Expanding Entrepreneurial and Technological Networks Across the Globe

The Global Connect track explores the  increased interconnectedness among countries and innovation capital from and to US, India, Israel and the Middle East, Japan, Latin America, and Europe.  We explore investments in these regions across sectors, and observe the fueling of entrepreneurship and the bustling growth in their economies. Speakers on this track are truly diverse and global from many of these countries.

According to CB Insights, Global Venture funding reached a record $621 billion in 2021, more than double the 2020 mark 0f $294 billion. The global unicorn count hit 959 in 2021 - up 69% from 2020.  Early stage deals dominate at 62% deal share. Fintech startups raised $131.5 billion in funding in 2021 - accounting for 21% of all venture dollars. Fintech funding is up 169% compared to 2020's $49 billion. 1 in every 4 unicorns is in fintech - the most by far of any industry. The two other leading sectors of funding are retail tech at $109 billion and global digital health at $57.2 billion.

 Annual US venture funding doubled to hit a record high of $311 billion, accounting for half the global total. The US also saw a record high for yearly deals at 12,281. Early-stage deals were a key driver, accounting for 55% of total deals and signaling an even more robust US venture market in 2022.  Silicon Valley is still by far the tech capital of the US. Startups here raised $105 billion. New York took the second spot at $55 billion in funding, and Boston took $32 billion.

All geographic regions saw record funding, signaling the globalization of innovation capital. Asia is now the top region for global deals in 2021 at $175 billion, China was $90 billion, Europe at $93.3 billion, India $30.6 billion, Latin America $20.2 billion, UK $29 billion, Canada at $11.8 billion and Israel at $10.7 billion.