Venture investors put $5.5 billion into 662 deals for American companies during the third quarter, a 5 percent drop in investment, but a 2 percent increase in the number of deals compared to the same period a year ago, according to Dow Jones VentureSource.
The median deal size was $5 million, flat with a year ago.
Central Massachusetts-based companies were involved in seven deals during the quarter, including a $21.5 million funding round for Aspen Aerogels of Northborough and $14.2 million for Acton Pharmaceuticals in Marlborough.
Venture investors disclosed deals with 28 Massachusetts firms during the quarter.
Investors gravitated toward early stage companies and the business and financial services sector during the quarter.
Business and financial services firms completed 121 deals worth $841 million while early stage firms accounted for 34 percent of all deals and 20 percent of all capital invested.
