Major Funding Rounds, AI Investments, and Key Venture Market Trends as of December 31, 2025
At the end of 2025, the venture market demonstrates a recovery after a prolonged downturn. Major funds and corporations are announcing large-scale investment programs in the technology sector, while governments worldwide are launching new incentives for startups. The USA remains the market leader, thanks to a record boom in artificial intelligence, the Middle East is directing unprecedented amounts via sovereign funds, and Europe is betting on defense technologies and biomedicine. India and Southeast Asian countries are attracting record volumes of venture capital despite regulatory uncertainty in China. Beijing has launched a national venture fund with a budget of ¥100 billion (approximately $14.3 billion) and three regional funds of ¥50 billion each to support IT companies and tech startups.
Record Funding for AI Startups
The artificial intelligence sector continues to be the primary driver of venture investments. For the year 2025, AI startups raised over $150 billion, setting an all-time record. Among the largest deals are a round involving SoftBank in OpenAI for $41 billion and a $13 billion funding round for Anthropic, as well as over $14 billion secured by the startup Scale AI (a subsidiary of Meta) for preparing training data. This unprecedented influx of capital has accelerated technology development; however, investors advise startup founders to establish "solid financial balances" in preparation for a potential market correction.
Major Venture Deals
In the concluding year, the venture market recorded a series of significant deals across the globe:
- Lovable (Sweden) – $330 million (Series B, valuation $6.6 billion) for developing an AI software generation platform.
- Helsing (Germany) – €600 million (Series D) for the creation of combat drones and defense systems powered by AI.
- Plata (Mexico) – $500 million (Series B) for launching cashback banking cards; the service serves 2.5 million customers.
- Manus (China/Meta) – acquired by Meta for $2–3 billion, a Chinese startup developing "universal AI agents." The 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 holding company "Vostok Investments" and angel investors (around $5.7 million) for developing an AI platform for code automation.
Government and Major Fund Initiatives
Government and institutional players are ramping up support for startup ecosystems. For example, China 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 activity in fintech and "green" technologies, expanding their venture investment portfolios in global sectors.
Fintech and Cryptocurrencies
Fintech startups continue to attract significant capital investments, and cryptocurrencies are back in the spotlight. For instance, the Mexican fintech platform Plata secured $500 million (Series B) for growth, while the American crypto bank Erebor Bank obtained $350 million (Series D) for serving the digital market. Niche solutions are also gaining support: the crypto startup FINNY (USA) raised $17 million to develop an AI platform for financial advisors, and interest in DeFi and stablecoins is gradually reviving after a downturn. Bitcoin is trading around record highs of ~$90,000 on cryptocurrency exchanges, while Ethereum has strengthened above $3,000. Volatility remains high due to anticipation of regulatory signals, but institutional demand is generally positive.
Forecasts and Conclusions
The record influx of venture capital has provided startups with resources for scaling; however, experts caution about the possibility of a market correction. Investors advise entrepreneurs to maintain high liquidity and "balance strength" to withstand any external shocks. Additionally, venture funds are shifting their focus to the sustainability of business models and profitability, even amid unprecedented company valuations. The overall forecast for 2026 remains moderately optimistic: continued investments are expected in key technology sectors (AI, biotechnology, cybersecurity) with increased attention to financial discipline and risk management.
