Greentech Investment Closes Strong in 2009

Online, January 4, 2010 (Newswire.com) - After some setbacks in the first and second quarter, venture capital investments in greentech saw its second best year in dollars invested and a record year for the most deals funded in 2009, according to Greentech Media.

The fourth quarter closed at $943 million invested in 100 deals bringing the total 2009 VC investments in greentech to $4.85 billion compared to $7.5 billion in 2008 and $3.5 billion in 2007. Solar was the top recipient with $1.4 billion in 84 deals followed by biofuels with $975 million in 44 deals. (See chart at: mercomcapital.com - news)

This brings the total number of deals for all four quarters to 356, compared to 350 in 2008 and 222 in 2007. (See chart at: mercomcapital.com - news)

Significant government funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was an important factor in 2009 and a trend that should be watched closely in 2010-2011. According to Department of Energy (DOE) just $1.76 billion, representing only 5.3% of awarded funds, has actually been spent as of December 25, 2009. DOE has awarded a total of $22 billion so far. (See chart at: mercomcapital.com - news)

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