Global Startup and Venture Investment News for Saturday, January 10, 2026: Record Rounds in AI, Strategies of Major Funds, Key Deals in the US, Europe, and Asia.
Andreessen Horowitz Raises $15 Billion
American venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) announced the successful raising of over $15 billion across five new funds. This marks the largest fundraising round in the firm's history and accounts for approximately 18% of all venture investments in the US for 2025. Key areas of the round include:
- Growth companies fund: $6.75 billion;
- AI development and infrastructure: $1.7 billion;
- “American Dynamism” program (national defense): $1.176 billion;
- Medical biotechnology: $0.7 billion;
- Other investments in new segments: around $3 billion.
Following this record round, Andreessen Horowitz's assets surpassed $90 billion. The firm will continue to invest in mature tech companies and projects in AI, defense, and biotechnology, demonstrating a global strategy of covering promising sectors.
Artificial Intelligence Continues to Set Records
At the end of 2025, the share of investments in artificial intelligence reached historic levels: AI startups attracted a total of about $150 billion, significantly exceeding the previous record set in 2021. Among the largest deals of the year were:
- OpenAI – private funding of $40 billion (the largest round ever);
- Anthropic – $13 billion;
- xAI (Elon Musk) – $10 billion;
- Meta – acquisition of Scale AI for approximately $15 billion;
- Other AI startups (projects by Jeff Bezos, Databricks, etc.) attracted $2 billion and more.
A significant portion of funds is concentrated in the hands of AI market leaders. Experts warn that such high capital concentration increases systemic risks in the case of a slowdown in technological growth. Many companies are creating “defensive stock reserves” in preparation for a potential downturn, but the overall funding trend remains positive.
Major Rounds: Early January
The early days of January have been marked by a series of significant deals across various sectors. In the US and Europe, several noteworthy rounds have closed:
- Valinor Enterprises (USA, Series A) – $54 million;
- Roc360 (USA, Real Estate/Finance) – $150 million;
- SonoThera (USA, Biotechnology) – $125 million;
- Cyera (USA, AI Cybersecurity) – $400 million (total investments ~$1.7 billion to date);
- Presto Phoenix (USA, Voice AI for restaurants) – $10 million;
- Pomelo Care (USA, Telemedicine) – $92 million;
- Protege (USA, AI Data Platform) – $30 million;
- Idea Financial (USA, Fintech Lending) – $20 million (credit EverBank).
There is a notable return of large deals in Europe as well. For instance, UK-based Octopus Energy spun off its Kraken division into an independent company valued at $8.65 billion, accompanied by a round of about $1 billion from investors. French company Mistral AI, a leader in generative AI in Europe, is preparing for a new valuation exceeding $14 billion following a Series C round involving ASML ($1.5 billion).
Asia: $2.2 Billion in Investments with an Infrastructure Focus
In Asia, during the second week of January, investors poured over $2.2 billion into various projects, with the key round being Series C for Singapore's DayOne (data centers) – $2 billion aimed at expanding infrastructure to meet the growing demands of AI and cloud technologies. Major deals also took place in India and Southeast Asia:
- Arya.ag (India, Agtech) – $80.3 million (Series D) for the development of a food trading platform;
- Even (India, Healthcare) – $20 million (round undisclosed) to expand clinic networks;
- Pintarnya (Indonesia, HR) – $14 million (loan) for scaling a recruitment platform;
- Buyandship (Hong Kong, Logistics) – $12 million (Series C) with Mitsubishi Logistics;
- TakeMe2Space (India, Space Technologies) – $5 million (Seed) for rocket development;
- Arrowhead AI (leading in Asia, Voice AI) – $3 million (Seed).
These rounds underscore the growing demand for infrastructure (data centers) and specialized technologies in Asia. Investors continue to support projects in agtech, healthcare, and transportation, reflecting a diversification of interests amid the leading growth in AI projects.
European Focus: National Funds and Corporate Investors
In Europe, the venture sector is increasingly engaging government and corporate capital. France and Germany are developing expansive support programs: national investment banks like Bpifrance (portfolio > $100 billion) and HTGF are investing tens of billions in tech startups. Notable developments include:
- Spin-off Kraken from Octopus Energy (UK) with a valuation of $8.65 billion;
- Mistral AI (France) – $1.5 billion from ASML at a valuation of approximately €10.5 billion (≈ $11.7 billion), potentially rising to $14 billion;
- EIB & Angelini Fund (EU) – €150 million for the development of European biotech/digital health;
- Active funds: Invitalia Ventures (Italy), Enisa (Spain), SFC Capital (UK), and others;
- Leading VC firms (Partech, Atomico, Index Ventures) are forming new funds to scale technology companies.
Thus, the European Union and private investors are stimulating the creation of their own technology leaders (especially in AI, climate, and biotechnology), striving to reduce dependency on the US and China.
Key Trends and Forecasts
By the end of 2025, the global startup market demonstrated a robust recovery. In North America, total investment volume reached a record $280 billion (a 46% increase from the previous year), with about 60% of this amount allocated to AI companies. Similar trends are observed in other regions. Investors are focused on major deals: the number of rounds has decreased by approximately 15-16%, but the share of mega-rounds has increased.
- North America: $280 billion – the highest figure in four years, primarily due to AI investments.
- AI Share: Investors allocated over half of funds to companies with AI products.
- Late-stage boom: Funding for late rounds grew by 75% (to $191 billion).
- Resilience: Funds pay special attention to capital efficiency and speed to profitability in decision-making.
Experts predict that in 2026, investments in infrastructure and AI will remain high, while successful startups will focus on capital discipline and execution quality.
Recommendations for Startups
In the current environment, the expert community advises startups to plan growth with particular care. Key recommendations include:
- Focus on validating demand and product: demonstrate real value and a sustainable business model before scaling;
- Optimize expenses: build a liquidity buffer (fortress balance sheet) in case of market volatility;
- Assemble a strong team: experienced founders and managers enhance investor confidence;
- Deeply specialize: funds value deep industry knowledge (AI, biotech, fintech, etc.) and accompanying competencies.
Thus, despite market optimism, a startup's success in 2026 will depend on discipline, efficiency, and strategic focus.
