Series B funding hits $48B but deal volume drops

U.S. Series B venture funding reached approximately $48 billion in 2026, marking the highest total in years despite a significant decline in deal volume. According to Crunchbase data, capital is increasingly concentrated in large rounds, with over 110 companies raising $100 million or more, while deals under $30 million have become scarce. AI-focused startups accounted for roughly two-thirds of this investment and more than half of all deals, highlighting a market skew toward established AI players. Notable examples include Prometheus’s $12 billion round and World Labs’ $1 billion raise, illustrating the preference for high-valuation, traction-backed companies over smaller early-stage bets.