AI startups generated $189.6 billion in 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) startups drove a major rebound in global venture capital exits during 2025, accounting for more than a third of total exit value for the first time on record, according to new data from BestBrokers.

In simple terms, venture capital exits refer to the moment investors finally cash out — typically when a startup is acquired, lists on the stock market through an IPO (Initial Public Offering), or sells shares in secondary transactions. These exits allow early backers to realise returns after years of funding high-growth companies.

Total global venture capital exit value reached $549.2 billion last year, with AI and machine learning firms contributing $189.6 billion, or 34.5% of the total. That represents a dramatic rise from 21.8% in 2024 and just 11% in 2023, underscoring how rapidly artificial intelligence has become the primary driver of investor returns.

Full story at IOL

By Michael Sherman