CB Insights vs Counterpoint Research

Meet the 2026 Fintech 100: The Private Companies Building the Future of Finance

CB Insights analyzed thousands of private fintechs to identify the 100 most promising startups in the world. Webinar on Nov 10, 2026.

State of AI Q3’26

According to CB Insights' State of AI Q3'26 report, global AI funding dropped 33% quarter-over-quarter to $103.3B, down from $153.1B in Q2'26. Despite overall deal count reaching an 18-month low, 42 new AI unicorns emerged during the quarter, marking the highest quarterly count in 18 months. Capital remained heavily concentrated, with 85% of total AI funding allocated to 154 mega-rounds and US companies securing 61% of all funding.

• AI funding fell by 33% quarter-over-quarter from $153.1B in Q2'26 to $103.3B in Q3'26.
• Deal count hit an 18-month low, yet 42 new companies achieved billion-dollar unicorn valuations.
• A total of 85% of all AI funding went into 154 mega-rounds.

Anthropic's IPO Filing Is a Startup Market Map

CB Insights has published a new newsletter titled 'Anthropic's IPO Filing Is a Startup Market Map' dated October 1, 2026.

Samsung Mocks Apple's First Foldable iPhone with New Ad

Following Apple's unveiling of its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, Samsung launched a multi-pronged marketing campaign to mock its rival. This includes a video titled 'Welcome to Foldables' and billboards in Seoul, Tokyo, and London with similar messages. Additionally, Samsung New Zealand created a social campaign featuring a local man named Tim Cook to promote the Galaxy Z Fold8, mimicking Apple's presentation style. The campaign, credited to Madison Hill and Cheil New Zealand, reinforces Samsung's leadership in foldable technology. With Counterpoint Research predicting Samsung will hold 38% market share in 2026 versus Apple's 25%, Samsung's aggressive strategy positions itself as the pioneer, continuing a history of targeting Apple's marketing.

• Apple introduced its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, on September 9, with a starting price of $1,999.
• Samsung launched a marketing campaign titled 'Welcome to Foldables' including a video and billboards in Seoul, Tokyo, and London.
• Samsung New Zealand created a social campaign using a local man named Tim Cook to promote the Galaxy Z Fold8.

AI Drives Boom in Commercial Cleaning Robots

Counterpoint Research reports the commercial cleaning robot market entered a new growth phase: 2025 shipments exceeded 50,000 units and revenue topped $400 million. Advances in AI, computer vision, LLMs, sensors and LiDAR are shifting conventional cleaning machines toward autonomous, adaptive systems that optimize cleaning parameters and navigation. Counterpoint projects annual shipments could reach about 400,000 units by 2030 and estimates the broader commercial cleaning market at roughly $50 billion in 2026. Pudu Robotics led shipments and revenue in 2025, while incumbents such as Tennant and Kärcher pursue partnerships with AI specialists. Adoption is expanding from retail and airports to hospitals, warehouses and production sites, with growing integration into building- and operations-management systems.

• Counterpoint Research estimates 2025 global shipments of commercial cleaning robots exceeded 50,000 units and revenue surpassed $400 million.
• Counterpoint projects annual shipments could grow to around 400,000 units by 2030 (approximately an eightfold increase).
• The worldwide commercial cleaning market was estimated at about $50 billion in 2026.