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 $149M in 10 deals. Moreover, thanks to foreign buyers, and the use of new technologies to extract shale gas, the M&A market reached its highest volume in the first quarter of 2014 in the last decade.
Companies offering mobile payments have grown in popularity in recent years, with a study in the US claiming that 48% of the population is interested in this form of payment, up from 27% last year. This is one of the reasons why this sector is very active in terms of investment and corporate transactions. In the last few years, 290 investors have completed 172 rounds worth 739M$.
May saw an increase in the volume invested in mergers and acquisitions compared to the same period last year, although it is true that activity continues to fall in all countries, except Mexico, which maintained the same number as in May 2013.
Venture capital is picking up again in 2014, with a total of 76 deals so far this year, amounting to €12,207M, which is more than the €9,423M raised in the 138 deals made in the whole of 2013.
May saw 26 Venture Capital deals, the highest number so far this year according to data provided by TTR. Despite this, the total amount invested was €31m, almost half the amount invested in April 2014.