By the end of 2000, more than $200 billion in venture funds were under management.

Many other venture funds could be in the same boat.

Until now, getting into a venture fund was hardly a problem.

The company is backed so far by investments of $141 million from nine venture funds.

We also sold our venture fund despite the fact we were doing very well.

For now, the size of venture funds that are focused solely on energy is relatively small.

Once a venture fund has invested, it becomes actively involved in the company.

Menlo plans to invest at least $2 million in venture funds each year.

The question now, she said, is whether the investors in venture funds can right-size as well.

A small venture fund doesn't have to fund big bad ideas in order to get capital doing work.