AI Startups Capture Over 80% of Global Venture Capital in First Half of 2026

Global venture‑capital funding surged to $498.4 billion in the first six months of 2026, more than double the level recorded in the whole of 2025. A striking share of that capital flowed into artificial‑intelligence (AI) companies. According to CB Insights, about 81 % of all funding in the period was directed to AI startups, driven largely by mega‑rounds such as OpenAI’s $122 billion raise and Anthropic’s $65 billion deal.

In the United States, startup financing reached $412.7 billion, with AI firms receiving roughly 86 % ($355.9 billion) of the total. The concentration of money on a narrow set of AI firms has reduced the number of deals, which fell 22 % globally and 30 % in the U.S. compared with the same period a year earlier. Venture‑capital firms are also betting on emerging “world‑model” AI technologies, channeling more than $3 billion into specialised startups that aim to give machines a comprehensive understanding of the physical world.

The trend signals a shift in the venture‑capital landscape: larger sums are being allocated to a few AI giants, while funding for non‑AI sectors such as biotech, climate tech, fintech and consumer apps has dwindled to a fraction of the overall pool.