Latest Startups & Entrepreneurship News

📅December 31, 2025 at 1:00 AM
2025 saw robust VC activity with new European funds, major CVC investments in AI and crypto, record startup funding rounds, and optimism for 2026 AI enterprise spending.
1

Nvidia Emerges as Dominant CVC Investor in 2025

AI chipmaker Nvidia became a leading corporate venture force, investing via NVentures and directly in large AI funding rounds. Crypto investors like Coinbase Ventures and Animoca Brands focused on smaller cheques amid a friendlier US regulatory climate.Source 1 Salesforce Ventures pivoted to AI, backing mega rounds for Anthropic ($3.5bn) and others like Cohere.Source 1

2

Salesforce Ventures Backs Major AI Deals Including Anthropic

Salesforce Ventures invested in Anthropic's $3.5bn round valuing it at $61bn, plus Cohere, Black Forest Labs, and energy firms like Base Power ($1bn Series C).Source 1 The shift highlights CVC's move towards institutional AI strategies beyond enterprise software.Source 1

3

Traini Raises $7.5M for Pet Emotional Intelligence

Palo Alto-based Traini completed a $7.5 million funding round to develop pet emotional intelligence technology.Source 2 This reflects growing interest in AI-driven pet care startups.Source 2

4

Architect Financial Technologies Secures $35M Series A

Chicago's Architect Financial Technologies announced a $35 million strategic Series A for financial tech innovations.Source 2 The funding supports expansion in fintech solutions.Source 2

5

Lemon Slice Labs Raises $10.5M Seed for AI Research

San Francisco's new frontier AI research lab, Lemon Slice, raised $10.5 million in seed funding.Source 2 The investment fuels AI product development.Source 2

6

Dazzle AI by Marissa Mayer Raises $8M Seed

Palo Alto startup Dazzle AI, founded by Marissa Mayer, secured $8 million seed at $35 million post-money valuation.Source 2 It targets AI technology advancements.Source 2

7

Day One Capital Launches €45M Fund for CEE Startups

Budapest-based Day One Capital launched a €45 million fund targeting early-stage B2B software and tech in Central and Eastern Europe.Source 3 The fund supports regional innovation.Source 3

8

Sequoia Capital Launches $950M Early-Stage Funds for Europe

US-based Sequoia introduced a $950 million initiative with $750M Series A and $200M seed funds for European startups.Source 3 It aims to boost early-stage investments.Source 3

9

Sofinnova Partners Raises €650M for Biotech Fund XI

Paris-based Sofinnova raised €650 million for Fund XI, totaling €1.5 billion AUM, to invest in 50-60 biotech and medtech companies.Source 3 The fund drives healthcare innovation.Source 3

10

Flyer One Ventures Launches Fund V After $160M Exit

Flyer One Ventures invested in 10 new CEE startups like memoryOS and achieved a $160M exit in 2025; portfolio raised $110M more.Source 4 IFC and EBRD committed to new Fund V.Source 4

11

VCs Predict Surge in Enterprise AI Spending for 2026

Investors forecast enterprises will increase AI investments in 2026, consolidating to fewer vendors after years of experimentation.Source 9 This signals maturing AI adoption.Source 9

12

Global VC Investment Hits $120B in Q3 2025

Q3 2025 marked $120 billion in global VC, up from Q2, with fourth straight growth quarter amid rebound in AI, climate, biotech.Source 7 2026 outlook remains optimistic for founders.Source 7