According to PitchBook data, U.S. venture investors invested $36.6 billion in startups in the first quarter of this year, with the funds flowing to 2,882 companies. Both indicators were down nearly 30% from the same period in 2023. %. Macroeconomic concerns, a sluggish IPO market and rising cost consciousness, coupled with a slowdown in funding from venture investors themselves, have been plaguing startups. Pitchbook analysts said sticky inflation has pushed hopes of interest rate cuts to the second half of this year, and an economic recession is still possible. While some hot AI startups are enjoying huge funding, it's still a hungry time for the rest of the industry.