AI startups claim most sales and marketing funding
So far this year, startups in sales, marketing, and customer management have collected $7.5 billion in global funding, according to Crunchbase. Nearly all of that is going to companies focused on artificial intelligence. Total deals are fewer than previous years, but investors are writing bigger checks to those with an AI angle. The sector remains far below the 2021 high of $41 billion.
- $7.5 billion raised over 830 deals so far in 2026
- Nearly all funding goes to AI-focused companies
- Deal volume has dropped for the fourth straight year
- Largest recent deal: AppsFlyer, $1 billion Series E
- 2021 sector peak was $41 billion, now much lower
Sources covering this
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