BioEnterprise is headquartered in Cleveland.

Healthcare startups in the Midwest attracted nearly $1.1 billion in new investments last year, down slightly from more than $1.2 billion in 2007, according to a report issued by BioEnterprise and the Mid-America Healthcare Investors Network  And almost half of the reported $1.2 billion, $524 million, went to developers of medical devices.

Other findings of the report:

• Sixty-six Midwest healthcare start-ups received funding in 2008.
• Minnesota and Ohio start-ups attracted the most investment dollars within the Midwest.
• The three leading regions were Minneapolis, $331 million; Cleveland, $164 million; and Pittsburgh, $150.7 million.
• Pittsburgh had the largest number of companies receiving funding at 33; Cleveland was second at 31; and Minneapolis was third with 20.

BioEnterprise is a Cleveland-based initiative designed to grow healthcare companies and to commercialize bioscience technologies. Mid-America Healthcare Investors Network, St. Louis, represents venture capitalists in 14 states focused on the life sciences sector.