"After years dominated by easy money and sky-high valuations in AI startups, the industry has shifted toward sharper judgment, tougher diligence, and startups that can actually scale into businesses. AI is still at the center of it all, but the focus has moved beyond the generative AI hype to customers and revenue."
"That reset has created a big opportunity for early-career venture capitalists. As firms slow down and get more selective, younger investors are often the ones sourcing the best deals, building relationships with founders early, and making the case for bold bets before the rest of the market catches on."
"The investors on our 2026 Rising Stars of Venture Capital list come from a wide range of backgrounds and roles, including associates, principals, and founding partners. While many are building their reputations by backing AI-driven startups, the list also reflects growing momentum for AI in sectors like defense, robotics, and healthcare."
The venture capital industry has shifted from easy money and sky-high AI valuations toward sharper judgment, tougher diligence, and startups that can scale into businesses. AI remains central, but attention has moved beyond generative AI hype to customer traction and revenue. That reset created a major opportunity for early-career venture capitalists, who often source top deals, cultivate founder relationships early, and make the case for bold bets before wider market adoption. Thirty-seven rising VCs span associates to founding partners across big and small firms, and show growing momentum for AI applications in defense, robotics, and healthcare.
Read at Business Insider
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