Major Rounds, AI Investments, and Key Venture Market Trends as of December 31, 2025
By the end of 2025, the venture market is exhibiting signs of recovery after a prolonged decline. Large funds and corporations are announcing expansive investment programs in the technology sector, while governments worldwide are rolling out new incentives for startups. The United States continues to lead the market with an unprecedented boom in artificial intelligence, the Middle East is channeling record funds through sovereign wealth funds, and Europe is focusing on defense technologies and biomedicine. India and Southeast Asian countries attract record levels of venture capital despite regulatory uncertainties in China. Beijing has launched a national venture fund worth 100 billion yuan (~$14.3 billion) and three regional funds of 50 billion yuan each to support IT companies and tech startups.
Record Funding for AI Startups
The artificial intelligence sector remains the primary driver of venture investments. By the end of 2025, AI startups raised over $150 billion, setting a new historical record. Notable deals include a round involving SoftBank in OpenAI for $41 billion, funding for Anthropic amounting to $13 billion, as well as over $14 billion raised by the startup Scale AI (a division of Meta) for training data preparation. This unprecedented influx of capital has accelerated technology development; however, investors advise startup founders to build "solid financial balances" in case of a potential market correction.
Major Venture Deals
In the closing year, the venture market recorded several significant deals worldwide:
- Lovable (Sweden) – $330 million (Series B, valuation $6.6 billion) for the development of an AI-powered software generation platform.
- Helsing (Germany) – €600 million (Series D) for the creation of AI-driven combat drones and defense systems.
- Plata (Mexico) – $500 million (Series B) for the issuance of cashback bank cards; the service caters to 2.5 million customers.
- Manus (China/Meta) – acquired by Meta for $2–3 billion, a Chinese startup developer of "universal AI agents." This deal will expedite the integration of advanced AI technologies into Meta's products.
- Kalshi (USA) – $1 billion for a prediction market platform (predictive financial instruments).
- Veai (Russia) – 400 million rubles from the investment holding "Vostok Invest" and business angels (approximately $5.7 million) for the development of an AI platform for code automation.
Government and Major Fund Initiatives
Government and institutional players are ramping up support for the startup ecosystem. For instance, China has announced the establishment of a national venture capital fund with a budget of ¥100 billion and three regional funds of ¥50 billion each for investments in priority sectors (semiconductors, quantum technologies, AI, biomedicine, etc.). The Dutch fund Keen VC raised €125 million to invest in defense and aerospace startups. Sovereign funds from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore are increasing their activity in fintech and "green" technologies, expanding their venture investment portfolios across global sectors.
Fintech and Cryptocurrencies
Fintech startups continue to attract significant capital investments, and the cryptocurrency sector is once again in the spotlight. For example, the Mexican fintech platform Plata received $500 million (Series B) for growth, while the American crypto-bank Erebor Bank secured $350 million (Series D) for servicing the digital market. Niche solutions are also finding support: the crypto startup FINNY (USA) attracted $17 million for developing an AI platform for financial advisors, and interest in DeFi and stablecoins is gradually reviving after a downturn. Bitcoin is trading close to record levels of ~$90,000 on cryptocurrency exchanges, while Ethereum has strengthened above $3,000. Volatility remains elevated due to regulatory signal expectations, but institutional demand is generally positive.
Forecasts and Conclusions
The record influx of venture capital has provided startups with resources for scaling; however, experts warn of a potential market correction. Investors advise entrepreneurs to maintain high liquidity and "balance sheet strength" to withstand any external shocks. Meanwhile, venture funds are shifting their focus towards the sustainability of business models and profitability even amid unprecedented company valuations. The overall outlook for 2026 remains moderately optimistic: continued investments in key tech sectors (AI, biotechnology, cybersecurity) are expected, with increased attention to financial discipline and risk management.
