VENTURE investments in the country declined marginally to USD 26.3 billion in 2018, even though there was a surge in number of deals announced, a report said. Investments by venture capital and private equity funds in the country declined in 2018 from USD 26.8 billion in the previous year, the report by consultancy firm Bain & Company said. However, the number of transactions surged to 793 in 2018 as compared to 700 in the year-ago period, it said. The ‘dry-powder’ (liquidity) available with investors focused on the country has declined to USD 11.1 billion at the end of 2018 from USD 11.7 billion in the year-ago period, but it is “more than adequate” and high quality deals will not lack capital, the report said. Fund raising will continue to be a key priority for many investors in India, but most expect it to become more challenging in the next 12 months, the report said. Powered by the USD 16 billion acquisition of Flipkart by Walmart, 2018 was one of the best years for exits, it said.