Investing in startups has gained significant global attention recently. High-profile funding rounds and emerging technologies are making headlines, drawing in both seasoned investors and newcomers. At the same time, the landscape is shifting due to economic conditions and new regulations. This article breaks down the recent news and trends in startup investing – from notable success stories and hot sectors, to how beginners can start investing, along with essential cautions and current market factors. We’ll keep the language beginner-friendly and the insights up-to-date as of the past few months.
Big Funding Rounds and Startup Success Stories
Startup investing thrives on big success stories. In early 2025, venture capital activity has seen some record-breaking deals and exits across the globe:
- Mega Funding Rounds: The most striking example was OpenAI’s $40 billion financing round, which valued the AI company at an astounding $300 billion – making it the second most valuable private startup after SpaceX. This single deal accounted for about one-third of global venture funding in Q1 2025. Other huge rounds spanned various regions and industries: China’s Smart Fabric (a Shenzhen-based IoT textile startup) raised $460 million in a Series C, and U.S.-based fusion energy company Helion Energy raised $425 million to pursue clean nuclear fusion technology. In the healthcare sector, startups like Truveta (a health data platform) secured $320 million, and Innovaccer (healthcare AI cloud) raised $275 million. These examples show how funding is flowing to both software and deep-tech companies worldwide.
- Surge in Unicorns: A “unicorn” refers to a private startup valued over $1 billion, once a rarity but now increasingly common. As of April 2025, there are over 1,200 unicorn startups globally with a collective valuation exceeding $4.3 trillion. This explosive growth in unicorns over the past decade highlights the scale of capital pouring into successful startups worldwide. Notably, the United States leads with the most unicorns (over 650), but unicorns are also emerging across Europe, Asia, and other regions. These billion-dollar companies serve as high-profile success stories inspiring investors and entrepreneurs alike.
- Successful Exits (IPOs and Acquisitions): Ultimately, investors seek “exits” – such as a startup going public or being acquired – to realize returns. The recent climate has seen fewer IPOs than the 2021 boom, but mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have picked up. In Q1 2025, startup exits via M&A reached $71 billion in value, the strongest quarter for acquisitions since 2021. A headline example is Google’s planned $32 billion acquisition of cybersecurity startup Wiz, which if finalized would be the largest private startup acquisition ever. Globally, a total of 12 venture-backed startups were acquired for over $1B each in just the first quarter of 2025 – signaling that big companies are willing to pay top dollar for innovative startup solutions. Such high-profile exits (along with a few anticipated IPOs) demonstrate that despite some market cooldown from the peaks of 2021, viable startups can still deliver significant payoffs.
- Global Spread (but U.S. Dominance): Startup success is a worldwide phenomenon, but recent funding trends show a heavy concentration in the United States. For example, in February 2025, 9 of the 11 largest startup funding rounds globally went to U.S.-based companies. U.S. startups have increased their share of global venture funding to about 62% as of April 2025, up from 56% the year before. Only a couple of non-U.S. companies (such as one in Toronto and one in Bangalore) cracked the top deals list in that month. This reflects how the American tech ecosystem – especially Silicon Valley – currently attracts the lion’s share of mega-rounds. However, innovation hubs in China, India, Europe, and elsewhere are still producing notable startups. In April 2025, China was the second-largest country for venture funding (about $1.7B raised that month), and the UK and India were close behind, each with over $800M in startup investments. In short, big startup deals are happening globally, but the U.S. is capturing a majority of the capital lately.
For a beginner investor, these success stories are both exciting and instructive. They show where major investors are placing bets and the kinds of companies that achieve rapid growth. But chasing the next unicorn is only one part of the picture – it’s equally important to understand which sectors are attracting investment and why.
