In yet another sign of the growing influence of the secondary markets, Alex Ferrara, a partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, is leaving the top-tier venture capital firm to join Millennium Technology Value Partners, a firm that buys private shares from employees and venture investors in companies like Facebook, Twitter, and eHarmony.

FORBES: Partner at Bessemer Ventures To Leave For Secondary Shares Firm

Willis thinks that it is possible for a Russian venture capital firm, fully funded by the government, to get about 50% of private capital.

FORBES: Venture Capital, Russian Style

The country's only federally funded venture capital firm was created in 1999, during the tech boom, because the private sector was setting the pace in technological innovation, leaving the intelligence community feeling not very intelligent.

FORBES: Business In The Beltway