#late-stage-funding

#late-stage-funding

US startup funding declined 15.4% in December to close out 2025, with $15.4B deployed across 521 deals. While down from November's elevated levels, December maintained healthy deal flow across all stages, led by Databricks' $4B mega-round. AI companies continued to dominate, capturing 67.6% of total funding. The US venture capital market closed 2025 with measured activity in December, as funding declined 15.4% from November's $18.2B to $15.4B across 521 deals.

Raising late-stage capital is about more than hitting big revenue numbers. It's about telling the right story, tracking the right metrics, and building relationships that compound over time.