Emerging Sectors Attracting Investor Attention
Certain sectors are especially hot in the startup world right now, drawing significant investor interest and funding. Knowing these trends can help newcomers understand where opportunities (and competition) are highest:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is the standout sector in recent startup investing. Funding for AI startups has skyrocketed, fueled by advances in machine learning (like generative AI). In Q1 2025, nearly $60 billion was invested into AI-related companies – an astonishing 53% of all global venture funding that quarter. (To be fair, a large chunk of that was the OpenAI round, but even beyond that, multiple AI firms raised multibillion-dollar rounds.) In April 2025 alone, AI startups received about 30% of global funding (roughly $7B in that month). Investors see AI’s transformative potential across industries – from AI software that can generate images or code, to AI-driven analytics in finance and healthcare. Even AI research labs and foundation model developers are getting huge checks; for instance, in April a new AI lab called Safe Superintelligence raised $2B at a $32B valuation. The enthusiasm doesn’t appear to be waning – however, analysts note that as these AI startups mature (many now valued in the tens of billions), they will be under pressure to show real growth and revenue to justify the massive investments. Bottom line: AI is a major magnet for startup capital in 2025, and even beginners will hear a lot about AI-driven startups in everything from legal services to creative tools.
- Climate Tech (Green Tech): Climate and sustainability-focused startups are another crucial area, as the world looks for solutions to environmental challenges. Over the last year, investor appetite for climate tech has grown, supported by government policies. Climate tech companies (working on clean energy, electric vehicles, carbon capture, sustainable materials, etc.) raised about $3.4 billion in the first half of 2024, which was 4.8% of all VC funding – up from just 2% the prior year. This jump in share indicates that climate tech funding, while still smaller than sectors like AI, is on the rise even amid a general VC slowdown. Major funding rounds have gone into areas like fusion energy (e.g., Helion’s $425M raise mentioned earlier) and battery technology, reflecting a push for breakthrough innovations. Importantly, public policy is a tailwind here: initiatives such as the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and new EU green regulations are incentivizing investment in low-carbon solutions and clean energy. This means startups working on climate innovation have more support and potentially huge markets if they can help companies meet new climate goals. For an investor, climate tech startups align with a long-term global need (sustainability) – but they often involve hardware or science that can take longer to develop. Nonetheless, many beginners are drawn to them for impact as well as profit. Just be aware that, as of 2024, climate tech VC funding had dipped slightly overall (around $30B in 2024, down 14% from 2023), suggesting the sector is not immune to broader market cycles. Still, categories like renewable energy, electric mobility, and climate-friendly materials are expected to grow steadily in the coming years.
- Fintech (Financial Technology): Fintech remains a key sector for startup investment. These are companies reinventing how we handle payments, banking, lending, and investing through technology. While fintech’s hype peaked a couple years ago, it continues to attract substantial funding – about $3.8B went into financial services startups in April 2025, making it the third-highest sector that month after AI and healthcare. In 2024, global fintech investment even saw a modest rebound, with startup funding stabilizing and slightly increasing by ~3% year-over-year. Investors are especially interested in fintech startups that can scale sustainably: for example, payments and digital banking platforms, “embedded finance” solutions that integrate financial services into other products, and infrastructure for things like digital assets or stablecoins. A key trend is that fintech investors in 2025 are placing more emphasis on profitability and viable business models, rather than pure user growth at any cost. The sector has matured from the rush of “disrupt every bank” to focusing on revenue and compliance. Still, innovative fintechs (like those tackling financial inclusion, small business finance, or AI-driven financial tools) are seeing strong interest. For beginners, fintech is familiar (since we all use money and banks) and can be easier to grasp, but keep in mind that fintech startups often face heavy regulation and competition from both startups and big banks.
- Health and Biotech: Healthcare technology (HealthTech) and biotechnology startups are also drawing significant investor attention. Coming out of the pandemic, interest in health innovation is high. In fact, a recent global survey of angel investors found HealthTech to be the #1 sector generating excitement, with 54% of angels saying they are interested in health-related startups. In April 2025, healthcare and biotech companies together raised about $4.1B, second only to AI that month. Examples include startups using AI for drug discovery, telehealth platforms, medical data analytics (like Truveta, which raised $320M), and biotech firms working on novel therapies or vaccines. The healthcare sector tends to be more complex due to regulatory approval cycles (e.g., FDA approvals) and longer timeframes, but it addresses massive global markets and critical needs, which is why investors remain eager. For beginners, investing in biotech or health startups might seem daunting (given the science involved), but it’s worth noting as a major part of the startup investing landscape. Many early-stage investors back digital health apps or healthcare software companies that don’t require laboratory research but still aim to improve medical outcomes.
Of course, there are other sectors to watch (for example, cybersecurity startups are raising large rounds, clean energy and “space tech” startups are emerging, etc.). Overall, though, AI is the clear frontrunner in 2025, with climate tech rising due to global urgency, fintech consistently present, and health/biotech proving ever important. Beginners should consider these big-picture trends, but also remember that a good startup can come from any industry – the key is solving a real problem in a growing market.
