The document summarizes global venture capital trends in 2012. Key points include:
- Global VC investments declined 20% to $41.5 billion in 2012 due to economic uncertainty, with fewer deals at a smaller average size.
- VC funds invested less at later stages on tougher terms as exits remained challenging. The lack of exits hampered the investment cycle by slowing the return of capital to investors.
- Investment shifted toward later-stage, revenue-generating companies seen as less risky. Median round sizes declined in the US and China as funds deployed smaller amounts later.
- Corporate venture investment increased and became an important part of the market, though few corporate-backed companies were ultimately acquired by their investors