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Funding to autonomous vehicle startups has seen a massive resurgence in 2026, more than tripling so far this year compared to all of 2025 globally, СÀ¶ÊÓƵɫÇéÍøÒ³°æ data shows.

Several multibillion-dollar megadeals drove the spike in first-quarter investment. That signals investors aren’t just paying for research anymore, but betting on companies that are ready to scale up and put their AI technology into actual cars people can buy or hail.

So far in 2026, we’ve seen a shift to a small number of autonomous vehicle companies capturing a disproportionate share of global capital, with a handful of giants, including ,Ìý and , getting the lion’s share of funding.

The broad trend: It appears that investors are no longer spreading small bets across dozens of startups. Instead, they are pouring billions into the three or four players they believe will own the market. And while North America remains the largest hub for overall funding volume, the Asia-Pacific region — specifically China — is seeing the fastest growth in deployment. Chinese startups are also raising some of the largest rounds in the space.

The numbers: Autonomous vehicle startups raised a record $21.4 billion across 34 deals through April 15, . That’s up a staggering 262.17% compared to the $5.9 billion raised across 99 investments globally in all of 2025. It’s also about 77% higher than the $12.1 billion raised across 127 deals in 2024.

Noteworthy deals

Exactly three-fourths of the $21.4 billion raised in 2026 thus far is attributable to Mountain View, California-based Waymo’s raised in February. , , and co-led the financing, which was raised at a staggering $126 billion valuation.

But it wasn’t the only outsized round.

San Diego-based Shield AI landed a $2 billion Series G round co-led by and . Its valuation jumped to $12.7 billion.

And London-based Wayve raised a $1.3 billion Series D round co-led by , and , achieving an $8.6 billion valuation.

Interestingly in 2025, three of the four largest autonomous vehicle rounds were raised by Chinese companies: an $897.7 million Series C by ; a $600 million Series D by , and $527.8 million by .

IPO outlook

We didn’t see any IPOs in the space in 2025, but some are on the horizon for this year.

Beijing-based confidentially in March. Backed by , and , it is seeking a valuation above $14 billion.

secured $24.7 million in pre-IPO funding in March and is as it expands its AI-led logistics projects.

Because Waymo is a subsidiary of Alphabet (), it doesn’t need to go public for cash, but industry observers are increasingly discussing a potential spinoff. With a $126 billion valuation, it would instantly become one of the most valuable transportation companies in the world if it hit the public market.

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