VC Digest: First half of 2025: By Igor Kostyuchenok
Time flies and the first half of the year 2025 is almost over. It's time to reflect on the past 6 months and make some predictions about the next two quarters. While the world is slowly sliding into the World War III most investors try to look away and decide to invest in the most hype areas.
1. AI-Native Applications
ANI (Artificial Narrow Intelligence)
GenAI
AGI (Artificial General Intelligence)
ANI has already penetrated most of the areas of our everyday lives. Most of the children see ANI as a commodity - something they've gotten used to from the very early age. ANI is one type of artificial intelligence we've mastered and since AGI is still too far away, most investors concentrate on the GenAI startups
• What's hot: Autonomous agents, AI copilots, verticalized LLM tools (e.g., for legal, medical, customer support).
• Why now: Widespread integration of GPT-4/5, Claude, Gemini, etc. is pushing software toward automation, not just augmentation.
• Example startups: Cognosys, Rewind AI, Harvey
2. Embedded & Decentralized Finance (DeFi 2.0)
The idea of DeFi is at least 10 years old, so it took the decentralized finance idea almost a decade to slowly start becoming mainstream. Nowaydas we tokenize anything we can and finally start using stablecoins for bank rated cross border money transfer. The regulators in many jurisdictions are coming up with crypto legislations like MiCA in the EU.
• What's hot: Real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, embedded payments, DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks)
• Why now: Regulatory frameworks (e.g., MiCA in the EU) are becoming clearer, enabling institutional involvement.
• Example startups: Centrifuge, Ondo Finance, Lemonade Crypto
3. Mental Health & Neurotech
The ever earlier tech adoption, the growing urbanisation, the constant rise of technology and the slow death of attraction to nature are all having effects on our mental health. Since people are still the most important money making force, their mental health is quite important and thus the health related startups will continue grown for at least the next decade.
• What's hot: AI therapy tools, neurostimulation wearables, psychedelic-assisted therapy platforms.
• Why now: Rising mental health awareness + regulatory openings for novel treatments.
• Example startups: Flow Neuroscience, MindMaze, Happify Health
4. Synthetic Biology & Precision Medicine
We are already at 70-80 years lifespan, which is unprecedented for a human body. We are already half biorobots when we reach 60 and it's only the beginning. People keep pushing the boundaries of human bodies and will soon start pushing the boundaries of human mind - biological programming is the next stage of human evolution. Whoever is not playing the game is destined to lose it.
• What's hot: Biofoundries, cell programming platforms, gene editing services (CRISPR 3.0).
• Why now: Lab automation, AI-driven drug discovery, and regulatory support in the U.S. and China.
• Example startups: Ginkgo Bioworks, Elegen, SyntheX
5. Industrial Automation & Robotics
The capitalism is all about maximizing the profit. At the same time people are expensive and hard to deal with, so e.g. for Tesla to build 20.000,00 dollars car and be able to compete with cheap workforce from China they need to automate as much production as possible. The same is true for all other industries that want to stay competitive.
• What's hot: AI-powered robotics for logistics, agriculture, and construction.
• Why now: Labor shortages + computer vision advances = tipping point for adoption.
• Example startups: Covariant, FarmWise, Dusty Robotics
What topics else are VC hot:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
4 hours ago
- Reuters
EU considers adding Russia to money laundering 'grey' list, FT reports
June 6 (Reuters) - The European Union is considering adding Russia to its 'grey' list of countries with lax money laundering controls, the Financial Times reported on Friday citing officials. A final decision regarding the addition, however, has not been taken yet, the report said, citing European Commission officials.
