Everything You Need To Know About Tech Startups

Venture capital firms invested $29.4 billion last year, pumping $5.3 billion into software companies, $4.6 billion into Internet companies, and billions more into telecom, IT services, and networking companies. How can you keep up with all the new ideas, product development, and emerging companies on the receiving end of that money? Here's my list of online resources.The landscape of tech startups ranges from entrepreneurs to investors and advisers to emerging companies in various stages of development. The Web sites below represent some of each, plus a few media organizations and gadflies who follow startups. So you'll find a little bit of everything -- news, analysis, rumors, commentary, advice, events, personalities, off-topic observations, and more.

The list below also can be found on InformationWeek's Startup City page in our favorites blogroll. I compiled the links and welcome feedback, including other resources people should know about.

InformationWeek's Startup City Coverage of business-technology startups, with an eclectic mix of news and observations. Home to Startup City TV.

Demo Famous for its pressure-packed, six-minute live presentations where entrepreneurs often show the fruits of their labors for the first time.

Foundry Group VC firm launched in 2007 by five guys with $225 million to invest.

Hummer Winblad Veteran VC firm concentrates almost exclusively on enterprise software.

Keene View CEO Chris Keene provides a front-line account of the trials and tribulations of a commercial open source company.

KillerStartups Lets visitors rate dozens of Internet startups.

OnStartups Entrepreneur Dharmah Shah's tips and musings from firsthand experience.

Paul Graham An expert programmer, writer, and partner in Y Combinator (see related link).

Pmarca Marc Andreessen writes about startups, VCs, and his newest company, Ning.com.

SandHill.com News, opinion, and reports from Silicon Valley's Sand Hill Road.

Silicon Alley Insider Focus on New York's digital business, including investment and startups.

Startup Camp Entrepreneurs share ideas in an attendee-driven, "unconference" format.

StartupSquad Vivek Puri's blog includes a Submit Your Startup form.

TechCrunch Devoted to Web innovation with a heavy dose of startups.

VentureBeat Blog-style news on VC investing.

Venture Hacks Advice and introductions for entrepreneurs.

Y Combinator Venture firm specializing in early stage startups.