How Can Beginners Start Investing in Startups?
Traditionally, investing in startups was something only venture capitalists or wealthy “angel” investors could do. Today, however, it’s more accessible than ever for beginners to get involved in startup investing, thanks to new platforms and regulations. Here are some popular approaches for first-time startup investors:
- Equity Crowdfunding Platforms: One of the biggest changes in the last decade is the rise of equity crowdfunding. Laws like the JOBS Act in the U.S. (2012) opened the door for everyday people (non-accredited investors) to invest small amounts in startups online. Now there are regulated crowdfunding portals where startups raise money from the public in exchange for equity (shares). Platforms such as Wefunder, StartEngine, Republic (in the U.S.), and Crowdcube (in the UK/Europe) connect startups with large groups of individual investors. For example, Crowdcube is a leading UK-based platform that has enabled many startups to raise capital from retail investors. Under U.S. regulations, a startup can raise up to $5 million in a 12-month period from both accredited and non-accredited investors via crowdfunding. For an aspiring investor, these platforms are a beginner-friendly way to start: you can browse startup campaigns, read about the business, and invest as little as $100 or $500 in some cases. Many success stories have come from this route – some startups have raised several million dollars from thousands of everyday investors and later became very valuable. For instance, the coding platform Replit raised about $5.24 million from 2,589 crowd investors in an early funding round (a community SAFE on Wefunder) and went on to achieve a valuation over $1 billion as it grew. While crowdfunding allows anyone to become a startup investor, it’s important to do your homework on each company (platforms provide offering documents and disclosures) and understand that these are high-risk investments. Nonetheless, equity crowdfunding truly democratizes access to startup investing, letting beginners build a portfolio of small startup stakes.
- Angel Investor Networks and Syndicates: Another path is to join an angel investing network or an online syndicate. Angel investors are individuals who invest their own money into early-stage startups (often in exchange for equity). There are many local angel groups and global angel networks that welcome new members interested in investing. These networks often pool money to invest in startups, and they provide a way to learn from more experienced investors. In fact, despite economic uncertainties, angel investors globally remain cautiously optimistic and many are planning to invest more in startups in 2025 than they did last year. For a beginner with sufficient savings, joining an angel network can provide deal flow (access to startup investment opportunities) and mentorship on evaluating startups. Keep in mind angels typically need to be accredited investors and often invest amounts like $5,000–$25,000 in a deal (the average initial angel check is fairly modest, with ~65% of angels investing £25k or less per startup, according to one survey). If that’s too high, a lighter-weight option is to participate in angel syndicates online. Platforms like AngelList allow accredited individuals to invest smaller sums (even $1-5k) alongside lead investors (“syndicate leads” who source the deal and negotiate terms). Essentially, the syndicate lead finds a startup and invites others to co-invest via an online platform – as a backer you get to invest in deals you find interesting, often with lower minimums than going solo. These syndicate deals can give beginners exposure to startup investing with guidance from a lead investor who does a lot of the diligence.
- Startup Funds and Managed Options: If picking individual startups sounds daunting, beginners can also consider indirect ways of investing in the startup asset class. There are emerging startup investment funds, accelerators, or venture capital “feeder” funds that accept contributions from smaller investors. For example, some equity crowdfunding platforms offer diversified funds (investing your money across many startups). In certain regions, there are also publicly traded investment trusts or ETFs that focus on tech startups or venture capital portfolios. Additionally, some experienced angel investors or micro-VCs have created rolling funds or syndicates where people can subscribe and have their money automatically invested in a range of startups. These approaches mean you won’t choose the startups yourself – instead, you’re trusting a fund manager or lead investor – but they can provide diversification which is valuable given the risk of any single startup. For instance, Y Combinator’s Startup Index Fund or various “pre-IPO” funds let individuals get exposure to a basket of startups. Always check the requirements though: many of these still require you to be accredited (due to securities laws) and come with management fees.
