venture capital
116 stories filed under venture capital on Beyond Market Intelligence. The newest of them: “Menlo backs Factory with capital and confidence amid Khosla's criticism”, “Explore how Blackstone's Jas Khaira shapes the future of AI at Disrupt 2026”, and “Kevin Mandia deploys agent swarms to defend enterprises in new startup Armadin”. Vinod Khosla called Factory a struggling also-ran. Blackstone's Jas Khaira will take the Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to show how AI-native thinking reshapes what spreadsheets can do. Acme AI is the next-generation, AI-powered spreadsheet platform built to replace Excel and redefine how analysts, data scientists, and enterprise teams work… The list below is every venture capital story on Beyond Market Intelligence, newest first.
Menlo backs Factory with capital and confidence amid Khosla's criticism
Vinod Khosla called Factory a struggling also-ran. Days later, Menlo Ventures showed up with a check and a glowing blog post, backing the AI-native spreadsheet startup with both capital and confidence. That is a telling vote of confidence in a space where legacy tools still dominate. Menlo sees something worth investing in. For readers tracking this shift, our coverage of Etched's fresh funding offers explores similar investor conviction in AI hardware.
Explore how Blackstone's Jas Khaira shapes the future of AI at Disrupt 2026
Blackstone's Jas Khaira will take the Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to show how AI-native thinking reshapes what spreadsheets can do. This is a conversation about building the next generation of intelligent tools, not just iterating on old ones. It pairs naturally with our coverage of Kevin Mandia deploying agent swarms to defend enterprises, both leaders are rethinking foundational technology from the ground up. Register for your pass and get 50% off a second.
Kevin Mandia deploys agent swarms to defend enterprises in new startup Armadin
Kevin Mandia, the founder of Mandiant, is back, this time deploying agent swarms to defend enterprises through his new startup, Armadin. It's a natural evolution for someone who built a reputation on hunting threats. These AI-driven teams test and protect systems in ways static tools cannot. We see a similar thread in our coverage of "How Photon's $4.5M bet on AI agents reimagines messaging over apps", both stories explore how autonomous agents reshape their domains.
How Photon's $4.5M bet on AI agents reimagines messaging over apps
Photon's $4.5 million bet says something direct about where messaging is heading: consumers may soon prefer talking to an agent over downloading another app. The startup helps developers build AI agents that work across iMessage, SMS, email, and more. It's a practical wager that convenience will win. We see a similar thread in our coverage of "Chat with Sidekick to build your store and see it take shape instantly," where Shopify's AI agent lets merchants create stores through conversation.
BAG Ventures raises $11.3M to back AI startups built for real enterprise use
BAG Ventures has closed an $11.3 million Fund I with a clear mission: back AI startups built for actual enterprise use, not just buzz. That focus matters. Too many AI tools impress in demos but fail under real workflows. This fund aims to change that. For deeper context on the broader AI investment wave, readers can explore our coverage of EliseAI securing $350 million and doubling its valuation in a single year. The enterprise AI space is accelerating, and BAG Ventures is positioning itself wisely.
EliseAI secures $350M, doubling its valuation to $4B in just one year
EliseAI just closed $350M in new funding, doubling its valuation to $4B within a year. That kind of acceleration says less about luck and more about the market finally catching up to what AI-native tools can actually do. It's a signal worth watching, especially as we see similar momentum across the sector, like Meta's AI turning dull tasks into real savings. Investors are rewarding substance, not hype. We're curious to see how EliseAI builds on this pace.
OpenAI charts final private raise before its 2027 public debut
OpenAI's next funding round is set to be its last before a 2027 public debut, a move that signals confidence in a deliberately paced trajectory. It's a smart, measured step for a company that's already reshaping how we interact with data. The delay isn't a setback; it's a strategy. For those tracking the broader shift, our coverage of ChatGPT's quiet evolution into a software discovery hub offers useful context on where this momentum is headed.
