Reuters – VC Spending Slowed in Fourth Quarter

U.S. venture capitalists invested $6.4 billion in start-up companies in the fourth quarter, continuing a slowdown in spending, according to a report from the National Venture Capital Association and consultancy PriceWaterhouseCoopers. The $6.4 billion was spent across 968 deals. That represents a 13 percent decline in dollar terms over the prior-year period. For the full year, investments fell 10 percent to $26.52 billion. Seed-stage companies -- those at the very earliest stages of development -- saw a slight rise in investments for the quarter, to $119.4 million, but an overall 38 percent drop for the year, to $475.7 million. That is the lowest yearly total since 2003.

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