10 most active VC firms of the decade

These were the busiest firms that took down big media and sparked the cleantech revolution

For VCs, the aughts began with the dot-com bust and ended with a funding drought that will reduce the industry to half its size. Pretty dismal bookends.

Along the way, however, it forged new social realities that fueled resistance movements in Iran and China, combated (and, yes aided) terrorism, took down Big Media, sparked a clean energy era, and drastically reduced the cost of innovation—in part working itself out of a job.

Dan Primack over at PE Hub dug into the VentureXpert database to find the firms most responsible for funding innovation this decade. The list is based on the number of U.S.-based companies in which a firm invested over the past ten years, regardless of number of financing rounds—and regardless of the success of those investments.

It’s interesting that the first two are not traditional VC firms, but a corporate venture arm and an investment bank arm that no longer exists. Primack points out, however that #4 DFJ probably would have topped the list if non-U.S. companies and affiliate networks were included. Even with the restricted criteria, DFJ edged out the more hyped Sequoia in the number of financing rounds. Goldman Sach's little-known venture arm also made it on at #9.

This list may not be the best guide to find sugardaddies in the twenty-teens, as it doesn't include the two biggest winners of LP funds this year, Norwest Venture Partners and the relatively young Khosla Ventures.

Check out Dan's post for more editorial on each firm.

1. Intel Capital
U.S-based companies funded in the aughts: 463
Reported financing rounds: over 722
Estimated average investment per company: $4.33 million.

2. JP Morgan
U.S-based companies funded in the aughts: 365
Reported financing rounds: over 510
Estimated average investment per company: $6.47 million.

3. NEA
U.S-based companies funded in the aughts: 352
Reported financing rounds: over 850
Estimated average investment per company $13.09 million.

4. DFJ
U.S-based companies funded in the aughts: 270
Reported financing rounds: over 679
Estimated average investment per company: $5.58 million.

5. Sequoia
U.S-based companies funded in the aughts: 270
Reported financing rounds: 495
Estimated average investment per company: $8.31 million.

6. KPCB
U.S.-based companies funded in the aughts: 212
Reported financing rounds: over 527
Estimated average investment per company: $10.68 million

7. Bessemer
U.S.-based companies funded in the aughts: 212 companies
Reported financing rounds: 449
Estimated average investment per company: $6.61 million.

8. USVP
U.S.-based companies funded in the aughts: 208
Reported financing rounds: over 574
Estimated average investment per company: $9.35 million

9. Goldman Sachs
U.S.-based companies funded in the aughts: 208
Reported financing rounds: 323
Estimated average investment per company: $9.8 million.

10. Venrock
U.S.-based companies funded in the aughts: 200
Reported financing rouns: 528 financing rounds.
Estimated average investment per company: $8.32 million.