Startup and Venture Investment News — Wednesday, February 11, 2026: The Return of Mega Funds, Record AI Deals, IPO Revival, Major M&A Transactions, and Market Trends
The venture capital market enters 2026 with signs of revitalization and new records. By mid-February, several landmark events have emerged: the largest investment funds are once again attracting massive sums, AI startups are setting records for funding rounds, the window for initial public offerings (IPOs) is beginning to open, and mergers and acquisitions are gaining momentum. At the same time, investors are focusing on promising sectors—from AI and defense technologies to sustainable "green" projects. Let's take a closer look at the key trends and startup news in venture investments as of this date.
The Return of Mega Funds to the Venture Market
Following a period of relative quiet in 2025, venture mega funds are making a comeback in the market. The largest investors are demonstrating their ability to attract record-breaking capital. A significant event was the announcement of a new round of funds from Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)—the firm closed funds aggregating over $15 billion, directed at scaling startups, artificial intelligence, and strategic industries. This fundraising effort, less than two years after the previous one, indicates that limited partners (LPs) are still willing to invest in top venture teams. Despite the difficulties of recent years and a decline in new funds in 2025, major players such as a16z, Sequoia, and others are still capable of attracting megascale capital. The resurgence of mega funds signals a restoration of confidence in the venture market and a readiness to finance new breakthrough projects.
Record Venture Rounds in AI
The artificial intelligence (AI) sector continues to attract the lion's share of investments, setting new records in startup funding. The largest deals at the beginning of 2026 have involved AI companies, demonstrating that investors are willing to inject enormous sums into industry leaders. Notable funding rounds include:
- Waymo (self-driving cars, USA) – raised around $16 billion in new funding at a valuation of approximately $126 billion. The round was led by Dragoneer, DST Global, and Sequoia Capital; the startup plans to expand to new markets (reportedly set to enter 20 cities worldwide, including Tokyo and London).
- Cerebras Systems (AI processors, USA) – secured $1 billion in Series H funding, with the company's valuation reaching around $23 billion. The funding round was led by Tiger Global.
- ElevenLabs (generative audio AI, USA) – attracted $500 million in Series D funding at a valuation of around $11 billion. The round was led by Sequoia Capital; the company notes rapid revenue growth due to demand for AI voice synthesis.
These record investments underscore investor appetite for companies leading the AI technology race. Importantly, not only American startups are receiving support—similar trends are emerging globally. For example, Japanese conglomerate SoftBank made a significant bet on AI model developer OpenAI: in December, SoftBank invested over $40 billion to acquire about 11% of the company, and early in 2026, plans to invest an additional up to $30 billion in a potential mega-round that could elevate OpenAI’s valuation to an astounding $800+ billion have been revealed. Thus, major investors are effectively going "all-in" on AI. Corporations are also active: compared to last year, the volume of corporate investments in AI startups has nearly doubled. Clearly, artificial intelligence remains a primary focal point for venture capital, and selected companies in this sector can attract unprecedented sums.
Revival of the IPO Market
After a protracted decline in the market for public offerings, technology companies are once again preparing to go public. Experts are talking about a revival of IPOs: investment banks and analysts predict a surge in large listings in 2026. For instance, Goldman Sachs estimates that the total volume of capital raised in IPOs on the American market could reach a record $150-160 billion if the most anticipated "unicorns" go public this year. The list of potential debutants is impressive. Primarily, attention is focused on SpaceX founded by Elon Musk: the space company, recently merged with his AI startup xAI, is gearing up for an IPO expected by mid-2026 that could value the combined business at over $1.5 trillion. If SpaceX raises more than $25 billion in the stock market, it will become the largest IPO in history, surpassing the record set by Saudi Aramco. Also on the horizon are giants in the AI sector. OpenAI, according to insiders, is exploring the possibility of an IPO by the end of 2026 with a target valuation of around $1 trillion, although the company’s management is currently cautious about entering the public market. Another AI developer, Anthropic, has reportedly hired consultants to prepare for a potential offering. Additionally, IPOs of several well-known fintech and software unicorns such as Stripe and Databricks are expected if market conditions are favorable. The first indications of this revival are already evident: in early February, two biotechnology companies successfully debuted on the stock market (raising a total of approximately $350 million), signaling a renewed investor appetite for new listings. Of course, risks persist—market volatility or a correction within the tech sector could alter plans. However, the overall sentiment is positive: 2026 may mark a turning point for the IPO market after several "cold" years.