- Note on Rewards Crowdfunding vs. Equity: Don’t confuse equity crowdfunding (investing for shares) with the more common rewards-based crowdfunding (like Kickstarter or Indiegogo pre-orders). Backing a project on Kickstarter might get you a product or perk, but it does not give you ownership in the company. Equity crowdfunding, on the other hand, is an investment where you become a shareholder (albeit usually a very small one). Both are ways to support startups, but only equity investing has a potential financial return if the startup succeeds. As a beginner, you may have tried Kickstarter-type backing before; transitioning to equity investing means you need to consider valuations and equity terms, not just the idea or prototype.
Each of these approaches has its pros and cons. Crowdfunding is accessible and can start with small amounts, but the startups are often very early-stage and risky (and there’s limited opportunity to do deep due diligence). Angel networks/syndicates offer more vetted deals and learning opportunities, but typically require larger checks and accreditation. Funds give diversification and professional management, but you have less control over individual picks and will pay fees. It’s wise to start slowly – perhaps making a few small investments via crowdfunding to get familiar with the process and build a network, before committing larger sums.
Whichever route you take, make sure to engage in thorough research on any startup you consider: read the business plan, understand the product, market, team, and terms of the deal. Many platforms have discussion forums or updates from the founders – use those resources to inform your decision.
Warnings and Risks to Keep in Mind
Startup investing can be rewarding, but it is inherently risky and illiquid. Especially for beginners, it’s crucial to go in with eyes open about the downsides and challenges:
- Most Startups Fail: The harsh reality is that the majority of startups do not succeed. Various analyses show that up to 90% of startups fail eventually, and only about 10% survive long-term. Many will fail within the first few years due to reasons like running out of cash, no market demand, or competition. Even among those that don’t outright go bankrupt, a startup might stagnate and never deliver a significant return to investors. Venture capitalists mitigate this by investing in many companies, expecting only a few big winners. As a private investor, you should never bet money you can’t afford to lose on a startup. Expect that you could lose your entire investment, because in the worst case, that’s exactly what happens if the company shuts down (equity holders are typically last in line to get any remaining money, which is often nothing). This high failure rate is the trade-off for the potential of very high returns on the rare winners.
- Long-Term and Illiquid Investment: Startup investments are not easily sold or traded. If you buy shares in a startup, you generally cannot cash out until there’s an “exit” event (like the company getting acquired or going public in an IPO). This could take 5-10 years, if it happens at all – and you have no guarantee of timing. Unlike stocks on a public exchange, there’s no ready market to sell your startup equity. There are some secondary markets for private shares, but those are limited and usually only for later-stage, highly-valued startups, and even then, a sale often requires company approval. So be prepared to have your money locked up. Patience is key: you might invest in a startup this year and not know if it’s a success or failure for many years. If you think you’ll need the money back soon, startup investing is not suitable. Also, during the holding period, the company may raise more funding rounds which could dilute your ownership percentage (your small stake could become even smaller as new investors come in, though ideally the pie is growing overall).
- Lack of Information and Control: When you invest in a startup (especially as a small investor), you often get very limited information rights. Unlike public companies, startups aren’t required to publish detailed financials or updates (though crowdfunding regulations mandate some disclosures). You may only hear occasional updates from the founders. Additionally, you have virtually no control over how the company is run – you’re along for the ride. If the founders make poor decisions, pivot the business, or even commit fraud, you as a minority investor can do little about it. This is why evaluating the team’s trustworthiness and competence is so important before investing. It’s also wise to diversify across multiple startups to reduce the impact of any one failing due to unforeseen issues.
- High Valuations and Market Cycles: The startup market moves in cycles. In boom times (like 2021), valuations can become very high, meaning investors pay a rich price for shares – this increases the risk that even a decent company might not live up to its valuation. Recently, with rising interest rates and a cooler economic climate, there’s been a shift toward more realistic valuations and focus on fundamentals. Many investors in 2023-2025 have pushed startups to cut burn rates (spending) and aim for profitability sooner, as the era of “grow at all costs” cheap money faded. For a beginner, it’s hard to judge what a fair valuation is, but be aware that investing during hype peaks can mean you’re buying at an inflated price. If the market sentiment shifts or if the startup doesn’t grow fast enough, a “down round” (raising money at a lower valuation) or a writedown can occur, hurting earlier investors. Economic factors like interest rates, inflation, and global events can also affect startup investing – for instance, when safer investments yield more (due to high interest rates), some investors pull back from risky startups, reducing the flow of capital. Geopolitical uncertainty can make investors skittish as well.
