289: The AI paradox (and 3 other trends shaping tech investing in 2026)

Costs dropped 90%. Funding got 10x harder.

It's now much cheaper to build an AI product than it was two years ago — and far harder to convince investors your product has a moat.

In this episode, Sophia Matveeva breaks down the four investing shifts shaping who gets funded, who doesn't, and why.

You'll learn why vertical AI is winning, B2B beats consumer, acquisitions are replacing IPOs, and deal terms are getting riskier for founders.

If you're building a tech product or considering raising capital, this episode will help you see what investors actually care about—before it's too late.

In this episode, you will hear:

Why it's 90% cheaper to build AI — and still harder than ever to get funded
How "AI for everyone" quietly kills your defensibility with investors
The hidden reason B2B startups keep winning while consumer apps struggle to survive
What today's deal terms can cost you at exit if you don't understand them now

Resources from this Episode

Tech for Non-Techies episode: 213. How NOT to sell your company
YouTube: APIs for Non-Techies

Free AI Mini-Workshop for Non-Technical Founders

Learn how to go from idea to a tested product using AI — in under 30 minutes.

Get free access here: techfornontechies.co/aiclass

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

For the full transcript, go to https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/289-the-ai-paradox-and-3-other-trends-shaping-tech-investing-in-2026

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