Current News in Startups and Venture Investments for Tuesday, 30 December 2025. Major Funding Rounds, Investments in AI, Venture Fund Activity, and Key Trends in the Global Market.
Global Trends in the Venture Market
By the end of 2025, the venture market is showing signs of recovery following a prolonged downturn. Major funds and corporations have announced large-scale investment programmes, while governments are initiating new incentives for technology startups. Investors worldwide are once again actively funding high-tech businesses: the USA remains a frontrunner thanks to a boom in artificial intelligence, record inflows from sovereign funds are being seen in the Middle East, and defence technologies and biomedicine are gaining traction in Europe. India and Southeast Asian countries are attracting unprecedented amounts of capital despite regulatory risks in China. In response, Chinese authorities have launched a national fund of 100 billion yuan ($14.3 billion) and three regional funds of 50 billion yuan each to support semiconductors, quantum technologies, biomedicine, and other priority sectors.
Record Funding for AI Startups
The artificial intelligence sector continues to be the main driver of growth in the venture market. In 2025, AI startups raised over $150 billion, setting a new historical funding record. Among the largest deals, SoftBank Group led a $41 billion round in OpenAI, while the startup Anthropic secured $13 billion. This unprecedented influx of capital has accelerated the development of AI technologies, but venture investors advise founders to establish "robust financial cushions" to mitigate potential market correction risks.
Major Venture Rounds and Deals
In the closing year, the venture market recorded a series of large deals:
- Swedish startup Lovable – $330 million (Series B, valuation $6.6 billion). The company is developing a software generation platform based on textual descriptions.
- American fintech Erebor Bank – $350 million (Series D, valuation around $4.35 billion). The bank provides financial services to cryptocurrency and AI companies.
- ZeroAvia (USA/UK) – $150 million (Series D) for the development of zero-emission hydrogen engines for aviation.
- SanegeneBio (USA) – $110 million (Series B) for the development of RNAi therapies and new biotechnological products.
- Israeli Cyera – $400 million (Series C, valuation $9 billion). The startup is creating an AI cybersecurity platform to protect corporate data.
- Latin fintech Plata (Mexico) – $500 million (Series B, valuation $3.1 billion). The company issues cashback bank cards and lends to 2.5 million clients in Mexico.
- Canadian startup Clio – $500 million (Series I, valuation $5 billion). The corporate travel and expenses service is expanding global sales following the recent IPO of competitor Navan.
Cybersecurity and Major Deals
- Google has announced the acquisition of the Israeli company Wiz for $32 billion — a record purchase in the cybersecurity segment.
- Palo Alto Networks has agreed to acquire CyberArk for $26 billion, marking one of the largest M&A deals in the industry.
- Service provider ServiceNow has agreed to buy the developer of the Armis platform for $7.75 billion, more than doubling its recent valuation.
Government and Major Fund Initiatives
- China has launched a national venture fund of 100 billion yuan ($14.3 billion) and three regional funds of 50 billion yuan each to support technology startups in the fields of semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and biomedicine.
- The Dutch fund Keen VC has raised €125 million for investments in defence and aerospace startups.
- Sovereign funds from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore have increased their activity in fintech and "green" technology markets, expanding their investment portfolios.
Fintech and Cryptocurrencies
Fintech startups have attracted significant investments: Mexican Plata – $500 million (Series B, valuation $3.1 billion) and American Erebor Bank – $350 million, providing banking services for cryptocurrency and AI companies. Niche solutions are also receiving support: crypto bank FINNY (USA) raised $17 million for the development of an AI platform for financial advisors. Following the 2025 correction, interest in crypto startups has revived: as the market stabilises, blockchain projects are once again attracting venture investments in DeFi and stablecoin sectors.
Market Prospects and Conclusions
The influx of capital has provided resources for startup growth, but experts warn of a potential correction. Many investors advise founders to maintain high liquidity and "solid balances" in case of a downturn. For venture funds, it is important to retain a focus on profitability and sustainability of business models in the face of record valuations of startups. The overall forecast for 2026 remains moderately optimistic: continued investment in key sectors (AI, biotechnologies, cybersecurity) is expected, taking into account financial discipline. Thus, the venture market enters a new phase – a global boom phenomenon while simultaneously hedging against risks.