Increased M&A Activity
Major mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals are back in the spotlight as corporations seek to strengthen their positions by acquiring promising startups. One notable event was Google’s acquisition of cybersecurity startup Wiz. The deal, valued at around $32 billion, became Google's largest acquisition in history and secured approval from European Union antitrust authorities in February, confirming that there are no substantial threats to competition. For Google, this move enhances its cloud business and secures a place among cybersecurity elite. Another unprecedented case is the announced merger of SpaceX and xAI founded by Elon Musk. Formally, this is the acquisition of the younger AI startup by flagship company SpaceX, resulting in a colossal technology tandem valued at approximately $1.25 trillion ahead of an IPO. This move not only solves xAI's financial challenges but also lays the groundwork for synergy between aerospace and AI technologies, setting the stage for a future public offering. Overall, the trend is clear: technology giants are actively acquiring innovative companies to strengthen their ecosystems. In addition to megadeals, targeted acquisitions in fintech and the SaaS sector continue, as well as acquisitions of startups by large industrial players looking for new technologies. The increase in the number and scale of M&A deals indicates a phase of market consolidation, where large corporations utilize accumulated capital for strategic acquisitions.
Fintech Shows Signs of Recovery
The financial technology (FinTech) sector, which experienced a downturn in activity last year, is showing signs of recovery. In the early weeks of February 2026, fintech startups worldwide raised over $1 billion.
Geography of Venture Investments: A Global Perspective
The venture boom at the start of 2026 is a global phenomenon. While the largest deals are traditionally concentrated in the USA (Silicon Valley continues to generate the most valuable unicorns and mega rounds, as exemplified by Waymo and others), other regions are not lagging behind. Europe is showing its own success: in January alone, at least five new "unicorns" with valuations over $1 billion emerged in Europe. Notably, the geography of these companies is diverse, stretching from Belgium and France to Lithuania and Ukraine. Sectors of these new European unicorns include cybersecurity, cloud services, military technologies, ESG platforms, and educational apps. The participation of investors such as BlackRock, Temasek, and DST Global in European rounds reinforces that international capital is actively flowing into European projects. Asia is also contributing: in Japan and China, large conglomerates and funds are investing in AI and electronics technologies (a vivid example is SoftBank's aggressive investments in OpenAI). The Middle East is enhancing its presence through sovereign funds—such as those from Qatar and the UAE—investing hundreds of millions of dollars in Western and Asian startups. India and Southeast Asia continue to cultivate their own startup ecosystems: weekly news of funding rounds for Indian tech companies are surfacing, even if at a more modest scale, indicating the broad engagement of emerging markets. Overall, venture investments are spreading everywhere, and competition for the best deals is international in scale—capital flows to where there are promising teams and technologies, whether in Silicon Valley, London, Tel Aviv, or Bangalore.
Focus on AI and Defense Technologies
Analyzing overall trends, a clear focus on artificial intelligence and defense technologies can be identified among investors. The rapid integration of AI across all industries has led to almost every major fund formulating strategies to increase investments in AI startups. Simultaneously, heightened geopolitical tensions and technological rivalry between nations (especially the USA and China) have brought defense and dual-use technologies to the forefront. In the USA, the launch of individual venture funds focused on national security and "critical technologies" (for instance, a16z allocated over $1 billion to the American Dynamism fund, which invests in defense, equipment, infrastructure, etc.) reflects a governmental priority to maintain technological leadership. In Europe, a similar trend is seen: French startup Harmattan AI, developing autonomous drones, secured $200 million with backing from aerospace giant Dassault Aviation and contracts with the Ministry of Defense—a telling example of the synergy between the defense sector and venture capital. Overall, defense startups, cybersecurity, and intelligence technologies are now actively funded not only by the government but also by private investors who recognize the growing demand for these solutions. The sector of AI and defense increasingly intersects—from AI-based space vehicles to analytical systems for military applications—creating a new niche for venture growth. It's expected that in 2026, the share of deals in these areas will continue to rise, supported by both private and government capital.
