The U.S. artificial intelligence sector continued its robust growth trajectory in 2025, with 55 startups securing funding rounds of $100 million or more, according to TechCrunch data. This surge in investment underscores the sustained confidence in AI's potential across various industries.

In 2024, 49 AI startups achieved similar funding milestones, with three companies closing multiple mega-rounds and seven securing rounds exceeding $1 billion. While 2025 saw fewer billion-dollar rounds, with Anthropic raising two, a notable increase occurred in the number of companies closing multiple funding rounds, rising to eight. December saw Austin, Texas-based Mythic, a company focused on developing power-efficient compute for AI, secure a $125 million venture round led by DCVC. The round, announced on December 17, included participation from SoftBank, NEA, and Linse Capital, among others.

The influx of capital into the AI sector reflects the growing demand for AI-powered solutions across diverse sectors, from healthcare and finance to manufacturing and transportation. This investment fuels innovation, enabling companies to develop and deploy more sophisticated AI models, improve existing algorithms, and expand their market reach. The development of power-efficient compute, as exemplified by Mythic, addresses a critical need for sustainable and scalable AI deployment, particularly as models become increasingly complex and computationally intensive.

The AI industry's momentum appears poised to continue into 2026. Early indicators include Elon Musk's xAI announcing a $20 billion Series E round and Sam Altman's brain-computer interface startup, Merge Labs, raising a $250 million seed round led by OpenAI. These significant investments suggest that venture capitalists and strategic investors remain bullish on the long-term prospects of AI. However, the sustainability of this growth remains to be seen, and TechCrunch will continue to monitor the industry's performance throughout the year.