GSV's small stake in Facebook leads to $70B valuation

GSV Capital Corp. has invested a stake in Facebook that values the social network at $70 billion, reports Reuters.

In an official statement Monday, Woodside, California-based GSV Capital said it purchased 225,000 shares in Facebook for a total of $6.6 million ($29.28 per share), according to the report.

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Since GSV Capital is an investment fund for high-growth, venture capital-backed companies, it’s not shocking that it would put money down on Facebook. However, it does seem like a large risk. The $6.6 million amount represents about 15 percent of GSV’s total portfolio, according to the report.

Also GSV’s $70 billion valuation of Facebook means the social networking site, which has yet to make an initial public offering, is worth nearly as much as companies like Amazon, Cisco and Hewlett-Packard.

Facebook could be planning an IPO for the first quarter of 2012, with a potential $100 billion valuation. In January, Goldman Sachs valued Facebook at $50 billion. The investment firm is seeking to manage Facebook’s IPO.