# California Attracts 10x More Venture Capital Than Any Other State This Year AI investments propel California to the top. - **Source:** [Slashdot](https://brifing.si/source/0f34d58e-1ccd-45a6-ab82-2de4065dc7ad) - **Published:** 2026-07-12 - **Topic:** [Finance](https://brifing.si/c/finance) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/ac6edfad-52b2-449d-88ed-02ae84644ffc ## California's Venture Capital Leadership California attracted over $335 billion in venture capital this year, surpassing all other U.S. states. New York raised less than a tenth of California's total, while Texas managed only a fortieth. This reaffirms California's appeal in technology and innovation. ## Heavy Investment in AI Firms Nearly 90% of investments in California went to AI firms, up from 65% last year. This surge in AI funding solidifies California's position as a hub for cutting-edge technology and innovation. ## Investment Activity in Metropolitan Areas Los Angeles ranked third in venture capital attraction, behind Silicon Valley and New York. The Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Santa Ana metro areas saw nearly $8 billion invested across 207 deals, marking a 28% increase from the previous year. ## California's Economic Growth California's economy grew by 5% last year, reaching $4.25 trillion. This makes California the fourth-largest economy globally, trailing only the U.S., China, and Germany. The state is home to over 400 billion-dollar startups. ## Billionaire Exodus and California's Appeal While some ultra-wealthy individuals have left California due to new tax campaigns, the state remains attractive to leading AI companies and investors. Despite high property and energy costs, California continues to be a tech hub. ## California's Future California's leadership in AI and technology ensures it will remain a key destination for investors. The state's economic growth and startup ecosystem enhance its global competitiveness. ## Sources covering this story - https://news.slashdot.org/story/26/07/12/2326225/billionaire-exodus-california-drew-10x-more-venture-capital-than-any-other-state-this-year?utm_source=rss1.0mainlinkanon&utm_medium=feed — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._