Pro Rata Premium: 🕵 Everyone's an agent

Pro Rata Premium: Everyone's an Agent

👋 It's Chris Metinko, Axios Pro Deals' enterprise software reporter, with a deep dive into agentic AI, the hottest thing in enterprise tech.

1. Agentic AI or bust

Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios Agentic AI is the hottest phrase in enterprise software right now — and the flow of money shows it's more than talk. Why it matters: Venture investment in AI agent startups through the first half of 2025 reached almost $2 billion — nearly matching all of last year's total, according to PitchBook. The big picture: Investors have moved well past chatbots and customer service agents and are investing in technologies that help build better AI agents.

• Enterprise AI agents are now being applied to long-running workflows that can span more time and require multiple outside actions to complete.
• Vertical AI agents that serve specific sectors like legal and tax are drawing bigger dollars than horizontal agents that address multiple industries.
Yes, but: Startups will see how many customers renew over the next 12 months, and that renewal rate will show if enterprises have found AI agents to be useful, says Bhavan Suri, a William Blair managing director.
• Suri compared the coming period to late 2021 and early 2022, when many work-from-home collaboration tools faced a reckoning as the pandemic lessened and large enterprises cut back on user seats.
• Companies like Zoom saw their share price drop, and startups like Hopin eventually sold off assets.
What they're saying: Better training models and improved reasoning capabilities will keep agentic AI platforms advancing, says Danel Dayan, a principal at Battery Ventures.
• "It's hard to hit the bull's-eye with the pace of change," says Dayan.
Reality check: Despite the excitement around agentic AI, the technology is not replacing humans, according to industry operators, but making them more productive and keeping them in the loop as to what the agents do. Yes, but: It seems very likely to get to that place. What's next: "There will be upheaval in a world of unlimited agents," says Ted Smith, co-founder and president of investment bank Union Square Advisors. "Business models will change in an unfettered AI agent world, but 'how' is the question." FAQ:

What is Agentic AI?

Agentic AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that exhibit agency in tasks and decisions, acting autonomously while enhancing human productivity.

How much investment have AI agent startups attracted so far in 2025?

AI agent startups have attracted nearly $2 billion through the first half of 2025.

What distinguishes vertical AI agents from horizontal ones?

Vertical AI agents focus on specific sectors like legal and tax, attracting more investment due to specialized applications, unlike horizontal agents that serve multiple industries.

Crypto Market's Take

At Crypto Market, we recognize the transformative impact of Agentic AI, particularly in the realm of automated trading and market intelligence. Our AI Tools Hub is home to sophisticated trading bots and AI analysts designed to revolutionize crypto trading ecosystems by employing cutting-edge machine learning models. We are witnessing firsthand how the integration of Agentic AI in our services is empowering traders with intelligent decision-making tools, contributing to the shifting dynamics of the global crypto market.

More to Read:

• Explore our insights on AI-driven crypto trading tools.
• Learn how AI startups are disrupting the market.
• Visit the original article for more insights on Agentic AI and its implications for enterprise tech.