****************************************************Seed fund activity — VC Eclipse $1.3B physical AI/a16z (Glimpse/Stipple)/Zero Shot (OpenAI alums)/Gateway $25M II/Runway $10M/Healthier $220M/Jetstream/KP $3.5B/Gradient + Costanoa hires + syndicates; Carta tightening + AI seed val surge + Siol VC $5M + YC + RET Ventures****************************************************
Key Questions
What is VC Eclipse's new fund focused on?
Eclipse raised $1.3 billion, including $720 million for early-stage, targeting physical AI, robotics, and manufacturing. CEO highlights it as the 'best time to build,' with bets like Mind Robotics and US LP endowments.
Details on Zero Shot VC fund?
Zero Shot, launched by ex-OpenAI alums, targets $100 million with a $20 million first close. It has seeded Worktrace AI ($10M agents), Foundry Robotics ($13.5M), and a stealth startup, while being bearish on unfeasible AI trends.
What trends are seen in pre-seed and AI seed valuations?
Pre-seed funding tightened per Carta (-11%), but AI seed valuations surged, e.g., Sycamore $65M, Noon $44M. This reflects selective investor focus on high-potential AI deals.
What did Runway launch?
Runway's co-founders launched a $10 million fund for pre-seed AI, media, and world-model startups. It backs early-stage ventures in video generation and related tech.
Tell me about Kleiner Perkins' AI fund.
Kleiner Perkins raised a $3.5 billion AI fund, with $1 billion for early-stage investments. This signals a VC shift toward AI dominance in 2026.
What is Healthier Capital's fund size?
Healthier Capital raised $220 million, indicating a VC pivot toward health-tech AI. It aligns with broader trends like Gradient's similar moves.
Any new AI accelerators or programs?
RET Ventures launched an AI accelerator for rental tech and apartment discovery using generative AI. It supports early-stage proptech shifting to AI.
What is a16z's recent activity?
a16z invested in Glimpse and Stipple Bio amid seed fund activity. This fits their focus on AI and biotech in tightening pre-seed markets.
Pre-seed tightening (Carta -11%); AI seed vals up (e.g. Sycamore $65M, Noon $44M). VC Eclipse $1.3B ($720M early-stage) for physical AI/robotics/manufacturing (US LP endowments, bets incl. Mind Robotics, CEO touts 'best time to build'); a16z in Glimpse/Stipple; Zero Shot (ex-OpenAI alums $100M target confirmed, $20M first close, seeded Worktrace AI $10M agents/Foundry Robotics $13.5M/stealth, bearish on certain trends); LGT Capital boosts US VC ($1.2B LP track); Gateway II $25M; KP $3.5B AI ($1B early); Runway $10M; Healthier/Gradient $220M; Siol $5M; Multifaceted $2.1M; Bonfire/XYZ/FutureStack pre-seed B2B; Costanoa hires David Cheng (ex-DCM legal tech); RET Ventures AI accelerator (rental tech); YC health batch. Q1 VC dip but late-stage records. New: CMU Deep Tech Venture-Ready ($240M soft Accel/Khosla etc., AI/robotics/life sci).