1. Silicon Valley (1/11)
California's Silicon Valley captured the most funding in the fourth quarter of 2010, with more than $2 billion invested. Unsurprisingly, software investments led the cash flow, accounting for $486 million, or nearly a quarter of total investment in the region.
Next: New England2. New England (2/11)
New England states attracted $536 million in fourth quarter 2010 investments spread across 88 business deals. Biotech was far and away the biggest source of these investments, accounting for $166 million, or nearly a third of the region's total cash influx.
Next: New York Metro3. New York Metro Area (3/11)
The New York metro area attracted 83 deals with a combined value of more than $512 million. IT services, software, and media and entertainment accounted for most of those deals, with $138 million, $115 million, and $108 million invested, respectively.
Next: Midwest4. Midwest (4/11)
Midwestern states attracted nearly a third of their total $378 million Q4 2010 investments in the industrial and energy sectors, which attracted $114 million in funds. But software, which pulled in $88 million, attracted the most deals, with 22. The industrial and energy sectors saw eight deals.
Next: LA/Orange County5. Los Angeles and Orange County (5/11)
This Southern California area raked in 48 deals valued at nearly $305 million combined. The industrial and energy sectors accounted for more than 45 percent of Q4 2010 investment, and attracted $138 million. Software accounted for the second-most investment, with 16 deals and $70 million.
Next: Colorado6. Colorado (6/11)
The industrial and energy sectors accounted overwhelmingly for Colorado's total Q4 2010 investment, which reached nearly $254 million. With six deals in this sector totaling $182 million, industry and energy concerns made up nearly 72 percent of investments.
Next: San Diego7. San Diego (7/11)
Biotech performed strongly in San Diego, accounting for approximately half of the total $193 million Q4 2010 investment. This industry drew 12 deals, followed by the software sector with five and medical devices and equipment with four.
Next: Southeast8. Southeast (8/11)
A burgeoning Silicon Valley? The Southeast may be headed on that path with nearly a third of its total Q4 2010 investment in the software sector. With a total of $191 million invested during the quarter, software counted 10 deals and $60 million in cash flow.
Next: Northwest9. Northwest (9/11)
With the presence of tech giants like Microsoft, it's no surprise that software accounted for 42 percent of the Northwest's total Q4 2010 investments, which reached $160 million. The software sector's 10 deals attracted $68 million in investments.
Next: DC/Metroplex10. Washington, D. C./Metroplex (10/11)
The nation's capitol is also becoming a software hub. While total Q4 2010 investment reached nearly $143 million, software accounted for nearly 43 percent of that total, with $61 million spread across seven deals.