WisBusiness: Wisconsin companies raise $209.5 million last year, a slight dip from 2014
Xconomy: Early-Stage Investment in WI Dipped in 2015, But Some Positive Signs
JSOnline: Wisconsin got more venture capital deals in 2015, but amount invested fell
Business Journal: Angel, venture investment activity on the rise in Wisconsin: Tech Council
BizTimes: Number of Wisconsin early stage investments up 13% in 2015
Madison.com: Tech and Biotech: Wisconsin startup investment funding dips
The 2016 edition of “The Wisconsin Portfolio,” an annual publication of the Tech Council’s Wisconsin Angel Network, shows a sharp increase in angel and venture investment activity for the previous calendar year.
At least 128 Wisconsin early stage companies raised investment capital in 2015, a 13 percent jump from the prior year. More than $209 million was raised by those 128 companies, which was down from the 2014 total of $346 million but largely explained in the context of one major deal: SHINE Medical Technologies’ $127.4 million debt financing round in 2014.
The Tech Council obtained data from a variety of public and industry sources, including a survey of members of its angel network. The Wisconsin Angel Network is the Tech Council’s link to the investor community, helping to fuel the growth of capital in Wisconsin by providing services and resources to the early stage investing and entrepreneurial communities.
Members of WAN can network with other investors, attend targeted events and get access to company deal flow through reviewing company executive summaries and presentations. Other highlights from the 28-page, 2016 report:
- There was an increase on deals reported at $1 million or more, from 27 in 2013 to 38 in 2014 to 46 in 2015. Average deal size increased to $1.6 million.
- Many companies have raised investment dollars in the past. Slightly more than half of the companies that were tracked for 2015 were not raising their first round of capital, meaning new companies are successful in raising their first rounds.
- Investors from outside Wisconsin again played a significant role in funding state companies in 2015. Investors from Chicago, Boston and California showed up in some deals.
- The Midwest continued to show well in national reporting on angel activity. The Great Lakes region, which includes Wisconsin, represented about 10.3 percent of deals done across the country and 12.2 percent of dollars invested, according to the Halo Report, put together by the Angel Resource Institute.
- Use of state early stage credits, which can be claimed by private angel and venture capitalists who invest in qualified state companies, climbed sharply to $18.3 million.
- About 14 percent of the Wisconsin deals reported were in women-led companies, which matches the U.S. average.
“The Wisconsin Portfolio also breaks down the number and size of deals within various industry sectors, offers basic data on all 128 deals, features key investors and offers resources for investors and entrepreneurs alike,” said Tom Still, president of the Tech Council. “It also outlines policy initiatives we consider vital to improving the early stage investment climate in Wisconsin.”
Here is the full report: https://wisconsintechnologycouncil.com/publications/wisconsin-portfolio/
The Wisconsin Angel Network is among major Tech Council programs and projects. They include the Wisconsin Innovation Network, the Governor’s Business Plan Contest, the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference, the Wisconsin Tech Summit, the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium and the Wisconsin YES! youth business plan contest.
To learn more about joining WAN, visit www.wisconsinangelnetwork.com/members/
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