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Daily Record
Major summer holiday update for Brits on when they can skip EU airport queues
Under the terms of the Labour Government's Brexit "reset" agreement with Brussels, talks are continuing on ways to "smooth border management" between the UK and EU UK holidaymakers could soon breeze through EU airport e-gates, as a minister has indicated that British travellers might be granted access to the automated border control systems in the near future. The potential move comes as part of the Labour Government's Brexit"reset" agreement with Brussels, which aims to facilitate smoother border management between the UK and the EU. Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds expressed optimism about the development on Thursday, June 5, stating: "We hope it is as soon as possible because part of the agreement is the [European] Commission saying there's no legal impediment to the use of e-gates." He emphasised the benefits of such systems, telling Euronews: "I want people who are going on their summer holiday from the UK to have the ease and use of that." The discussions around e-gate access for Brits come after the announcement of the comprehensive UK-EU agreement on May 19, which also includes commitments to defence cooperation, streamlined processes for food trade, and measures addressing irregular migration. Already, Portugal's Faro Airport has begun offering e-gate access to British citizens, with expectations from Downing Street that the technology will be widely used by British tourists, reports the Express. Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, responsible for EU relations, highlighted the benefits of the deal at the despatch box on Thursday, remarking that it "makes life easier for holidaymakers". The Prime Minister's official spokesman has rolled out some promising news for holidaymakers, announcing: "Yesterday, Portugal opened e-gates at Faro Airport to British citizens, which will mean millions more Brits going to the Algarve will be able to use e-gates in time for the summer holidays." The spokesman added: "We're obviously continuing to work with other countries and other airports to ensure Brits can use more e-gates as soon as possible and that work continues." Recounting recent positive developments, he noted: "It's obviously good news to see a very significant airport, I think for British holidaymakers, opening e-gates to British citizens yesterday." Sir Keir Starmer had previously highlighted the benefits of such agreements, stating when the deal was revealed last month: "for holidaymakers wanting to get out this summer, they will want to know that they can do so easily and without delay and chaos". The Prime Minister urged "all EU member states to help make this a reality without delay." Since Britain's EU departure, UK nationals have faced increased queues and are no longer able to use e-gates in most countries within the Schengen zone. The Government has indicated that the new aggreement will dismantle "legal barriers to e-gates use for UK nationals", coinciding with the launch of a stamp-free biometric Entry/Exit System (EES), slated for introduction in October. Addressing Parliament on fostering better relationships within the EU, Mr Thomas-Symonds told MPs: "The historic deal that we signed with the EU on May 19 is in our national interests - good for bills, borders and jobs. "It slashes red tape and bureaucracy, boosts British exporters and makes life easier for holidaymakers. Indeed, I'm delighted to confirm this morning that Faro Airport in Portugal will start the rollout of e-gate access to UK arrivals this week."
BreakingNews.ie
12 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
600 apply for the 16 places on Trinity acting course that launched Paul Mescal's career
Record numbers have applied this year for the 16-place acting programme at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) that helped launch the stellar career of Gladiator II star Paul Mescal . The Lir Academy on Thursday confirmed that it has received 600 applications for its prestigious Bachelor in Acting course—a record and a 10% increase on the 545 applications received last year. Advertisement A spokeswoman for The Lir said: 'We did see a surge in numbers after the success of Normal People. This coincided with Brexit and the point at which we became the only English-speaking conservatoire in the EU. 'The continued success of Paul Mescal—along with numerous other graduates—has increased awareness of our programmes and supported the trend of growth in application numbers.' Paul Mescal, who was nominated for an Oscar, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Acting in 2017 from The Lir Academy at Trinity College and rose to prominence with the April 2020 lockdown release of Normal People. Other notable Lir alumni include Alison Oliver, Zara Devlin, Clinton Liberty, Ella Lily Hyland, Éanna Hardwicke, Danielle Galligan, Frank Blake, Kwaku Fortune, Aggie O'Casey and Patrick Martins. Advertisement To select the 16 successful applicants, The Lir conducts auditions in Dublin or via Zoom in the first two rounds for overseas candidates. Confirmation of the record applicant numbers comes alongside the release of minutes from a TCD Finance Committee meeting, which confirm that Trinity has granted The Lir a two-year loan repayment hiatus. At the end of September 2023, The Lir (officially Trinity College Dublin Academy of Dramatic Art Company Limited) owed €496,554 to the college. The academy recorded an income of €2.908 million in 2023 and a modest surplus of €16,357. TCD Provost Dr Linda Doyle chairs the Finance Committee. The minutes record that The Lir CEO, Gemma Bodinetz, highlighted the academy's strong financial performance, including projected fee income for 2024/25 and further expected increases. Advertisement While The Lir is performing well, the committee noted that reinvestment in the academy is limited by the need to prioritise repayment of the working capital loan and to meet significant rises in utility and operational costs. Lifestyle Leaving Cert: Teacher says many students found tod... Read More In approving the loan hiatus request, the committee acknowledged The Lir's positive repayment history and prudent financial management. Commenting on the decision, Ms Bodinetz said: 'The Lir Academy has an excellent financial performance record, and we recognise the act of faith that Trinity College Dublin has placed in us by agreeing to our request. 'The decision to request the hiatus was taken to allow for additional financial flexibility so that we can further realise our ambition to achieve significant strategic aims. 'Our intention is to invest the retained surpluses in staff salary increases, programme resources, and new revenue streams. This will leave us in a more robust position to resume payments in 2027.'
