This years Venturefest had a more positive feel than last year, there were at least people talking about financing and things appear to be happening. I'm reassured by seeing the state of the Magellium demos, they are showing off things that are not that dis-similar in state to some of the things I've been working on, leading me to feel more positive about those projects. It still wasn't as vibrant as it has been, with an empty space in the quad where previously there have been marquees. Some of that is caused by dilution, they are trying to set up other venturefests around the country, but I get the feeling that doesn't account for all of it.
It feels like we're at the very early stages of the next rise of the roller coaster, with a number of small companies who have been bootstrapping their small ideas and are looking for angel investors to cover their next 6-12 months. Fever pitch isn't going to happen any time soon, but there's a quiet confidence around.