MoneyApril 2, 2026via Crunchbase News
Sector Snapshot: Venture Funding To Foundational AI Startups In Q1 Was Double All Of 2025
Why it matters
Foundational AI funding is accelerating at unprecedented rates, with Q1 2026 showing 466.9% growth over 2024, signaling massive capital concentration in the AI infrastructure layer that will determine market winners.
Key signals
- $178 billion raised by foundational AI startups in Q1 2026
- 24 deals completed in Q1 2026
- $88.9 billion raised across 66 deals in all of 2025
- 100% increase from 2025 to Q1 2026
- 466.9% increase compared to $31.4 billion raised in 2024
- 52 deals completed in 2024
The hook
$178B. That's what foundational AI startups raised in just Q1 — double all of 2025.
As of March 31, foundational AI startups had raised $178 billion across 24 deals, compared with $88.9 billion across 66 deals in all of 2025 in a 100% increase. That’s also significantly higher — 466.9% higher to be exact — than the $31.4 billion raised across 52 deals in 2024.