Startups across sales, marketing and customer management have raised $7.5 billion so far this year, according to Crunchbase data. The largest rounds span everything from advertising and customer data to sales software, e-commerce and customer support ' reflecting just how many companies are still trying to build a better way to market and sell. Unsurprisingly, AI-focused companies are capturing a much larger share of funding than during the prior peak, with most sales, marketing and CRM investment going to companies in Crunchbase AI-related categories. The numbers: So far in 2026, startups in sales, marketing and CRM have raised $7.5 billion globally across 830 funding rounds, Crunchbase data shows. At the current pace, funding could finish near the $9.3 billion raised in both 2023 and 2024, although potentially below last year's $11.1 billion. Deal volume, meanwhile, is on track to fall for a fourth consecutive year ' pointing to a market where investors are putting more money into...
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