In late March, Novu, a fast-growing consumer-software firm used by health care providers and insurers to connect with patients on online health-improvement programs, landed $20 million in venture capital designed to fuel the St. Louis Park ­company's expansion.

The deal underscored an interesting, albeit short-term trend. Of the $48.2 million in venture capital funds raised by Minnesota firms in the first quarter, $43.5 million, or 90 percent, went to software-related companies.

"Typically our venture capital history has leaned toward medical devices," said Mark Scholtes, a Minneapolis-based partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers who analyzes the venture data in its quarterly MoneyTree report from PricewaterhouseCoopers and the National Venture Capital Association based on data from Thomson Reuters. "There have been more software deals in Minnesota. Having some balance and more variety is a sign of a stronger economy."

Novu and fast-growing Code 42, another software firm that has received venture capital, are part of what observers say is a small-but-growing cluster of local software firms focused on health care, sports, websites and data security. Software accounted for $56 million in venture capital money raised last year in Minnesota and $72 million in 2013.

Meanwhile, about 65 percent of the $357 million in venture money raised last year went to Minnesota medical technology and equipment. That category remains the big dog in the venture kennel.

The first quarter's $48.2 million total for Minnesota firms was down from $83.4 million in first-quarter 2014.

Nationally, firms took in $13.4 billion in the first quarter, according to the PricewaterhouseCoopers MoneyTree report. That's the best first quarter since tech-boom 2000 and continues a postrecession trend of five consecutive quarters of $10 billion-plus.

Scholtes said he's not concerned about the first-quarter drop in Minnesota.

" I think it's just timing," he said. "The Minnesota economy is doing well and usually follows the national trend. Minnesota had seven deals in the first quarter [compared with 11 in first-quarter 2014]. We are still in a good environment."

Last year's Minnesota venture capital haul of $357 million marked a six-year postrecession high for young Minnesota companies.

Neal St. Anthony • 612-673-7144