Some 61% of venture capital executives expect investment to slow to less than $27 billion in 2009, down from the $30 billion predicted late last year for 2009, and another 31% expect investments to hover between $27 billion and $29 billion in 2009, according to the National Venture Capital Associations third annual predictions survey.
Forty-seven percent of venture capital executives expect to invest in fewer companies next year, compared to 19% who anticipate investing in more companies; 34% expect to invest in the same number of companies.
Clean technology is predicted to be the leading growth area, with 48% expecting increased investment and 20% anticipating investment to remain the same.