Funding
The latest funding rounds, venture capital news, and investment trends in the startup ecosystem.
StrictlyVC Los Angeles Event to Boost Defense Tech AI Fundraising
On June 18, venture capitalists will converge at The Aerospace Corporation Campus in El Segundo, a key hub for national security innovation, to fund the next generation of defense AI.
Benchmark raises $2 billion across two new funds
Benchmark, a firm long associated with early-stage venture capital, has launched its first-ever dedicated growth fund, committing $1.
Africa Finance Corporation commits $100M to boost African tech startups
Africa Finance Corporation has committed $100 million to tech fund managers, targeting significant capital for African startups.
New Fund Targets Women Founders Amidst Funding Plateau
In 2024, female-only founding teams secured just 2.
Kalshi raises $1B in Series F funding led by Coatue
In just six months, Kalshi's valuation doubled to $22 billion, fueled by a $1 billion Series F round and an 800% surge in institutional trading volume, according to Bloomberg .
Beltone VC Citadel Fund exits Bosta with 75% IRR
Beltone Venture Capital and UAE-based Citadel International Holdings' joint fund recently completed its exit from Egyptian logistics player Bosta, securing a 75% internal rate of return (IRR).
Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 gets Rs 10,000 crore approval
India's government has approved a new Rs.
Chiratae Ventures commits up to $10M for deep tech via Sonic program
A deep tech startup could secure up to $2 million in seed funding from Chiratae Ventures in as little as 48 hours.
Moment Energy Secures $40 Million Series B to Scale Sustainable Energy Solutions
Moment Energy, a company giving used electric vehicle batteries a second life, just secured $40 million in Series B funding.
Venture capital funding challenges non-AI startups
By Q3 2025, over 70% of all seed-stage venture capital in Silicon Valley is projected to flow into AI-centric companies.
Clarasight closes $11.5 million Series A funding round
Enterprise customers using Clarasight have reduced reporting and insight delivery time by an astonishing 99%, drastically improving operational speed.
Snabbit secures new funding to expand instant house-help in India
In March, Indian instant house-help platform Snabbit completed over one million jobs, demonstrating significant demand for organized domestic services across India.
DPIIT Issues Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 Guidelines
New operational guidelines confirm a ₹10,000 crore corpus for the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.
Lockheed Martin Ventures boosts fund to $1 billion for defense tech
Lockheed Martin, a titan of traditional defense manufacturing, has quietly boosted its venture capital fund by 250% to an unprecedented $1 billion.
Houston Venture Capital Funding Surges in Q1 2026
For the first time, Texas startups collectively raised more venture capital than Massachusetts in Q1 2026.
India's Startup India Initiative Records 55,200 New Ventures in FY26
In the fiscal year 2025-26, India recognized 55,200 new startups, marking the highest annual addition since the Startup India initiative began.
India Startup India Initiative Records 55,200 New Startups in FY26
In fiscal year 2025-26, India officially recognized over 55,200 new startups.
Lockheed Martin Ventures Expands Fund to $1 Billion for AI, Quantum Tech
Over 60 startups funded by Lockheed Martin Ventures have already transitioned into direct suppliers, securing more than $750 million in contracts from the defense giant.
India launches \u20b9100 billion fund for high-impact sectors
India's startup scene is set for a significant capital boost: a government-launched \u20b9100 billion fund for deep tech, alongside a private \u20b9100 crore initiative specifically for entrepreneurs under 25.
European Venture Capital Surges With Double-Digit Growth in 2024
In 2024, European venture capital fundraising surged by 43%.
Pipe raises $16M equity; debt fuels financing growth
Pipe, a revenue-based financing platform, has quietly secured $16 million in a new funding round.
Gulf Funds Reportedly Near Deal to Back Paramount's Warner Bros Takeover
Paramount Skydance is reportedly lining up nearly $24 billion from Gulf sovereign funds to help finance its takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund expected to contribute roughly $10 billion.
Venture Capital AI Investment Surges Past $300 Billion in Q1 2026
Global venture capital reached approximately $300 billion in Q1 2026, a total dominated by a handful of massive funding rounds for leading artificial intelligence firms.
AFDB Boosts African Tech with New Funding Initiatives, Bulgaria Launches Innovation Fund
The African Development Bank has approved significant new funding for the continent's tech sector, including investments in the Breega Africa Seed I and Alterra Africa Accelerator Funds. This move, alongside Bulgaria's new innovation fund, highlights a global trend in fostering startup growth.
China Venture Capital Funding Hits Record High in Q1 2026
China's venture capital funding is projected to hit an all-time high in the first quarter, fueled by a significant push from state-led technology initiatives and marking a period of intense investment activity.
Beiersdorf Launches €100 Million Venture Capital Fund for Innovation
German personal care giant Beiersdorf has launched a new €100 million venture capital fund, the Skin Care Innovation Fund, to strengthen its innovation pipeline. This fund doubles its initial 2020 investment, targeting next-generation beauty startups.
Japanese Investors Back $147M Venture Fund for African Startups
A consortium of Japanese companies has invested $147 million in a new venture capital fund managed by Novastar Ventures, targeting early-stage African startups. This significant capital injection focuses on sustainability and climate technology, providing crucial funding for the continent's rapidly growing tech sector.
Mastercard Foundation Funds 12 Ethiopian EdTech Startups in New Cohort
Twelve Ethiopian education technology startups have secured $60,000 each in a new fellowship cohort backed by the Mastercard Foundation, highlighting a strategic investment in Africa's growing EdTech sector.
Startup Seed Funding Strategies and Best Practices
The median post-money seed valuation climbed to $24 million in 2025, a 33% year-over-year increase, according to altoira .
Top 9 Startup Evaluation Factors VCs Use Beyond Funding
Poor due diligence preparation routinely slashes a startup's valuation by 20–30%.