The Biggest AI and SaaS Funding Trends: What Investors Should Watch After Q2’s Shakeup

AI headlines stole the spotlight in Q2 2025, but they didn’t tell the full story.

Behind the buzz of billion-dollar deals like Scale AI’s $14.3B raise, Crunchbase News uncovered a more complex picture: SaaS companies are adapting, capital is consolidating, and investors are facing a more selective market.

According to Crunchbase data, nearly one in every three VC dollars went to just 16 companies last quarter, raising questions about where future opportunities lie.

Based on Crunchbase’s latest funding data, we’re breaking down the funding trends that mattered in Q2 and highlighting where investors should focus next.

AI dominated, but SaaS still found its footing

The SaaS companies that raised meaningful rounds last quarter weren’t just AI-adjacent; they demonstrated clear ROI, product efficiency, and operational discipline.

Crunchbase added 36 new unicorns to the Unicorn Board in 2025 so far, including SaaS standouts like Linear, Teamworks, and Owner. These companies reflect where investor interest is shifting: toward platforms that blend strong fundamentals with differentiated value.

It’s also a sign of market selectivity. Early-stage SaaS funding hit a multi-quarter low, and growth expectations have recalibrated. Series A companies today raise with 69% YoY growth, a stark contrast to 171% in 2021, and are expected to show higher revenue maturity from day one.

In short, the bar is higher. But for SaaS companies that clear it, especially those integrating AI in meaningful ways, the door to capital remains open.

Predictive signals that help you move first

Q2 data gives us the rearview, but investors need to see the road ahead. That’s where Crunchbase’s predictive intelligence comes in.

Predictive intelligence combines best-in-class private company data, user activity, and AI to anticipate what’s likely to happen next — not just report what already occurred. Built on billions of data signals, Crunchbase’s private company predictions help investors move from reactive to proactive.

Here’s how investors use predictive intelligence to get ahead and close with confidence:

• Funding Predictions: Discover which companies are likely to raise capital so you can build pipeline earlier and reach startups before their success hits the headlines.
  
• Growth Predictions: Identify emerging momentum based on early signals, helping you assess fit quickly and prioritize high-upside opportunities with confidence.
  
• Acquisition Predictions: Uncover companies positioned for near-term M&A, so you can streamline diligence and invest ahead of strategic shifts.
• Layoff and Closure Predictions: Reduce time spent on poor-fit bets, and proactively surface threats across key holdings before risk compounds.

By tracking heat scores and trend signals, Crunchbase users are already getting ahead of what’s next.

Don’t chase alpha — define it

Looking to Q3, we expect AI-augmented SaaS to continue drawing investor attention, particularly in sectors like productivity, security, and vertical software. Our predictive intelligence helps you uncover signals about emerging activity in these sectors before others even start searching. 

With our private company predictions about funding, growth, exits, and risk, you can seize emerging opportunities earlier and allocate capital with precision.

You can access Crunchbase’s predictive intelligence directly in the Crunchbase platform or through flexible data integrations. To learn more, check out our page aboutpredictive intelligence for investors.