Risk, Build, Scale

Global venture funding is on the rise, yet founders and investors are navigating a landscape full of questions and contradictions with fewer deals, larger rounds and concentrated capital flows. In the US, North America’s venture market has seen substantial increases in funding, especially for AI startups securing mega-rounds, while financings in Europe and other regions remain more modest in comparison, prompting questions about regional competitiveness.

Is the AI boom creating a bubble or unlocking a wave of sustainable growth? How do startups balance sky-high valuations with profitability and long-term viability? As unicorns multiply and exit pipelines grow congested, bootstrapped ventures prove there’s more than one path to success. This theme unpacks the forces shaping the next generation of innovation and investment, exploring what makes venture ecosystems truly healthy.