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AI Dominates VC: $171B Pour into Startups
4 Mar
Summary
- February saw a record $189 billion in global venture capital.
- AI startups secured $171 billion, representing 90% of total funding.
- Three companies, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Waymo, accounted for 83% of VC.
In February 2026, global venture capital saw an unprecedented influx, with startups receiving a record $189 billion. The artificial intelligence sector was the primary beneficiary, attracting an astonishing $171 billion, accounting for 90% of the total capital raised. This surge significantly surpassed the investment levels seen in January.
The overwhelming majority of February's venture capital was concentrated in a few high-profile funding rounds. OpenAI led the pack with an $110 billion raise, valuing the company at $730 billion. Its competitor, Anthropic, secured $30 billion in a Series G round, reaching a $380 billion valuation. Waymo also contributed significantly, raising $16 billion at a $126 billion valuation. Collectively, these three entities absorbed 83% of the venture capital distributed last month.
