Week December 12, 2003 through December 18, 2003

Over $360.8 million of venture capital was invested in 40 U.S based companies during this reporting period. Eighteen (18) more companies raised venture capital this period compared to the preceding period and there was a decrease of 4% in the total capital raised. The average deal size was approximately $9.02 million.

Geographically, California continued to lead the nation, receiving more than 53% of total venture capital invested. California was home to the largest number of funded ventures (16) and two of the nation's top five deals. Following California was Texas, where 2 companies raised $39 million. The largest financing in California this period was by Accelerated Technologies, Inc.

More than 38% of the venture capital invested this reporting period went to companies in the Software sector. Sixteen (16) companies in this sector raised funding, led by a $27 million investment in Guava Technologies, a company that develops, manufactures and markets unique integrated cellular analysis systems for the life science researcher's benchtop. The company is revolutionizing the way that cell culture monitoring and cell screening assays are performed, by providing compact micro-volume scale systems that make common assays in cell-based analysis accessible at the benchtop.

As shown in the chart below, 45% 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 Accelerated Technologies, Inc. for a total of $32 million equity from ABN Amro Capital Investment, Giza Venture Capital, and Oxford Bioscience Partners.

The five largest venture deals this period are as follows:

The following twenty investors funded the above mentioned top five venture capital investments in excess of $128 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 77 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.

The Ultimate Goal of Capital Hunter's FUNDING WATCH newsletter is to provide our readers with a valuable, current and accurate source of information about the capital markets. WE WELCOME ANY AND ALL FEEDBACK ON HOW WE CAN MAKE THIS NEWSLETTER AND OUR SERVICE BETTER.

To be REMOVED from this free service, CLICK HERE.