AI security startup Reco raises $55M to sharpen agent defenses
Reco has raised $55 million to sharpen its defenses for AI agents, building on a $30 million round from February and bringing total funding to $140 million. That's a clear signal investors see real value in securing autonomous systems before they become standard business tools. The focus here is practical: helping teams adopt AI without exposing new risks. For those tracking how security evolves alongside innovation, this move pairs naturally with our coverage of ShinyHunters' arrest, a reminder that vigilance remains essential.
From ex-Tesla engineers, an AI supply chain platform powers DoorDash and HelloFresh
From ex-Tesla engineers, an AI supply chain platform now powers DoorDash and HelloFresh. Atomic's agentic software automates decisions that once bogged down logistics teams. That's not incremental improvement, it's a smarter way to move goods. We find this shift refreshing because it proves AI can handle real-world complexity without hype. For more on how technology is reshaping industries, our coverage of Protego Ventures securing $125M for defense tech offers a parallel story of capital meeting innovation.
Protego Ventures secures $125M to empower Israel's defense tech future
Protego Ventures just closed a $125 million fund, cementing its role as the first and largest dedicated defense tech VC in Israel. That's not just capital, it's a signal. The firm is betting on a future where national security and innovation converge, and it's putting real weight behind that vision. For founders building in defense, this is an invitation to explore what's possible. For a deeper look at how global investors are backing ambitious startups, see our coverage of Peak XV's latest Surge cohort.
Peak XV raises seed bar to $5M as global-minded startups lead new Surge cohort
Peak XV is raising the bar for early-stage investing, lifting its seed check to $5 million as global ambition becomes the new benchmark. The latest Surge cohort reflects that shift: thirteen of the eighteen startups are chasing markets beyond borders, and more than half call India home. That mix signals growing confidence in founders who think internationally from day one. For those tracking the broader funding wave, the momentum echoes the scale we saw with Instinct's $1 billion Series C.
Instinct raises $1B in Series C funding, valuing the AI agent at $10B
Instinct closed a $1 billion Series C round, valuing the AI agent at $10 billion, with a simple message: "We're just getting started." That restraint is telling. When a company this well-funded stays focused on the work ahead rather than celebrating the milestone, it signals maturity. For anyone feeling constrained by today's spreadsheet tools, this is worth watching. If you're curious about similar innovation in fraud detection, our coverage of *Modulate's recent funding* explores how AI sharpens its focus on deepfake scams.
SiMa.ai secures $150M to bring physical AI chips beyond the data center
SiMa.ai just closed a $150 million Series C from Fidelity and Amplify, betting that physical AI demands chips designed for the edge, not the data center. That's a smart wager. The company's focus on bringing intelligence to where data actually lives, sensors, machines, devices, feels more grounded than chasing distant cloud promises. For deeper context on how hardware and AI design choices are diverging, our piece on neural architecture search offers useful perspective.
Lightspeed Accelerates India AI Investments with New $250M Fund
Silicon Valley's Lightspeed is betting bigger on India, launching a new $250M fund that aligns its local fundraising with global cycles for the first time. That's a deliberate move toward a shorter investment period, and it signals real confidence in the market's momentum. We see this as a practical response to how quickly opportunities here are maturing. For teams navigating this shift, understanding the changing skill demands in AI-driven roles matters just as much.
Unlock Growth: Connect with Investors and Founders in Boston
A full-day summit in Boston on November 4 brings founders and investors together for a practical look at scaling companies. The focus is on tactical insights, not theory, with top VCs and experienced entrepreneurs leading the conversation. It is a direct opportunity to build relationships that move businesses forward. If you are tracking how AI is reshaping infrastructure, our piece on Anthropic's cloud investment with Akamai pairs well with the event's growth-focused agenda.
