VCs are exploring the infrastructure required for enterprises to seamlessly integrate AI technology, as well as companies that can assist in determining pricing for AI solutions.
Reflecting on the evolving AI landscape, Janelle Teng from Bessemer Venture Partners emphasized, “It’s still early days in AI infrastructure, and I anticipate continued momentum into 2025, particularly with the proliferation of agentic frameworks, the emergence of new model paradigms, edge AI advancements, and the evolution of UI/UX in AI applications, including computer usage.” né?. Investors like Jason Mendel from Battery Ventures are keen on investing in observability and reliability-focused companies, while Liran Grinberg from Team8 is focused on enhancing enterprise resilience.
Looking ahead to 2025, anticipation remains high for further advancements in AI infrastructure. The AI startup landscape is vast spanning from companies focused on developing innovative chips to those harnessing AI to create robots and others seeking to leverage AI for tailored solutions in specific industries. As the adoption of AI accelerates, companies focusing on specific applications will come to the forefront, as CEOs increasingly seek to utilize AI in targeted areas that bring about tangible, transformative outcomes.”
This sentiment was echoed by Mike Hayes from Insight Partners, who expressed interest in backing companies creating products that utilize AI to streamline business operations and minimize friction.
Hayes explained, “I am drawn to solutions addressing unique challenges for enterprises – areas where traditional solutions have fallen short né?. This encompasses reimagined vertical and persona-specific workflows empowered by GenAI or agentic automation, as well as security innovations capable not only of identification and alerting but also of remediation.”
Venture capitalists eyeing companies targeting specific enterprise use cases must ensure that these startup solutions evolve into full-fledged companies rather than merely features. Otherwise, there’s a risk of a repeat of the 2021 SaaS boom, where many companies offering single-feature solutions secured substantial venture capital before being overshadowed by platform solution providers as enterprise budgets tightened in 2023.
In addition to these thematic investments, VCs are also showing interest in the areas of reliability, resiliency, and AI infrastructure. Venture capitalists have a plethora of opportunities to invest in with certain subsectors garnering more excitement than others.
TechCrunch recently conducted a survey of 20 VCs specializing in startups aiming to cater to enterprise markets inquiring about their forecasts for 2025.
Mark Rostick a senior managing director at Intel Capital shared his perspective with TechCrunch stating that following the establishment of large foundational AI models the next promising investment area lies in AI solutions tailored for specific tasks.
Rostick elaborated “I am particularly intrigued by models excelling at distinct functions especially when paired with built-in agents