- Scams and Due Diligence: Unfortunately, the excitement around startups can also attract bad actors. Be cautious of any investment opportunity that guarantees high returns or pressures you to act quickly. While regulated crowdfunding platforms do background checks and there are laws against outright fraud, not every deal is what it seems. Some startups might overhype their product or market. As an investor, do your due diligence: read the materials, question assumptions, and if possible, ask the founders questions (some platforms allow Q&A). If you’re part of an angel network, leverage the collective wisdom of the group to vet deals. Remember that even well-meaning founders can be overly optimistic – a survey of investors found that over-optimistic financial projections were the most cited flaw in startup pitches, according to 21% of angels, followed by unrealistic paths to profitability (20%) and overvaluation (17%). These red flags can signal a startup that hasn’t grounded its plans in reality. It doesn’t mean you should avoid all optimistic founders (startup visionaries are often optimistic by nature), but do approach rosy projections with healthy skepticism.
In summary, investing in startups is high-risk, high-reward. The potential upside – getting in early on a company that becomes the next big thing – is what draws people in. But it’s vital to balance that optimism with caution. Diversify your startup investments (both in number of companies and across different sectors or stages if you can), and only invest money that you’re prepared to tie up for a long period and potentially lose. By being aware of the risks, you’ll be a more level-headed investor and better prepared for the bumpy ride that is the startup journey.
Current Economic and Regulatory Factors Shaping the Landscape
The startup investment landscape doesn’t exist in a vacuum – it’s influenced by broader economic conditions and government policies. As of mid-2025, a few key factors are affecting how investors and startups behave:
- Higher Interest Rates and Market Caution: After years of ultra-low interest rates (which made capital cheap and abundant for startups), many economies have seen interest rates rise to combat inflation. Higher interest rates tend to make investors more cautious with speculative investments like startups, since safe assets yield more in comparison. Indeed, the past year saw venture funding pull back from the frothy levels of 2021. Investors have been concentrating money into fewer, more established startups rather than spreading widely on early-stage bets. Data from Q1 2025 shows that while late-stage investment surged (more than 30% quarter-over-quarter), funding for seed and early-stage startups actually fell to its lowest in over a year. In other words, VCs are writing big checks to the startups they perceive as winners, but newcomers are finding it harder to raise initial funding. For the investment landscape, this means beginners might notice fewer easy opportunities for very early-stage ideas – many investors now ask startups about their path to profitability and are less willing to fund growth-at-any-cost models. The flip side is that truly promising early startups can stand out more in a cautious market, and those that do get funded might face less overheated competition. Keep an eye on central bank policies (like the Fed’s rate decisions) as they indirectly influence the flow of venture capital.
- Venture Funding Cycles and Valuation Resets: The past few years have been a rollercoaster – 2021 was a record-breaking frenzy for startup funding and valuations, 2022-2023 saw a correction with funding declining and valuations cooling, and 2024-2025 are showing signs of stabilization (with a big boost in Q1 2025 mainly due to that one OpenAI deal). Overall, global venture funding in Q1 2025 was $113 billion (up 54% year-over-year), but if you exclude the OpenAI outlier, it would have been roughly flat. This suggests we’re not in a full rebound yet, but perhaps at a new normal level. Startup valuations have, in many cases, been “reset” to more reasonable levels after the correction – which could be a healthier entry point for new investors compared to buying in at peak 2021 valuations. However, certain hot sectors like AI are again seeing very rich valuations (as seen by AI labs getting multi-billion valuations pre-revenue). As a beginner, it’s useful to know that the startup world cycles through boom and bust periods. We might currently be in a more disciplined phase where investors are doing more due diligence and demanding more proof of traction. This disciplined environment can benefit thoughtful investors but also means you have to be prepared for longer timelines to exit (since IPO markets and easy acquisition offers aren’t as frequent as in boom times).
