Unique Investing Opportunities
The mid-Atlantic region is home to over 15,000 technology-driven companies including AOL Time Warner, Lockheed Martin and SAIC. The region offers unique investing opportunities for the 216 venture capital firms based in this market.
The region enjoys relative stability, due perhaps in part to:
- the confluence of having legacy investment sectors (such as internet, security, telecom, wireless);
- a vibrant entrepreneurial pool and work force;
- proximity to the federal government, the National Institutes of Health and other federal labs; and
- a favorable standard of living.
These elements contribute to investor confidence in the long-term approach to venture investing in our market.
Diverse Mix of Industries
The region also benefits from a diverse industrial base, including telecommunications, software, biotechnology and a wide mix of non-tech companies. And each industry offers its strengths as promising investment opportunities for the venture community.
Long-term Viability
Some of the most compelling statistics showcase the long-term viability of venture investing the mid-Atlantic.
| 3 Year | 5 Year | 10 Year | 15 Year | 20 Year | Average | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region | IRR | Relative Ranking |
IRR | Relative Ranking |
IRR | Relative Ranking |
IRR | Relative Ranking |
IRR | Relative Ranking |
Relative Ranking |
| N. California | 9.9 | 3 | 1.1 | 3 | 36.1 | 1 | 30.8 | 1 | 21.6 | 1 | 1.8 |
| S. California | 3.5 | 7 | -5.5 | 10 | 17.7 | 3 | 28.7 | 2 | 17.4 | 3 | 5.0 |
| New England | 11.8 | 2 | 2.6 | 2 | 30.1 | 2 | 28.2 | 3 | 19.3 | 2 | 2.2 |
| Southwest | -6.0 | 12 | -9.2 | 12 | 9.3 | 5 | 18.8 | 4 | 12.8 | 6 | 7.8 |
| Mid-Atlantic | 9.0 | 4 | -1.9 | 5 | 9.0 | 6 | 12.0 | 6 | 10.2 | 7 | 5.6 |
| New York Tri-State | 13.0 | 1 | 5.3 | 1 | 16.8 | 4 | 17.7 | 5 | 15.2 | 4 | 3.0 |
| Ohio Valley | 1.1 | 9 | -4.1 | 8 | 5.4 | 8 | 7.5 | 9 | 6.6 | 8 | 8.4 |
| Northwest | 4.7 | 6 | -3.4 | 7 | -0.9 | 11 | 2.9 | 11 | 1.7 | 11 | 9.2 |
| Southwest | -0.6 | 10 | -5.2 | 9 | 3.3 | 9 | 8.1 | 8 | 4.1 | 9 | 9.0 |
| Rocky Mountains | -11.1 | 13 | -14.6 | 13 | -13.0 | 13 | -12.1 | 13 | -11.7 | 13 | 13.0 |
| Great Lakes | 3.5 | 8 | -2.7 | 6 | 7.4 | 7 | 11.8 | 7 | 14.7 | 5 | 6.6 |
| South | 7.6 | 5 | 0.4 | 4 | 0.4 | 10 | 3.7 | 10 | 3.6 | 10 | 7.8 |
| Great Plains | -2.1 | 11 | -8.9 | 11 | -6.8 | 12 | -0.1 | 12 | 1.3 | 12 | 11.6 |
Source- MAVA's 2006 Annual Report
Mid-Atlantic a Leader in High Quality Exits
In 2006, venture dollars invested in the mid-Atlantic region (Virginia, Maryland, DC, and Delaware) total over $886 billion (up 27% from 2005).
Since 1996, MAVA's venture fairs have helped to generate more than $2.6 billion of venture investments in presenting companies.
Over $15 Billion in Federal R&D Dollars
The region is home to invaluable sources of research and development. More than $15 billion in federal R&D dollars are spent in the region each year.
Research Driven Government Agencies and Institutions
- Central Intelligence Agency
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- Federal Emergency Management Response Agency
- Human Genome Project
- Missile Defense Agency
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- National Institutes of Health
- National Science Foundation
- Naval Research Labs
- Smithsonian Institute
41 Colleges & Universities
- Johns Hopkins University
- Georgetown University
- University of Maryland
- University of Virginia
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute
Government Agencies Responsible for Critical Technology Policies
- Federal Communications Commission
- Food and Drug Administration
- National Institutes of Standards and Technology
