The Major Rounds, AI Investments, and Key Trends in the Venture Market as of December 31, 2025
By the end of 2025, the venture market is showcasing a recovery after an extended downturn. Major funds and corporations are announcing extensive investment programs in the tech sector, while governments worldwide are launching new incentives for startups. The United States continues to be the market leader due to a record boom in artificial intelligence, the Middle East is channeling record funds through sovereign wealth funds, and Europe is betting on defense technologies and biomedicine. India and Southeast Asian countries are attracting record amounts of venture capital despite regulatory uncertainty in China. Beijing has launched a national venture fund worth ¥100 billion (~$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 remains the primary driver of venture investments. By the end of 2025, AI startups attracted over $150 billion, setting a new historical record. Among the largest deals are a round involving SoftBank in OpenAI for $41 billion and funding for Anthropic at $13 billion, as well as over $14 billion raised by the startup Scale AI (a subsidiary of Meta) for preparing training data. This unprecedented influx of capital has accelerated the development of technologies; however, investors advise startup founders to establish "strong financial balances" in case of a potential market correction.
Major Venture Deals
In the concluding year, the venture market recorded several substantial deals worldwide:
- Lovable (Sweden) – $330 million (Series B, valuation $6.6 billion) for the development of an AI software generation platform.
- Helsing (Germany) – €600 million (Series D) for the creation of AI combat drones and defense systems.
- Plata (Mexico) – $500 million (Series B) for launching cashback banking cards; the service caters to 2.5 million clients.
- 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 "Vostok Investments" holding and business angels (around $5.7 million) for the development of an AI platform to automate coding tasks.
Government and Major Fund Initiatives
Governmental and institutional players are ramping up support for the startup ecosystem. China has announced the creation 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 has 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, while the crypto theme is back in the spotlight. For instance, the Mexican fintech platform Plata raised $500 million (Series B) for growth, and the American crypto bank Erebor Bank secured $350 million (Series D) for servicing the digital market. Niche solutions are also gaining support: the crypto startup FINNY (USA) raised $17 million for developing an AI platform for financial advisors, and interest in DeFi and stablecoins is gradually reviving after a downturn. On cryptocurrency exchanges, Bitcoin is trading around record levels of ~$90,000, while Ethereum has strengthened above $3,000. Volatility remains high due to expectations 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, yet experts warn of a potential market correction. Investors advise entrepreneurs to maintain high liquidity and "balance strength" to withstand any external shocks. Meanwhile, venture funds are shifting focus towards 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 heightened attention to financial discipline and risk management.
