Discover the latest trends in global monthly funding data, with a unique focus on companies’ domain name choices, in our monthly funding reports.

Overview

In April, startup funding shifted significantly compared to March, with more deals but less total capital raised. The number of deals increased from 562 to 634, yet the total amount raised dropped from $73.3 billion in March to $29.9 billion in April, mainly driven by the absence of mega-deals like OpenAI’s $40 billion round in March.

Early-stage funding remained strong, with increases across Pre-seed, Seed, and Series A in deal count and amount raised. Pre-seed rose from $115.7M to $132.8M, Seed from $1.06B to $1.12B, and Series A from $2.41B to $2.68B, indicating continued investor interest in emerging companies.

Growth-stage activity was more varied. Series B increased significantly to $3.64B (73 deals) from $ 2.35 B. In comparison, Series C declined to $2.13B (25 deals) from $ 2.56 B. Series D more than tripled to $4.1B, with a modest deal increase. Series E dropped sharply from $4.44B to $126M, reflecting a return to typical late-stage volumes following March’s standout rounds like Anthropic.

Series E, however, saw a sharp decline, plummeting from $4.44B (11 deals) to just $126M (2 deals), a return to typical levels following the huge rounds from firms like Anthropic in March.

By funds raised/ Total funding $29,887,580,543

By number of deals/Total number of deals 634

Broader economic pressures shaped the funding landscape. High interest rates and geopolitical uncertainty made capital more expensive and complicated to access. Venture capital investors became more selective, adopting a wait-and-see approach. While Q1 2025 saw overall funding totals boosted by giant rounds, the number of VC deals declined, showing a clear shift toward larger, perceived safer bets, especially in AI.

In public markets, persistent volatility and widening credit spreads reflected investor caution. In the United States, slower economic growth and tight monetary policy tempered risk-taking and increased the need for more disciplined capital allocation. Globally, funding was influenced by monetary easing in some regions, weaker trade, and capital reallocations driven by heightened uncertainty. The result was a more defensive investment climate, with public and private capital seeking greater stability in an unsettled economic environment.

Political Influences

United States

In April 2025, U.S. domestic policies underwent an “America First” realignment that directly impacted funding flows. The new administration sharply reduced foreign aid, cancelling billions in assistance by dismantling USAID and related programs. By mid-April, the State Department had scrapped another 139 international grants worth $214 million under this cost-cutting drive. Congress and the White House were locked in a fiscal showdown over the debt ceiling. Republican leaders pushed a sweeping megabill (combining tax cuts, border security, and energy funding) tied to a debt limit hike. The Treasury warned that failing to raise the borrowing cap would “wreak havoc on our financial system and diminish America’s security and global leadership”, underscoring how political brinkmanship weighed financial confidence.

Global Landscape

Geopolitical events in April 2025 shaped global funding conditions through heightened uncertainty and realigned alliances. The United States escalated its trade war with China by imposing punitive tariffs, reportedly as high as 145% on certain imports, prompting Beijing’s outrage and demands for “reciprocity.” A temporary 90-day truce on new tariffs did little to calm tensions. This aggressive U.S. trade posture had spillover effects worldwide: the World Trade Organisation warned that global merchandise trade could shrink by 0.2% in 2025 (and by as much as –1.5% in a worst case) if such geopolitical tensions persisted. Indeed, major exporters braced for fallout, and countries like Japan and South Korea scrambled to negotiate exemptions from U.S. tariffs.

Meanwhile, allies adjusted to America’s more isolationist stance. Notably, the United Kingdom and European Union moved to bolster their partnership, finalising a new strategic alliance on trade, security, and foreign policy. European leaders explicitly framed this pact as a response to Washington’s retreat from traditional commitments: the U.S. administration’s positions on defence, tariffs, and support for Ukraine had “raised alarm” in European capitals.

