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VC investment at all-time high

by Matthew Rock & Real Deals - Wednesday, 6th February 2008 -

VC investment at all-time high

The lesson in today's venture capital stats: there's money out there for the very best companies.

European venture capital investment topped €4.56bn last year – the highest annual total since 2002 – according to the latest research from Dow Jones VentureSource.

However, the volume of deals fell for the sixth consecutive year – just 897 deals were completed, ten per cent below that of the previous 12 months.

“It is a just a sign of the times in Europe,” said VentureSource's Jessica Canning. “With a sputtering IPO market and mergers and acquisitions hard to come by, only the most viable of European companies are winning over venture capitalists.

“At the same time, investors are equipping these promising companies with the capital they need to compete globally and to best position them for a liquidity event.”

This week, technology entrepreneur and co-founder of lastminute.com, Brent Hoberman (pictured above), launched his new online furnishing business, mydeco.com, backed reportedly by the largest seed round for a European online start-up.

Lesson for entrepreneurs: think big.

Related story: Mydeco: Brent Hoberman goes soft

Related story: Your cameraphone just got smarter

BUSINESS NEWS >>

“I will survive this recession,” says Kelly Hoppen

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - January 08, 2009 3:46pm GMT

Designer to the stars, Kelly Hoppen, talks to RB about preparing for her second recession, capitalism and the sad demise of Wedgewood.

Lloyds TSB provides relief to SMEs

By Catherine Woods - January 08, 2009 3:02pm GMT

Lloyds TSB will pass on the Bank of England’s 0.5 per cent base rate cut to all its small business customers with variable rate loans and overdrafts.

How much do you need to retire?

By Stefan Wissenbach* - January 08, 2009 2:44pm GMT

The story of an entrepreneur can often be traced back to his past. But his future is also a vital influence on his business narrative.

Interest rates: reaction to the record low

By Catherine Woods - January 08, 2009 2:04pm GMT

Interest rates are now at their lowest figure ever following the decision by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee to cut them to 1.5 per cent.

Interest rates cut to 1.5 per cent

By Catherine Woods - January 08, 2009 12:08pm GMT

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has cut interest rates by half a percentage point to 1.5 per cent.

Brochures on Saving and investing

BUSINESS COMMENT >>

Valentine’s Day PR puff is starting already

By Catherine Woods - January 08, 2009 4:54pm GMT

My views on Valentine’s Day are well documented.

Do you have a moral compass?

By Catherine Woods - January 08, 2009 3:40pm GMT

Is selling stuff to people who are sick morally wrong? One entrepreneur thinks so and has taken issue with Real Business for writing about companies that do so.

From concept to launch: a start-up's video diary

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - January 06, 2009 5:41pm GMT

Clive Payne has invented a new fitness product. Having turned down a contract with a big American manufacturer, he's decided to launch it himself. Week by week, he will document his progress. We're going to follow him!

The future's not so bright

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - January 05, 2009 4:22pm GMT

The only thing going up in 2009, aside from unemployment, will be sales of antidepressants, says Professor Marvin Zonis

Depressing days and Dave's Big Idea.

By Catherine Woods - January 05, 2009 4:15pm GMT

It comes as no surprise to me that today is considered the most stressful day of the year. I wonder if David Cameron feels the same after his big saving announcement?

Business Comment 

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