Valley Girl: What Hath Tim Draper Wrought?

I remember being told in an undergrad sociology course about a theory that society will always degrade to the lowest common denominator.  That LCD may be California.  For further proof say “hello” to Valley Girl, a web-based show starring Jesse Draper, daughter of Tim Draper of Draper Fisher Jurvetson.  Depending on your take she’s either trying to be the next Sacha Baron Cohen or she’s just another daughter of affluence seeking her 15 minutes in the sun (I’m pullin’ for the former).  What would Julie Richman say?

Emerging Market Private Equity Fundraising to Set Record in 2008

According to the Emerging Markets Private Equity Association, fundraising for private equity funds focusing on the developing world stands at $35.3B through the first half of 2008, a 68% increase over the same period last year and is on pace to break last year’s year-end record of $59B.

Funds focusing on Asia and Africa have seen the greatest increase, while fundraising for funds targeting Eastern Europe, the Middle East, as well as Latin America respectively have declined. Growth Capital focused funds account for nearly half the total amount of funds raised in the emerging markets this year, with venture capital funds comprising 26% to date and Buyout funds at 13% of the total.

Further, EMPEA’s analysis of industry trends for the first half of 2008 indicates that fundraising by private equity firms focused on the U.S. is down 3% in the first half of 2008 compared with a year ago at $133B, while Western European fundraising has risen 16% to $61B.