Sustainable Development and "Green" Investments
Despite the excitement surrounding high technology, the agenda of sustainable development (ESG) remains in the spotlight. Climate and environmental startups continue to attract funding, albeit less prominently against the backdrop of AI deals. Following 2025, the total global volume of investments in climate technologies even increased by several percent (to ~$40 billion), despite an overall decline in the number of deals—a sign that investors are looking long-term and are not pulling back support for "green" innovations. In Europe, tightening regulations on sustainability are stimulating demand for corresponding solutions: a marked example was the transformation of the German ESG platform Osapiens into a "unicorn" after attracting $100 million at a valuation of $1.1 billion, supported by funds established by giants like BlackRock and Temasek, aimed at decarbonization. New technologies in clean energy, emissions management, electric mobility, and waste recycling are under development worldwide, and venture capital is actively funding these directions. Large manufacturing and energy corporations are also investing in "green" startups or launching corporate venture units to search for sustainable solutions. Thus, themes of ecology, social responsibility, and corporate governance continue to influence investment decisions. In 2026, expectations for sustainability will become an integral part of many funds' strategies, and startups offering climate innovations can anticipate stable interest from both specialized impact funds and multi-sector investors.
The Role of Corporate Investors
A notable trend of the current period is the increased role of corporate venture capital in the startup scene. Corporations and industry giants are increasingly acting as investors or buyers of technology companies. January 2026 became a record month in terms of corporate investments: analysts estimate that corporate venture arms of global companies participated in deals totaling over $37 billion in just one month, a peak for the past two years. Moreover, there has been a surge in large rounds: January saw a record number of rounds exceeding $100 million with corporate participation. Corporations are particularly interested in AI startups (the number of corporately backed deals in AI has increased almost 2-3 times compared to last year) and in robotics/drones. Traditional companies view startups not only as financial returns but also as strategic opportunities—from integrating innovations into their own business to outpacing competitors. We are seeing examples across all sectors: financial organizations are opening venture funds to invest in fintech and blockchain, automotive manufacturers are acquiring startups in electric vehicles and batteries, oil and gas giants are investing in renewable energy, and IT corporations—into cloud services and cybersecurity (as exemplified by Google's acquisition of Wiz). New players are also emerging: well-known entrepreneurs and media personalities are entering the venture acquisition game through their companies. For instance, in February it was announced that the media business of famous blogger MrBeast is acquiring fintech startup Step—an unconventional example showing that the venture market attracts a wide range of investors. As a result, the merger of traditional business and the startup industry is intensifying. For startups, corporate investors represent not only capital, but also access to resources, expertise, and large customer bases. In 2026, continued growth in corporate venture capital is expected: companies are holding significant cash reserves and are seeking ways to stay at the forefront of technology, hence they will continue to actively invest in promising projects or acquire them.
Summary and Outlook: The beginning of 2026 instills cautious optimism in the venture community. We are witnessing big money returning to the market—through mega funds and massive funding rounds—but investments are becoming more selective, focused on breakthrough areas. Investors of all types—from traditional venture funds to corporations and sovereign funds—are now competing for the best startups, especially in artificial intelligence, defense, fintech, and sustainable development. Growing activity on the IPO front indicates that successful startups are finding their long-awaited exit to the public market, which could inject additional liquidity into the ecosystem. Mergers and acquisitions point to ongoing restructuring in the industry, where the strongest companies are absorbing niche players. Of course, global risks—economic conditions, regulatory constraints, geopolitics—still loom large. Nevertheless, the venture market is welcoming the new year armed with lessons from the past downturn and is ready to finance the next wave of innovations. For venture investors and funds on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the main news is that the market has revived, capital is back in action, and new deals, records, and achievements of startups around the world await us.
