Current Startup and Venture Capital News as of January 24, 2026: Mega-Rounds in AI, IPO Wave, Venture Fund Activity, and Key Global Trends for Investors.
As we enter 2026, the global venture capital market is demonstrating robust growth following a period of decline. Investors around the world are actively financing technology startups, leading to record deals, while IPO plans are taking center stage. Major players are returning with significant investments, and governments are increasing their support for innovations. As a result, private capital is actively reinvesting in the startup ecosystem.
Venture activity is rising across all regions. The United States maintains a strong lead (particularly in the field of artificial intelligence), the Middle East has seen a dramatic increase in investment in startups, and power dynamics are shifting in Europe: Germany has overtaken the United Kingdom in venture deal volume. India, Southeast Asia, and the Gulf countries are attracting record amounts of capital amid a slowdown in China. A new global venture boom is forming, although investors still approach deals selectively and cautiously.
Below are key events and trends shaping the venture market agenda as of January 24, 2026:
- Ongoing IPO Market Activation. Successful public debuts by technology "unicorns" and new applications confirm that the long-awaited "window" for exits remains open.
- Record Funding Rounds in AI and Robotics. Unprecedented deals are pushing startup valuations to new heights, particularly in the segments of artificial intelligence and robotics.
- Diversification of Sector Focus. Venture capital is being directed not only into AI but also into fintech, climate projects, biotechnology, defense technologies, and other areas.
- Wave of Consolidation and M&A Deals. Major mergers, acquisitions, and strategic investments are reshaping the industry landscape, providing pathways for exits and consolidating companies.
- Global Expansion of Venture Capital. The investment boom is extending to new markets—from the Gulf countries and South Asia to Africa and Latin America—forming their own technology ecosystems.
- Local Focus: Russia and the CIS. Despite limitations, new funds and initiatives are emerging in the region to develop local startup ecosystems, attracting investor attention.
Ongoing IPO Wave: New Listings on the Exchange
The initial public offering (IPO) market is experiencing a resurgence after a prolonged lull, and this wave continues into 2026. In recent months, several large "unicorns" have successfully debuted on the exchange, injecting optimism into the venture community. Notable events in the United States included the successful IPOs of design platform Figma and fintech company Chime. These successful listings have prompted other "mature" startups to prepare for public offerings.
2026 is expected to see a series of high-profile listings. Among the candidates for IPO are payment giant Stripe, social platform Reddit, AI company Anthropic, and even space leader SpaceX. Many of these companies are looking to capitalize on the opportunities presented by market growth to attract capital for further expansion. The activation of the IPO market is crucial for the venture ecosystem: successful exits allow funds to realize profitable returns and reinvest in new projects. As long as the "window" remains open, more startups are seriously considering going public.
Mega-Rounds in AI and Robotics Break Records
The artificial intelligence sector continues to attract unprecedented levels of venture funding, setting records in 2025 and maintaining momentum into early 2026. Major AI startups raised approximately $150 billion last year, with a lion's share coming from several mega-rounds. OpenAI completed the largest private round in history—around $40 billion in investments. Its competitor Anthropic is also rapidly attracting capital: at the end of 2025, the company secured strategic funding from NVIDIA and Microsoft amounting to up to $15 billion at a valuation of approximately $350 billion, and is now reportedly negotiating to raise an additional $25 billion.
Other players are also attracting huge sums. Swiss startup Skild AI, which is developing a "brain" for robotics, raised a record $1.4 billion in a funding round led by SoftBank. There is also a true boom in AI infrastructure: from cloud services to semiconductors and data centers for model training—investors are eager to invest even in the "shovels and pickaxes" of the AI market. The pool of new "unicorns" is rapidly expanding.
Diversification: Climate, Biotech, and Fintech Back in Focus
While artificial intelligence remains the main "star" of the venture market, investment capital is diversifying increasingly across sectors. Following a period of decline, funding in fintech is coming back to life. Climate and environmental startups have also gained momentum: total venture investments in climate tech exceeded $40 billion last year, with part of this coming from several mega-deals related to the application of AI in energy and resources (for example, startup Crusoe Energy raised $1.4 billion for the development of "green" data centers).
In biotechnology and medtech, investor interest is returning in light of new scientific breakthroughs. Large rounds in pharmaceutical startups and companies developing new therapies indicate that venture investors are once again willing to fund healthcare after a pause. Furthermore, defense technologies and space projects are attracting increasing amounts of capital, partly due to government contracts and geopolitical demand. Overall, the venture market is becoming broader and more balanced: capital is directed not only into AI but also into other promising segments.
Consolidation and M&A: Major Deals Transforming the Market
Against a backdrop of high startup valuations and fierce competition, the trend towards consolidation has intensified. Major tech corporations and high-valued "unicorns" are increasingly acquiring promising teams or merging for synergy. One of the largest acquisitions last year was Meta's purchase of Scale AI (a data labeling platform) for nearly $15 billion—a move that underscored tech giants' desire to acquire key assets in the AI field. Many late-stage startups are opting for sales to strategic investors or funds instead of pursuing an IPO to achieve liquidity. The wave of M&A deals provides funds with new pathways for exits while simultaneously consolidating market players, making them more mature and capable of competing globally.
Global Expansion of Venture Capital: Emerging Regions on the Rise
The venture boom today encompasses more countries and continents, extending beyond traditional hubs. The Middle East has transformed from a capital exporter to a creator of its own startup ecosystems: large governmental programs in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are stimulating technology development and attracting talent. India and Southeast Asia are achieving record venture funding, solidifying cities like Singapore, Bangalore, and Jakarta as major tech hubs. New "unicorns" are also emerging in Africa and Latin America—although investment volumes there are still modest, the growth rates are impressive, and global funds are showing increasing interest in these regions. Europe is experiencing shifts: Germany and France have ramped up venture activity, while the UK has lost some of its leadership. Venture capital has truly become global—innovative companies can find support almost anywhere in the world.
Russia and the CIS: Local Initiatives Amid Global Trends
Despite ongoing limitations and geopolitical circumstances, the venture market in Russia and neighboring countries is striving to evolve, relying on internal resources. Industry estimates suggest that venture investments in the Russian Federation reached about 7 billion rubles in 2025, slightly less than the year before due to limited access to external capital. Nevertheless, new funds and support programs for startups are emerging. Major banks and corporations are launching their own venture divisions and funds to finance promising projects in various fields.
The government is also increasing its focus on technological entrepreneurship. In 2025, the government established several new accelerators and grant programs in key technologies. The Russian Ministry of Finance announced plans to conduct 2-3 SPOs of state companies in 2026 amounting to up to 200 billion rubles. The region seeks to leverage global trends for its own needs, forming local analogs to successful models. Although the scale of Russian venture capital is incomparable to global leaders, local players hope to lay the foundation for future growth within the ecosystem.
Looking Ahead: Cautious Optimism Among Investors
As of early 2026, cautious optimism prevails in the venture market. Recent successes—from high-profile IPOs to record funding rounds—instill confidence in the continuation of growth. However, past experiences compel investors to remain vigilant. The concentration of massive capital in a few AI startups reminds us of the risks: if expectations fall short, sharp corrections in valuations could occur. In response, funds are increasingly emphasizing the quality of business models and actual performance metrics of startups, avoiding a reckless pursuit of growth at all costs. Despite the caution, the overall situation is favorable: ample capital is available, technological breakthroughs are occurring, and there is significant interest in innovation. If the macroeconomic climate remains stable, 2026 could witness further market revitalization—investors are eager to seize new opportunities but are prepared to temper enthusiasm at the first signs of overheating.
