Internet Companies Big ’09 Venture-Capital Winners
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Venture Capital investment has tanked since the downturn hit. But some sectors are starting to see growth in VC funding again, recent data from shows.
Biotech stayed the in the world of technology with $1.9 billion in funding in the fourth quarter of 2009, flat with the previous quarter. Internet-sector companies 38 percent, the biggest gain of any sector, snagging $1.8 billion in funding.
Telecom companies , sinking 17 percent to get just $231 million in funding,with wireless companies getting the bulk of the money. Weirdly, despite all the support for alternative energy in the stimulus bill, too, seeing 45 percent fewer dollars at $232 million.
More than a dozen Internet startups got that coveted first round of funding in the quarter. One of the biggest rounds went to pre-launch search startup , which landed $7.5 million.
got the next-biggest round at $6.5 million. The free service helps business people track their travel, celphone minutes and other financial tools in one place. The round was part of $10 million they’ve raised in all.
Boy, pre-launch companies getting venture capital…companies with free products getting venture capital…I feel like I’m having a dot-com bubble-era flashback. Hopefully there’s a revenue model in there somewhere.
The this year isn’t too optimistic, in part due to among the big VC firms, as fewer funds attract capital. On the other hand, venture capitalists who’re staying in the game are , due to the recovering merger-and-acquisition and IPO markets, which give investors hope about profitable exits they might see a few years down the road.
Venture Capital investment has tanked since the downturn hit. But some sectors are starting to see growth in VC funding again, recent data from shows.
Biotech stayed the in the world of technology with $1.9 billion in funding in the fourth quarter of 2009, flat with the previous quarter. Internet-sector companies 38 percent, the biggest gain of any sector, snagging $1.8 billion in funding.
Telecom companies , sinking 17 percent to get just $231 million in funding,with wireless companies getting the bulk of the money. Weirdly, despite all the support for alternative energy in the stimulus bill, too, seeing 45 percent fewer dollars at $232 million.
More than a dozen Internet startups got that coveted first round of funding in the quarter. One of the biggest rounds went to pre-launch search startup , which landed $7.5 million.
