Tuesday, January 2, 2007

Report: Technology IPOs Hit $1.95B in 2006

Technology firms raised $1.95B in 20 IPOs, the largest number of technology IPOs since 2000, according to a report released by DowJones VentureOne this morning. According to Dow Jones, there was $3.72 billion in initial public offerings in 2006, with 56 IPOs, the most IPO activity and largest total raised since 2004. For the fourth quarter, there were 18 IPOs, with $1.23 billion raised in the quarter. Dow Jones reports that there were 75 M&A events with a total value of $7.30 billion in Q4, with the total for the year reaching $31.18B in 404 merger and acquisitions. M&A activity closely matched 2005's 407 acquisitions. Of those merger and acquisitions, technology companies represented 273 transactions and $19.33B in deals. Health care companies dominated the IPO category this year, with 28 deals and $1.36B in capital raised on the markets.