Economic Influences

United States

The U.S. macroeconomic backdrop in April 2025 was mixed, with data reflecting resilience and strain. Fresh figures showed the economy contracted at a 0.3% annualised rate in Q1 2025,  the first quarterly decline in three years. This downturn was mainly driven by a flood of imports (as businesses raced to beat impending tariffs), underscoring the disruptive impact of the new trade policies. Despite the drag from net trade, underlying demand held up moderately: consumer spending slowed from the prior quarter but remained healthy, and businesses boosted investment in equipment. Inflation showed tentative signs of cooling. The labour market, meanwhile, stayed remarkably sturdy. Employers added 177,000 jobs in April, outpacing forecasts, while the unemployment rate held at 4.2%

USA – Funding Conditions

Despite solid employment metrics, April’s economic mood was cautious due to monetary tightening and policy uncertainty. The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged in the 4.25–4.50% range (a restrictive level maintained since late 2024) and cited a murky outlook as a reason for the pause. Fed officials warned that higher inflation and unemployment risks had risen, given the uncharted impact of President Trump’s tariffs and fiscal agenda. Business and consumer confidence faltered under this cloud of uncertainty: surveys showed consumer sentiment plunging to five-year lows and business optimism deteriorating, as companies (for example, major airlines) even pulled back their 2025 financial forecasts amid tariff-related jitters.

Global

Globally, macroeconomic signals in April 2025 prompted central banks and investors to adjust course in response to softer growth and the U.S.-led trade conflict. In Europe, inflation was relatively moderate; Eurozone headline CPI held around 2.2%, but growth was fragile, so policymakers shifted toward easing. The European Central Bank cut its key interest rates by 0.25% at its April 17 meeting, lowering the deposit rate to 2.25%, marking the ECB’s seventh rate reduction since mid-2024, aimed at insulating the Eurozone economy from the trade war’s fallout. On the other side of the world, the Bank of Japan maintained its ultra-low rate (0.5%) but sharply downgraded its growth forecasts due to the hit from U.S. tariffs. Japanese officials warned that export prospects were worsening and delayed the timeline for achieving their 2% inflation target, even as they voiced hope that domestic wage gains could sustain a moderate recovery. China’s economy, for its part, started the year on a strong note – GDP grew 5.4% year-on-year in Q1, beating expectations as exporters rushed shipments before U.S. tariff hikes took effect. However, analysts widely anticipated that these “punishing tariffs” would undercut China’s momentum in subsequent months, a concern that added to the cautious global outlook.

Global – Funding and Markets

April 2025 saw a cautious tone in international financial markets as global investors grappled with divergent conditions. Commodity prices and trade-sensitive assets faced headwinds from the looming trade contraction, a fragmented environment in which each new tariff or sanction threatened to redirect capital flows. A Federal Reserve report noted that global trade disputes had become the top risk to financial stability, with 73% of market participants in its survey citing trade uncertainty as a key concern (up from just 35% late the previous year). Reflecting these worries, some foreign investors began trimming their exposure to U.S. assets. There were reports of foreign disinvestment in U.S. Treasuries, amid questions about the U.S. fiscal path and geopolitical direction. The dollar’s decades-old dominance wavered slightly – the euro and other major currencies gained ground (though without displacing the dollar) as confidence in U.S. stewardship was tested. Rising U.S. trade and budget deficits and political uncertainty led prominent analysts to compare the U.S. to “a troubled emerging market” and warn of potentially higher American borrowing costs if global lenders grew skittish. Central banks trod carefully in emerging markets: many developing economies contended with capital outflows and tighter financing conditions due to the elevated U.S. interest rates and trade-driven supply chain shifts.

Key Investment Sectors in April 2025

The April funding landscape showed strong interest in Biotechnology and Health Care, with deals focused on therapeutics, medical devices, and AI-powered health platforms. Artificial Intelligence (AI) remained a central theme, driving investment across cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, developer tools, and autonomous systems.

