VC Trends in the First Half of 2025

M&A and IPO Trends - M&A activity is being led by startups, though RTS leadership in the media landscape remains relatively unchanged [1] - IPOs experienced a modest comeback in Q2, viewed more as a reset than a full rebound, with Figma being a key company to watch [2] - A rush towards new IPO filings is currently absent due to unresolved policy questions, particularly concerning tariffs [3] - Sectors focused on key policy priorities like crypto, AI, national security, defense, and fintech are driving recent exit activity [3] Secondary Market Dynamics - The secondary market is growing rapidly, with an annual value of approximately $60 billion as of Q1 [5] - $60 billion represents about 2% of primary unicorn valuations and a quarter's worth of primary VC exit value [6] - The secondary market's benefits are highly concentrated among the top 20 to 50 unicorns [6] - The total fund value invested in VC secondaries has doubled since 2022, indicating strong investor interest [7] AI and Global Market - Generative AI is dominating deal value, capturing about two-thirds of the deal value in 2025, but only about a third of the deal count [9] - The US continues to dominate the IPO market globally, but overall dealmaking activity remains muted due to volatility [10][11] - Venture investment is being affected by volatility and unanswered questions related to the Fed, tariffs, trade wars, and geopolitical tensions [11]