PeHUB, today released a Top 10 ranking of this year’s largest venture capital deals, so far. And, not surprisingly, half of the 10 deals listed involved cleantech companies. Better Place, the battery service provider, leads the ranking with $150 million raised. Electric automobile maker Codax Automotive takes third place with $158 million raised in equity funding. Solar developer BrightSource Energy took in $150 million, enough to put the California solar developer in fourth place (we reported on the raise this morning). Number five is PV panel maker Amonix raised $129.4 million in a second round of funding. In eighth position is electric car maker Fisker Automotive with $115.3 million in new VC funding this year — see here for the full ranking.
Will VC continue to be as generous if Congress passes legislation that would effectively double the taxes on the profits from their investments — also known as carried interests. In a press statement The National Venture Capital Association said the House legislation could push VCs to take fewer risks and curtail “incentive for venture investors to work with entrepreneurs.” Despite hard lobbying by the venture and private equity industry, which obviously wants to be to be excluded from the tax increase, the House could vote on the bill as early as tomorrow, reports DealBreaker.