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{{#if first_name}}Hi, {{capitalizeFirst (lower first_name)}}.{{else}}Hi.{{/if}} Schneider Electric has spent nearly two centuries adapting to successive industrial revolutions, evolving from a 19th century steel and heavy machinery business into one of the biggest global companies in energy management and automation. Now, through its $1 billion venture arm, SE Ventures, it is betting that the next transformation will be driven by AI’s collision with the physical world, from data centers and power grids to robotics and industrial automation. As part of our ongoing series of interviews with deep-tech investors, Crunchbase News recently spoke with SE Ventures managing partner Amit Chaturvedy about how it is backing startups building the technologies that underpin the AI economy — everything from data center infrastructure and grid resilience to robotics and industrial AI. Plus, last week’s 10 largest U.S. funding deals went to a varied lineup of sectors, with a physical AI startup taking the top spot and these investors wrote the most checks into fintech last quarter. ⚡A 190-year-old energy giant explains where it’s investing in AIAs demand for compute strains energy infrastructure and accelerates reindustrialization, Schneider Electric’s venture arm is backing startups building the technologies that underpin the AI economy, from data center infrastructure and grid resilience to robotics. The firm counts eight unicorns in its portfolio, and has notched eight exits. We recently spoke with its managing partner about why energy has become AI’s defining constraint and where opportunities are emerging. Related Crunchbase lists: 🏆 Top 10: Biotech, cybersecurity and, of course, AI land big dealsStartup investors poured capital into a varied lineup of large rounds last week, targeting sectors including physical AI, biotech, cybersecurity, AI infrastructure and fintech. By far the largest financing of the week was a $1.7 billion round for Uber founder Travis Kalanick’s physical AI startup, Atoms, followed by sizable investments for 3D AI model developer Meshy AI and battery technology company Sila. See also: The Crunchbase Megadeals Board 💳 General Catalyst overtakes YC in $5M-plus fintech dealsFor the first time in several quarters, General Catalyst surpassed Y Combinator in backing the most fintech funding rounds of $5 million or more, participating in 12 such deals during the second quarter, Crunchbase data shows. The period also marked General Catalyst’s busiest fintech investing quarter in at least three years. While YC remained the overall most active fintech investor by deal count, larger financings increasingly drew heavyweight venture firms and private equity investors into the market. Related Crunchbase list: Global Financial Services Venture Funding In 2026 😮 Most VC funding now is in billion-dollar-plus roundsGiant startup funding rounds aren’t just getting larger — they’re becoming far more common. U.S. startups have already announced 23 rounds of $1 billion or more this year, matching all of 2025 with roughly five months still remaining. AI continues to dominate the list, but fintech, healthcare and infrastructure companies are also attracting unprecedented megadeals. Related Crunchbase list: Billion-Dollar-Plus Startup Funding Rounds In 2026 |
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