European VC funding in Q1 2026 rose nearly 30% YoY to $17.6B, AI claimed over 50% of all European funding for the quarter, and deal volume dropped 40% YoY (Gené Teare/Crunchbase News)

Gené Teare / Crunchbase News: European VC funding in Q1 2026 rose nearly 30% YoY to $17.6B, AI claimed over 50% of all European funding for the quarter, and deal volume dropped 40% YoY — European venture funding reached $17.6 billion in Q1 2026, Crunchbase data shows. That's up nearly 30% year over year and marks the second consecutive quarter of growth.