Global Startup and Venture Investment News as of 10 November 2025: Record Rounds in AI, the Return of Mega Funds, and the Resurgence of Crypto Startups. A Detailed Overview for Venture Investors and Funds.
Statistics confirm a revival in the venture capital market: in the third quarter of 2025, the global volume of investments reached approximately $97 billion (an increase of 38% compared to last year), marking the best quarter since 2021 and signifying four consecutive periods of growth following the "venture winter" of 2022–2023. Investors worldwide are actively funding technology startups again—record deals are being made, IPO plans are returning, and the largest funds are entering the market with substantial investments. Governments around the globe are increasing support for innovation. As a result, private capital is flowing into startup ecosystems, providing young companies with resources for accelerated growth.
Venture activity is growing globally: the United States continues to lead (especially in AI), investments in the Middle East have nearly doubled over the year, Europe is showing a revival (Germany has surpassed the UK in venture capital for the first time), and India and Southeast Asia are attracting record flows of investment against a backdrop of relative decline in China. The startup scenes in Russia and other CIS countries are also trying to develop—new funds and programmes are emerging in the region despite external limitations. Overall, the market is experiencing a global venture boom, although investors remain selective and cautious in choosing projects.
Below are key events and trends shaping the current agenda of the venture market as of 10 November 2025:
- The Return of Mega Funds and Large Investors. Leading venture players are raising record funds and are once again actively investing in startups, flooding the market with capital and increasing risk appetite.
- Record Investments in AI and a New Wave of "Unicorns". Extremely large funding rounds are driving startup valuations to unprecedented heights, especially in the realm of artificial intelligence, leading to the emergence of numerous new "unicorns".
- The Resurgence of the IPO Market. Successful public listings of technology companies and new listing plans confirm that the long-awaited "window" for exits has reopened for venture investors.
- Diversification of Sectors: Not Just AI. Venture capital investments are being directed not only towards AI but also into fintech, climate projects, biotechnology, and space and defence development—broadened investment focus.
- A Wave of Consolidation and M&A. Major mergers, acquisitions, and strategic deals are reshaping the industry landscape, creating new exit opportunities and rapid growth for companies.
- The Return of Interest in Crypto Startups. After a prolonged "crypto winter," blockchain projects are once again attracting significant funding and attention from venture funds and large corporations.
- Local Focus: Russia and the CIS. New funds and programmes are launching in the region to develop local startup ecosystems, gradually attracting the attention of investors despite sanctions and other restrictions.
The Return of Mega Funds: Big Money Back in the Market
The largest investment funds and institutional players are confidently returning to the venture arena, signalling a renewed appetite for risk. Following a downturn in venture fundraising from 2022 to 2024, leading VC firms are resuming capital raising and launching new mega funds, showcasing confidence in the market's potential. For instance, Japan's SoftBank has launched the Vision Fund III with approximately $40 billion (focusing on AI and robotics) after a hiatus, while American firm Sequoia Capital has announced two new funds totalling around $950 million. Sovereign funds from the Gulf States are also becoming active, directing billions into innovative companies worldwide. The emergence of such mega structures indicates that startups will soon have even more opportunities to secure funding.
Record Investments in AI: A New Wave of Unicorns
Artificial intelligence remains the primary driver of the venture upturn, demonstrating record funding volumes. In the United States alone, AI startups have attracted nearly two-thirds of all venture investments since the beginning of 2025, and global investments in AI could exceed $200 billion by the end of the year—an unprecedented level for the sector. The cumulative valuation of the ten largest AI companies has already approached $1 trillion. Investors attribute the excitement surrounding AI to its potential to dramatically enhance efficiency across various sectors and unlock multi-trillion dollar markets—from software automation to personal assistants. While experts warn of a potential "bubble," funds continue to invest actively, fearing they might miss the next technological revolution.
This significant influx of capital is accompanied by the emergence of numerous new unicorns and the concentration of investments among leaders. Currently, about 70% of venture investments in the U.S. are directed toward a limited number of companies. For example, the French startup Mistral AI raised approximately $2 billion in September (a record for Europe), while American OpenAI received a single tranche of $13 billion—a remarkable deal that skyrocketed its valuation to astronomical heights. Such mega rounds inflate valuations but simultaneously concentrate resources and talent in promising areas, which may yield future technological breakthroughs.
In recent weeks, several startups have announced large-scale funding rounds, confirming the return of "big checks" to the market. Notable examples include:
- Synthesia (UK) — $200 million with a valuation of $4 billion to scale its AI video generation service (the round was led by GV — the venture arm of Alphabet).
- Fireworks AI (USA) — $250 million in a Series C round (valuation of around $4 billion) to develop its AI platform in genomics and healthcare.
- Armis (USA) — $435 million in a pre-IPO round at a valuation of $6.1 billion to enhance its IoT cybersecurity platform (the round was led by Goldman Sachs with participation from CapitalG).
