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
Scotch Raises $20M Series A for AI Liquor Retail Platform
Denver-based Scotch closed a $20 million Series A led by VMG Partners to expand its AI-native operating system for liquor retailers.
Fundraising
Scotch Raises $20M Series A for Liquor Retail AI Platform
Denver-based Scotch raised $20 million in Series A funding led by VMG Partners to expand its AI-native operating system for liquor retailers.
Market Data
Africa Holds 883 Scaleups With $24.7 Billion Raised
Mind the Bridge analysis shows Africa now has 95 cleantech scaleups attracting one-fifth of continent venture funding amid grid and capital gaps.
All Venture Capital Coverage
IPO Threshold Rise Leaves Mid-Sized Firms Without Exits
US listed companies fell from over 8,000 in 1996 to under 4,000 today as median IPO revenue requirements increased, according to Crunchbase News.
DNA Capital VC II LP Files SEC Notice Under Section 3(c)(7)
DNA Capital VC II LP submitted a filing to the SEC on May 18, 2026, referencing Section 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act.
Swedish AI Startup Legora Secures $50M Series D Extension Led by Nvidia
Legora, an AI platform for lawyers, raised $50 million in a Series D extension from Nvidia's NVentures, bringing the round to $600 million at a $5.5 billion valuation.
IPO Pipeline Thaws for Venture-Backed Startups in AI and Clean Energy
Recent S-1 filings show increased IPO activity among venture-backed companies in semiconductors, nuclear power, biotech, and space tech, according to Crunchbase News.
Venture-Backed IPOs Surge in AI, Clean Energy, and Biotech
Recent public S-1 filings show venture-backed startups in semiconductors, nuclear power, geothermal energy, biotech, and space tech pursuing IPOs, according to Crunchbase News.
Cloneable Secures $4.6M Seed Funding for AI Expert Knowledge Replication
Raleigh-based startup Cloneable raised $4.6 million in seed funding led by Congruent Ventures to develop AI agents that clone workflows in heavy industries.
Providence Venture Capital Files Under Investment Company Act Section 3(c)(1)
Providence Venture Capital, LLC filed a document with the SEC on April 22, 2026, related to Section 3(c)(1) of the Investment Company Act.
Lionheart Ventures II-A, L.P. Files for Section 3(c)(1) Exemption
D/A - LIONHEART VENTURES II-A, L.P. filed a document with the SEC on April 17, 2026, related to Investment Company Act exemptions.
Investors Wary of SaaS Amid Structural Shift
Venture Capital Journal reports investors growing cautious of SaaS due to a shift from traditional enterprise models to automated platforms.
Venture Capital Concentrates on Top AI Companies in Q1 2026
In Q1 2026, AI startups captured 80% of global venture funding, with four companies raising $188 billion, amid a decline in global deal counts, according to Crunchbase data.
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.
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.
DCM Veteran David Cheng Joins Costanoa Ventures
David Cheng, a DCM veteran, is moving to Costanoa due to AI's impact on venture capital and their dedication to a smaller portfolio of startups.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
