venture capital firms

A young entrepreneur has built a defense technology startup now valued at $3.7 billion, with backing from prominent venture capital firm Sequoia. The story highlights how a member of Gen Z broke into the traditionally older, contractor-dominated defense industry, drawing attention to the growing wave of venture-funded defense tech companies and renewed investor interest in national security startups.

Seligman Ventures has doubled its capital to $1 billion, betting that the artificial intelligence boom will revive investor interest in hardware startups. The move signals renewed venture appetite for chips and other physical computing infrastructure powering AI development. Observers see it as a sign that capital is flowing back into hardware after years of focus on software, as AI demand reshapes investment priorities.

Germany has reached a record number of startups valued at €1 billion or more, driven largely by investment in artificial intelligence companies and a resurgent defence industry. Growth in the arms sector reflects rising European defence spending, while AI firms have attracted strong venture capital. The trend marks a notable shift for Germany's startup landscape.

Italian venture firm Eureka! Venture has launched a new €20 million fund dedicated to backing DeepTech startups in Italy. The fund will provide early-stage capital to companies working on advanced technology, aiming to strengthen Italy's position in the European DeepTech ecosystem and address the funding gap for science-based ventures in the country.

Dige Robotics has closed a $400 million Series C financing round, with early backer Linear Capital increasing its stake for the seventh consecutive round. The sizeable raise underlines continued strong investor appetite for robotics companies, and Linear Capital's sustained backing signals confidence in the firm's growth prospects.

Sofinnova Partners, the Paris-based venture capital firm, has closed its MD Start IV fund at €82 million, exceeding its original target. The fund will be used to found and back new MedTech startups, following Sofinnova's model of building companies from scratch alongside inventors and clinicians. The oversubscribed close signals continued investor appetite for early-stage medical technology despite a tougher funding climate.

Venture capital firm Golden Gate Ventures is planning a two-year program for startups from Central Asia, based in Uzbekistan. The initiative is aimed at supporting early-stage companies across the region, with Uzbekistan positioning itself as a hub for entrepreneurship and foreign investment in Central Asia.