US venture capital investors poured $8.4 billion into 765 start-ups in the third quarter, a 29 percent increase in investment dollars and an eight percent increase in the number of deals, according to Dow Jones VentureSource.

Among the highlights of the study, consumer information technology firms, which include social media specialists, raised $1.3 billion via 103 deals, more than double the dollar amount in the year-ago period.

The study cited challenges facing the venture capital business including weak fundraising and difficult exit environments.

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