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US venture capital in H1 2026 saw 87.5% of funds go to megadeals, largely driven by AI. PitchBook's report reveals a stark market split: AI companies command huge premiums, while older startups are discounted by up to 59.1% based on their last funding round's vintage. The exit market remains challenging, even as unicorn numbers swell.

Mercor co-founder Brendan Foody has publicly accused elite VC firm Sequoia of using "dual-pricing" strategies, investing in startups at two different valuations while founders highlight only the higher figure. This practice, Foody claims, misleads employees and angel investors about a company's true worth. Sequoia partner Shaun Maguire defended the firm, calling it a response to competitive market dynamics rather than a deceptive tactic, sparking debate on startup valuation transparency.