100s of side chats, panels, and meetings, we’re seeing clear shifts in the market:
Startups
- Startups are going lean. Teams are trimming down and prioritizing business models that generate real revenue over hype.
- Valuations have compressed across the board. Traction is softer, marketing budgets are tighter, and the focus has shifted back to building over storytelling.
VCs
- Traditional VCs are mostly on the sidelines. Pure venture strategies are deep underwater, pushing funds to adopt hybrid models. Running both liquid funds and participating in OTC deals is becoming the norm.
- Long-term c