The Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) today announced the results of the 2007 CED North Carolina Venture Report in conjunction with the start of Venture 2008, CED’s 25th annual venture conference in Durham. According to the report, Nrth Carolina companies raised more than $900 million in venture capital investments--a 72% increase over 2006. Nationally, venture capital increased by 16% over 2006.
Key findings for North Carolina include:
- North Carolina was the southeastern leader with Florida joining in the top 10 and Georgia at 14th for a strong southeastern presence.
- Seed and early stage investment increased from $98 million in 2006 to $127 million in 2007 and from 25 deals to 41 in 2007, reversing a declining trend.
- NC’s average deal size continued to increase --$10.47
million as compared to $7.71 million nationally. And investments
greater than $10 million accounted for 77% of the total
dollars invested statewide, compared to 75% in 2006. - North Carolina’s technology sector outpaced the life
sciences sector for only the second time since 2001 with
investments in technology companies comprising 54% of all
investments made in North Carolina. NC moved solidly up
the ranking nationally in the tech sector. Within the technology
industry, software and telecommunications were leading market
sectors. - Triangle companies accounted for 87.5% of total dollars
raised statewide, compared to 66% in 2006. The Triad raised
6.47% of the state’s dollars in 2007, compared to 0.9% in
2006. Charlotte decreased from raising 27.1% of the state’s
dollars in 2006 to raising 5.7% in 2007.