As 2025 begins, venture capitalists and industry analysts are optimistic about the startup landscape, particularly in the realm of initial public offerings (IPOs) and artificial intelligence (AI). In 2024, India's IPO market saw record-breaking activity, raising ₹1.65 lakh crore, surpassing previous years, with the National Stock Exchange leading global IPO proceeds at $17.3 billion. A total of 310 listings were recorded in India, establishing the country as a leader in the IPO space. Predictions for 2025 suggest continued momentum, with 25 additional startups expected to go public. In the United States, early-stage funding remains robust, with $18.9 million raised across 10 rounds in the last two weeks of 2024, averaging $1.9 million per round. AI startups led the way with 57 deals, nearly four times more than those in healthcare. Industry experts anticipate that AI will continue to play a pivotal role in the startup ecosystem in 2025, while discussions around balancing growth and profitability are also expected to shape the year ahead.