Figures released yesterday from venture capital company 3i and consultant PwC show that global investment in private equity and venture capital rose in 2003 for the first time in two years.
The total global figure jumped 43% to $155bn (€128.09bn), with strong indications that investment in technology companies was on the way to recovery.
PwC Irish partner Paul O'Connor said the Irish figures, which will be published later this quarter, would not show the same level of turnaround, however he added there had been a noticeable pick-up in recent months.