Q1 2026 global VC funding hits record $300 billion — AI absorbs 80%

Crunchbase data shows Q1 2026 global VC capital reached an all-time high of roughly $300 billion, with AI pulling in approximately $242 billion (80%). Four mega-rounds — OpenAI ($12.2 billion), Anthropic ($3 billion), xAI ($2 billion), and Waymo ($1.6 billion) — accounted for 65% of quarterly funding.