Businesses continue to spend on sales and marketing tools despite tighter software budgets, with startups in the sector raising $7.5 billion globally across 830 funding rounds so far in 2026. At this pace, funding could reach near $9.3 billion for the year, though potentially below 2024’s $11.1 billion. Deal volume is declining for a fourth straight year, indicating investors are allocating more capital to fewer companies.

Funding remains well below peak levels seen in 2021 ($41 billion) and 2022 ($27 billion). AI-focused firms are capturing a growing share of investment, with most sales, marketing, and CRM funding going to companies in Crunchbase’s AI-related categories. Notable deals include Apps Flyer’s $1 billion Series E led by Moloco, Google, Meta, and Unity, valuing the San Francisco-based marketing measurement firm at $2.7 billion.

InKind Capital raised $450 million in February, while Berlin-based Parloa secured $350 million in Series D funding led by General Catalyst, tripling its valuation to $3 billion. Whop received a $200 million strategic investment from Tether, valuing the New York-based digital marketplace at $1.6 billion. Property Finder in Dubai raised $170 million with Mubadala leading the round.

Clay, an AI-powered sales automation startup, raised $115 million in Series D at a $7.1 billion valuation, more than double its prior valuation, citing 4x revenue growth in 2025 and targeting $240 million in ARR by year-end. Most exits in the sector occur via acquisitions, though Liftoff Mobile began trading on Nasdaq in June after its public offering.