Young, emerging growth companies looking to venture capital firms as an alternative to more traditional debt financing sources may experience stiffer competition.
VC investments declined for the first time in three years, according to a recentMoneyTree Report by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA).
Overall, venture capitalists invested $26.5 billion in 3,698 deals in 2012, a decrease of 10 percent in dollars and 6 percent in deals over the previous year. The clean technology and life sciences sectors experienced the greatest drop off. Meanwhile, the software sector remained strong in 2012, with venture funding increasing 10 percent to $8.3 billion and deals up 8 percent.
According to the report, the stage of investment also shifted from seed to early stage in 2012. Investments into seed stage companies decreased 31 percent in terms of dollars and 38 percent in deals with $725 million going into 274 companies in 2012, the lowest annual seed dollars since 2003. The trend reveals that VC firms have started engaging with companies later in their life cycle than in previous years.
The report suggests that VC firms have become more discriminating when it comes to their investments. Given the uncertain economic times, they want to make certain that the risk will pay off. Therefore, it is even more important that companies put their best foot forward in written presentations and meetings.
For more information about what venture capital firms look for in a business opportunity, please see our prior post.
If you have any questions about venture capital financing or would like to discuss how it may benefit your business, please contact me,Dan Brecher, or the Scarinci Hollenbeck attorney with whom you work.
Dissolving Your Business: Essential Legal Steps to Protect Your Interests
If you’re considering closing your business, it’s crucial to understand that simply shutting your doors does not end your legal obligations. Unless you formally dissolve your business, it continues to exist in the eyes of the law—leaving you exposed to ongoing liabilities such as taxes, compliance violations, and potential lawsuits. Dissolving a business can seem […]
The Role of Corporate Restructuring in Mergers & Acquisitions
Contrary to what many people think, corporate restructuring isn’t all doom and gloom. Revamping a company’s organizational structure, corporate hierarchy, or operations procedures can help keep your business competitive. This is particularly true during challenging times. Corporate restructuring plays a critical role in modern business strategy. It helps companies adapt quickly to market changes. Following […]
Crypto Enforcement: A Former Prosecutor’s Warning to Criminals and the Public
Cryptocurrency intimidates most people. The reason is straightforward. People fear what they do not understand. When confusion sets in, the common reaction is either to ignore the subject entirely or to mistrust it. For years, that is exactly how most of the public and even many in law enforcement treated cryptocurrency. However, such apprehension changed […]
Understanding Chattel Paper: A Key Component in Secured Transactions
Using chattel paper to obtain a security interest in personal property is a powerful tool. It can ensure lenders have a legal claim on collateral ranging from inventory to intellectual property. To reduce risk and protect your legal rights, businesses and lenders should understand the legal framework. This framework governs the creation, sale, and enforcement […]
For years, digital assets operated in a legal gray area, a frontier where innovation outpaced the reach of regulators and law enforcement. In this early “Wild West” phase of finance, crypto startups thrived under minimal oversight. That era, however, is coming to an end. The importance of crypto compliance has become paramount as cryptocurrency has […]
Supreme Court and Title VII: Implications for Reverse Discrimination
Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services vitiating the so-called “background circumstances” test required by half of federal circuit courts.1 The background circumstances test required majority group plaintiffs pleading discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to meet a heightened pleading standard […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
