After years dominated by easy money and sky-high valuations in AI startups, the industry has shifted toward sharper judgment, tougher diligence, and startups that can actually scale into businesses. AI is still at the center of it all, but the focus has moved beyond the generative AI hype to customers and revenue. That reset has created a big opportunity for early-career venture capitalists. As firms slow down and get more selective, younger investors are often the ones sourcing the best deals,