TLDR Tech / Fintech
The vertical AI shift is real and accelerating
Vertical AI captured 53% of VC deal volume in 2025 and over half of exits, signaling a structural shift toward industry-specific applications despite large horizontal mega-rounds skewing capital totals. Healthcare and Financial Services remain dominant, while emerging verticals like Manufacturing, Legal, and AEC are rapidly gaining momentum with strong deal growth and breakout financings. The strongest signal is at the earliest stage, where up to 60% of new startups are vertical, indicating the next generation of AI companies will be built around deep domain workflows rather than horizontal tools.
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