Private Equity 24 Hours

Last updated: July 5, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Venture Capital & Startups

The pace of startup creation accelerated in the first half of the year, with nearly 90 new unicorns minted, largely fueled by investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence. This surge contrasts with earlier periods, signaling a renewed appetite for high-growth technology ventures. Among the less visible players achieving scale is Bending Spoons, an Italian app developer whose portfolio has served over a billion users worldwide, demonstrating that significant market penetration can occur without widespread public recognition.