• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
NewslettersTerm Sheet

The new realities of venture capital, in 3 charts

Jessica Mathews
By
Jessica Mathews
Jessica Mathews
Senior Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
Jessica Mathews
By
Jessica Mathews
Jessica Mathews
Senior Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
November 14, 2023, 7:46 AM ET
Investors are taking larger equity stakes in the companies they are backing.
Investors are taking larger equity stakes in the companies they are backing.Pitchbook

At the end of last week, I was putting together some charts based on some new third-quarter valuation data PitchBook released last week.

Recommended Video

And I have to say I was a bit shocked. After all, numbers can sound rather dramatic. But it’s something else entirely when you can see it visualized. Look for yourself at the incredible decline in median growth-stage valuations over the last two years:

That is a nosedive if I’ve ever seen one. But as of now, the valuations still aren’t lower than they were four years ago: They’ve simply come back down to earth.

As investors have regained the upper hand in the negotiations with late-stage companies, they are also taking larger equity stakes in the companies they are backing. See below:

Pitchbook

But what’s interesting is that we’re really not seeing some of these swinging market conditions across the whole ecosystem. Both pre-seed and seed valuations are actually up in 2023 (as of Sep. 30 data), compared to last year, according to PitchBook. And the size of seed deals are actually hitting record highs right now: 

What do you think? Sound in line with your own experience? Drop me a note below, if you like.

Have a good day!

Jessica Mathews
Twitter: @jessicakmathews
Email: jessica.mathews@fortune.com
Submit a deal for the Term Sheet newsletter here.

Joe Abrams curated the deals section of today’s newsletter.

VENTURE DEALS

- Divergent Technologies, a Los Angeles-based developer of digital end-to-end industrial manufacturing systems, raised $230 million in Series D funding. Hexagon AB led the round and was joined by others. 

- VectorY Therapeutics, an Amsterdam, Netherlands-based biotech company developing antibody therapies to treat neurodegenerative diseases, raised €129 million ($138 million) in Series A funding. Forbion and EQT Life Sciences led the round and were joined by MRL Ventures Fund and others. 

- Imprint, a New York City-based provider of co-branded credit cards, raised $75 million in Series B funding. Ribbit Capital led the round and was joined by Thrive Capital, Kleiner Perkins, Lachy Groom, and Moore Specialty Credit.

- Otovo, an Oslo, Norway-based solar and battery storage marketplace, raised €40 million ($42.8 million) in funding. Å Energy, Axel Johnson Group, and Nysnø led the round and were joined by OBOS BBL.

- etaily, a Metro Manila, Philippines-based platform designed to build, manage, and grow ecommerce shops, raised $17.8 million in Series A funding. SKS Capital and Pavilion Capital led the round and were joined by others. 

- Refine Intelligence, a New York City and Ness Ziona, Israel-based AI-powered monitor of money laundering, check fraud, and other scams for banks, raised $13 million in seed funding. Glilot Capital Partners and Fin Capital led the round and was joined by SYN Ventures, Valley Ventures, and others.

- Dotwork, a Georgetown, Texas-based software platform designed to provide unstructured data, key metrics, and software stacks for strategy management, raised $12 million in Series A funding from Jim Crane, Tim Arnoult, Hunter Nelson, Steve Elliott. 

- Solvimon, a Utrecht, Netherlands-based pricing and billing platform for companies, raised €9 million ($9.6 million) in seed funding from Northzone and others. 

- Shekel Mobility, a Lagos, Nigeria-based marketplace for finding, financing, and selling cars for auto dealerships, raised $7 million in funding. Ventures Platform and MaC Venture Capital led the round and were joined by Y Combinator, Rebel Fund, Unpopular Ventures, Maiora Capital, and others. 

- Augmentus, a Singapore-based developer of intelligent and no-code robotics software solutions, raised $5 million in Series A funding. Sierra Ventures led the round and was joined by existing investor Cocoon Capital.

- BrightGo, a San Francisco-based janitorial software company, raised $3 million in seed funding from Costanoa Ventures and Index Ventures.

- OMORPHO, a Portland, Ore.-based retailer of micro-weighted training gear, raised $3 million in seed funding. KB Partners and Thirty-5 Capital led the round and were joined by others.

- CoverSelf, a San Francisco-based healthcare claims and payment accuracy platform, raised $8.2 million in seed funding. BEENEXT and 3one4 Capital led the round and were joined by others.

