Startups
Profiles of innovative startups and the latest in venture capital and funding.
Merantix Capital closes new AI fund for European startups
Merantix Capital has closed its largest investment fund to date, a €103 million war chest dedicated exclusively to early-stage AI-native startups across Europe, according to Tech Eu and EU-Startups .
Edafa Venture acquires two Egyptian AI startups, Kuadra and IRRI Vision
On the sidelines of Egypt’s AI Everything Middle East & Africa summit in February, Edafa Venture initiated the acquisition of two local AI startups, Kuadra and IRRI Vision, in six-figure dollar de
3IF Ventures Secures $12M First Close for African Insurtech Fund
3IF Ventures secured $12 million in its first close for an African insurtech investment fund.
Global venture capital funding rounds see resilience in defense sector
Anduril Industries announced a substantial $5 billion Series H funding round, which propelled its valuation to $30.
Benchmark Raises $2 Billion for New Funds
Benchmark Capital, long synonymous with early-stage venture, has just closed its first-ever dedicated growth fund: a substantial $1.25 billion vehicle for later-stage investments.
Venture capital for Black-founded startups sees sharp decline
In 2023, Black-founded U.S. startups captured less than 0.5% of the $140.4 billion in venture funding, a stark decline from previous years.
Peec startup revenue growth crosses $10 million milestone
Just six months after raising $21 million, AI startup Peec AI has surged past $10 million in annualized revenue, highlighting a dramatic shift in what defines startup success.
AI firms capture 65% of venture deal value in 2025
In 2025, AI companies didn't just lead venture capital funding; they captured an astounding 65% of all deal value, up from 46% just a year prior, according to Institutional Investor .
Ramp Secures $500M at $22.5B Valuation
Just two months after being valued at $22.5 billion, corporate card startup Ramp is reportedly seeking new funding that could push its valuation past $40 billion.
Southeast Asian deep tech startups target Japan for growth
Southeast Asia's deep tech startups are increasingly pivoting to Japan, not just for capital, but for market access unavailable at home.
French startups pioneer AI innovations, attracting industrial investment.
France's AI champion, Mistral, secured a €1.
BMW i Ventures launches new $300M AI fund for industrial AI
BMW i Ventures has quietly amassed $1.
Alumni Ventures, KDDI Forge Japan-US Startup Ecosystem
Alumni Ventures has opened a Japan office, establishing a direct pipeline for Japanese corporate capital into the US startup ecosystem.
India Issues Guidelines for Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0
India's government has just unleashed a ₹10,000 crore fund for startups, but with a twist: deep-tech ventures can now secure up to 40% of their fund's corpus, capped at ₹500 crore, over an 18-year ten
DPIIT Issues Guidelines for Startup India Fund 2.0 Deep Tech
India has operationalized a Rs 10,000 crore fund for deep tech and manufacturing, simultaneously doubling the startup benefit period to 20 years for these critical companies.
Pegasus Tech Ventures Japanet expand startup investment fund
Japanese retailer Japanet Holdings has quadrupled its corporate venture fund with Pegasus Tech Ventures to an astonishing $200 million, a fourfold increase from its initial $50 million in just three y
Cursor AI startup nears $2B funding at over $50B valuation
A startup launched in 2023, Cursor AI, is reportedly in talks to raise $2 billion, potentially valuing it at over $50 billion, according to TradingView .
UK government launches Sovereign AI Fund for British startups
The UK government's new £500 million Sovereign AI Unit has made its first direct equity investment: AI infrastructure startup Callosum.
Texas VC Funding Leads Massachusetts in Q1
Autonomous boat builder Saronic secured $1.75 billion in the first quarter, propelling Texas startups to a collective $5.8 billion in venture capital funding.
Indian government launches Rs 10,000 crore fund for deep tech startups
The Indian government has just committed Rs 10,000 crore to a new fund, specifically targeting deeptech and manufacturing startups, marking a significant state-backed push into critical innovation sec
AI startups capture 80% of venture funding
In Q1 2024, AI startups secured $50 billion in venture capital, capturing 80% of all tech funding.
Cisco in talks to acquire Astrix Security for AI identity protection
Cisco Systems is reportedly in talks to acquire Israeli AI security startup Astrix Security for up to $350 million, marking its second AI-focused security acquisition in recent months.
Türkiye's VC Ecosystem Sees Major Shifts in 2026 Startup Funding
In the first quarter of 2026, Turkish founders abroad raised nearly ten times the capital of their counterparts within Türkiye.
Madica Invests $600K in Three African Startups to Fuel Growth
Venture capital firm Madica has invested $600,000 in three diverse African startups, coupling the funding with an 18-month support program and a new guide for pre-seed founders.
Family Offices Bypass VCs for Direct Investment in AI Startups
A surge in direct deals signals a new dynamic in early-stage funding, as private wealth chases high-risk, high-reward opportunities in the foundational AI sector.
Beyond the Hype: Deconstructing AI Venture Capital Funding Strategies in 2025
2025 marked a profound shift in AI venture capital funding strategies, as investors consolidated capital into fewer, larger, and more strategic deals. This analysis deconstructs the data behind this trend and what it means for the future.
Venture Capital Investment Surges to Record $300B in Q1 2026 Driven by AI Boom
Global venture capital investment shattered all previous records in the first quarter of 2026, reaching $300 billion in a surge driven almost entirely by the artificial intelligence sector.
AI Venture Capital Funding Surges as Few Startups Capture Record Investments
Venture capital dealmaking hit an all-time high in the first quarter, but the record-breaking AI venture capital funding surge is benefiting a concentrated few startups, creating a top-heavy and high-stakes market.
Foundational AI Startups See Massive Funding Surge in Q1 2026
Venture funding for foundational AI startups exploded in the first quarter of 2026, with capital inflows reportedly doubling the total for all of 2025.
Global Venture Funding Reaches All-Time High in Q1 2026
Global venture investment reached a record $300 billion in the first quarter of 2026, with data showing that artificial intelligence startups captured 80% of the total funding.