Startup funding shatters all records in Q1

In Brief Posted: 1:25 PM PDT · April 1, 2026 Image Credits:Sinenkiy / Getty Images Marina Temkin Startup funding shatters all records in Q1 Global investing in startups hit $297 billion in Q1 2026, breaking all records, according to new Crunchbase data. That’s a massive 2.5x increase over the $118 billion raised in the previous quarter. This single-quarter haul outpaces every full year of global VC activity prior to 2019. The unprecedented spike was fueled by just four behemoth deals, each a record-breaker in its own right. Last month, OpenAI announced that it is now valued at $852 billion after collecting $122 billion, surpassing the previous record for the largest funding round ever, also held by OpenAI when the ChatGPT maker raised $40 billion a year ago. The quarter also saw Anthropic, its main rival, raise $30 billion at a valuation of $380 billion. That funding haul effectively made it the third-largest VC round on record. The other two mega-deals of the quarter included a $20 billion fundraise by xAI and Waymo’s $16 billion round. These four rounds collectively raised $188 billion, accounting for more than 63% of total funding in the quarter. While it might appear that without them, fundraising appears to be on a more typical trajectory, anecdotal evidence implies otherwise. Investors and founders say, for example, that seed-stage AI startups are commanding bigger dollars, and higher valuations at earlier stages than ever before. Techcrunch event Disrupt 2026: The tech ecosystem, all in one room Your next round. Your next hire. Your next breakout opportunity. Find it at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, where 10,000+ founders, investors, and tech leaders gather for three days of 250+ tactical sessions, powerful introductions, and market-defining innovation. Register now to save up to $400. Save up to $300 or 30% to TechCrunch Founder Summit 1,000+ founders and investors come together at TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 for a full day focused on growth, execution, and real-world scaling. Learn from founders and investors who have shaped the industry. Connect with peers navigating similar growth stages. Walk away with tactics you can apply immediatelyOffer ends March 13. San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026 REGISTER NOW Topics fundraising trends, In Brief, record breaking, Startups, Venture April 30 San Francisco, CA StrictlyVC kicks off the year in SF. Get in the room for unfiltered fireside chats with industry leaders, insider VC insights, and high-value connections that actually move the needle. Tickets are limited. REGISTER NOW Newsletters See More Subscribe for the industry’s biggest tech news TechCrunch Daily News Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage. TechCrunch Mobility TechCrunch Mobility is your destination for transportation news and insight.

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