Global Startup and Venture Investment News for Saturday, 10 January 2026: Record Rounds in AI, Strategies of Major Funds, Key Deals in the US, Europe, and Asia.
Andreessen Horowitz Raises $15 Billion
The American venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has announced the raising of over $15 billion across five new funds. This marks the largest fundraising round in the firm's history and accounts for approximately 18% of all venture investments in the US for 2025. Key focus areas of the round include:
- Growth companies fund: $6.75 billion;
- AI and infrastructure development: $1.7 billion;
- “American Dynamism” programme (national defense): $1.176 billion;
- Medical and biotechnology: $0.7 billion;
- Other investments in new segments: around $3 billion.
Following this record-breaking round, Andreessen Horowitz's assets have exceeded $90 billion. The firm will continue to invest in mature tech companies and projects in AI, defense, and biotechnology, demonstrating a global strategy to target promising sectors.
Artificial Intelligence Continues to Set Records
By the end of 2025, investments in artificial intelligence reached unprecedented levels: AI startups attracted a total of approximately $150 billion, significantly surpassing the previous record set in 2021. Among the largest deals of the year were:
- OpenAI – private funding of $40 billion (the largest round in history);
- Anthropic – $13 billion;
- xAI (Elon Musk) – $10 billion;
- Meta – acquisition of the startup Scale AI for about $15 billion;
- Other AI startups (projects from Jeff Bezos, Databricks, etc.) raised $2 billion or more.
A significant portion of the funds is concentrated in the hands of AI market leaders. Experts warn that such high capital concentration increases systemic risks in the event of a slowdown in technological growth. Many companies are creating "defensive capital reserves" in preparation for a potential downturn, but the overall funding trend remains positive.
Major Rounds: Early Days of January
The early days of January have seen several significant deals across different sectors. In the US and Europe, several major rounds have closed:
- Valinor Enterprises (US, Series A) – $54 million;
- Roc360 (US, real estate/finance) – $150 million;
- SonoThera (US, biotechnology) – $125 million;
- Cyera (US, AI cybersecurity) – $400 million (total investment ~$1.7 billion to date);
- Presto Phoenix (US, voice AI for restaurants) – $10 million;
- Pomelo Care (US, telemedicine) – $92 million;
- Protege (US, AI data platform) – $30 million;
- Idea Financial (US, fintech lending) – $20 million (EverBank loan).
There is a notable return of large deals in Europe as well. British Octopus Energy has spun off its Kraken division into an independent company with a valuation of $8.65 billion, accompanied by a round of around $1 billion from investor contributions. French Mistral AI, a leader in generative AI in Europe, is gearing up for a new valuation exceeding $14 billion following a Series C round that included ASML ($1.5 billion).
Asia: $2.2 Billion in Investments and Focus on Infrastructure
In Asia, during the second week of January, investors injected over $2.2 billion, with the main deal being a $2 billion Series C round for Singapore's DayOne (data centres) aimed at expanding infrastructure to meet rising AI and cloud demands. Major deals have also occurred in India and Southeast Asia:
- Arya.ag (India, agtech) – $80.3 million (Series D) for developing a food trading platform;
- Even (India, healthcare) – $20 million (round undisclosed) for expanding its network of clinics;
- Pintarnya (Indonesia, HR) – $14 million (loan) for scaling its hiring platform;
- Buyandship (Hong Kong, logistics) – $12 million (Series C) with Mitsubishi Logistics;
- TakeMe2Space (India, space technology) – $5 million (Seed) for rocket development;
- Arrowhead AI (leading in Asia, voice AI) – $3 million (Seed).
These rounds highlight the growing demand for infrastructure (data centres) and specialised technologies in Asia. Investors continue to support projects in agtech, healthcare, and transport, reflecting diversified interests amidst the leading growth of AI projects.
European Vector: National Funds and Corporate Investors
In Europe, the venture sector is increasingly integrating government and corporate capital. France and Germany are developing large-scale support programmes: national investment banks like Bpifrance (portfolio > $100 billion) and HTGF are investing billions in tech startups. Notable events include:
- Spin-off of Kraken from Octopus Energy (UK) valued at $8.65 billion;
- Mistral AI (France) – $1.5 billion from ASML with an estimated value of ~€10.5 billion (≈ $11.7 billion), potentially rising to $14 billion;
- Investment from the EIB & Angelini (EU) – €150 million for the development of European biotech/digital health;
- Active funds: Invitalia Ventures (Italy), Enisa (Spain), SFC Capital (UK), etc.;
- Leading VC firms (Partech, Atomico, Index Ventures) are forming new funds to scale tech companies.
Thus, the European Union and private investors are stimulating the creation of homegrown tech leaders (particularly in AI, climate, and biotechnology) in a bid to reduce dependence on the US and China.
Key Trends and Forecasts
By the end of 2025, the global startup market showed a vigorous recovery. In North America, the total volume of investments reached a record $280 billion (an increase of 46% from the previous year), with approximately 60% of this amount directed towards AI companies. Similar trends are observed in other regions. Investors are concentrating on large deals: the number of rounds has decreased by approximately 15–16%, but the share of mega-rounds has increased.
- North America: $280 billion – the highest level in four years, primarily driven by AI investments.
- AI share: investors allocated over half of the funds to companies with AI products.
- Late-stage boom: funding for late rounds grew by 75% (to $191 billion).
- Resilience: funds are placing particular emphasis on capital efficiency and speed to profitability when making decisions.
Experts forecast that in 2026, investments in infrastructure and AI will remain high, and successful startups will prioritise capital discipline and strategic execution quality.
Recommendations for Startups
Under current conditions, the expert community advises startups to plan growth with particular care. Key recommendations include:
- Focus on validating demand and product: demonstrate real value and a sustainable business model before scaling;
- Optimise expenses: build a liquidity "buffer" (fortress balance sheet) to prepare for market volatility;
- Assemble a strong team: experienced founders and managers enhance investor confidence;
- Deeply specialise: funds value in-depth industry knowledge (AI, biotech, fintech, etc.) and supporting competencies.
Thus, despite market optimism, a startup's success in 2026 will depend on discipline, efficiency, and strategic focus.
