Angels invested $25.6 billion in entrepreneurial companies in 2006, a 10.8% increase over 2005, according to a newly released study (PDF) by the Center for Venture Research at the University of New Hampshire.
The center's director, Jeffrey Sohl, will elaborate on these findings during featured remarks at CED's Angel Investor Retreat on April 24 at Venture 2007.
Healthcare services and medical devices and equipment accounted for the largest share of angel investments, with 21% percent of total investments, followed by software (18%) and biotech (18%).
The remaining investments were approximately equally weighted across high-tech sectors. A total of 51,000 businesses received angel funding in 2006 -- a 3% increase from 2005, according to the study.