AI Captures Nearly Half of Q3 2025 Venture Capital
Artificial intelligence startups captured 46 percent of global venture capital in the third quarter of 2025, totaling 97 billion dollars, while non-AI companies struggle to secure funding.
AI captured 46 percent global VC fundingAnthropic raised 13 billion dollar Series FxAI secured 5.3 billion dollars in fundingMistral AI raised 2 billion dollars totalOpenAI reached 500 billion dollar valuationCorporate VC backs 36 percent VC deals2,344 corporate investors now back startups globallyNon-AI startups face declining investment opportunities
Artificial intelligence startups captured 46 percent of global venture capital in the third quarter of 2025, totaling 97 billion dollars. Anthropic, xAI, and Mistral AI secured the largest funding rounds during the period. This concentration of investment leaves non-AI startups struggling to attract capital in an increasingly polarized funding landscape.
AI Dominates Quarterly Funding
In the third quarter of 2025, AI companies received 97 billion dollars of the 211 billion dollars in global venture capital, according to data from Crunchbase and PitchBook.[1] This represents the highest share of total venture funding that any single sector has captured in a quarter.[2] The concentration reflects investor confidence in artificial intelligence applications across multiple industries.
Major Rounds Shape Market
Anthropic led the quarter with a 13 billion dollar Series F round in September 2025, valuing the company at 183 billion dollars.[3] The round attracted participation from ICONIQ, Fidelity Management and Research Company, and Lightspeed Venture Partners.[4] Elon Musk’s xAI secured 5.3 billion dollars, while European AI developer Mistral AI raised 2 billion dollars.[1] These three companies alone accounted for more than one fifth of global venture capital in the third quarter.
Non-AI Startups Face Challenges
Venture capital for non-AI startups has declined significantly in 2025. AI exits accounted for 39.5 percent of total deal volume in the third quarter, marking a new high.[5] The United States captured 64 percent of global venture funding in the second quarter of 2025, driven primarily by AI investments.[6] PitchBook director Kyle Stanford stated that AI has become the cornerstone of venture capital, offering companies a new approach to solving problems across every segment of the economy.[5]
Alternative Funding Options Emerge
Startups outside artificial intelligence are turning to alternative financing sources. Corporate venture capital now participates in one of every six startup funding rounds globally.[7]
Corporate investors have tripled in the past decade.[7]
Early stage rounds comprised 65 percent of corporate venture capital deals in 2024.[8]
Corporate and corporate venture capital backed 36 percent of total venture capital deal value in the second quarter of 2025.[6]
The number of corporate investors backing startups stands at 2,344 as of 2025.[9]
Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer public fundraising for early stage businesses.[10]
Angel investors provide early stage capital in exchange for equity or convertible debt.[10]
OpenAI reached a 500 billion dollar valuation in 2025, becoming the most valuable private company globally.[1] Total AI venture funding in 2025 has reached 192.7 billion dollars through early October, positioning artificial intelligence to capture more than half of annual venture capital for the first time.[11] The market division between AI and non-AI ventures continues to widen as investors concentrate capital in artificial intelligence platforms and applications.
Rachel Patel is a senior news editor and journalist specializing in political journalism and digital media. With over seven years of professional experience, she is recognized for her accuracy, source verification, and audience-focused reporting approach.
Rachel earned her M.S. in Journalism & Media Studies from Stanford University (2018), where she developed expertise in media ethics, political communication, and digital storytelling.
Her career has centered on bridging traditional political reporting with the fast-paced world of online journalism. She has contributed to major global media outlets, analyzing how digital platforms — from YouTube and Reddit to TikTok and Bluesky — shape political narratives, influence public opinion, and redefine news consumption.
Now based in Berlin, Germany, Rachel serves as a Senior News Editor at Faharas NET, leading coverage on digital politics, media literacy, and social communication trends in the modern information landscape.
TechCrunch is an online news website that provides breaking news, analysis, and opinions on the technology industry, with a particular focus on startups and venture capital.
