In the first half of 2025, M&A deal count for AI-focused companies increased by 35% year over year, according to Crunchbase data. Startup adviser Itay Sagie notes that although this surge suggests a highly active market, the underlying data reveals a more complex and strategic pattern rather than merely speculative investments.
AI is transforming the software landscape by enabling products that can execute comprehensive tasks autonomously. Guest authors Medha Agarwal and Noah Lin from Defy outline four strategic stages in the playbooks that successful AI-first companies employ to achieve scalable growth.
In 2025, the number of startups acquiring other venture-backed startups is expected to surpass last year's figures, according to Crunchbase data. We discuss with M&A advisers the key factors driving this trend and explore predictions for the rest of the year.
This week saw significant funding activity, with fintech firm Ramp leading the pack by raising $500 million at a valuation of $22.5 billion to advance its agentic AI initiatives. The funding landscape remains robust, particularly in the AI and healthcare sectors, showcasing sustained investor interest and confidence in these areas.
Steve Brotman argues that the so-called recovery in the venture market is actually a consolidation phase. The ultra-unicorns are absorbing capital at an unprecedented rate, making it increasingly difficult for mid-tier startups to secure venture funding.
Venture-backed companies that have gone public in 2025 have experienced notably positive market reception, with the top nine IPOs all surpassing their initial offering prices. This analysis examines these successful public debuts and discusses potential future companies, including Figma, that might continue this trend.
Figma made a strong market debut, with its stock price more than tripling on the first day of trading. This comes during a positive phase for venture-backed technology IPOs, which have seen a rebound in activity after several slow quarters.
We recently had a conversation with GV managing partners Dave Munichiello and Tom Hulme about GV's strategy in investing in AI-related companies. Their portfolio spans chips, compilers, and applications, with both early-stage and late-stage investments. This discussion reveals GV's commitment to advancing AI technology even when competing against major players like Alphabet.
Alberto Onetti of Mind the Bridge discusses the rapid rise of dual-use technologies, which are innovations with applications in both civilian and military fields. His guest column presents key data and highlights the global venture capital funds that are actively investing in startups focused on these technologies.
Expense management startup Ramp has secured $500 million in Series E-2 funding, valuing the company at $22.5 billion. This fundraising round comes just weeks after its previous raise, reinforcing Ramp's rapid growth and strong investor confidence, as confirmed by Crunchbase News on Wednesday.