.
Let’s create a visual identity that breaks the mold—and builds real differentiation.
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I'm a branding expert and graphic designer based in NY. I specialize in the development of brands: brand strategy, identity & web design. Need help with your project?—Get in touch
