Venture Capitalists Still Post Big Wins In 2007

Burlingame, California (AHN)-Despite a turbulent economy, a lot deal making still took place in 2007. Many venture capitalists that took the risk ended up as winners and landed on the Midas List of U.S. magazine Forbes.

The Forbes Midas List is topped by L. John Doerr, a partner at venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, who led the firm's investment in Google. It raised $40 million in venture capital and market capitalization of around $17 billion on its first trading day. Doerr replaced 2006 winner Michael Moritz.

The Midas List recognizes individuals who invest venture capital to build valuable, long-lasting companies, and who are recognized as market leaders in their industry sector. The results are based on a survey involving 1,000 professionals, including venture capitalists, lawyers, bankers, recruiters and limited partners.

The top ten venture capitalists on Forbes Midas List are: L. John Doerr, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers; Michael Moritz, Sequoia Capital; Ram Shriram, Sherpalo; David Cheriton, Stanford University; Andreas von Bechtolsheim, Sun Microsystems; William Ford, General Atlantic LLC; Lawrence Sonsini, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati; Asad Jamal, Planet Ventures; Ronald Conway, Angel investor; Navin Chaddha, Mayfield Fund.

According to Dow Jones VentureSource, venture capitalists are still in investing frenzy, placing $30 billion in 2,600 new ventures last year.

Venture firms also raised $35 billion last year in new funds from their investors through pension funds, university endowments and wealthy families, according to the National Venture Capital Association. Among the favorite sectors of venture capitalists are biopharmaceuticals, medical devices and energy, which cornered 60 percent of the investments.