Venture capital investment in 2017 reached levels not seen since the dot-com boom that occurred more than 15 years ago. Entrepreneurs in Colorado may be interested to learn that some $84 billion was provided to more than 8,000 business ventures behind a variety of products and services. Sources of funding included angel investors, seed capital specialists and firms specializing in high-risk business ventures.
Venture capital funding has been on the rise since 2009, with the amount rising 100 percent since 2012. A couple of dips in the meteoric increase during that time were quickly erased in following years on the way to the new peak. According to experts, the huge amount of investment activity seen in 2017 is actually indicative of a healthier economic situation than was the case during the heady days of the early-2000s internet boom.
This is because much of the $84 billion is going to large, established companies likely to turn that investment into further capital output that spurs greater economic growth. This is contrasted with the large amount of dot-com boom investment that went to small tech startups that soon went out of business.
The ridesharing company Lyft, which is locked in competition for customers with sector dynamo Uber, received a whopping $3 billion of the $84 billion total. The amount invested in such “unicorns” — private companies with valuations of $1 billion or more — represented over 20 percent of venture capital investment, totaling $19.2 billion.
Companies seeking funding may derive benefit from the assistance of an attorney who knows the ins and outs of venture capital and high-risk business ventures. Business formation, securities law and regulation advice may help make the difference when it comes to taking part in the new venture capital boom.