Founded in 2005, it covers emerging tech companies, funding rounds, and major tech players, and also hosts industry events like the annual Disrupt conference.
Elena Voren is a senior journalist and Tech Section Editor with 8 years of experience focusing on AI ethics, social media impact, and consumer software. She is recognized for interviewing industry leaders and academic experts while clearly distinguishing opinion from evidence-based reporting.
She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2016), where she studied human-computer interaction, AI, and digital behavior.
Elena’s work emphasizes the societal implications of technology, ensuring readers understand both the practical and ethical dimensions of emerging tools. She leads the Tech Section at Faharas NET, supervising coverage on AI, consumer software, digital society, and privacy technologies, while maintaining rigorous editorial standards.
Based in Berlin, Germany, Elena provides insightful analyses on technology trends, ethical AI deployment, and the influence of social platforms on modern life.
Howayda Sayed is the Managing Editor of the Arabic, English, and multilingual sections at Faharas. She leads editorial supervision, review, and quality assurance, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and adherence to translation and editorial standards. With 5 years of translation experience and a background in journalism, she holds a Bachelor of Laws and has studied public and private law in Arabic, English, and French.
Completely rewrote article to include only facts from October 8-12, 2025
Updated all statistics with latest verified Q3 2025 data from multiple sources
Replaced outdated September funding figures with current October numbers
Added comprehensive alternative funding information for non-AI startups
Expanded FAQ section with three detailed questions and answers
Rewrote article in professional HTML format with proper heading structure
Included exactly one bulleted list with six key funding alternative points
Added eleven unique source citations from trusted financial and tech outlets
Updated TLDR with eight properly formatted key points
Revised title and excerpt for better SEO optimization
— by Howayda Sayed
Added inline citations for transparency and credibility.
— by Howayda Sayed
Verified all data using PitchBook and company reports.
— by Howayda Sayed
Updated and optimized the title.
— by Howayda Sayed
Initial publication.
Correction Record
Accountability
— by Nodin Laramie
Updated Q3 2025 AI funding percentage from 62.7 percent to accurate 46 percent based on verified Crunchbase and PitchBook data
Corrected quarterly global VC total from 366.8 billion to 211 billion dollars per latest Q3 2025 reports
Fixed Anthropic valuation figure to confirm 183 billion dollars post-money with proper source attribution
Replaced outdated non-AI startup statistics with current October 2025 corporate venture capital participation rates
Updated AI exit percentage to 39.5 percent of Q3 2025 deal volume from previously reported figures
Corrected OpenAI valuation to 500 billion dollars as reported in October 2025 sources
Verified and updated all funding round amounts for Anthropic, xAI, and Mistral AI
Replaced vague funding timeline references with specific Q3 2025 dates
Corrected corporate investor count to 2,344 as of 2025 from outdated figures
Fixed total 2025 AI funding figure to 192.7 billion dollars through early October with proper citation
— by Howayda Sayed
Verify the $192.7 billion AI funding figure and sector share percentages against PitchBook’s full Q3 2025 report for exact dates and definitions.
Confirm Anthropic’s Series F investor list and fund allocation specifics via the official Anthropic announcement or regulatory filings.
Cite PitchBook’s Q3 2025 release date and methodology to enhance transparency.
Include data on corporate venture capital deal volume in 2025 to guide non-AI startups toward alternative funding strategies.
FAQ
How much did Anthropic raise in its Series F round?
Anthropic raised 13 billion dollars in its Series F funding round in September 2025. The round valued the AI company at 183 billion dollars and was co-led by ICONIQ, Fidelity Management and Research Company, and Lightspeed Venture Partners.
How much funding has AI received?
AI has attracted over $192.7 billion in 2025.
What does "bifurcated" market mean?
It means the market is divided between AI and non-AI firms.
What alternative funding options exist for non-AI startups?
Non-AI startups can pursue corporate venture capital, which now participates in one of every six funding rounds globally. Angel investors and crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo also provide early stage capital. Corporate investors have tripled over the past decade, offering strategic partnerships alongside funding.
