|
The Seattle area has recently seen the arrival of several high-profile venture capital and investment banking firms, as well as the rise of large, local venture capital funds. Venture capital firms put more than half a billion dollars into Washington start-up companies in the first quarter of 2000--nearly 21 times more than the same quarter of 1997. And Seattle-based venture capital firms have raised over $100 million funds.
Area economists expect the investment pace in the region to continue despite the stock market unpredictability and uneasy IPO market that began with the market turndown in April 2000 because newly-formed Seattle area venture capital firms are now holding large amounts of money that they are looking to invest.
In the beginning of 2000, 93% of venture capital investments were placed in technology-related companies. Investment in consumer e-commerce and content start-ups have slowed, but investments in Internet infrastructure and security data networks brought in large investment rounds.
For further information about the regional venture capital market contact the Northwest Capital Network (a nonprofit organization) at (206) 441-3123. Contact enterpriseSeattle for a list of the top 25 venture capital firms in King County.
|
