While low-value deals* accounted for the majority of global venture capital (VC) investment volume in 2021, the volume of big-ticket VC deals** increased by an impressive 178.2%, from 477 deals in 2020 to 1,327 deals in 2021, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

A total of 24,487 VC deals with disclosed funding value were announced during 2021, of which 64.2% were low-value deals. This is a decline from the 71.9% share in 2020 despite these deals attracting a year-on-year growth in volume of 29.8%.

Meanwhile, the volume share of big-ticket deals increased from 2.8% in 2020 to 5.4% in 2021. Notably, the number of VC deals valued more than $1 billion increased by four times, with 2021 witnessing the announcement of 32 such deals compared to only eight deals that were announced in 2020.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “A four-fold jump in deals valued more than $1 billion shows that investors are once again taking an interest in big-ticket investments after their cautious approach in 2020. During the pandemic, VC investors were taking less risks with high-value investments.”

Global VC investment volume*** increased by 45.4% in 2021 compared to the previous year. Similarly, deals volume across all funding sizes also increased.

Deals across all funding sizes ranging from $0-50 million registered double-digit volume growth in 2021 compared to 2020. Interestingly, the number of deals across all funding sizes in higher ranges (more than $50 million) showcased triple-digit volume growth.

*Investment was less than or equal to $10 million

**Valued more than US$100 million

***Deals with disclosed funding value