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Journal of Financial Economics Vol. 87 No. 1 2008

Venture capital investment cycles: The impact of public markets

Paul A. Gompers1; Anna Kovner2; Josh Lerner1; David Scharfstein1

1 National Bureau of Economic Research · 2 Harvard Business School, Graduate School of Business Administration, Rock Center 214, Boston, MA 02163, USA

Abstract

It is well documented that the venture capital industry is highly volatile and that much of this volatility is associated with shifting valuations and activity in public equity markets. This paper examines how changes in public market signals affected venture capital investing between 1975 and 1998. We find that venture capitalists with the most industry experience increase their investments the most when public market signals become more favorable. Their reaction to an increase is greater than the reaction of venture capital organizations with relatively little industry experience and those with considerable experience but in other industries. The increase in investment rates does not affect the success of these transactions adversely to a significant extent. These findings are consistent with the view that venture capitalists rationally respond to attractive investment opportunities signaled by public market shifts.

DOI
10.1016/j.jfineco.2006.12.002
Volume
87
Issue
1
Pages
1-23
Language
en
Sources
crossref bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex

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