MoneyTree: VC investment in Internet cos surges

Investment in Israeli Internet start-ups was 300% higher in the second quarter than in the corresponding quarter.

8 August 11 17:54, Shmulik Shelah

Investment in US Internet start-ups was 72% higher in the second quarter of 2011 over the preceding quarter, and 45% higher in Israel, according to the MoneyTree Report for the second quarter of 2011, published by pwc. Investment in Israeli Internet start-ups was 300% higher in the second quarter than in the corresponding quarter of 2010.

At the same time, there were also large exits by Internet companies. Notable exits include the acquisition of Dotomi Inc. in which Yair Goldfinger is an investor, for $295 million last week, the acquisition of Israel's MediaMind Technologies Inc. (Nasdaq: MDMD) for $517 million in June, and the acquisition of Magento Inc. by eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) for $95 million.

Although no Israeli Google Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOG) or Yahoo Inc. (Nasdaq: YHOO) has yet to emerge - the raison d'etre of venture capital funds and what will draw investment institutions to Israeli venture capital funds - Internet companies should continue to provide strong performances in the near term. In the long term, investors and entrepreneurs will have to decide whether this will continue.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 8, 2011

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