After much angst over the drop-off in VC deals in 2008, activity appears to be heating up. The Wall Street Journal recently revealed the top 10 VC funding deals of the year, using data from Dow Jones VentureSource. It’s a must-know list for anyone interested in discussing the industry during their interview for a venture capital job.
Topping the list was Freemont, CA-based Solyndra Inc., a maker of solar panels. After receiving a $535 million government-backed loan guarantee, the company snared another $198 million from various venture capitalists including Argonaut Private Equity. All together, six VC partners have reportedly invested more than $600 million in the business, which is aiming to ship its first products in early 2011.
Other notables on the list included Clovis Oncology Inc., a Boulder, Colorado-based cancer-drug company receiving $146 million; and Small Bone Innovations Inc., in New York, developers of the STAR ankle replacement system that just won FDA approval, receiving $108 million. There was a 5-way tie for fourth place that included the $100 million venture capital injection into Facebook Inc. of Palo Alto, CA, which has grabbed headlines for finally becoming cash-flow positive and signing up its 300 millionth member. Rumors of an IPO abound. Also tying for fourth place was Twitter, out of San Francisco, whose $100 million fourth round cash injection sends the message that the company is here to stay, or at least for a while longer.
You can see the full list and more details on the individual venture capital investors behind them at the WSJ’s blog.
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