US venture capital reaches $515.8bn through Q3
US venture investment reached $515.8 billion through the third quarter of 2026, with AI accounting for 82.7% of deal value.
Venture investment in the United States reached $515.8 billion through the third quarter of 2026, according to an Origin Brief report based on the NVCA-PitchBook index.
AI accounted for 82.7% of deal value, reflecting the concentration of capital in the sector.
Eighty-one funds managed by first-time investors closed through the third quarter, the lowest level in a decade, while funds worth $500 million or more accounted for 78.1% of investor capital despite representing 6.0% of the number of funds.
The third quarter recorded 18 initial public offerings, while the number of unicorns reached 992 companies with a combined value of $5.7 trillion.
What do these terms mean?
Venture capital: Investment in high-growth startups in exchange for an ownership stake, with high risk and the potential for large returns.
First-time fund: A fund managed by a first-time investor, which usually faces greater difficulty raising money.
Unicorn: A privately held startup valued at $1 billion or more.
Initial public offering: The first sale of a company's shares to the public and its listing on a stock exchange.
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