AI‑focused companies captured a record share of venture capital, raising over $128 billion and accounting for 41 % of total funding. A handful of firms such as OpenAI, Anthropic and xAI secured multi‑billion‑dollar rounds, driving a K‑shaped market where capital is concentrated among a few high‑valuation startups. Newer venture funds that invested early in these AI ventures reported the strongest internal rate of return (IRR) in years, highlighting the rapid financial impact of the AI boom while underscoring the risk of a potentially over‑heated market. Read more →