EDA Approves Venture Fund Investment to Spur Growth of Early-Stage Tech & Life Sciences Companies
TRENTON (October 14, 2016) – Continuing its efforts to bolster innovation in the Garden State, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) today approved its 14th venture fund investment. Action taken today will result in a limited partnership investment of up to $7.5 million in Tech Council Ventures II, which aims to invest in early-stage companies spanning key industries that are currently experiencing rapid growth.
“Since the days of Thomas Edison, New Jersey has always been a leader in innovation,” EDA Chief Executive Officer Melissa Orsen said. “Through investments in venture funds such as Tech Council Ventures II, the State routinely provides early-stage companies with much-needed capital that they can use to bring products to market or expand existing product lines. These investments have the dual benefit of keeping New Jersey at the forefront of innovation and creating jobs within the Garden State.”
Among its myriad of resources for the technology sector, the EDA helps increase available capital for emerging technology companies by investing as a limited partner in venture capital firms that invest in New Jersey-based enterprises. Investments made by the EDA are expected to earn a reasonable market rate return, which is measured in financial terms and by job growth. Gains resulting from these investments are utilized to offer new funding opportunities to support New Jersey businesses. Prior to today’s action, the EDA had approved investments in 13 venture capital funds totaling more than $42 million; these funds have leveraged the EDA’s investment in New Jersey technology businesses with private capital, by more than 62 times. The attraction of private investors into these companies demonstrates the credibility of the technology ecosystem in New Jersey and the attractiveness of investment opportunities in the state.
Tech Council Ventures II is the second fund formed in sponsorship and strategic partnership with the New Jersey Technology Council (NJTC). Tech Council Ventures II will seek to invest in 20 to 25 early-stage companies with an average initial investment of $500,000 to $2 million in fast-growing sectors, such as healthcare information technology, life sciences, education technology, financial technology, media technology and energy.
The EDA supported the predecessor vehicle formed in 2000, NJTC Fund I, with a $7.15 million limited partnership investment. The EDA’s investment to the $70 million fund resulted in a public/private leverage multiplier of 51.76 times the total $370 million of third party partner capital into New Jersey-based businesses. The 24 New Jersey companies that benefited have generated an estimated 1,983 jobs in the State. Achieve 3000, located in Lakewood, Fairfield-based Archive Systems, Cytosorbents in Monmouth Junction, and Power Survey, of Kearny, are among the two-dozen New Jersey businesses that leveraged funding from NJTC Fund I to thrive in the Garden State.
"As the leading association supporting and advocating for the technology community in New Jersey, we see Tech Council Ventures as a critical component of the resources we offer to nurture early-stage technology startups,” said James Barrood, President and CEO of the NJ Technology Council. “We appreciate the strong support of the EDA and believe this fund will make a big difference to the state's ecosystem.”
To stimulate growth of New Jersey’s innovation economy and drive commercialization of pioneering technology within the state, the EDA offers a continuum of assistance specifically designed to help technology and biotechnology companies at every stage of growth. From networking and mentoring to financial assistance such as loans and tax credits, hundreds of entrepreneurs, emerging businesses and established companies benefit from EDA support each year. Examples of this support include the New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Program, the State’s Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer (NOL) Program and resources available through the EDA’s Commercialization Center for Innovative Technologies.
To learn about resources available to support the technology industry, visit https://www.njeda.gov/tls and follow @NJEDATech on Twitter and LinkedIn.
The EDA is part of the State’s results-driven Partnership for Action. Created by Governor Christie and led by Lt. Governor Guadagno, the Partnership is the hub for all economic development activity in New Jersey and is comprised of four interconnected and highly focused organizational elements: Choose New Jersey, the Business Action Center, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and the EDA.
EDA Board meetings are typically held at 10 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at 36 West State Street in Trenton. The Board meeting schedule, as well as Board agendas and minutes, are available at www.njeda.gov. All Board actions will take effect at the expiration of the statutory period for the Governor’s review and consideration of the meeting minutes.
