KPMG Enterprise quarterly global report on VC trends.

KPMG Enterprise quarterly global report on VC trends.

The final quarter of 2018 saw nearly US$64 billion* in VC investment globally, led by a $12.8 billion funding round to US-based e-cigarette manufacturer Juul. The VC deal, second only to the $14 billion raised by China’s Ant Financial in Q2’18, helped propel annual VC investment globally from $175 billion in 2017 to a massive $255 billion in 2018. While every region identified in the report —the US, Americas, Asia and Europe — saw a record high level of annual VC investment during 2018, the total number of VC deals globally declined to a 6 year low of 15,299 deals during the year, compared to 17,314 in 2017 and a peak high of 20,172 in 2015. The drop in quarterly deal volume was even more stark, with the 3,048 deals seen in Q4’18 the lowest number in 25 quarters since Q3’12.

The final quarter of 2018 saw nearly US$64 billion* in VC investment globally, led by a $12.8 billion funding round to US-based e-cigarette manufacturer Juul. The VC deal, second only to the $14 billion raised by China’s Ant Financial in Q2’18, helped propel annual VC investment globally from $175 billion in 2017 to a massive $255 billion in 2018. While every region identified in the report —the US, Americas, Asia and Europe — saw a record high level of annual VC investment during 2018, the total number of VC deals globally declined to a 6 year low of 15,299 deals during the year, compared to 17,314 in 2017 and a peak high of 20,172 in 2015. The drop in quarterly deal volume was even more stark, with the 3,048 deals seen in Q4’18 the lowest number in 25 quarters since Q3’12.

Global VC investment reached a new annual investment high this quarter — confirming 2018 as a massive year for the VC market globally with 3 months of investment still to go. While total VC investment dropped quarter over quarter, the decline was not surprising given Q2’18 results were buoyed by the massive $14 billion deal by Ant Financial.The IPO market globally now appears wide-open, helping to spur ongoing interest in the VC market. More than 20 unicorn companies globally have issued IPOs already in 2018 — far exceeding totals over the past 2 years. Post-IPO results have been relatively strong for most companies — a trend spurring excitement for potential high-profile exits expected heading into 2019.

Global VC investment reached a new annual investment high this quarter — confirming 2018 as a massive year for the VC market globally with 3 months of investment still to go. While total VC investment dropped quarter over quarter, the decline was not surprising given Q2’18 results were buoyed by the massive $14 billion deal by Ant Financial.The IPO market globally now appears wide-open, helping to spur ongoing interest in the VC market. More than 20 unicorn companies globally have issued IPOs already in 2018 — far exceeding totals over the past 2 years. Post-IPO results have been relatively strong for most companies — a trend spurring excitement for potential high-profile exits expected heading into 2019.