New VC Funds Median Size Tops $200 million in 2006
The median size of U.S. venture funds raised in 2006 exceeded $200 million
for the second year in a row, according to industry tracker Dow Jones
VentureOne, reports AP. The 2006 median was $200.6
million, following a record $205.5 in 2005. It hit a low of $75M in 2002.
Other Highlights:
.
A record 16% of the funds raised last year were $500 million or more, the
highest percentage on record.
. Only 34% of funds closed in 2006 were less than $100 million, the
smallest percentage on record.
.
During the bubble, the median fund size never climbed much beyond $100
million.
. The largest fund closed in 2006 was the $2.56 billion Oak Investment
Partners XII.
. U.S.-based venture capital funds that closed in 2006 raised $24.3
billion, slightly less than the $25 billion in 2005.
. A total of 95 funds
closed last year, compared to 124 in 2005.
. Venture capital fundraising peaked in 2000 when 489 funds raised $83.2
billion.
. By 2003
the VC fundraising had dropped to $9.9 billion, a year when only 77 funds
closed.