Discover the Visionaries Shaping Startup Battlefield 200 at Disrupt 2026
The Startup Battlefield 200 stage at Disrupt 2026 will showcase a new wave of venture capitalists, each bringing a sharp eye for what's next. These judges aren't just evaluating pitches; they're shaping the future of entrepreneurship. If you're ready to see which founders rise to the moment, secure your spot by September 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT to save up to $200. This is where bold ideas meet the capital to fuel them.
AI Biotech Enveda Accelerates Drug Development with $311M Investment
Enveda's $311M raise isn't just a big number; it's a signal that AI-driven drug discovery is moving from promise to pipeline. The $2B valuation reflects real momentum, especially as the company targets skin conditions and tackles the stubborn problem of weight regain after GLP-1s. That's practical science with tangible outcomes. We're watching a biotech that understands the patient's journey, not just the lab bench. For more on who's betting big on emerging tech, check our piece on Wahlberg and Lee's upcoming Disrupt discussion.
AI-Native Companies Drive $5.75B Investment Surge
The $5.75 billion surge into AI-native companies isn't just a number; it's a signal. This VC firm sees growth unlike any technology before, and that's worth pausing over. Traditional spreadsheets were built for a different era, and the momentum behind AI-native tools confirms what we've long suspected: the data journey is ready for a smarter path. For those exploring where this leads, our piece on verifying AI's understanding offers a practical next step. This is progress you can act on.
Exploring AI's Impact: Venture Capital Evolution at TechCrunch Disrupt
Venture capital is not immune to AI's pull. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, StrictlyVC will join us to break down how the funding game is changing, and what that means for founders navigating a new normal. It's a conversation worth having, especially if you are building for the future. Secure your Investor Pass now and save $200 before September 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Accelerating Tomorrow’s Builders: A New Path for High School Grads
High school graduates don't need another four-year holding pattern. They need a launchpad. This new academy sits somewhere between a trade school, Y Combinator, and Peter Thiel's Fellowship, offering a direct route to building real ventures. It's an accessible answer for those ready to skip the traditional script. While the broader investing conversation heats up, including the upcoming Wahlberg and Lee discussion at Disrupt 2026, this program focuses on doing. It transforms raw ambition into tangible progress, and that's a path worth exploring.
Comp AI raises $34M to automate security compliance with agentic tools
Comp AI has closed a $34 million Series A led by Roo Capital and Grand Ventures, and the message is clear: security and compliance are moving toward a continuously agentic future. That is not a small step. It signals that automation is no longer about isolated tasks but about systems that adapt and act on their own. We see this as a natural evolution for teams tired of manual oversight.
Enterprise AI startup secures $53 million to expand data solutions
When a startup lands multiple seven-figure enterprise contracts within months of launch, that's not luck. It's signal. Former Infosys chief's AI venture just secured another $53 million, and the speed of that adoption says more than any roadmap could. Enterprises aren't dabbling here; they're committing. That kind of early trust is earned through clarity, not complexity. If you're still wrestling with what AI actually demands from your team, our piece on shifting AI/ML job expectations is worth a look. The tools are evolving.
Profound's rapid $180M raise signals growing demand for AI-native data tools
Profound has raised a $180 million Series D at a $1.8 billion valuation, landing just seven months after its last round. That pace signals serious momentum, and it's the kind of trajectory that makes the broader AI-native tools space worth watching. For teams still wrestling with legacy spreadsheets, this funding validates a simpler path forward. If you're tracking where the sector heads next, our piece on Lightspeed's new India AI fund offers useful context on where the capital is flowing.
Evvy secures $40M to advance women's health through microbiome data
Evvy just raised $40 million in a Series B round led by Catalio Capital Management, and that's a meaningful vote of confidence for a company putting vaginal microbiome data at the center of women's health research. It's about time this kind of data got serious backing. The funding can accelerate discoveries that have been underfunded for too long. If you're tracking how capital is moving through health innovation, this pairs well with our coverage on Wahlberg and Lee discussing wellness at Disrupt 2026.