The new year is barely a week old and US venture capital firms have already raised about $12.8 billion across 15 funds, according to PitchBook data. Over a decade ago, this amount would not be too much less than what the US VC ecosystem raised in an entire year. Following the Great Recession, US VC fundraising totaled $16.4 billion and $17.7 billion in 2009 and 2010, respectively.
But this is an extraordinary start to a new year even by more recent fundraising standards.
The bulk of this funding comes from Andreessen Horowitz. The firm, also known as a16z, announced that it has closed $9 billion in fresh capital across three funds. The firm will dedicate $2.5 billion to a venture capital vehicle as well as $5 billion and $1.5 billion to growth-stage and biotech funds, respectively.
Each of these vehicles is nearly double the size of its predecessor, all three of which closed in 2020. With so much more capital in its arsenal, a16z’s already fast-paced dealmaking is unlikely to subside.
Other firms that closed substantial funds in the first week of 2022 include Ribbit Capital, which raised a $1.15 billion seventh fund as well as $1.15 billion for an associated vehicle called Ribbit Bullfrog. Other new funds announced this year are Khosla Ventures’ over $550 million first opportunity fund and Smash Ventures’ $500 million venture vehicle.
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