A German coalition of venture funds aims to raise €15 billion annually in risk capital for startups, advocating for government-backed investments to close the funding gap. The initiative emphasizes private capital mobilization, targeting asset managers to drive growth and job creation in the startup ecosystem.

Creator Fund, a UK-based pre-seed VC, secured $56 million to support scientific founders in Europe from early stages, focusing on sectors like AI, biotech, and advanced materials. With backing from notable investors and a unique campus-embedded model, the fund aims to uncover the next generation of deep-tech breakthroughs directly from academic institutions.

PhysicsX secures $300 million in Series C funding led by Temasek, doubling its valuation to $2.4 billion, as it aims to lead the AI-driven industrial automation market. The funding signals a shift towards investing in AI for physical infrastructure, with strong backing from Nvidia, Applied Materials, and other notable investors.

Tarun Davda, managing director of Z47, plans to leave the venture capital firm later this year, marking significant leadership changes. Davda's departure mirrors a trend of turnover in India's VC sector as Z47 seeks to raise a new $350-400 million fund.

Earth & Beyond Ventures has appointed Tal Achituv as CTO and Naomi Krieger Carmy as VP of Portfolio Management to enhance its deeptech initiatives in Israel. These leadership changes aim to leverage Israel's scientific ecosystem, providing infrastructure and mentorship to foster innovation.

New Jersey is bolstering its innovation landscape with NJEDA and NJCSIT programs, notably supporting women- and minority-led startups. These initiatives provide funding, mentorship, and resources to enhance diversity and inclusion across the state's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Venture capital is shifting focus from traditional exits to agent-based systems, with big funds exploring Web3 and AI as new value drivers. Despite theoretical efficiency, these agents face adoption hurdles, as human-driven networks still predominate.

HLRBO has secured $2.5 million in funding to expand its private-land hunting access platform across North America, with a focus on technological advancements and media growth. The company aims to enhance user experience and increase lease inventory, positioning itself as a leader in the hunting access market.

Venture capital funds have rebounded in Q1 2026 with a rise in median TVPI, reflecting renewed optimism among general and limited partners. Despite the increase in startup valuations and fundraising, realized returns remain uneven, emphasizing the need for sustained performance to justify ongoing support.

Riceberg Ventures has launched a $20 million fund to support deep-tech startups across sectors like space-tech and biotech, with a focus on Indian-origin founders. The VC firm aims to invest in early-stage companies, targeting breakthroughs that can be commercialized, while tapping into India's burgeoning innovation cycle.

Founders have begun publicly criticizing venture capitalists, revealing troubling experiences of gender bias and power dynamics during fundraising. Anecdotes range from sleeping investors to blunt feedback, illustrating tensions and evolving VC-founder relationships.

Edafa Venture has acquired Egyptian AI startups Kuadra and IRRI Vision, enhancing its focus on AI solutions in construction and healthcare. This move highlights the growing AI adoption in the MEA region, as Egypt's tech scene leans towards strategic acquisitions.

AsiaStartupExpo Q2 2026, organized by AsiaTechDaily and others, offers structured startup pitches with live feedback from investors, returning virtually on June 17. The event underscores growing cross-border activity in Korea's startup scene and emphasizes scalable execution for founders.

AlphaSense secured $350 million in a funding round, elevating its total equity funding to $1.75 billion, as highlighted in the NYC Tech Week in Review. Other significant rounds featured Ramp and Flourish, attracting major investments.

SpaceNews reports a boom in space technology unicorns, with 30 private companies now valued over $1 billion, most achieving this status in the last year and a half. New investor groups and a shift towards space infrastructure, like AI and data centers, are driving this trend.

In a pivotal move for West African investment, Verod Capital's Danladi Verheijen unveils a strategic playbook, while private equity transactions across Africa gain momentum in May 2026. Key deals include Sabou Capital's $2 million facility to Nigeria's Tomato Jos and Helios Investment's exit from Africa Specialty Risks, showcasing a dynamic shift in regional investment landscapes.

At the Zhongguancun Forum, Xinglian Capital launched a "Five-Party, Six-Force" mechanism to boost AI industry growth through collaboration. The plan aims to make Haidian District a top investment hub, with key partnerships and infrastructure supporting innovation and talent exchange.

Aspiring fund managers receive a roadmap in a standout edition, focusing on pathways to launching VC funds. Key insights reveal growing hiring trends at top firms and highlight first-time fund successes.

South Park Commons is intensifying its focus on India's deeptech sector as venture capital moves towards hard-tech areas. Led by Prateek Mehta from Bengaluru, SPC aims to invest $500,000 to $10 million per deal, with a goal of directing at least 50% of future investments into deeptech.