In recent quarters, an increasing number of startups backed by venture capital have been securing investments in sectors such as battery and magnet recycling, advanced mining technologies for rare earth elements, and pioneering material extraction methods from outer space.
Guest author Sacha Lazimi, co-founder and CEO of the social platform Yubo, shares valuable insights for early-stage middle-market founders on proactively addressing regulatory compliance to safeguard their companies' futures.
In the first half of 2025, acquirers completed over $100 billion in disclosed-price startup acquisitions, including deals announced but yet to close, according to Crunchbase data. This marks a significant 155% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Despite being a typically quiet mid-July week, venture capital activity was surprisingly lively. Leading funding rounds featured Hadrian, which develops AI-powered factories for the aerospace and defense industries, and OpenEvidence, a medical AI platform.
Many startup founders find adaptability challenging due to their diverse personalities, explains Richard Hagberg and Tien Tzuo in their book "Founders, Keepers." They detail how different founder traits impact adaptability and offer guidance on progressing beyond these obstacles.
In the first half of the year, global funding for venture capital-backed financial technology startups reached $22 billion, marking an 11.1% increase from the latter half of 2024. This figure also represents a 5.3% growth compared to the $20.9 billion raised during the same period last year, according to Crunchbase data. While IPO activity has reignited optimism among investors, venture capital funding has yet to match the peak levels seen in 2021.
Boulevard, a Los Angeles-based business management software platform tailored for self-care businesses, announced it raised $80 million in Series D funding. The round was led by JMI Equity, significantly boosting the company's valuation to nearly $800 million.
Lovable, a Swedish startup specializing in AI-driven vibe coding, has successfully raised $200 million in a Series A funding round. The funding values the company at $1.8 billion, earning it the status of Europe's newest unicorn.
Venture capital investment in cybersecurity surged during the first half of 2025, reaching its highest funding level in three years. This surge highlights the growing importance and interest in cybersecurity technologies and solutions.
Most startup founders don’t need to seek venture capitalists initially. Instead, it can be more advantageous to connect directly with limited partners, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals. Guest author Hebron Sher of Zevo explains three key reasons why this approach may be preferable for founders at the early stages.