CAPITAL MARKET
Venture Capital
Venture capital raised over $450 billion globally at 2021 peak and has since normalized to roughly $180-220 billion annual deployment — with concentration in AI, defense tech, climate, and biotech commanding a growing share of LP interest. The fundraising environment has bifurcated: tier-one brand GPs continue to close large funds quickly while emerging managers face longer cycles and higher LP diligence bars.
PipelineRoad's VC coverage sources from Form D filings, LP disclosures, GP primary announcements, and regulatory notices — capturing fund launches at the fund-of-one, emerging manager, and institutional tier. Of particular focus: AI-dedicated funds, secondary strategies buying LP stakes on the continuation market, and the growing retail-accessible venture vehicles under Reg A+ and interval structures.
This page is where GPs and LPs track who's in market, which LP checks are landing, and how fund sizes and structures are evolving in the current cycle.
Featured Stories
Fundraising
Cognita Founder Sells Startup to Radiology Partners Less Than a Year After Founding
Louis Blankemeier explains why his healthcare AI startup Cognita chose acquisition by Radiology Partners over venture capital raising in 2024.
Deal Flow
Cognita Sold to Radiology Partners Less Than a Year After Founding
Louis Blankemeier explains why his healthcare AI startup Cognita chose acquisition by Radiology Partners over venture capital funding.
Fundraising
Global VC Firms Raise $21bn in Q1, Matching Q1 2025 Levels
Venture capital firms worldwide collected $21 billion in the first quarter, the same as in Q1 2025, as reported by Venture Capital Journal.
All Venture Capital Coverage
VC Firms Raise $21 Billion in Q1, Matching Q1 2025
Venture capital firms worldwide raised $21 billion in the first quarter, the same as in Q1 2025, according to Venture Capital Journal.
Private Equity Fundraising Reaches $152 Billion in Q1 2026
Private equity funds raised $152 billion in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 14% increase from the previous year, according to PEI Group data.
Venture Capital Journal Highlights GP-LP Disconnect in Fundraising Report
A new report from Venture Capital Journal shows the disconnect between general partners and limited partners was evident in the first quarter.
Venture Capital Journal Reports Disconnect Between GPs and LPs in Q1 2026
Venture Capital Journal's latest fundraising report highlights a disconnect between general partners and limited partners during the first quarter of 2026.
Rally Ventures Appoints Liz Benz as Operating Partner
Rally Ventures, focused on early-stage business technology, has appointed Liz Benz as Operating Partner to support portfolio companies and firm initiatives.
LPs Intensify Background Checks in Fundraisings
Limited partners are leaving no stone unturned in background checks, where minor discrepancies can derail commitments and delay fundraises, as reported by Venture Capital Journal.
LPs Intensify Background Checks on GPs Amid Due Diligence Scrutiny
Limited partners are conducting thorough background checks on general partners, where minor issues can disrupt fund commitments and timelines, as reported by Venture Capital Journal.
Northstar VC Series 36 Files Under Investment Company Act Section 3(c)(1)
Northstar VC Series 36, a series of Northstar Venture Capital LLC, filed a document on April 7, 2026, related to Section 3(c)(1) of the Investment Company Act.
Northstar Venture Capital LLC Files Form D for Series 36
Northstar Venture Capital LLC filed a Form D on April 7, 2026, for Northstar VC Series 36, citing Section 3(c)(1) of the Investment Company Act.
KKR-Backed SmartHR Considers Tokyo IPO at $1bn Valuation
Japanese HR platform SmartHR, with investors including KKR, is exploring a Tokyo IPO later this year targeting a $1bn valuation, as per reports.
Five Startups Raise Funding for Innovative Ventures
Crunchbase News highlights five startups that secured funding in the past month for projects in fintech, clean tech, and AI.
Washington Pension System Backs Spark VC After Three-Year Due Diligence
A pension system managing over $230 billion completed a three-year due diligence process to invest in Spark, a venture capital manager, according to Venture Capital Journal.
Washington Pension System Bullish on Spark in Venture Capital
A pension system managing over $230 billion in assets completed a three-year due diligence to select a VC manager for a challenged environment.
SAC VC Capital SPV LLC Series 9 Files with SEC on April 6, 2026
D - SAC VC Capital SPV LLC - Series 9 submitted a filing to SEC EDGAR on April 6, 2026, according to official records.
SAC VC Capital SPV LLC - Series 9 Submits SEC Filing
SAC VC Capital SPV LLC - Series 9 filed a document with the SEC on April 6, 2026, according to official records.
Private Capital Investment in Defense Hits Record Highs
Dealbreaker highlights surging private capital in defense firms, with investments reaching over $16 billion in 2025 amid risks of misalignment.
Private Capital Investment in Defense Reaches Record Highs
An analysis shows venture capital in defense firms hit over $16 billion in 2025, amid diversification and government priorities, raising questions about returns and alignment.
Audeo Ventures Fund II LP Files SEC Form for Exemption
Audeo Ventures Fund II LP filed a SEC EDGAR document on April 6, 2026, related to Section 3(c)(1) of the Investment Company Act.
eMed and Nitra Raise Over $387 Million in Health Tech Funding
Health tech companies eMed and Nitra secured major funding rounds totaling hundreds of millions, as reported by Dealbreaker.
Lead Edge's Seventh Fund to Explore Secondaries Strategies Amid AI Shifts
Growth investor Lead Edge plans for its seventh fund to invest in various secondaries strategies, as reported in a recent article.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much venture capital is raised annually?
Global VC fundraising peaked at roughly $450B in 2021 and has normalized to $180-220B in 2024-2025. US fundraising accounts for 55-60% of global totals. First-half 2025 saw over $130B raised globally across ~400 funds.
What sectors are leading VC fundraising right now?
AI-dedicated funds, defense tech, climate, biotech, and infrastructure-for-AI (power, data centers, chips) are leading 2024-2025 fundraising. AI-specific funds raised over $50B in 2024 alone. Generalist early-stage and late-stage growth have seen the biggest pullbacks.
What is a typical venture fund size?
Emerging manager Fund I: $25-75M. Established seed funds: $75-250M. Early-stage (Series A) funds: $250M-$1B. Growth/late-stage: $1-10B+. Mega-funds (a16z, Sequoia, Founders Fund): $3-12B per vehicle, often with multiple sleeves.
What is carried interest in a VC fund?
Carried interest is the GP's share of fund profits above a preferred return (typically 0-8% for VC). Standard VC carry is 20%, though top-tier brand funds command 25-30% and some mega-funds 30%+. Carry vests over 4-6 years and is typically subject to European-style (whole-fund) or American-style (deal-by-deal) waterfall.
Capital raising signals, delivered
Get fund close, LP allocation, and deal flow news before it hits the mainstream.
