Bleeding Edge

2014 was a Good Year. Yet 2015 promises to be a Great Year

With a bullish fourth quarter under our belts, we’ve now tracked a record-breaking $1.5 billionin investments to Seattle-based startups in 2014:

To put this into perspective, we compare Washington State to New York State. After adjusting for population differences, this examination puts Washington State up and on closer examination between New York City with 19 Million residents, and the City of Seattle, with just 640,000 citizens — demonstrates that we’re punching well and far above our boxing weight class and win this competition, because although New York state’s population of over 19 million dwarf’s Seattle’s by 30-fold, yet only boasts triple the investment dollars:

Not only are Seattle’s StartUp investments and successful exits, and liquidity events, out-sized for our population, but our rate of growth of Innovation eclipses both that of New York and California, as well as any other city or state on the national and international arena…

In 2014, US venture capital investing was up 67% over 2013 in dollars, and 4% in deals.

Looking at investments across both life sciences and information technology, we have enjoyed four years of steady growth:

Last but not least, a roll call of 2014’s top deals by sector.

Juno Therapeutics funding and subsequent IPO, as well as Acucela’s stellar exit, made up the lion’s share dollars in Life Sciences:

And in information technology, chart-topppers include Redfin and its aggressive bid for national expansion, and Extrahop’s Series C round bringing 140 jobs to our fair city:

Yours,
Dr Kroko

PS:

Not only are Seattle’s StartUp investments and successful exits, and liquidity events, out-sized for our population, but our rate of growth of Innovation eclipses both that of New York and California, as well as any other city or state on the national and international arena…

Stay with us for the next Econometrics segment on Seattle StartUps and the Metrics of Success for Science and Technology Firms tracking our Human Progress.