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Startups worldwide are adjusting to a new operating reality as a global market correction reshapes funding flows, exit expectations, and founder priorities. According to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2025 by Startup Genome, aggregate ecosystem value has fallen by 31 percent since the previous report, reflecting a correction after pandemic-driven valuation inflation.
The number of large exits valued above $50 million has dropped by 40 percent, placing renewed pressure on founders to operate leaner and demonstrate resilience earlier in their lifecycle. Despite this contraction, the long-term trend remains positive. Since 2019, global ecosystem value has grown at a compounded annual rate of 11 percent, indicating that the current phase is a reset rather than a reversal.
AI becomes the anchor for early-stage investment
Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as the strongest growth driver in the current startup cycle. Venture capital funding into AI and Big Data startups grew by 33 percent over the past year and now accounts for 40 percent of all global VC investment, up from 26 percent in 2021.
Series A rounds for AI startups are almost double the size of those raised in other sectors, reflecting investor belief that AI-native companies are better positioned to scale efficiently amid constrained capital markets.
Speaking with SiGMA TV, Beyond Play founder and author of Her Play, Karolina Pelc, said AI is reshaping how founders build and lead companies.
“What I find AI can do is to scale really brilliant founders,” Pelc said. “Previously, you’d have a really good founder, but a lot of elements of the business would still be dependent on the team. AI gives them this capability to multiply themselves.”
Founder leverage replaces headcount expansion
In a climate where hiring aggressively is no longer the default, founders are using AI to extend their own capabilities rather than expanding teams too early. Pelc said this shift is changing expectations around execution and productivity at the seed and Series A stages.
She also highlighted emerging applications beyond efficiency. “Another element of AI that I really love is its ability to feel recognised, tone, empathy,” Pelc said, pointing to use cases in professional development and mental health.
However, the rise of AI has also intensified global imbalances. Startup Genome data shows that more than 90 percent of venture funding for AI-native startups founded in 2023 and 2024 went to the United States and China, with Silicon Valley alone capturing 63 percent.
Ecosystems defy contraction through execution
While Europe and Latin America recorded sharper ecosystem value declines of 24 percent and 45 percent, respectively, several regions managed to outperform through targeted execution and policy alignment, according to the Startup Genome report.
Philadelphia rose 35 places over five years to rank 13th globally, earning a perfect score for AI-native transition. Bengaluru-Karnataka climbed to 14th following major exits, including Swiggy’s IPO, while Istanbul surged to third among emerging startup ecosystems after a 142 percent increase in total venture funding.
Investors double down on people, not polish
For early-stage investors, the market reset has reinforced a people-first approach. Pelc said product maturity matters less than founder behaviour at the earliest stages.
“I invest primarily in early-stage companies. Consequently, that means I invest in people,” she said. “I look at what those people have done before. I look at their early moves.”
She added that resilience and speed of recovery are decisive traits. “I quite often try to compare them to myself when it comes to ability to think quickly, ability to pivot quickly, and can they land on their ass hard and get up as fast,” Pelc said.
Fear of failure remains the main barrier to reinvention
As founders navigate pivots, new technologies, and personal reinvention, fear continues to be a limiting factor. Pelc said hesitation, rather than lack of skill, often stops professionals from acting.
“The whole barrier of people really going after their dreams, trying something new, is the fear of failure,” she said. “Our confidence, our resilience, and our ability to overcome the fear of failure are all trainable skills.”
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