How VCs are pricing the AI wave: valuations, fund strategies and bubble debates.
253 articles
The Chinese embodied AI sector experienced a massive capital influx in H1 2026, with 935 billion RMB in funding across 322 deals. Investment is heavily concentrated in Beijing, Shenzhen, and Shanghai, focusing on humanoid robotics, AI brains, and core hardware components.
虎嗅 · 79d ago
Mistral has raised €3 billion in a Series D round at a post-money valuation exceeding €21 billion. Samsung Electronics led the financing, making it the largest equity fundraising completed by a European technology company, according to Mistral.
The Next Web (TNW) · 11d ago
Mira Murati’s Thinking Machines Lab is reportedly in talks to raise $5 billion to $6 billion at a pre-money valuation of at least $40 billion. The Information reported the discussions, with Accel identified as an investor from the seed round.
The Next Web (TNW) · 12d ago
Lyte, a robotics and artificial intelligence startup founded by former Apple Face ID team members, raised about $165 million. The round more than tripled the company's valuation to $1.6 billion.
Bloomberg Technology · 17d ago
Instinct, an invite-only AI personal assistant, reportedly saw its valuation rise from roughly $500 million to more than $2.5 billion within weeks. It can read and reply to messages and emails, book flights and restaurants, and operate devices through WhatsApp, iMessage, and email integrations.
虎嗅 · 21d ago
Andreessen Horowitz has closed a $1.1 billion fund dedicated exclusively to AI hardware and related infrastructure. The Machine Age Fund will target everything from chips, memory, networking, and storage to complete systems and the buildings that house them.
The Next Web (TNW) · 22d ago
Blackbird Ventures has raised a regional-record A$1.05 billion fund to invest in early-stage technology companies across Australia and New Zealand. The firm plans to emphasize artificial intelligence and startups with global ambitions.
Bloomberg Technology · 24d ago
XPeng’s robotics business has signed agreements to raise more than $900 million at a post-money valuation exceeding $6.3 billion. IDG Capital leads the round, joined by Gaorong Ventures and strategic investors Tencent and Alibaba, with proceeds supporting humanoid robotics.
TechNode · 25d ago
Khosla Ventures is backing Discovery Loop, an AI startup founded by former Google leaders including Jeff Dean. The company aims to accelerate scientific experimentation, which investors view as a frontier opportunity comparable to advanced AI models.
Bloomberg Technology · 28d ago
China’s embodied AI sector is seeing funding cycles compress from years to months, weeks, and even days. Startups are raising multiple rounds rapidly, blurring traditional distinctions between angel, Pre-A, and Series A financing.
虎嗅 · 32d ago
Groq has raised $350 million in a Series A round at a $3.5 billion valuation, with Nvidia participating. The valuation is roughly half the $6.9 billion level Groq previously commanded, highlighting shifts in the AI-chip market.
The Next Web (TNW) · 33d ago
OpenAI-backed Thrive Holdings has raised $2 billion in new funding at a $12 billion valuation. SoftBank, D1 Capital Partners, and Altimeter Capital are among the reported investors, supporting the company's push to bring AI into enterprise operations.
TechCrunch AI · 38d ago
Former Argo AI founders have launched Stack AV, a company focused on autonomous systems for American heavy-duty trucks rather than urban Robotaxis. SoftBank is reportedly providing around $1 billion in patient capital, while Stack AV has begun publicly demonstrating its technology with PACCAR.
虎嗅 · 39d ago
Legal-AI startup Harvey is reportedly in talks to raise at least $500 million at a $15.5 billion valuation, including the new funding. The valuation would be 40% higher than the $11 billion level set just five months ago, with Lightspeed Venture Partners interested in leading the round.
The Next Web (TNW) · 43d ago
Sequoia Capital co-stewards Alfred Lin and Pat Grady discuss the firm’s next chapter and its $10 billion plan for the AI economy. They explain the rationale behind the firm’s major investment in Anthropic, renewed semiconductor focus, and adaptation of its investment philosophy for the AI era.
Bloomberg Technology · 44d ago
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is reportedly in early talks for a new capital injection at a $71 billion valuation. The funding aims to accelerate infrastructure development, specifically data centers and custom silicon.
钛媒体 · 66d ago
The frontier technology sector, specifically quantum computing and nuclear fusion, saw a massive surge in funding in 2026, reaching over 10 billion RMB. Hefei has emerged as a major hub alongside Shanghai and Beijing, driven by government-backed industrial funds.
虎嗅 · 71d ago
AI chip startup SambaNova Systems has successfully raised $1 billion in new funding. This investment brings the company's total valuation to $11 billion, reflecting strong market confidence in AI infrastructure.
Bloomberg Technology · 73d ago
Warsaw-based firm Expeditions has closed a €197M fund backed by BAE Systems and the NATO Innovation Fund. The fund aims to accelerate the growth of European defense tech startups.
The Next Web (TNW) · 74d ago
The Chinese AI market saw a massive surge in investment during the first half of 2026, with funding exceeding the entire total of 2025. Large models and embodied AI remain the primary focus for venture capital.
虎嗅 · 78d ago
Novastar Ventures has partnered with Google's Africa Applied AI Lab to identify and support African startups building AI-powered solutions. The collaboration aims to scale local innovation by providing venture capital and technical guidance.
TechCabal · 79d ago
Abu Dhabi-based firm MGX has successfully raised $49 billion to invest in artificial intelligence. This fund is one of the largest ever dedicated to the sector, signaling massive capital inflow into AI infrastructure and development.
Bloomberg Technology · 79d ago
AI chip startup SambaNova is reportedly seeking to raise $800 million to $1 billion at a $10 billion valuation. This marks a significant jump from its $2 billion valuation earlier this year.
IT之家 · 86d ago
Abu Dhabi-based MGX has raised nearly $50 billion to invest in artificial intelligence. This represents one of the largest dedicated AI investment vehicles globally.
Bloomberg Technology · 87d ago
Menlo Ventures has secured $3 billion in new funding, marking its largest fundraise ever. The capital is specifically earmarked for the next generation of AI startups, following their high-profile bet on Anthropic.
Bloomberg Technology · 88d ago
Anthropic has confidentially filed for an IPO, positioning itself ahead of OpenAI in the public market race. This move highlights the massive scale of upcoming AI-focused mega IPOs.
Bloomberg Technology · 108d ago
Entrepreneur Brett Adcock's new AI hardware startup, Hark, has successfully raised over $700 million. This funding round brings the company's total valuation to $6 billion.
Bloomberg Technology · 121d ago
Mecka AI is reportedly assembling a Sequoia-led funding round that would value the two-year-old startup at nearly $500 million. The financing comes only months after the company announced its Series A.
TechCrunch AI · 7d ago
DeepSeek has reportedly hired CITIC Securities to prepare for an IPO on Shanghai’s STAR Market. Reuters sources said the Hangzhou-based AI company aims to begin the listing process this year.
TechNode · 10d ago
Reid Hoffman is joining London-based seed and Series A investor Mosaic Ventures as an advisory partner. He is expected to provide Silicon Valley connections involving talent, companies, and capital, as Mosaic makes AI in Europe its sole investment focus.
The Next Web (TNW) · 11d ago