Venture Capitalists Take a Break from Hot 2000

ORLANDO-Predictable venture capital activity in Orlando and throughout Florida slowed in the first quarter due to a lagging national economy, but total dollars invested in the state for 2000 doubled 1999 volume, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Venture One report in their newest Money Tree audit.

Investors put $104.9 million or an average $5.83 million into 18 deals in the first quarter compared to $178.9 million or an average $11.2 million on 16 transactions in fourth quarter 2000.

For all of 2000, however, investors gambled a total $1.5 billion on mostly startup companies, doubling the 1999 figure. Venture capital in 1995 was $1.5 million.