Private Equity’s AI Binge Tests Investors’ Appetite for Risk
THE SO WHAT
LPs pressing Apollo, Blackstone and others for AI exposure detail means AI is now a reportable risk category, not just a growth story. If you’re raising from PE or growth equity, expect sharper diligence on AI revenue quality, model risk, and capex intensity—not just “we use AI” slides.
READ THE SOURCE
MORE FROM THE WIRE
Startups & VentureBending Spoons to buy Amsterdam-based Miro in $1.36bn deal
A $1.36B takeout for Miro is a reminder that horizontal collaboration tools with real usage still clear at strong multiples, even as generic SaaS reprices. If you’re building in work orchestration, assume consolidation pressure and design for either deep ecosystem lock-in or a clean acquisition story.
Startups & VentureClay raises $115m at a $7.1bn valuation, more than double its 2025 price
A $115M Series D at a $7.1B valuation for go-to-market software says capital still pays up for revenue engines that convert AI exhaust into pipeline. If you sell into sales/marketing, expect buyers to ask how your product plugs into or competes with Clay-style orchestration rather than point tools.
Startups & VentureBending Spoons agrees to buy Miro for $1.355bn, weeks after Airtable
Bending Spoons rolling up Miro weeks after Airtable is a bet that horizontal collaboration surfaces still have monetizable gravity in an AI-first world. If your product overlaps with whiteboarding or databases, expect more consolidation pressure and tighter bundling around workflow depth, not standalone features.
Startups & VentureBending Spoons to buy collaboration tools maker Miro for $1.36B, 90% less than its 2022 valuation
Miro selling for ~$1.36B after a $17.5B peak is a hard repricing of horizontal collaboration SaaS. If you’re building in this layer, assume multiples are resetting—invest in depth (workflows, data, AI-native features) or consolidation will be your default exit path.