Current News on Startups and Venture Investments for Tuesday, December 30, 2025. Major Funding Rounds, AI Investments, Venture Fund Activity, and Key Trends in the Global Market.
Global Venture Market Trends
By the end of 2025, the venture market shows signs of recovery after a prolonged downturn. Major funds and corporations have announced extensive investment programs, while governments are launching new incentives for technology startups. Investors worldwide are once again actively funding high-tech businesses: the United States remains a leader due to the boom in artificial intelligence, while record inflows from sovereign funds are boosting investment in the Middle East. In Europe, defense technologies and biomedicine are gaining momentum. India and Southeast Asian countries are attracting record levels of capital despite regulatory risks in China. In response, Chinese authorities have launched a national fund worth 100 billion yuan ($14.3 billion) along with three regional funds of 50 billion yuan each, aimed at supporting semiconductor, quantum technology, biomedicine, and other priority sectors.
Record Funding for AI Startups
The artificial intelligence sector continues to be the growth driver of the venture market. In 2025, AI startups attracted over $150 billion, setting a new historical record for funding. Among the largest deals, SoftBank Group led a $41 billion round in OpenAI, while the startup Anthropic raised $13 billion. This unprecedented influx of capital has accelerated AI technology development, but venture investors advise founders to build “robust financial cushions” to mitigate potential market correction risks.
Major Venture Rounds and Deals
In this concluding year, the venture market has recorded several significant transactions:
- Swedish startup Lovable – $330 million (Series B, valuation $6.6 billion). The company is developing a software generation platform based on textual descriptions.
- American fintech Erebor Bank – $350 million (Series D, valuation around $4.35 billion). The bank provides financial services to crypto and AI companies.
- ZeroAvia (USA/UK) – $150 million (Series D) for the development of zero-emission hydrogen engines for aviation.
- SanegeneBio (USA) – $110 million (Series B) for the development of RNAi therapies and new biotechnological drugs.
- Israeli Cyera – $400 million (Series C, valuation $9 billion). The startup is creating an AI cybersecurity platform to protect corporate data.
- Latin fintech Plata (Mexico) – $500 million (Series B, valuation $3.1 billion). The company issues cashback bank cards and provides credit to 2.5 million clients in Mexico.
- Canadian startup Clio – $500 million (Series I, valuation $5 billion). The corporate travel and expense service is expanding global sales following the recent IPO of competitor Navan.
Cybersecurity and Major Deals
- Google announced the acquisition of Israeli company Wiz for $32 billion — a record purchase in the cybersecurity sector.
- Palo Alto Networks agreed to acquire CyberArk for $26 billion, marking one of the largest M&A deals in the industry.
- Service provider ServiceNow has agreed to buy platform developer Armis for $7.75 billion, more than doubling its recent valuation.
Government and Large Fund Initiatives
- China launched a national venture fund of 100 billion yuan ($14.3 billion) and three regional funds of 50 billion yuan each to support technology startups in the areas of semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and biomedicine.
- Dutch fund Keen VC raised €125 million to invest in defense and aerospace startups.
- Sovereign funds from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore increased their activity in fintech and green technology markets, boosting their investment portfolios.
Fintech and Cryptocurrencies
Fintech startups have attracted significant investments: Mexican Plata – $500 million (Series B, valuation $3.1 billion) and American Erebor Bank – $350 million, providing banking services for cryptocurrency and AI companies. Niche solutions are also receiving support: crypto-bank FINNY (USA) raised $17 million to develop an AI platform for financial advisors. Following the correction in 2025, interest in crypto startups has revived: as the blockchain market stabilizes, venture investments are once again flowing into DeFi and stablecoin projects.
Market Outlook and Conclusions
The influx of capital has provided startups with the resources for growth, but experts warn of potential corrections. Many investors advise founders to maintain high liquidity and “robust balances” in case of downturns. For venture funds, it is essential to remain focused on the profitability and sustainability of business models amid record startup valuations. The overall forecast for 2026 remains moderately optimistic: continued investments in key sectors (AI, biotechnology, cybersecurity) are anticipated, with an emphasis on financial discipline. Thus, the venture market is entering a new phase – characterized by a global boom phenomenon coupled with a concurrent risk aversion strategy.
