Preqin also releases figures for the number of funds currently on the road seeking capital at any time.

"The company has been trying to seek capital in an orderly fashion," he said.

It comes at a time when the Soviets are aggressively seeking foreign capital and technology.

These options include selling itself, taking itself public or seeking outside capital.

Ayer has been seeking capital in part to help pay down debt taken on to expand.

After two years, James decided to seek additional start-up capital to grow the business.

The firm is seeking additional capital to buy other companies while market values are depressed, one of the people said.

Others have become more likely to seek or agree to mergers as they seek capital.

That explains why I have sought outside capital to finance my inventions.

"I needed to stop doing the work and start doing the business of starting a business, seeking capital," he said.