January 31, 2026

Hi there,

Here is this week's top research.

But first, we looked at top Mosaic* movers across the genAI ecosystem to see where momentum is building this week.

Two of the 5 largest increases went to AI-powered fintechs, OnCorps (+282 points) and Kobalt Labs (+256 points) — a signal that vertical AI continues to gain ground.

Both startups raised fresh funding in December: OnCorps secured $55M to scale its fund operations platform, while compliance automation startup Kobalt Labs closed an $11M Series A and recently announced a partnership with Core Bank.

Stay ahead of the next breakout startups with our GenAI Signal Tracker.

*Mosaic is CB Insights' proprietary score of private-company health & growth potential.

ICYMI

State of Fintech 2025 Report

From institutional DeFi to prediction markets expansion, we break down the trends shaping fintech using CB Insights data.

State of Digital Health 2025 Report

We break down the year’s biggest deals and trends, using CB Insights data.

How Y Combinator’s Fall 2025 batch maps the next phase of AI

We analyze Y Combinator's Fall 2025 batch to uncover the top trends in AI infrastructure, robotics, and verticalized agents.

The top 50 Middle East & North Africa venture investors

We used CB Insights predictive signals to identify the top venture firms in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) and rank them based on their portfolio strength and ability to predict future winners.

The physical AI models market map: Behind the arms race to control robot intelligence

Using predictive signals from CB Insights, we mapped 70+ companies developing data infrastructure, AI models, and observability tools that bring intelligence to the physical world.

The-physical-AI-models-market-map-7-e1769107169914-913x1536

Customer-Exclusive Research

How payments leaders are seizing the SMB opportunity

CB Insights deal and partnership data shows the largest payments firms are consolidating SMB financial services and shaping the next era of SMB relationships.

The autonomous driving market map: Mapping the companies shaping self-driving at scale

We used CB Insights data to identify 90+ private companies and leading subsidiaries as autonomous driving hits an inflection point.

The-autonomous-driving-market-map-17-e1766166880670-898x1536 (2)

Have a great weekend.

I love you.

Anand

@asanwal

Co-Founder & Exec Chair

P.S. Miss our briefing about the tech trends shaping 2026? Download the recording here .

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