Latest Startups & Entrepreneurship News
Lightspeed Venture Partners Raises Record $9B+ Across Multiple Funds
Lightspeed Venture Partners raised over $9 billion across multiple funds to invest in global early- to growth-stage tech companies, focusing on AI and high-growth sectors. This marks a significant commitment to doubling down on tech innovation amid rising valuations. The move aligns with trends in the Carta State of Startups 2025 report highlighting AI's dominance in venture dollars.
Dragoneer Closes $4.3B Venture Fund for High-Growth Tech
Dragoneer Investment Group closed a $4.3 billion fund targeting category-defining technology companies. The fund supports expansion in AI and other high-potential areas as startups face longer fundraising cycles. This comes alongside broader VC bets on AI's next moat in 2026.
GENISOM AI Secures Hundreds of Millions in Successive Funding Rounds
Chinese robotics startup GENISOM AI closed multiple funding rounds totaling hundreds of millions of yuan on January 4, backed by investors like AGIBOT and Shenzhen Highpower Technology. Funds will scale core products, expand supply chains, and promote deployments in power, firefighting, and entertainment sectors. The company hit 5,000 mass-production deliveries by late 2025 with over 100 million yuan in revenue.
2025 Global Startup Investments and Acquisitions Exceed $166.4B
Total startup funding and deals surpassed $207.61 billion in 2025, led by FinTech and AI, with mega-deals in gaming, e-commerce, and semiconductors. Key regions included UAE ($751M+), Egypt, and China ($2B for Manus by Meta). Monthly highlights featured AI dominating November funding and December's global mega-deals like Netflix-Warner Bros.
Viola Ventures Raises $250M for Israeli AI, Cyber, Fintech Startups
Viola Ventures closed $250 million across two new funds to back Israeli startups in AI, cybersecurity, fintech, and defense tech. This supports geographic concentration of premium valuations noted in recent startup reports. The funds aim to fuel innovation in high-demand sectors.
West Co Raises $29M for Intentional Social Media App Tangle
Twitter co-founder Biz Stone and Pinterest co-founder Evan Sharp's startup West Co raised $29 million led by Spark Capital for its invite-only app Tangle. The platform addresses social media's 'devastation' by helping users plan with intention. Launched in November, it emerges from critiques of past social platforms.
LatAm Startups Poised for 2026 VC Revival with Fintech Focus
Latin American startups anticipate a venture capital resurgence in 2026 as the global economy stabilizes, with fintech as a key area. The ecosystem is gearing up for increased investments post-2025 recovery trends. This follows broader global funding stabilization signals.
PSV Hafnium Closes €60M Debut Fund for Nordic Deeptech Spinouts
PSV Hafnium closed a €60 million debut fund to support deeptech spinouts from Nordic research institutions. It targets early-stage innovation in research-driven startups amid leaner teams and rising early-stage valuations. This fits into Europe's growing VC landscape.
CES 2026 Spotlights AI, Robots, Laptops, and Startup Innovations
CES 2026 (Jan 6-9, Las Vegas) will feature AI-embedded tech, new laptops, robots, chip advancements, and autonomous driving nods, with a dedicated CES Foundry for startups. Global companies and innovators converge, building hype for 2026 tech bets. Expect heavy AI focus aligning with VC trends.
Factorial Capital Raises $25M Fund II for Frontier AI Founders
Factorial Capital closed $25 million for Fund II targeting angel and seed-stage frontier AI founders. This reflects AI capturing a large share of venture dollars per recent reports. The fund supports early innovation in a competitive landscape.
Lemon Slice Secures $10.5M Seed to Scale Consumer Platform
Lemon Slice raised $10.5 million in seed funding to grow its consumer-focused platform and operations. This funding underscores ongoing early-stage momentum despite longer cycles. It aligns with SAFEs dominating pre-priced capital trends.
Traini Raises $7.5M for AI-Driven Workforce Training Solutions
Traini secured $7.5 million to expand its AI-powered training and workforce development platform. The investment supports scaling amid AI's venture dominance. Recent Carta data notes leaner teams and M&A upticks.