Selective, Strategic, Strong: The New Shape of Global Venture

Key deals of the week (November 10 - November 14 2025)

Market movement: Strategic capital meets frontier innovation

Across global markets, venture activity this week underscored one theme — capital is no longer chasing hype; it’s aligning with deep, defensible innovation. On November 12, Japan’s Toho Holdings partnered with Global Brain to launch a $65M Global Life Science Fund, targeting early-stage biotech, AI/data, and genetic engineering startups — with a clear focus on international markets.

The move signals a broader trend: corporates in traditionally conservative industries like pharma and logistics are stepping directly into venture creation, using domain expertise as strategic leverage.

Biotech momentum: asset-centric capital sharpens its edge

Medicxi has closed a €500M fund to double down on its asset-centric model — building companies around focused, high-conviction experimental products rather than broad platforms. The raise lands in the middle of a biotech upswing, fueled by lower rates and fresh returns cycling back into the market. With more than $1B realized across its portfolio since its last fund — including major exits like Merus, ProfoundBio, and ViceBio — the firm is leaning into a strategy that keeps delivering acquisition-ready assets.

The message from partner Giovanni Mariggi is straightforward: in a constrained capital environment, precision matters. And with pharma pipelines still hungry, asset-centric biotech is regaining momentum as one of the most efficiently validated plays in the market

Ecosystem expansion: Gaming and creative tech step forward

MIXI Global Investments, Nazara Technologies, and Chimera VC have launched LVL Zero, a new gaming incubator unveiled at IGDC 2025, with Google onboard as knowledge partner. The program offers a $100K equity-free grant pool, including $10K for 10 startups per cohort, aimed at accelerating execution for early-stage gaming ventures. LVL Zero will back 100+ gaming and interactive startups over five years, providing mentorship, capital access, and global publishing networks.

With MIXI’s gaming heritage, Nazara’s listed market leadership, and Chimera’s focus on interactive entertainment, the initiative marks a coordinated effort to turn India’s gaming ecosystem into a scalable, globally competitive venture segment.

Sector trends: AI-driven enterprise and events scale, e-commerce cools

AI continues to draw venture attention, but this week’s headlines underscore a shift toward AI applied to real-world workflows. San Francisco-based BoomPop, an AI-powered corporate event planning platform, raised $25M in equity led by Wing VC, alongside $16M in debt and credit via Silicon Valley Bank. The startup, which helps companies like Netflix, Google, and Dropbox plan offsites and client events, combines AI automation with human oversight to book venues, manage RSVPs, and optimize logistics. Its revenue run rate exceeds $75M reflecting strong market demand.

The signal is clear: investors are moving away from saturated consumer sectors and toward AI solutions that scale complex operational workflows, especially where human touch and automation intersect.

Europe’s early-stage pulse: steady momentum through a shifting cycle

A new Nordic Angels x BCG report paints a nuanced picture of Europe’s venture landscape: selective but strengthening. Despite a 7% drop in total VC investments last year, Europe’s share of global early-stage funding has climbed to 12%. While global capital turns cautious, Europe’s industrial, climate, and deep tech ecosystems are punching above their weight, fueled by maturing angel networks. 

Probably Europe’s next decade of venture growth will be built on collaboration, scale, and depth — not just capital availability.

This week’s news marks a more deliberate phase for global venture. Investors are chasing substance, not noise. The next chapter belongs to those turning complexity into lasting advantage.