Mergers and acquisitions of companies in the information and communication technologies sector have not been affected by the crisis, although it is true that in 2009 there was a decrease in the number of operations, from 2010 onwards it began to grow, maintaining the pace in H1 2014.
According to data from the prestigious Kantar Worldpanel, online fashion sales in Spain grew at a dizzying rate of 32% in 2013, increasing its customer base by 600,000 new buyers. Last year, 3,100,000 Spaniards bought fashion online. Corporate investors know this and have not wanted to miss the opportunity.
After a period of drought suffered in the logistics sector in 2012, it seems that venture capital in the logistics sector in Spain is beginning to recover, and although the number of operations carried out is still small, during the first half of 2014 there have already been 5 operations, the same as in the whole of the previous year, which seems to indicate the growth of venture capital in this sector.
2014 shows a growth of VC deals in the textile sector, after 5 years of constant decline. While in 2012 there were 13 deals in the sector, year after year they have been decreasing until reaching 1 deal in 2012, but it seems that this year is going to be a good year for the sector. So far this year there have been 6 transactions, 50% more than all the transactions in 2013.
Spanish venture capital has been investing in the information technology sector in recent years. In 2013 and the first half of 2014, 187 operations were carried out in the sector, involving more than 280 investors.
The government wants to improve access to direct financing for SMEs. To this end, this Friday it approved the draft law regulating venture capital entities and closed-end collective investment entities, which includes the creation of the figure of Capital-Riego pyme and a series of reforms in venture capital entities that establishes the harmonised framework of conditions for authorisation, marketing, conduct and organisation of the managers of these investment funds at European level.
The government wants to improve access to direct financing for SMEs. To this end, this Friday it approved the draft law regulating venture capital entities and closed-end collective investment entities, which includes the creation of the figure of Capital-Riego pyme and a series of reforms in venture capital entities that establishes the harmonised framework of conditions for authorisation, marketing, conduct and organisation of the managers of these investment funds at European level.
After two years, the rebates on social security contributions for research personnel are back, with the aim of encouraging the recruitment of research personnel.
The Helpdesk encompasses numerous tasks that are indispensable for companies to make the most of the introduction of new technologies. These tasks range from providing technical support for computer programmes, software updates, to personalised attention to customers for any problems they may have in this field. In recent years investors have bet more strongly on the sector, 2013 has raised a total of 94M, a 56% more than in 2009 which raised 60M, although the number of operations have been lower, from 13 operations in 2009 to 9 in 2013.
The use of genetically-derived biomarkers is becoming a fundamental practice in hospitals because of their cost-effectiveness. Since 2005, 95 investors have invested in companies developing biomarkers, raising a total of $1,911M. The average amount invested by each investor is $22M, although there are large differences between investors. Some investors have invested more than $100M, while others have invested less than $150,000.
In recent years, the entry of new technology in the oil and gas sector and the recovery of the US as the leading oil and gas producer has encouraged venture capital to invest in the sector, which in the last half of 2013 reached its highest investment figure, with a total of $149M in 10 deals. Moreover, thanks to foreign buyers, and the use of new technologies to extract shale gas, the M&A market reached its highest volume in the first quarter of 2014 in the last decade.
Companies offering mobile payments have grown in popularity in recent years, with a study in the US claiming that 48% of the population is interested in this form of payment, up from 27% last year. This is one of the reasons why this sector is very active in terms of investment and corporate transactions. In the last few years, 290 investors have completed 172 rounds worth 739M$.