Venture capital fundraising dipped in 2006, with 200 venture capital funds raising $28.6 billion, and 138 buyout and mezzanine funds raising a combined $103 billion, according to Thomson Financial and the National Venture Capital Association. In 2005, venture capital funds raised 214 funds with $28 billion in commitments, and 178 buyout and mezzanine funds raised $96 billion in combined commitments.
Overall, private equity fundraising dropped off in the fourth quarter. Venture capital firms closed 37 funds with $2.8 billion in commitments, down from 76 funds that raised $9.2 billion in the fourth quarter 2005, while 39 buyout and mezzanine funds raised a combined $18 billion in the fourth quarter of 2006, down from 52 funds with a combined $33 billion in commitments a year earlier.
