Startup Flash Report

STARTUP FLASH

FinTech Dominates Early 2026 with $1.5B in Weekly Funding as Rain Hits $1.95B Valuation

TOP 3 STORIES:

1. Rain Secures $250M Series C, Reaches $1.95B Valuation — The fintech platform closed a major Series C round led by ICONIQ with participation from Sapphire Ventures, Dragonfly, and Bessemer Venture Partners, bringing total funding to $338M[1]. For founders, this demonstrates the accelerating pace of late-stage fintech funding and validates the market appetite for well-capitalized platforms that can move quickly through funding cycles.

2. WeLab Completes $220M Series D Strategic Round — The pan-Asian fintech platform announced its largest funding raise since inception, combining both debt and equity in a strategic financing round that attracted new and existing investors[1]. This signals that mature fintech platforms are increasingly accessing blended capital structures, offering founders an alternative to traditional equity-only rounds for scaling operations.

3. osapiens Achieves Unicorn Status with $100M Series C — The enterprise software provider for sustainable growth reached unicorn valuation through a Series C led by Decarbonization Partners (a BlackRock-Temasek joint venture), subject to regulatory approval[1]. The round highlights growing institutional capital flowing toward climate and sustainability tech, creating new pathways for founders building in this sector.

Flash Insight: The startup ecosystem is firing on all cylinders in early 2026, with fintech leading the charge—25 deals totaling over $1.5B in a single week demonstrate robust investor confidence and capital availability[1]. The diversity of funding sources (strategic investors, traditional VCs, and thematic funds like Decarbonization Partners) suggests a maturing market where founders have multiple pathways to capital. For entrepreneurs, this environment rewards speed, clear market positioning, and the ability to attract both financial and strategic investors simultaneously.

---

Sources:
[1] https://fintech.global/2026/01/16/2026-off-to-a-roaring-start-with-over-1-5bn-raised-in-this-weeks-deals/