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Journal of Financial Economics Vol. 141 No. 2 2021

Angels and venture capitalists: Substitutes or complements?

Thomas Hellmann1; Paul Schure2; Dan H. Vo3

1 University of Oxford · 2 University of Victoria · 3 California Lutheran University

Abstract

We analyze the funding of start-up companies across financing rounds, focusing on the dynamic interactions between angel investors and venture capitalists. Using unique data from British Columbia, Canada, we show that angels and venture capitalists are dynamic substitutes. This substitutes pattern applies across the performance range of companies. It is less pronounced for serial angels. An instrumental variable analysis, based on available investor tax credits, suggests that the substitutes pattern is driven by company characteristics. Overall, the evidence points to the existence of parallel streams of angel and venture capital funding, with fewer transitions between streams than is traditionally assumed.

DOI
10.1016/j.jfineco.2021.04.001
Volume
141
Issue
2
Pages
454-478
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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