Artificial Intelligence: Investments in tech start-ups shatter records - despite concerns about AI bubble
Two new funds together mobilize two billion dollars. In 2026, European AI start-ups will receive more money than ever before. However, doubts are growing on the stock exchange.
Düsseldorf – The venture capital firm Accel has unveiled a new $800 million fund, with a primary focus on investing in young European and Israeli start-ups. This information was revealed by the Handelsblatt prior to its public announcement. This second fund in the millions-of-dollars range to be announced in recent weeks follows Highland Europe's $1.1 billion fund, aimed at financing European technology start-ups in their later growth stages. Together, these investors are mobilizing over $2 billion for European technology and AI companies.
While venture capitalists are pouring record amounts into AI, there is growing skepticism on the stock market regarding the high AI expenditures of major tech conglomerates. In the second week of July 2026 alone, the stock prices of AI and cloud providers fell by over $100 billion. Since then, the prices have recovered, but analysts and market experts are becoming increasingly critical of the AI expenditures of the major tech companies.
The lack of reliable profits from these investments is the main reason for this increased scrutiny. Despite this fear of a potential AI bubble, the investment boom in AI start-ups continues unabated.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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