Current News on Startups and Venture Investments as of 2 October 2025: Record Rounds in AI, New Unicorns, Revival of IPOs and Growing Interest in Fintech, Biotech, and the Crypto Industry. A Comprehensive Overview for Venture Investors and Funds.
At the beginning of October 2025, the global venture capital market continues to recover steadily after years of decline. Investors are once again ramping up funding for technology startups at all stages: from seed rounds to major IPOs. Today's key trends include the return of "mega rounds" and large funds, record deals in the AI sector, a revival of IPOs, and diversification of investments into new industries and regions. Let us highlight the major events and trends of the day:
- The Return of Mega Funds and Large Investors. The largest venture players are forming record funds and increasing investments, flooding the market with capital.
- Record Rounds in AI and Robotics. AI startups are attracting over half of all global venture investments, with new unicorns emerging at unprecedented valuations.
- Revival of the IPO Market. Successful IPOs of tech companies indicate that the "window" for exits is reopening and liquidity is returning.
- Growth of Fintech and Diversification of Investments. Investments are actively flowing into fintech, green technologies, biotech, and other promising sectors.
- Renewed Interest in the Crypto Industry. Cryptocurrency and blockchain projects are once again attracting significant rounds of investment.
- Local Trends in Russia and the CIS. Despite restrictions, new funds and support programmes for the tech sector are emerging in the region, and the market is showing growth.
The Return of Mega Funds and Large Investors
Amidst rising startup activity, large institutional investors and funds are re-entering the market. For instance, the Japanese conglomerate SoftBank continues to invest heavily in AI projects: it has announced a $500 billion project called Stargate to create a network of data centres in collaboration with OpenAI. The Vision Fund has also invested $9.7 billion in OpenAI over the past year and is backing leading chip manufacturers and AI infrastructure. These initiatives signal a "high risk appetite": funds are gathering record mega rounds and placing capital into the most promising areas, determined not to miss out on a new wave of technological growth.
Record Investments in AI and Robotics
The artificial intelligence sector remains a leader in terms of funding volumes. According to Sberbank experts, companies working with generative AI attracted more than half of all global venture investments. In 2024 alone, nearly one-third of all investments went into AI startups, with sector investment growing by 80% year-on-year. This trend is intensifying in 2025, with numerous large deals occurring in AI and adjacent fields.
- For example, the startup Cerebras Systems, which develops specialised AI chips, secured $1.1 billion from investors. Following this, its valuation surpassed $8 billion, and the funds will be used to expand its network of proprietary data centres and develop hardware and software.
- Another example is the robotics startup Figure AI, which is creating humanoid robots: it raised over $1 billion in its latest round, now valued at approximately $39 billion.
These deals are marked by unprecedented volumes, driving company valuations to unprecedented heights. Investors are increasingly confident in the potential of AI and robotics, stimulating not only American but also international startup markets. AI technologies are becoming a "magnet" for capital, attracting the attention of leading venture funds and even sovereign investors.
Revival of the IPO Market
After a lull in the public markets for the tech sector, new opportunities are arising for IPOs. In Russia, for example, a major state issuer is preparing for listing: Bank "Dom.RF" plans to conduct an IPO by the end of November 2025 (initially allowing up to 5% of shares to be freely traded). The Moscow Exchange anticipates conducting up to five IPOs by the end of 2025 (including for non-state companies), and the Ministry of Finance expects at least three placements of shares from major state companies in 2026. These plans suggest that the "IPO window" is reopening for tech and commercial projects.
- In an international context, activity is also observed: for instance, Swedish fintech startup Klarna has filed for an IPO in the US, aiming to raise around $1.3 billion at an estimated valuation of approximately $14 billion (with the final placement scheduled for early October).
- Furthermore, the cryptocurrency exchange Kraken closed a funding round of $500 million (valued at $15 billion) as a step prior to its IPO.
The resurgence of interest in IPOs indicates an increase in liquidity and a willingness among investors to sell their stakes in startups on the public market. Concurrently, there is a trend towards larger late-stage rounds: investors are searching for exit opportunities, which positively affects the forecasts for the venture ecosystem.
Growth of Fintech Startups and Diversification of Investments
Beyond AI and IPOs, venture investments are increasingly being distributed across other sectors. Financial technology is once again gaining momentum, with new unicorns and large projects emerging. For example, fintech company Fnality (which creates tokenised currencies based on central banks) raised $136 million in a Series C round involving large institutional investors. This reflects a trend where investors are seeking startups at the intersection of finance and digital technologies.
Additionally, capital is increasingly flowing into green and biotech projects. European startups in the sustainability sector are securing significant rounds: for example, the German company Bioweg collected €16 million ($18.8 million) for the development of biodegradable alternatives to microplastics. Interest is also growing in ecological energy solutions and digital services for businesses (FinTech, B2B SaaS, etc.). Consequently, venture fund portfolios are becoming more diversified as investors mitigate risks across AI, fintech, biotech, and other promising areas.
Renewed Interest in the Crypto Industry
Cryptocurrency and blockchain projects are once again in the spotlight for investors. Following a prolonged downturn, the crypto market is experiencing a "revival": prices for leading coins are rising, and many technology startups are receiving funding. As mentioned earlier, the exchange Kraken attracted $500 million at a valuation of $15 billion in anticipation of its IPO, and startups in the DeFi and blockchain infrastructure domains are actively closing large rounds. Cryptocurrencies are increasingly being seen as part of a balanced investment portfolio, with new regulations (such as in the US) and technological innovations providing a flow of capital into this sector.
Russia and CIS: Local Trends
The Russian startup and venture investment market is also showing signs of revival. According to the "Moscow Innovation Cluster", the volume of venture investments in Russia grew by 81% in the first half of 2025, reaching $83 million. However, the number of deals has decreased by 16% to 62 transactions, indicating larger rounds and a more selective approach to project choices. The head of the Russian Venture Company described this growth as a "dead cat bounce," emphasising that the market is still far from pre-pandemic levels (with indicators 15 times higher). Nevertheless, positive signals are emerging: new funds are being launched (for example, a private fund, Nova VC, with approximately 10 billion rubles, has been established) along with state initiatives to support innovation. Major players are preparing for IPOs and deals: Dom.RF is gearing up for its IPO in November, and the government is forecasting a series of placements of state companies in the coming years. The complexity of the current situation adds extra value to quality projects: investors are giving particular attention to mature startups with proven business models.
- According to the Skolkovo Foundation, the highest interest of Russian investors in H1 2025 was shown in the sectors of HealthTech, AI, and logistics, with the average round amounting to $1.4 million (a 90% year-on-year increase). This indicates a return to "big checks" while simultaneously tightening project selection criteria.
- International collaboration is also ramping up: successful teams from the CIS continue to attract foreign investments. For instance, a machine learning startup from Belarus and Estonia secured $3.6 million from a European venture fund.
Overall, despite the challenges, conditions are forming in Russia and the CIS for a new wave of growth for technology startups: funds are increasing, accelerators and programmes are emerging, and infrastructure is being developed. These efforts create the foundation for the emergence of their own "unicorns" and more active participation of the region in the global venture market.
