Venture Capital Investment Cycles: The Impact of Public Markets

Paul Gompers, Anna Kovner, Josh Lerner and David Scharfstein

No 11385, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

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.

JEL-codes: G2 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2005-05
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ent and nep-fin
Note: AP CH PR
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

Published as Gompers, Paul & Kovner, Anna & Lerner, Josh & Scharfstein, David, 2008. "Venture capital investment cycles: The impact of public markets," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 87(1), pages 1-23, January.

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Journal Article: Venture capital investment cycles: The impact of public markets (2008)
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