Week December 08, 2003 through December 12, 2003

Over $374.2 million of venture capital was invested in 22 U.S based companies during this reporting period. The same number of companies raised venture capital as the preceding period and there was a decrease of 17% in the total capital raised. The average deal size was approximately $17.01 million.

Geographically, California continued to lead the nation, receiving more than of total venture capital invested. California was home to the largest number of funded ventures (9) and three of the nation's top five deals. Following California was New Jersey, where 1 company raised $137 million. The largest financing in California this period was by Volcano Therapeutics, Inc.

More than seventy percent (71%) of the venture capital invested this reporting period went to companies in the Biotech sector. Seven (7) companies in this sector raised funding, led by a $137 million investment in Reliant Pharmaceuticals, a company that purchases branded drug products and markets them to primary care and targeted specialty physicians.

As shown in the chart below, 40% of the companies that raised venture capital this period are companies that raised their Series B round of funding. The largest Series B round of financing was by Volcano Therapeutics, Inc. for a total of $50 million equity from Domain Associates, Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation, Medtronic, Neomed, Mayo Medical Ventures, and Ferrer, Freeman & Company.

The five largest venture deals this period are as follows:

The following twentyeight investors funded the above mentioned top five venture capital investments in excess of $253.8 million:

Below you will find a breakdown for this reporting period of debt and equity financings in the United States, Canada, and internationally:

NOTE: All the "equity" investments highlighted in the above table are non venture capital investments such as PIPE's or public offerings. With your paid subscription to Capital Hunter you can obtain immediate access to a complete detailed listing of this reporting period's 51 newly funded companies plus all future financings, their funding amounts, names of the investor(s), key man information, general business content, as well as other highly valuable pieces of information by signing up at www.capitalhunter.com You can also contact key personnel through our weekly reports.

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