PRIVATE EQUITY

- Celonis, backed by Blackstone, acquired Symbioworld GmbH, an Aschheim, Germany-based provider of business process and quality management software. Financial terms were not disclosed.

- Greater Sum Ventures acquired a majority stake in Utility Associates, a Decatur, Ga.-based provider of communications technology and services for frontline professions. Financial terms were not disclosed.

- Kaltroco acquired a minority stake in the Dave Cantin Group, a New York City-based provider of financial, transactional, and advisory services to retail automotive groups and their owners. Financial terms were not disclosed.

- Norwest acquired a minority stake in Aesthetic Partners, a Miami, Fla.-based practice management provider for medical aesthetic and plastic surgery practices. Financial terms were not disclosed.

- Tourtellot, backed by Encore Consumer Capital, acquired Ryeco, a Philadelphia, Penn.-based distributor of fruits and vegetables. Financial terms were not disclosed.

EXITS

- General Atlantic agreed to acquire a majority stake in Joe & the Juice, a Copenhagen, Denmark-based juice, coffee, and sandwiches chain, from Valedo Partners. Financial terms were not disclosed. 

IPOS

- UL Solutions, a Northbrook, Ill.-based provider of product testing, inspection, and certification services to the energy, industrial automation, consumer electronics, and other markets, filed to go public. The company posted $2.6 billion in revenue for the year ending September 30th, 2023. UL Standards & Engagement backs the company.

PEOPLE

- AnaCap, a London, U.K.-based private equity firm, promoted Victoria Brown and Graeme Chaffe to partners. 

- ArcLight Capital Partners, a Boston, Mass.-based private equity investment firm, hired Andrew L. Ott as a senior adviser. Formerly, he was with PJM Interconnection.

This is the web version of Term Sheet, a daily newsletter on the biggest deals and dealmakers in venture capital and private equity. Sign up for free.

About the Author
Jessica Mathews
By Jessica MathewsSenior Writer
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon

Jessica Mathews is a senior writer for Fortune covering transportation, defense tech, and Elon Musk’s companies.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Newsletters

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Newsletters

NewslettersMPW Daily
How the youngest female CEO in the Fortune 500 navigates political turmoil
By Emma HinchliffeMarch 26, 2026
3 hours ago
NewslettersTerm Sheet
The one-person unicorn: Myth, miracle, or the future of startups?
By Allie GarfinkleMarch 26, 2026
6 hours ago
Business professional typing on keyboard with holographic AI interface, command prompt and chat widgets, showcasing generative assistant, automation, data processing and digital workflow. AI interface
NewslettersCFO Daily
CFOs believe AI is paying off. Researchers aren’t so sure—yet
By Sheryl EstradaMarch 26, 2026
6 hours ago
NewslettersFortune Tech
Meta’s back-to-back courtroom losses: a harsh reality check to delusional hubris
By Alexei OreskovicMarch 26, 2026
7 hours ago
NewslettersCEO Daily
Rishi Sunak tells CEOs to move fast on AI—or risk landing on the wrong side of the K-shaped economy
By Kamal AhmedMarch 26, 2026
8 hours ago
NewslettersCIO Intelligence
The ROI for AI isn’t one-size-fits-all, says data storage CTO
By John KellMarch 25, 2026
1 day ago

Most Popular

Success
Palantir’s billionaire CEO says only two kinds of people will succeed in the AI era: trade workers — ‘or you’re neurodivergent’
By Fortune EditorsMarch 24, 2026
2 days ago
C-Suite
'I didn’t want anybody shooting me': Five Guys CEO gave away $1.5 million bonus to employees over botched BOGO burger birthday celebration
By Fortune EditorsMarch 25, 2026
22 hours ago
Magazine
The youngest-ever female CEO of a Fortune 500 company is fighting Trump's cuts to keep Medicaid strong
By Fortune EditorsMarch 24, 2026
2 days ago
Commentary
The Treasury just declared the U.S. insolvent. The media missed it
By Fortune EditorsMarch 23, 2026
3 days ago
Success
JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon says remote work breeds ‘rope-a-dope politics’ and stunts young workers’ growth
By Fortune EditorsMarch 25, 2026
1 day ago
Environment
Vail Resorts' CEO says it's time to think beyond the $1,000 ski pass that helped build the empire
By Fortune EditorsMarch 26, 2026
11 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.