As many United States venture-backed companies went public in the first quarter as did in all of 2009, according to Dow Jones VentureSource.
In all, eight companies raised $711 million through initial public offerings (IPOs) during the quarter.
While the number of IPOs in the quarter matched the entirety of last year, the number of mergers and acquisitions of venture-backed firms was about on par with the first quarter of 2009.
Corporations bought 77 companies through mergers or acquisitions for a total of $4 billion during the quarter. Last year, 77 companies were bought for a total of $3.4 billion during the first quarter.
VentureSource said with public markets showing “signs of life,” IPO activity, as well as mergers and acquisitions should see an active year in 2010.
