Corporate-backed funds and new independent players are reshaping startup funding, driving growth in AI, climate tech, and cross-border innovation.
The global startup ecosystem is witnessing a strong resurgence in venture capital activity, particularly through corporate-backed funds. One of the latest entrants is CoreWeave, a rapidly growing AI infrastructure provider, which has launched CoreWeave Ventures. The new investment arm is designed to back early-stage companies in the fields of artificial intelligence, computing technologies, and deep infrastructure innovation.
CoreWeave, already known for its powerful cloud solutions tailored for AI workloads, is positioning its venture arm as both a financial backer and strategic partner. With demand for AI compute capacity reaching unprecedented levels, the firm believes supporting startups that build complementary technologies will not only strengthen the ecosystem but also reinforce CoreWeave’s own market position.
Industry watchers see this move as part of a larger trend where technology companies are setting up corporate venture capital (CVC) arms to create synergies between internal expertise and external innovation. By doing so, they are not only diversifying investment portfolios but also ensuring access to cutting-edge research and disruptive solutions.
While corporate players like CoreWeave are expanding globally, the spotlight in Southeast Asia is on a new independent fund manager making waves. Raisewell Ventures, a solo General Partner (GP) fund based in Bangkok, has successfully raised around $35 million for its debut fund. The firm will focus on early- to growth-stage startups in healthcare, climate technology, manufacturing, and supply chain innovation.
What sets Raisewell Ventures apart is its cross-border investment strategy. The fund seeks to act as a bridge between Southeast Asian startups and the U.S. market, providing capital, mentorship, and connections that enable founders to scale internationally. With Southeast Asia emerging as one of the fastest-growing digital economies, Raisewell’s debut fund is expected to attract considerable interest from entrepreneurs working on scalable solutions with global relevance.
The rise of funds like CoreWeave Ventures signals how corporate venture capital is evolving from a side strategy into a central growth driver. Unlike traditional VCs, corporate funds often provide startups with access to specialized infrastructure, industry expertise, and customer networks. For early-stage founders, this type of backing can be as valuable as financial capital.
For example, startups funded by CoreWeave Ventures could gain direct access to high-performance computing resources, enabling faster development and deployment of AI-driven solutions. This could be a game-changer in fields like generative AI, robotics, and autonomous systems, where computational costs remain a significant barrier.
Similarly, Raisewell Ventures is aligning itself with sectors that combine both profitability and sustainability. By targeting healthcare and climate tech, the fund is tapping into industries projected to define the next decade of global innovation.
These developments arrive at a time when the global venture capital market is recalibrating. Following two years of slower deal-making and tightened valuations, 2025 has seen renewed optimism, with AI, climate tech, and supply-chain resilience drawing the bulk of fresh capital. Large corporate investors are increasingly stepping in to fill gaps left by traditional VCs, whose risk appetite was dampened by market volatility.
Moreover, the entrance of solo GP funds like Raisewell highlights a democratization of venture capital, where experienced operators and investors are launching focused funds that compete with larger players by leveraging niche expertise and regional knowledge.
The launch of CoreWeave Ventures and the rise of Raisewell Ventures underscore a dual-track trend in startup funding:
Both developments expand the funding pipeline for startups tackling some of the world’s most urgent challenges—from building AI infrastructure to solving healthcare bottlenecks and advancing climate solutions.
For founders, this means greater diversity in funding sources and more opportunities to secure not just capital but also strategic partnerships. For the venture capital ecosystem, it represents a clear sign that 2025 is shaping up to be a year of recovery, reinvention, and renewed growth.
I am an entrepreneur, marketer, and mentor with a certification in entrepreneurship from IIT Delhi, one of the most prestigious institutions in India. I have a passion for connecting businesses with their ideal customers, solving real-world problems, and inspiring the next generation of founders.I founded and lead DevoByte, a digital marketing agency that provides a range of services, from SEO a
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Add a newsletter to your widget area.
Top Stories
