Investors predict that AI will significantly impact labor markets in 2026, with startups and investors closely watching how AI-driven automation affects funding and valuations[5].
YouTuber MrBeast acquired financial services app Step.
Anthropic secured a massive $30 billion funding round.
xAI obtained $3.4 billion in chip financing from Apollo after merging with SpaceX.
Torev Motors raised $2.5 million in venture capital for its rare-earth-free electric motors aimed at national security applications like large ground vehicles and drones.
Crypto crime-fighting startup TRM Labs achieved a $1 billion valuation with a new $70 million funding round.[2]
Microsoft and OpenAI in talks for up to $500 million investment in Figure AI at $1.9 billion valuation.
Waabi raises up to $1 billion and partners with Uber to deploy 25,000 robotaxis.
SC Ventures and Fujitsu launch quantum computing joint venture Qubitra, marking a new collaboration in advanced tech infrastructure.
Zocks secured $45m in a Series B funding round to enhance agentic AI features.
Hg to acquire OneStream in $6.4bn deal; Capital One to acquire Brex for $5.15bn; other major fintech M&A including US Bancorp-BTIG (up to $1bn).