European private equity fundraising dropped 2.5% to €79 billion ($110.7 billion) in 2008, while venture capital fundraising fell 6.5% to €2.9billion, according to the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association.
Meanwhile, European private equity investment dropped 28% to €54 billion in 2008, because of a decline in large and mega buyouts, which were down about 40% from 2007.
However, early-stage venture capital investment in 2008 grew 15%, with the value of such investment growing by 7% and growth capital investment doubling to €7 billion.
