• Over $3.7 billion flowed into startups this week, dominated by late-stage AI, healthtech, fintech, energy, and defense rounds.techstartups

• Landmark rounds included Databricks ($1B, AI-first database), FieldAI ($405M, universal robotics), Kriya Therapeutics ($313M, gene therapy), and EliseAI ($250M, healthcare/housing automation).techstartups

• Early-stage momentum continued — notable seed and Series A deals included TinyFish ($47M, AI for SMBs), Firecrawl ($14.5M, AI web platform), and Definite ($10M, fintech).techstartups

• Major investors active included Thrive Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia, QED Investors, Nvidia, Uber, and government-linked funds like the NATO Innovation Fund.techstartups

Private Equity Updates

• Multiple new funds closed: Stone Point Capital ($11.5B), Painswick Capital ($1.5B), 50 South Capital (two funds, $2B), Dextra Partners ($825M), Periscope Equity ($370M), and Skyline Investors ($125M).peprofessional+1

• Estimated PE exit value was around $9.8B for the week, mirroring subdued deal volume due to cautious buyer sentiment and longer hold periods.cbh

• Private equity firms focused on strategic repositioning and select high-quality asset exits, with the median hold time for exited deals easing to 6 years in H1 2025.cbh

What to Expect Next Week

• Late-stage startup fundraising is likely to continue, with AI and energy still attracting outsized checks; watch for further announcements from unicorns and government-backed ventures.techstartups+1

• Private equity firms are expected to accelerate fundraising for secondary and co-investment vehicles, with investor attention shifting to quality exits and strategic add-ons.peprofessional

• Investor sentiment remains cautious, with some signs of pickup anticipated as megadeal activity resumes in select markets.cbh

Weekly VC/PE Funding & Exit Flows Chart

Total flows by category for the week:

• Startups: $3.76B

• New Funds: $16.27B

• PE Exits: $9.8B

Key Takeaways

• Databricks led VC with its $1B round; private equity saw record-sized new funds close.techstartups+1

• Exits slowed, but PE fund managers are optimistic for renewed activity towards year-end.cbh

• Next week could see continued energy/AI fundraising and cautious ramp-up of PE asset sales.

This provides a high-level overview of the week’s biggest moves and themes in venture investing and private equity.peprofessional+4