- Regulatory Tailwinds and Headwinds: Government policies can significantly impact startup investing, sometimes in helpful ways, other times adding challenges. On the positive side, many countries are creating incentives for innovation. For example, as mentioned, the Inflation Reduction Act (USA) and various EU green deals are pumping funding and support into climate tech startups – effectively de-risking some of those investments by providing subsidies or guaranteed markets for clean technologies. Similarly, in sectors like fintech and crypto, clearer regulations (or at least regulatory discussions) are slowly emerging, which could give investors more confidence in the long run. On the other hand, stricter regulations in some areas can raise costs for startups or limit certain business models. Data privacy laws (like GDPR in Europe or other upcoming laws) require compliance that can be expensive. In fintech, higher capital requirements or scrutiny from regulators mean a startup might need to spend heavily on legal compliance. A current topic in the U.S. is the definition of an “accredited investor” – there are talks about potentially raising the wealth thresholds or adding sophistication tests for private investors. If rules like these change, they could affect who is allowed to invest in private startup deals. For now, regulation is a mixed bag: generally supportive for areas like climate and small-investor access (several countries have adopted or expanded equity crowdfunding rules to open up startup investing), but increasingly watchful in areas like big tech, crypto, and data security, which can influence startup strategy. As an investor, it pays to be aware of any regulatory changes in the sector of the startup you’re considering – e.g., if you’re eyeing a fintech startup, know the financial regulations it must navigate; if it’s a healthcare startup, understand the FDA or health privacy hurdles it faces.
- Global Economic and Geopolitical Climate: The global economy and geopolitical events inevitably affect the startup environment. Trade tensions, war or conflict, and supply chain disruptions can impact startups (especially those manufacturing hardware or operating internationally). For example, a geopolitical conflict might increase interest in certain technologies (like cybersecurity or defense tech startups seeing more demand), while making cross-border expansion harder for others. In 2025, investors cited geopolitical uncertainty as one of their top concerns in venture surveys. Additionally, economic trends like a potential recession can lead to tighter funding as investors become more risk-averse. However, some of the most famous startups have been built during economic downturns (when talent is more available and incumbents are slow to innovate). So, a cautious economy isn’t all bad for startups – it just means investors and founders must be more efficient. As a newcomer, if you see news of a recession or market downturn, expect that startup funding might temporarily slow and valuations might dip – but also know that many investors, especially angels, continue investing through the cycle (recall that 79% of angel investors in a survey said they plan to maintain or increase startup investments in 2025 despite the complex landscape).
In summary, the current landscape for startup investing (circa 2025) is characterized by more prudent capital, sector-specific boosts from policy, and a focus on sustainable growth. Seasoned investors are adapting to these conditions by funding fewer but stronger companies, and by paying closer attention to due diligence and compliance. Beginners would do well to take the same cues: be selective, stay informed about economic trends, and consider how regulations might impact your investment.
Final Thoughts
For someone new to startup investing, the landscape can seem both exhilarating and overwhelming. On one hand, headlines tout massive funding rounds for AI unicorns and breakthrough tech that promises to change the world. On the other hand, the fine print reminds us that most startups fail and that investing in them is a risky endeavor requiring patience and due diligence.
The recent trends show an ecosystem in flux – flush with innovation in areas like AI and climate tech, opening up to more investors through crowdfunding, yet also sobered by economic realities and the necessity for viable business models. This is actually a healthy mix. It means there are opportunities for newcomers (you don’t have to be a millionaire to get involved now), and there is also a growing wealth of knowledge and infrastructure to help guide those who do participate (through networks, platforms, and educational resources).
If you’re considering investing in startups, use the current trends to your advantage: for example, leverage crowdfunding to dip your toes in with small investments in sectors you believe in; follow the lead of experienced angels to learn how they evaluate companies; and pay attention to which industries are gaining traction (but be careful of jumping into something just because it’s “hot”). Always keep the fundamentals in mind – invest in what you understand, and be mindful of risk more than hype.
Finally, remember that behind every startup investment is a story of founders striving to solve a problem. When it works out, you’re not only potentially gaining financially, but also supporting the creation of new solutions, jobs, and technologies. Staying informed about global startup news and trends, like those we’ve discussed, will help you make smarter decisions and appreciate the bigger picture of this dynamic, exciting arena of investment.
Sources: The information and data points in this article are drawn from recent reports and news on startup funding and investment trends, including Crunchbase News analyses of Q1 and April 2025 funding, investment industry insights from Crunchbase and AlleyWatch, climate tech funding reports, fintech and valuation trend reports, equity crowdfunding regulations and success stories, and investor surveys from early 2025, among others. These provide a up-to-date and beginner-friendly overview of the startup investing landscape.
