By Evan Vitale
Here are some of the recent venture capital stories that are making headlines this week.
According to The Orange County (CA) Register, the boom in venture capital for growing Orange County businesses slowed by nearly 11 percent in the first quarter, mirroring a similar dip nationwide.
During the first quarter of 2016, only 15 deals were inked and roughly $158 million invested. In the same period last year, venture capital firms sunk $177 million in 23 deals, according to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the National Venture Capital Association based on data from Thomson Reuters.
“Internet of things” company Greenwave Systems, an Irvine software and services company, received $45 million in a Series C financing round in January, one of the biggest funding rounds in the quarter.
You can read the full report here:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/venture-712935-first-deals.html
The New York Times is reporting, that General Mills and 7-Eleven are joining the venture capital crowd.
General Mills, based in Minneapolis, is part of an increasing number of old-economy companies, including the convenience chain 7-Eleven and the Campbell Soup Company, that have joined a crowd of technology companies to create venture capital funds. Through them, they scout for new products or services and promising potential business partners.
Their moves have accompanied a surge and recent crest in the valuations of many venture capital-backed start-ups. Critics say the corporate-run funds have contributed to inflated valuations for start-ups, and some funds have begun selling stakes even as they face reduced valuations on some holdings.
The full story is here:
At TechCrunch.com, the CrunchBase Women in Venture report is the third study in its ongoing analysis of women and their participation in the startup ecosystem. Read it here:
http://techcrunch.com/2016/04/19/the-first-comprehensive-study-on-women-in-venture-capital/
Bloomberg reports the University of Michigan’s endowment has bolstered its alternative assets with more than $100 million in commitments to venture capital and real estate funds.
Michigan also plans a new commitment of $50 million, subject to approval, to CD Capital Natural Resources Fund III, a London-based pool that will invest in early-stage mining opportunities, according to the agenda for the Board of Regents meeting on April 21.
Catch the story here:
