States Contributing More to Venture-Capital Funds. What About Montana?

All but six states now offer programs to help companies in biotech, software, and other industries, according to a new study.

The amount of money invested in state venture capital programs has reached $5.8 billion annually, and will continue to rise in the coming years, according to a new study by the National Association of Seed and Venture Funds, a Chicago-based organization that helps facilitate investment in new businesses across the nation.

The association’s first State Venture Capital Program study found that 44 states sponsor 151 different VC programs, averaging $139 million in commitments per state.

"State governments are starting to realize that venture capital investment can be a major economic driver in their state," said Mark Heesen, president of the National Venture Capital Association, an Arlington, Va.-based trade group. "More states are going to get involved in these types of investments and that’s a positive thing."

From: Inc.com By: Jasmine D. Adkins

Full Story: http://www.inc.com/criticalnews/articles/200605/venture.html

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Highlights of the 2006 State Venture Capital Program Study May 2006. 44 States Reported on 151 State Programs http://www.matr.net/article-19380.html