FinTech and Financial Services saw steady activity in lending, wealth management, insurtech, and payment solutions. In Energy and CleanTech, funding targets renewables, battery storage, and grid innovation. Continued support for Aerospace, Automotive, Cybersecurity, and Enterprise Software reflected demand for scalable and secure technologies across industries.

Domain Names Highlights

Among the 634 companies tracked in April, .com continues to dominate, with 402 companies (63%) choosing it as their primary domain extension. Its widespread familiarity and proven reliability make it the first place customers instinctively go when looking for a business online. As detailed in SmartBranding’s .com case study, .com remains unmatched in longevity and global acceptance.

Alternatives like .ai (77) and .io (31) have gained traction, especially among startups and AI-focused ventures, but they don’t offer the same universal recognition. SmartBranding’s data-backed insights show that these alternatives can still lead to missed traffic and branding inconsistency.

291 (46%) operate on Exact Brand Match (EBM) domain names, minimising confusion, strengthening name recall, and making brands easier to find, type, and trust.

A small portion, 17 companies, used domains with dashes, and 102 used other less common extensions, underscoring the fragmentation outside .com. 

Namepicks

Ageas

Industry: Enterprise, Insurance, Marketing

Funds Raised: $621,500,000 Post-IPO Equity

Ageas is a multinational insurance group headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. It operates in 13 European and Asian countries, offering life and non-life insurance products. Following the financial crisis, the company was rebranded from Fortis Holding to Ageas in April 2010 to focus solely on insurance activities.

The name “Ageas” encapsulates the company’s heritage and international focus. “AG” pays tribute to its Belgian origins dating back to 1824, “EA” signifies its core markets in Europe and Asia, and “AS” stands for assurance, reflecting its commitment to insurance services.

In April 2025, Ageas successfully raised €550 million through an accelerated bookbuild offering of nearly 11 million new ordinary shares, priced at €50.15 each. The proceeds are intended to finance the acquisition of Esure, a UK-based insurer partly. This strategic move aims to establish Ageas as one of the top three personal lines insurers in the UK market. The transaction is expected to generate an unlevered return of over 12% and a levered return on invested capital exceeding 20%.

The company has invested in the exact brand match domain Ageas.com, securing a clear and consistent identity across all its markets. As a global insurer active in Europe and Asia, a globally recognised .com domain strengthens brand trust, ensures easy access, and supports worldwide unified communication.

Altruist 

Industry: Asset Management, Financial Services, FinTech

Funds Raised: $152,000,000 Series F

Altruist, a Los Angeles-based modern custodian for registered investment advisors (RIAs), has raised $152 million in Series F funding, led by GIC, with participation from Salesforce Ventures, Geodesic Capital, Baillie Gifford, ICONIQ Growth, and others. The round values the company at approximately $1.9 billion.

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Altruist’s track record of building best-in-class, innovative products has positioned them to serve a large and growing market, bringing modern infrastructure to advisors who have long been underserved.

Choo Yong Cheen, Chief Investment Officer of Private Equity at GIC

The funding will support Altruist’s continued product development and expansion into the enterprise segment. In 2024, the company launched a range of tools, including high-yield cash accounts, automated tax management, and digital-native fixed-income trading. Altruist also strengthened its leadership team and reported significant growth in revenue, client accounts, and market share.

Altruist has chosen a domain name that clearly corresponds to their global ambitions and communicates their vision – Altruist.com. Owning an EBM domain name supports trust, reinforces brand clarity, and ensures that as the company scales, its digital identity remains as focused and accessible as its platform.

Keysight

Industry: Analytics, Cloud Security, Electronics, Manufacturing, Network Security, Product Design, Software, Test and Measurement, Wireless

Funds Raised: $750,000,000 Post-IPO Debt

Keysight Technologies, a global provider of electronic design and test solutions, has priced a $750 million offering of senior unsecured fixed-rate notes maturing in 2030 with an interest rate of 5.35%. The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including partially financing its proposed acquisition of Spirent Communications and strengthening Keysight’s network testing and communications capabilities.

