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TEXO Ventures - Building Innovative Healthcare Companies In Texas

Curious about health care's future? Get a glimpse by watching what venture capitalists are doing TODAY. The bets they're placing offer hints to the possible, the probable and the 'unlikely but can't rule it out' game-changers.

In recent VC news, Austin, TX-based TEXO Ventures announces the official launch of their investment approach, "...drawing on (partner) expertise in healthcare and business development to create a new model for building innovative healthcare companies."

TEXO Ventures describes itself as...
"(...investing in and building) innovative healthcare companies, but — more importantly — (investing) in passionate entrepreneurs dedicated to advancing the art, science, and business of healthcare. We work side-by-side with these company founders, providing both the capital investment and expert collaboration necessary to move young healthcare companies towards successful commercialization"
A late-2009 Venture View 2010 survey from the National Venture Capital Association found cautious optimism about improving conditions in the venture capital "ecosystem" but also a sense of realism about the industry's contraction.

Survey respondents nominated Clean Technology as the industry with the brightest VC growth prospects, followed by Internet, Media & Entertainment and Software.

Opinions were split about prospects in biotech and medical devices, with survey respondents equally divided as to whether investment levels will grow, decline or remain the same. However respondents did forecast a change in investment mix toward the growth equity stage and away from early and seed stage investments;
"According the survey, most VCs expect the Growth Equity stage of development to increase with 55 percent of all respondents predicting increased investment there in 2010. Fifty-three percent see growth in Later Stage investing; 49 percent in Expansion stage investing. Fewer VCs think the number of younger company investments will grow with 45 percent of respondents predicting growth in Early and Seed stage investments.

'“Of all the predictions put forth this year, a collective lack of enthusiasm for seed and early stage investing is the most concerning,” ... “The weak exit market combined with proposed tax policy which would discourage long term investment puts tremendous pressure on our industry to move towards later stage investing. Yet, seed and early stage companies represent a pipeline that must be supported if our country is to continue building new and innovative companies. We need the environment to improve for these early stage investors.”'



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