Current Startup and Venture Investment News for Tuesday, December 30, 2025. Major Funding Rounds, AI Investments, Venture Fund Activity, and Key Global Market Trends.
Global Venture Market Trends
By the end of 2025, the venture market shows signs of recovery following a prolonged downturn. Major funds and corporations have announced large-scale investment programs, while governments are launching new incentives for tech startups. Investors worldwide are once again actively funding high-tech businesses: the United States remains a leader due to the AI boom, sovereign funds are ensuring record inflows in the Middle East, and defense technologies and biomedicine are gaining traction in Europe. India and South-East Asian countries are attracting record capital despite regulatory risks in China. Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have launched a national fund worth 100 billion yuan ($14.3 billion) and three regional funds of 50 billion yuan each to support semiconductor, quantum technology, biomedicine, and other priority sectors.
Record Funding for AI Startups
The artificial intelligence sector continues to be a growth driver for the venture market. In 2025, AI startups raised over $150 billion, setting a historical funding record. 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 “strong financial cushions” to mitigate potential market correction risks.
Major Venture Rounds and Deals
In the concluding year, the venture market has recorded several significant deals:
- 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 (US/UK) – $150 million (Series D) for developing zero-emission hydrogen engines for aviation.
- SanegeneBio (US) – $110 million (Series B) for the development of RNAi therapies and new biopharmaceuticals.
- Israeli Cyera – $400 million (Series C, valuation $9 billion). The startup is creating an AI-based cybersecurity platform to protect corporate data.
- Latin American fintech Plata (Mexico) – $500 million (Series B, valuation $3.1 billion). The company issues cash-back bank cards and extends credit to 2.5 million customers in Mexico.
- Canadian startup Clio – $500 million (Series I, valuation $5 billion). The corporate travel and expense service is expanding its global sales following a recent IPO by competitor Navan.
Cybersecurity and Major Deals
- Google announced its acquisition of the Israeli company Wiz for $32 billion — a record purchase in the cybersecurity segment.
- Palo Alto Networks reached an agreement to acquire CyberArk for $26 billion, ranking it among the largest M&A deals in the industry.
- Service provider ServiceNow agreed to buy the platform developer Armis for $7.75 billion, more than doubling its recent valuation.
Government and Major Fund Initiatives
- China launched a national venture fund worth 100 billion yuan ($14.3 billion) and three regional funds of 50 billion yuan each to support tech startups in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and biomedicine.
- Dutch fund Keen VC raised €125 million for investments in defense and aerospace startups.
- Sovereign funds from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore have increased their activity in fintech and green technologies, expanding investment portfolios.
Fintech and Cryptocurrencies
Fintech startups attracted significant investment: the 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: the crypto-bank FINNY (US) raised $17 million to develop an AI platform for financial advisors. After the correction in 2025, interest in crypto startups revitalized: as the market stabilizes, blockchain projects are once again attracting venture capital investments in the DeFi and stablecoin sectors.
Market Prospects and Conclusions
The influx of capital has provided startups with resources for growth, yet experts warn of potential corrections. Many investors advise founders to maintain high liquidity and “robust balances” in preparation for downturns. For venture funds, it is crucial to remain focused on profitability and sustainability of business models amid record valuations of startups. The overall forecast for 2026 remains moderately optimistic: continued investments in key sectors (AI, biotechnology, cybersecurity) are expected, taking financial discipline into account. Thus, the venture market is entering a new phase – a global boom phenomenon coupled with a simultaneous risk mitigation strategy.
