Mark Boslet

Consider this. Venture investors put $21.8 billion into 3,277 deals last year. But money going into new funds came to just $12.3 billion, down from $31.2 billion in 2007. Unsustainable on the face of it. So who has the money, and is that money interested in venture? The answer is corporations. And yes, they are […]

Sequoia Capital will announce on Monday it is co-leading a $12 million round of financing for the SMS marketing and mobile transactions startup Clickatell. Sequoia and DAG Ventures are providing equal portions of the Series B round, which Clickatell will use to accelerate its push into mobile transactions in Africa and under-served parts of the […]

Secondary trading in private technology companies will generate $10 billion in volume within three years, Millennium Technology Value Partners predicts. The secondary fund offered its forecast along with a review of recent investments. Clearly it sees a burgeoning market for secondary shares. Among the firm’s top pronouncements: A trillion dollars in public company capitalization will […]

Transphorm Inc. emerged from stealth on Wednesday with a $20 million Series C round led by Google Ventures. The round was joined by existing investors Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Foundation Capital and Lux Capital, bringing the company’s funding to $38 million. Transphorm hopes to transform energy conservation by recouping the 10% of all electricity […]

More from the so-called PayPal Mafia. Several influencial PayPal alumni – including Peter Thiel, Dave McClure and Peter Lonsdale – have come together to fund CapLinked, a social network for venture capitalists and investors. In typical Mafia fashion, their $525,000 angel round will go to another former PayPal-er, CapLink co-founder and Chief Executive Eric Jackson […]

One hundred and fifty public pension funds from North America, Europe and the United Kingdom were examined. Alternative asset investments were the focus. And the winner for the best 5-year portfolio return is: Omaha School Employees’ Retirement System with a 5.6% payback. This is according to Preqin Ltd., which released a report Friday comparing returns […]

There is a bit of a spectacle going on in Maryland. What it says about the nation’s appreciation of venture capital is revealing. Newly re-elected Governor Martin O’Malley wants to use venture capital to create jobs. It’s a nice idea. Unfortunately, he and other officials are thinking short term about what is a long-term proposition. […]

Venture capital and private equity returns lagged behind public market gains in the third quarter of 2010, but both saw improving results, Cambridge Associates said Wednesday. Stronger exit markets for IPOs and portfolio acquisitions were the cause. Private equity returns for the quarter were 5.1%, bringing the first nine months of 2010 to 11.4%. Venture […]

Remember the Internet’s last mile dilemma? The smart grid may have its own a last mile difficulties. High costs and immature technologies could leave consumers short of power and utilities with few options to deliver it. Both dilemmas will restrict the nation’s ability to manage power in an age of climate change. It’s enough to […]

Secondary market investor Industry Ventures is seeking $555 million in new money in a push that will more than double its capital under management. The San Francisco firm hopes to raise the cash in two funds, according to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The first is a $400 million sixth fund, one document states. The second fund is a $155 million special opportunities fund, the second document shows. Both documents were filed Friday. The firm, founded in 2000, presently manages $450 million in the hot secondary market place. Its focus is largely secondary shares of later stage companies with substantial revenue. The firm also makes direct investments in smaller venture partnerships.