After a rough couple of years in the startup world, 2025 finally brought good news. According to new reports from KPMG and CB Insights, global venture capital funding is back on the rise and AI startups are leading the way.
At PassRight, we work with innovators and founders from all over the world, and this renewed investor optimism is already changing how they think about U.S. expansion.
A good sign: Global investment is growing again
KPMG’s Q3 Venture Pulse Report shows a strong rebound in venture capital. Over 120 billion dollars invested across more than 7,500 deals in just three months. Finally, some breathing room.
How does it look geographically? The United States remains the leader, with the largest share of late-stage funding and the biggest IPOs. Europe is also showing stable growth, while the Asian market remains more cautious.
Interestingly, the number of mergers and acquisitions is rising globally, and IPO activity has reached its highest level in four years. After a long slowdown, this kind of momentum once again gives startup founders confidence and opens new doors for expansion.
According to the CB Insights State of Venture Report Q3’25, global funding surpassed $95 billion for the fourth consecutive quarter. Its highest level since 2022, while deal count hit a nine-year low. Investors are writing bigger checks to fewer companies, showing a clear emphasis on quality.
Artificial intelligence, the force behind the rebound
Unsurprisingly, AI dominates the charts. More than half of all VC funding in 2025 went to AI startups. One in four deals now involves companies working on artificial intelligence or related technologies. What investors are betting on most are innovation, automation, and data.
According to CB Insights, AI startups accounted for 51% of all global venture funding and 22% of deals in Q3 2025 with seven of the ten largest rounds going to companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Databricks. It shows how concentrated the new wave of capital has become around AI and deep-tech infrastructure.
At the same time, we see that founders from AI and deep tech sectors are facing increasingly complex immigration procedures, including greater scrutiny, more detailed background checks, and higher expectations from U.S. agencies. This means that while the funding side is heating up, the visa side requires better preparation and stronger evidence of impact.
What does it mean for founders?
For founders or early-stage executives planning to expand into the U.S., the current market climate is a clear signal. Venture capital funds are investing again and mostly in technology.
This is exactly the kind of innovation that qualifies for O-1, EB-1 or EB-2 NIW visas. These visa categories are designed for individuals whose work demonstrates extraordinary ability or national interest. In other words, they are for founders who are building something groundbreaking, creating jobs, or pushing the boundaries of innovation in fields such as AI, medtech, or climate.
To Sum Up: Timing Is Crucial
Founders who started their visa process in 2024 are now in an ideal position to take advantage of the 2025 – 2026 funding wave, because a clear U.S. immigration status makes them a more attractive and stable bet for investors. Delays, changing USCIS guidance, and increased scrutiny make planning and preparation even more important than before. Simply put, if you’re looking to relocate and fundraise, starting your visa process as soon as possible is key, as it takes time.
Meanwhile, KPMG’s Venture Pulse Q3 2025 Report notes that IPO and M&A activity are both rebounding with exit values in the Americas reaching a four-year high. For founders, the message is clear: your visa strategy can’t lag behind your funding plans. They need to move together.
Need help with your case? Schedule a call with our customer care team. They’ll be happy to discuss your needs and connect you with an immigration attorney.
