Workforce solutions startups raised $9.9 billion globally in corporate venture capital funding through the first three quarters of 2026, the sector’s highest figure in the period since 2022, according to a new SIA report.
Underlying metrics also show rising competition for cash amid heavy investments in AI infrastructure. The Venture Capital in the Workforce Solutions Ecosystem report found that while dollar figures have risen, workforce solutions’ share of venture capital funding fell. At 1.4% through the end of September, the sector’s share decreased from 1.9% in 2025 and peaks of 3.1% in 2021 and 2.5% 2022.
Workforce Solutions Share of Global Venture Capital Dollars Invested, Per Year 
Source: SIA’s Venture Capital in the Workforce Solutions Ecosystem – 2026
Deal volume has also declined as the funding ecosystem relies on larger, less frequent investments. There have been 242 deals announced through the third quarter, a pace that would result in the slowest year since 2013. Meanwhile, the average deal size this year sits at a record $53.3 million, far above the median of $6.3 million, the report found.
Since 2008, 4,449 startups in the sector have raised at least $95.1 billion across 8,228 funding rounds, according to SIA estimates. Investments span 94 countries, but funding was concentrated in the US, which accounted for 63% of all dollars raised. Over half of US funding came from VC firms in California.
The full report is available to SIA’s corporate and CWS Council members.