Global Sub-Sector Startup Analysis

Key Findings

• All sub-sectors have seen accelerated growth since the GSER 2021, with the fastest growth being achieved by AI & BD, followed by Blockchain, Fintech, and Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics.
• AI & BD is growing rapidly and becoming a core element of almost a quarter of startups. Over five years, it grew 51% in Series A deal count and 104% in exit count.
• In 2021, Fintech experienced the second highest Series A deal size after AI & BD among purely digital sub-sectors, and second highest Series A median amount after Cybersecurity.

In 2020, Startup Genome’s first Fintech report suggested that AI would help the Fintech industry develop hyper-personalized solutions. This has proved true. As discussed in the GSER 2022, AI & BD increasingly overlaps with other industries both in terms of amount invested and deal count. AI & BD was the sub-sector with the largest growth in the GSER 2022 timeframe, and data-driven decision-making and algorithmic processes are quickly becoming a standard component of most startups.

In 2021, Fintech experienced the second highest Series A deal size after AI & BD among purely digital sub-sectors, and second highest Series A median amount after Cybersecurity.

For more detailed sub-sector analysis, explore the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2021 and our other sub-sector reports.