Prediction markets, AI lead $4.3B in major H1 2026 funding rounds

According to statistics, the 14 largest global funding rounds in the first half of 2026 totaled $4.3 billion. The sectors attracting the most capital were prediction markets, artificial intelligence, and payments. Prediction market platform Kalshi led the way by raising $1.2 billion, followed by Polymarket, which secured $600 million. The combined $1.8 billion raised by the two platforms represents over 40% of the total investment from the top 14 deals, demonstrating strong market interest. In the AI sector, Replit raised $400 million, Exa AI secured $250 million, and OpenRouter obtained $113 million in funding.