The tech industry has been on a roll, with startup funding reaching record highs in recent years. But what specific sectors are driving this surge in investment? A deep dive into the latest Crunchbase data reveals five hot areas that are attracting the most VC dollars.
1. Artificial Intelligence
It's no surprise that AI is the biggest draw for investors right now. Around $168 billion —or roughly 60% of all North American startup funding —went to companies in AI-related categories in 2025, per Crunchbase. This included multiple billion-dollar-plus rounds, like a $2.3 billion Series D for Anysphere and its Cursor coding automation platform. The AI boom shows no signs of slowing, as businesses across industries race to integrate these transformative technologies.
2. Robotics and Automation
Closely tied to the AI surge is a boom in robotics and automation startups. CB Insights data shows that robotics funding hit record levels in 2025, as companies developing advanced industrial and service robots attracted major investment. This reflects a broader trend of businesses seeking to streamline operations and boost productivity through intelligent automation.
3. Fintech
The fintech sector had a banner year in 2025, with global venture funding climbing 27% to $51.8 billion. While deal flow was down, the sector saw a surge in large, later-stage rounds —including a $2 billion raise by crypto exchange Binance. Fintech's momentum shows no signs of slowing, as financial services firms race to digitally transform.
4. Healthtech
The COVID-19 pandemic supercharged investment in healthtech, and that trend continued in 2025. Crunchbase data shows that health, wellness, and biotech was one of the top-funded sectors globally, as investors poured money into companies developing innovative medical technologies, diagnostics, and therapeutics. This reflects the ongoing need for more resilient, tech-enabled healthcare solutions.
5. Climate Tech
As the world grapples with the urgent need to address climate change, venture capitalists have increasingly turned their attention to climate tech startups. Crunchbase data shows that clean tech and energy was a bright spot for European venture funding in 2025, with investors betting big on innovations in renewable energy, carbon capture, sustainable agriculture, and more. This trend is likely to continue as governments and businesses ramp up their decarbonization efforts.
The common thread across these hot startup sectors? They're all leveraging transformative technologies like AI, robotics, and data analytics to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing businesses and society. And with trillions of dollars in venture capital sloshing around, these tech-powered upstarts are poised to keep disrupting the status quo.