← Search

Journal of Financial Economics Vol. 27 No. 2 1990

The role of venture capital in the creation of public companies

Christopher B. Barry1; Chris J. Muscarella2; John W. Peavy2; Michael R. Vetsuypens2

1 Texas Christian University · 2 Southern Methodist University

Abstract

We examine an exhaustive set of initial public offerings (IPOs) by venture-capital-backed companies between 1978 and 1987. We find that venture capitalists specialize their investments in firms to provide intensive monitoring services. Consistent with their monitoring role, the venture capitalists take concentrated equity positions, maintain their investment beyond the IPO, and serve on the boards of their portfolio firms. The quality of their monitoring services appears to be recognized by capital markets through lower underpricing for IPOs with better monitors.

DOI
10.1016/0304-405x(90)90064-7
Volume
27
Issue
2
Pages
447-471
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

Cite