The Resurgence of IPOs and Exit Prospects
Against a backdrop of rising valuations and capital infusion, technology companies are once again eyeing public markets. After a two-year hiatus, a revival of IPOs as a long-awaited exit route for venture investors is emerging. For instance, fintech unicorn Circle successfully debuted on the stock exchange with a valuation of about $7 billion. This debut signalled a return of market appetite for new listings. Major private companies are also eager to capitalise on the opened "window". Insider information suggests that the developer of ChatGPT, OpenAI, is considering an IPO in 2026 with a potential valuation of up to $1 trillion—an unprecedented level for the tech sector. Blockchain company ConsenSys (creator of the MetaMask wallet) is also preparing for an IPO in 2026. Improvement in market conditions and reduction in regulatory uncertainty (such as the acceptance of stablecoin regulations and approval of bitcoin exchange-traded funds) lend startups confidence that the public market once again presents a viable opportunity for capital raising and ensuring exits for investors. Analysts predict that in the coming years, the number of high-profile technology IPOs will increase as demand for new listings remains strong.
Diversification of Sectors: Not Just AI
Venture investments in 2025 are covering a much broader array of sectors and are not limited to AI startups. Healthcare and biotechnology attracted about $15–16 billion of venture capital in the third quarter—ranking third after AI and IT infrastructure. The synergy between technology and medicine is noteworthy: the startup Fireworks AI secured $250 million for the development of its AI platform for genomic medicine. Funds are also financing climate and "green" projects. For instance, the Australian company Uluu raised 16 million AUD for the development of biodegradable plastic made from seaweed. Attention is also being directed to space technologies: Bulgarian startup EnduroSat raised $104 million for the production of small communication satellites. Although the scale of these deals cannot be compared to the gigantic rounds in AI, they reflect a sustained interest in diverse innovations. The expansion of sector focus makes the startup ecosystem more resilient and reduces the risk of overheating in specific segments.
Consolidation and M&A: The Scaling Up of Players
High valuations of startups and fierce competition are triggering a new wave of consolidation. Major mergers and acquisitions are once again taking centre stage, reshaping the industry landscape. For example, in October, investment bank Goldman Sachs announced its acquisition of venture firm Industry Ventures for approximately $1 billion—one of the largest deals within the venture sector, reflecting growing interest from banking capital towards technology assets. Technology giants are also resuming activity, acquiring promising projects in AI, cybersecurity, and other areas against a backdrop of stabilising valuations. Consolidation is also impacting the crypto industry: according to media reports, Mastercard is considering purchasing several blockchain startups for nearly $2 billion, aiming to strengthen its position in the digital assets space. Overall, the increase in M&A deals signifies the market's maturation: major players are expanding through acquisitions, while startups are gaining more opportunities for profitable exits.
The Return of Interest in Crypto Startups
Following a prolonged decline during the "crypto winter," the blockchain startup market is reviving: venture investments in the crypto industry are once again on the rise. In October 2025, funding for projects in the cryptocurrency realm saw a significant increase. Leading the way is the American project Polymarket, which secured a record $2 billion (valuation of around $9 billion)—one of the largest deals of the year outside the AI sector. Overall, infrastructure solutions for digital assets are also beginning to receive support from venture funds. For example, the American startup Hercle, developing a platform for stablecoin issuance, raised $60 million in funding. Meanwhile, the crypto market is maturing—institutional investors are actively returning to the digital assets space. Easing regulatory uncertainties (the acceptance of stablecoin regulations and approval for bitcoin exchange-traded funds) and the involvement of financial giants in funding the industry are supporting capital inflow. The sector of crypto startups, which has undergone a cleansing of speculative projects, is gradually rebuilding trust and returning to the focus of venture investors.
Local Market: Russia and the CIS
In Russia and neighbouring countries, the startup ecosystem is also striving to keep pace with global trends. Over the past year, several new venture funds have emerged, as part of the local capital has begun to flow into the technology sector. Government institutions and corporations have intensified support programmes, launching accelerators, funds, and grants for innovative projects. While the overall volume of venture investments in the region remains small and severe barriers persist (high interest rates, sanctions, etc.), the most resilient startups continue their development, focusing on local niches. The gradual establishment of a domestic venture market creates a foundation for the future, when external conditions improve.
Conclusion: Cautious Optimism
Cautious optimism reigns in the venture industry. On one hand, the rapid growth of valuations (especially in the AI segment) resembles the dot-com bubble and raises warnings about overheating. On the other hand, such periods of excitement concentrate huge resources and talent in new fields, laying the groundwork for future breakthroughs. By the end of 2025, it is evident that the startup market has revived: record funding volumes are being recorded, high-profile IPOs are on the horizon, and funds are forming large pools of capital. At the same time, investors have become more selective, directing funds towards the most promising projects. The key question for the future is whether the high expectations surrounding the AI boom will be justified and whether other sectors can catch up with it in terms of capital raised. For now, the appetite for innovation remains high, and market participants look forward with moderate enthusiasm.
