Equity Equity's 2026 Predictions: AI Agents, Blockbuster IPOs, and the Future of VC
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Dec 26, 2025 Isabelle Johansson, Head of the Startup Battlefield program and host of Build Mode, joins the discussion on 2026 tech predictions. The panel explores why AI agents are set to finally shine next year and the implications of a looming regulatory crisis. They dissect the rise of alternative funding sources for startups and the struggles faced by founders in a tightening VC market. Predictions fly regarding potential blockbuster IPOs for major players like OpenAI and Anthropic, alongside playful insights into industry buzzwords and future trends.
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Bubble-Like AI Funding Dynamics
- The panel sees clear bubble-like tendencies in AI funding despite no crash yet.
- Massive mega-rounds in 2025 showed irrational capital flows that worry some reporters.
Pursue Alternative Funding Early
- Founders lacking sky-high metrics must pursue alternative capital sources like crowdfunding.
- Build scrappy, use community fandom, and explore creative, founder-friendly funding structures.
World Models Become The Next Frontier
- World models are emerging as AI that simulates environments with physics-aware understanding.
- Several labs and companies are racing to build them as a stepping stone toward more embodied intelligence.