Alsop Louie fund raises $98.6 million—a good sign for the economy?

Big news on the funding front today as tech stalwart Stewart Alsop and Gilman Louie raised another $98.6 million and added three new partners to their Alsop Louie fund.  The San Francisco based investment fund previously raised $75 million and $20 million in earlier rounds, with which it made 15 initial investments.  This is significant because the fund focuses on early-stage funding, a sector that was hit particularly hard during the credit crisis and recession.  A closing of an early-stage fund this large may be a sign of good things to come for the larger economy.  More on the news: Early-stage VC firm Alsop Louie closes second fund at $98.6M