Fenwick & West’s recent survey of venture capital investing leaves room for optimism as the 4th quarter of 2009 is already underway. The survey tracks numerous points of venture capital spending and is able highlight percentage changes from quarter to quarter. Although precise explanations for statistical changes are hard to pinpoint, generalizations can be made.

Chegg.com, the Netflix of the textbook rental industry, raised an unprecedented $57M in a recent round of fundraising. The exorbitant amount bucks the trend of depreciated investing and valuations by venture capitalists in a struggling economy hinting at a possible resurgence of confidence and investing.