... fund of 10 billion rubles for investments in mature startups. Even under sanctions, the market is seeking opportunities to fund priority technologies and is striving to cultivate its own successful "unicorns." Simultaneously, some regional startups are reaching new heights. For instance, the Krasnodar foodtech project Qummy raised 440 million rubles at a valuation of ~2.4 billion rubles, preparing for an IPO—this case demonstrates the seriousness of even regional initiatives. Additionally, a government fund,...

... scale, encompassing markets that have only recently remained on the periphery of the technological scene. The Middle East is forming giant funds and tech hubs to support innovation, while investors from the Gulf countries are increasingly financing startups both at home and abroad. New “unicorns” are emerging in South and Southeast Asia, and unprecedented capital influx is being noted in young tech companies in Africa and Latin America. Competition for the best projects is now unfolding on a global scale — funds are seeking ...

... e-commerce: the digital bank Klar raised around $170 million, while the auto marketplace Kavak raised $127 million. These deals helped Mexico City take the lead in the region. For comparison, in Brazil, a large round of $120 million was secured by cleantech startup New Wave (technology for resource extraction), in Chile fintech Toku raised $48 million, while the Mexican e-commerce aggregator Merama raised $45 million. Middle East and CIS: In the Middle East and North Africa, there continues to be an influx of funds ...

... attractiveness of the intersection of AI and defense for investors and became one of the largest deals in military technology. Almost every week, new mega-rounds are announced, raising the valuations of prospective companies to unprecedented heights. Dozens of new unicorns (startups valued at over $1 billion) emerged in just the first six months of 2025, and some have quickly grown to "decacorn" status (valuation > $10 billion). According to industry analysts, in the second quarter of 2025, up to half of all ...

... increase in attention to AI deals, defense technologies, and fund ecosystems. Investors are increasingly looking for new opportunities, and startups are offering innovative solutions to tech companies. The expected growth in funding for deeptech and AI startups opens up new horizons for venture funds looking to maximize their investment returns. In this article, we analyze current trends, successful deals, and forecasts for the future of the sector. Startup and VC News - Wednesday, June 18, 2025: AI Megadeals and Defense ...