The AI Takeover: Five Data Signals Reshaping VC Funding
AI startups blew past every previous funding benchmark, raising enormous rounds at sky-high valuations, sometimes within weeks of launching.
AI startups blew past every previous funding benchmark, raising enormous rounds at sky-high valuations, sometimes within weeks of launching.
Picture this: you’re a founder on the cusp of your next significant milestone, say your Series A or B, but you’re not quite there yet. Growth is real, traction is visible, but markets are tighter, valuations are scrutinized, and the next “big” round feels like it might arrive any time. In that limbo, you raise a bridge round, and guess what, you are not alone.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are no longer reserved for large corporations with investor relations teams and glossy sustainability reports. They’re rapidly becoming a strategic imperative for early-stage companies as a growth driver and a risk mitigator.
Capital is no longer scarce. What’s scarce is the kind of capital that actually moves the needle.
In today’s venture ecosystem, entrepreneurs can often find a check, but finding investors who roll up their sleeves, open their networks, and actively work alongside founders is a challenge. That’s where the real value lies.
Imagine sitting down at a dinner table with friends. Everyone’s hungry, the food looks incredible, and now it’s time to divide the portions. Who gets what? Does the person who cooked get the biggest share? Do the early arrivals take a larger helping, or should we save enough for the friends who are still on their way?
For decades, investment decisions were primarily driven by one question: What will generate the best returns?
But today, many investors are adding a follow-up question that’s just as important: Does this investment reflect what I stand for?
Ecosystem Venture Group today announced the acquisition of PeopleConnect and PitchForce, two long-standing platforms that have played a pivotal role in helping startups scale through strategic hiring and investor access.
Longtime Seattle-area investor Brianna McDonald is leading a new organization called Ecosystem Venture Group that blends startup investment funds with services for entrepreneurs and investors.