AI startup funding is no longer only about model demos. The strongest pitches show where the product fits, who uses it daily and how quickly it saves money or time.
The product bar is rising
Founders need distribution, data access and a reason customers will keep returning. That is pushing more startups toward vertical software and specific business processes.
What this means
The companies that survive the hype cycle will likely look less like magic demos and more like reliable tools that teams depend on every day.
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