PRIVATE EQUITY FUNDRAISING RECEDES IN FOURTH QUARTER

New York, NY January 16, 2007 ---Private equity fundraising activity slowed considerably in the fourth quarter of 2006 but still broke records for the full year according to Thomson Financial and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA). During the quarter, 37 venture capital funds raised a total of $2.83 billion and 39 Buyout and Mezzanine funds raised $17.83 billion. Despite this slower pace, venture capital saw the highest fundraising year since 2001 with 200 funds raising $28.5 billion. Buyout and Mezzanine funds recorded the highest year ever with 138 funds raising $102.9 billion.