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2026 Investment Outlook: Redefining Capital Raising And The Evolution Of AI

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

December 29, 2025

Founders Must Prove Enduring Value

Top investors agree that the landscape for raising capital in 2026 has shifted significantly. Last year’s focus on visionary ideas has given way to a demand for battle-tested, sustainable business models. As James Norman of Black Ops VC explains, founders now need more than just market traction—they must demonstrate a robust, repeatable distribution advantage. Investors are scrutinizing elements like established sales engines and proprietary workflows, emphasizing sustainable growth over flashy demos.

Capital Markets: Raising the Bar

Morgan Blumberg of M13 notes that the funding bar is set to rise. In the competitive realm of early-stage AI and tech application software, mega seed rounds may become scarcer. Instead, investors are on the lookout for founders who can leverage unique distribution channels and show explosive momentum in Series A and B rounds. The narrative today focuses on achieving real revenue, establishing credibility, and projecting growth trajectories over the next 12 to 24 months.

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Expanding Geographic Horizons

Allen Taylor of Endeavor Catalyst highlights that the best venture returns are now emerging outside Silicon Valley. Markets in Poland, Turkey, and Greece are witnessing transformative investments as founders globally—from Latin America to the Middle East—build companies that serve massive markets right from inception. This globalization of venture is redefining where innovation and growth are concentrated.

Driving Investment Themes and Emerging Opportunities

Investors are sharpening their focus on two key strategies: backing high-context founders with deep industry expertise and targeting legacy sectors ripe for AI disruption. For instance, James Norman emphasizes investing in founders with direct industry experience, who provide a competitive distribution advantage from day one. Meanwhile, Morgan Blumberg and others are targeting legacy markets and infrastructure elements such as healthcare systems and foundational AI model development. Dorothy Chang of Flybridge Capital adds that proving clear lines to ROI and cost efficiencies will be paramount for enterprise adoption.

The IPO Market Reawakens

On the topic of public offerings, investors are cautiously optimistic. According to Norman, the IPO market is poised to thaw not because conditions have suddenly improved, but because the private market is running out of alternatives. With companies needing liquidity and a clear mechanism to reset market expectations, the public markets are set to reclaim their role as the primary source of scale. Blumberg and Taylor anticipate that flagship offerings from tech giants such as Anthropic and OpenAI will reignite momentum, further diversifying the geography of global tech listings—extending even to regional exchanges like Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul.

Assessing the Venture Climate for 2026

Norman describes the coming year as a clearing event that will draw a definitive line between durable platforms and transient ventures. With institutional investors recalibrating their strategies, family offices are stepping in with direct mandates and active market play. Blumberg reinforces that, as AI accelerates the transformation of industries, only those with a compelling operational track record and exclusive access to differentiated deal flow will thrive. Taylor underscores that a more complete liquidity toolkit—encompassing M&A, secondaries, and IPOs—will support founders committed to long-term growth.

Beyond the Hype: The Future of AI

The investor discourse has evolved from merely admiring AI’s potential to demanding its application at scale. Norman articulates that the era of simply building models is fading and will be replaced by an era where AI is a core element in solving deep, domain-specific challenges. Investors now seek the founders who can harness AI to reengineer cost structures and unlock new efficiencies. Blumberg advises that, while AI remains hot, attention will shift from broad applications to specific, controlled use cases—balancing explosive growth with measured reliability.

Anticipating Unexpected Shifts

Looking to the unexpected, Norman predicts the subtle end of the “ChatGPT-first” startup era as companies migrate toward a multi-model approach. Investors such as Taylor foresee a renaissance in backing Ukrainian founders and anticipate unexpected public market successes from regions like Latin America and the Middle East. In the words of Chang and Bankiya, while AI will continue to dominate the narrative, the companies that succeed will be those that seamlessly integrate multiple models into a coherent, scalable strategy.

In conclusion, the investment landscape for 2026 is set to reward founders who combine deep industry expertise with innovative distribution strategies. As AI transitions from a buzzword to a foundational business tool, the winners will be those who marry technological advancement with practical, long-term scalability.

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EU Mercosur Agreement Sparks Political Battle Over Cyprus Agriculture

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 16, 2026

A political battleground emerged in the Parliamentary Agriculture Committee’s latest session, as fierce debates broke out over the controversial trade deal between the European Union and Latin American nations under the Mercosur framework. Lawmakers voiced deep concerns regarding food safety and the prospects for local agriculture, particularly following the high-profile absence of the Minister of Trade.

Minister Absence And Parliamentary Integrity

Committee Chair Giannakis Gabriel expressed strong disapproval over the Minister’s no-show, noting that the extraordinary session was scheduled at midday at the Minister’s own request. “His absence undermines the authority of the parliament,” Mr. Gabriel declared. Given that the Minister is not abroad, it was expected that he would be present to clarify why Cyprus supported an agreement widely criticized as disadvantaging the agricultural sector.

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Trade Deal Under Scrutiny

In his address, A.C.E.L General Secretary Stefanos Stefanos described the pact as a “dangerous agreement” imposed under the pressure of multinational conglomerates. He especially critiqued the contrasting sanitary standards whereby, while the EU bans our farmers from using certain pesticides and antibiotics, the Mercosur deal appears to allow imports produced with these very substances. His remarks underscored the possibility of double standards in safety measures and the potential long-term impacts on Cypriot agriculture.

Economic And Safety Concerns

Legislators questioned the basis of government studies that justified backing the agreement, even as Cyprus’ agricultural sustainability is increasingly threatened by water scarcity and soaring production costs. Representatives from various political factions pointed to insufficient controls over import volumes and tariff structures. For example, Christos Orphanidis (DIKO) demanded precise data on imports from Latin America, citing honey as a case in point, and pressed for clear explanations regarding the tariff regime.

Legal And Health Implications

Questions about legal authority were raised by Elias Myriantounos (EDEK), who inquired whether parliament can reject or amend the agreement should economic studies forecast negative outcomes. Environmental advocates, like Haralambos Theopemptou of the Movement of Ecologists, emphasized the need to safeguard traditional products such as halloumi, highlighting concerns over how rigorous food safety controls will be maintained. Meanwhile, Linos Papagiannis (ELAM) cautioned against unfair competition, drawing parallels with challenges posed by lower-standard goods from occupied territories.

Protecting Local Interests

The overarching message from lawmakers was clear: the future of Cyprus’ farming community and the well-being of its citizens should not be sacrificed at the altar of commercial trade. Agricultural organizations have voiced alarm over the importation of goods potentially contaminated with banned substances, the risk of market distortion by low-quality products, and the lack of localized impact studies. They argue that the agreement is biased in favor of select corporate interests, ultimately undermining consumer safety and the livelihood of European farmers.

As this debate continues to unfold, the outcome of these deliberations will be pivotal in determining not only trade policy but also the long-term economic and food security landscape of Cyprus.