In the US, venture capital funding in biotechnology companies jumped 46 percent in the second quarter, according to a report by the National Venture Capital Association and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC.

Biotechnology companies attracted $1.24 billion in 116 deals (about $847 million in 97 first-quarter investments), adding up to about $2.1 billion and 213 deals in the first half of this year. Funding for medical device and equipment makers gained 26 percent to $841 million in 90 deals in the second quarter .

At least 33 U.S. biotechnology companies were acquired during the first half of the year, for a total of $26.7 billion.

“Start-up Nation” by Dan Senor and Saul Singer addresses the trillion-dollar question: How is it that a country of a mere 7.1 million people has per capita venture capital investments 2.5 times greater than in the US (more than 30 times greater than in Europe), the highest density of high tech start-ups in the world (1 for every 1,844 inhabitant) and more companies listed at NASDAQ than all companies from the entire European continent?

The book is about Israel, and while much can be attributed to the extraordinary history of the country and its hostile environment, other factors such as a culture of leadership, risk management and  ”can do” attitude are at least equally important . “When an Israeli entrepreneur has a business idea,” the authors state, “he will start it that week.”  » Read more...