San Francisco - Despite concern about the overall economy from the downturn in the real estate sector, U.S. venture-backed companies and their investors may be in the midst of another liquidity boom, according to a new report from Dow Jones VentureOne.

The report shows that 90 venture-backed companies raised more than $10.5 billion in merger and acquisition transactions in the third quarter, a 31% increase over the same period last year and the highest quarterly amount since 2000.

The quarter also saw 11 companies complete initial public offerings (IPOs), raising $662.5 million, a 4% increase over last year.

In addition, 46 other companies filed to go public during the quarter, setting the stage for a blockbuster fourth quarter in terms of liquidity.

"This virtually guarantees that 2007 will be the largest year for venture-backed liquidity -- both in terms of IPOs and M&As -- in the U.S. since the dot-com boom," said Jessica Canning, the director of global research for Dow Jones VentureOne. 

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