Venture capital activity declines in Q206

Venture capital activity in Q206 declined 25% compared to the same quarter last year while the size of deals averaged $3.8 million, the largest quarterly average investment in the past five years. New data from Thomson Financial (formerly Thomson Macdonald) show that Q206 investment was $496 million, compared to $663 million in Q205, while the total for the first six months of 2006 was $876 million, down from $1 billion in the same period in 2005. British Columbia experienced a sharp upward spike in Q206 investment with $131 million, 85% more than Q205. Ontario commanded the largest share (43%) with $211 million, down 37% from the $334 million invested in Q205. Quebec also experienced a decline, dropping 38% from $218 million in Q205 to $135 million in Q206….