VENTURE INVESTMENTS PLUMMET

By J.C.Bishope

At the end of 2008, according to Pricewaterhouse-Coopers and the National Venture Capital Association, venture capitalists dramatically reduced investment levels in network start-ups.

The $27 million given in the fourth quarter of 2008 was the lowest quarterly total seen in 14 years.

It's expected that while there's still interest in the network startups, until there's more liquidity, investments will be down.

Analysts expect the market for startup IPOs and mergers and acquisitions to be weak throughout 2009.