2015 saw record levels of investment to VC-backed companies, but Q4’15 saw a dramatic drop in global funding and deals from the exuberant highs of the previous two quarters. In the latest KPMG International and CB Insights Venture Pulse Report, we looked at how activity trended in Q1’16.
We found that the data reflected a further pullback to start the year, as negative sentiment weighed on the New Year. Worries over rising valuations, pressure in public tech markets, and broader macroeconomic concerns in Asia resulted in a further slowdown in deals and investment to VC-backed companies.
The KPMG International and CB Insights Venture Pulse Report takes a comprehensive look at financings to VC-backed companies, built using CB Insights’ private company database.
Quarterly deals and dollars globally
Global funding fell 8% versus the previous quarter as mega-round activity continued to cool. Deal count was a bit more stable, but nevertheless fell 4% as opposed to recovering from the more drastic drop-off seen at the close of 2015. The slack in deal count can be attributed to the drop-off in seed-stage activity (see more on the seed-stage pullback, below).
Deal share by stage
Globally, the share of deals going to seed-stage investments retreated for a second-consecutive quarter, down to a 5-quarter low of 28%. By contrast, Series A share has crept upwards to a 5-quarter high, from 22% in Q1’15 to 26% in Q1’16.
Want to track and see all the venture capital deals and companies that make up the above data? Login to CB Insights or sign up for free below.
If you aren’t already a client, sign up for a free trial to learn more about our platform.