Founded in 2014 as a spin-off from Agilent Technologies, Keysight carries forward a legacy that began with Hewlett-Packard’s original test and measurement division. The company name combines “key” and “insight” to reflect its mission of delivering the critical tools and intelligence needed to unlock innovation. Today, Keysight serves aerospace, defence, communications, industrial automation, and semiconductors industries, providing simulation, validation, and measurement technologies throughout the product development cycle.

Keysight operates on the exact brand match domain name Keysight.com, thus making the most out of its marketing across channels and reducing the risk of misdirected traffic or brand impersonation. The domain supports a clear, consistent identity that reinforces trust with a global customer base.

Plaid

Industry: Banking, Financial Services, FinTech, InsurTech, Wealth Management

Funds Raised: $575,000,000 Venture Round

Plaid is a financial technology company that builds infrastructure connecting consumer bank accounts to a wide range of digital financial services. Known for powering apps like Robinhood, Chime, and SoFi, Plaid has raised $575 million in a new round of funding at a $6.1 billion valuation. The raise, led by Franklin Templeton with participation from Fidelity, BlackRock, NEA, and others, will primarily cover tax obligations from expiring employee RSUs and provide limited liquidity through a tender offer. Despite speculation, Plaid confirmed it has no plans to go public in 2025.

Founded in 2012, Plaid began as a data connectivity layer for consumer banking and has since expanded into identity verification, lending, anti-fraud, credit reporting, and payments. Its growing enterprise client base includes Citi, Zillow, H&R Block, and Rocket, reflecting its shift toward broader financial infrastructure. The company saw over 25% revenue growth in 2024 and is approaching sustained profitability.

The name “Plaid” reflects the company’s vision of weaving together complex layers of financial data into a seamless and useful pattern, just as plaid fabric blends intersecting lines into a unified design. As its product suite expands and its role deepens in the financial ecosystem, that metaphor continues to hold.

Plaid.com reflects the company’s focus on clarity and reliability, which are key requirements for any business serving financial institutions and technology platforms at scale. The domain protects the brand, minimises the risk of traffic or email misdirection, and ensures clarity in communication with customers, partners, and developers.

Veza 

Industry: Cloud Security, Database, Security, Software

Funds Raised: $108,000,000 Series D

Veza, an identity security company based in Los Gatos, California, has raised $108 million in Series D funding, reaching an $808 million valuation. The round was led by NEA, with participation from Atlassian Ventures, Workday Ventures, Snowflake Ventures, and returning investors including Accel, GV, Norwest, and Blackstone Innovations Investments.

The funding will be used to scale Veza’s global go-to-market strategy and accelerate product development. The company provides an access platform that helps enterprises visualise, monitor, and control identity entitlements, going beyond traditional identity governance and administration (IGA). Its platform supports key use cases such as privileged access monitoring, non-human identity security, SaaS access management, and identity security posture management (ISPM).

The name “Veza” means “to connect” or “to bind” in several Slavic and African languages, an apt reference to the company’s role in linking identity to access in a secure and controlled way across complex enterprise environments.

Veza has acquired the CVCV domain Veza.com, short, easy to pronounce, and globally recognisable. These types of domains are highly valued for their memorability and linguistic simplicity across languages. Veza.com is an ideal fit for a security-focused company serving enterprise clients worldwide, reinforcing both accessibility and brand strength.

While we make every effort to ensure the data on our site is accurate, complete, and up-to-date, we cannot guarantee its reliability. Our data is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, financial, or other advice. We strongly recommend that you independently verify any information before relying on it.

The right domain name is an important consideration when it comes to building and protecting your brand. If you’re ready to take the next step and invest in a perfect domain name for your business, contact us to learn more about our available options and how we can help you get started.

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