Venture capitalists see opportunity in recession

Ever the glowing optimists, venture capitalists here vowed this week that a backlog of healthy young companies — with $100 million-plus in annual revenue and growing — are poised to lift the economy and stock market next year when they get acquired or go public.

Ignore the gloomy forecasts, says Tim Draper, founder of the Draper Fisher Jurvetson venture firm in Silicon Valley. Many successful start-ups were born or grew quickly during downturns. That includes Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Google, eBay and Fairchild Semiconductor, which launched the technology revolution in the 1950s.

By Edward Iwata, USA TODAY

Full Story: http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/2008-12-04-startups-economic-boost_N.htm