Latest Startups & Entrepreneurship News
February Venture Funding Reaches Historic $189 Billion Led by AI Mega-Rounds
Global startup funding surged to a record $189 billion in February, the largest monthly total ever, with 83% ($156B) going to OpenAI ($110B), Anthropic ($30B), and Waymo ($16B). AI startups captured 90% of funding ($171B), mostly in the U.S., amid public market AI selloffs wiping out trillions in tech value.
Without these rounds, funding was ordinary, with seed-stage down 11% year-over-year.
Ayar Labs Secures $500M Series E for AI Infrastructure Optics
Ayar Labs raised $500 million in Series E funding led by Neuberger Berman, achieving a $3.75 billion valuation for its co-packaged optics used in AI infrastructure. The San Jose-based company, founded 11 years ago, leads the week's largest U.S. funding rounds alongside space tech deals.
This reflects brisk activity in AI and space sectors during early March.
Vast Raises $500M for Next-Generation Space Stations
Long Beach-based Vast secured $500 million, including $300M Series A equity and $200M debt, led by Balerion Space Ventures for developing space stations. The funding ties for the week's top rounds, highlighting space tech momentum.
It positions Vast to advance ambitious orbital infrastructure projects.
Science Corp. Closes $230M Series C in Neurotech
Alameda-based Science Corp., focused on brain-computer interfaces, raised $230 million in Series C from Lightspeed, Khosla Ventures, Y Combinator, and others. The biotech startup advances neural technologies amid rising healthcare and neurotech investments.
Investors include IQT and Quiet Capital in the syndicated round.
JetStream Security Bags $34M Seed for AI Security Platform
JetStream Security raised $34 million in seed funding led by Redpoint Ventures, with CrowdStrike Falcon Fund and angels like CEO George Kurtz participating. The platform addresses oversight needs for rapidly deployed AI tools amid growing demand.
This fintech-adjacent deal is part of $570M across 26 fintech raises this week.
Evervault Secures $25M Series B for Encryption Platform
Developer-focused Evervault raised $25 million in Series B led by Ribbit Capital, with Index Ventures, Sequoia, and Kleiner Perkins, totaling $46M raised. The platform specializes in encrypting and managing sensitive data.
It contributes to strong weekly fintech funding momentum.
Levitate Raises $16M for AI Relationship Marketing
Levitate, serving over 8,000 small businesses with AI-powered marketing, raised $16 million led by Harbert Growth Partners, totaling $71M. Participants include Bull City Venture Partners and Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures.
The funding accelerates AI tools for SMBs in a concentrated venture landscape.
Nominal Hits $1B Valuation with $80M Funding Extension
Austin-based Nominal, providing engineering tools for critical tech testing, raised $80 million led by Founders Fund, reaching unicorn status at $1 billion. The three-year-old defense hardware testing startup announced the extension recently.
It ranks among top weekly U.S. rounds in enterprise software.
Grow Therapy Raises $150M Series D for Mental Health Platform
New York-based Grow Therapy secured $150 million in Series D led by TCV and Goldman Sachs Growth Equity for its mental health care platform. The funding supports expansion in healthcare amid large startup deals.
It follows brisk early March activity in healthtech.
UForce Achieves $1B Valuation with $50M Deftech Funding
UK-based UForce, with Ukrainian roots in defense tech, raised $50 million led by Shield Capital and Lakestar at $1 billion valuation. The round includes Ballistic Ventures and marks a new CEE defense unicorn.
It highlights regional growth in deep tech and security.
AI Startups Speedrun to Unicorn Status in Boom
AI-driven startups like Builder.io ($1.85B), Profound ($1B), Braintrust ($800M), and Novig ($500M) rapidly achieved unicorn valuations via new rounds. TRAC's AI predictions see improved accuracy as VCs chase few standouts amid 20K-25K annual funded tech firms.
Unicorns now total 1,694 globally per Crunchbase.