Who funds technology-based small firms? Evidence from Belgium

Ant Bozkaya () and Bruno van Pottelsberghe de la Potter ()

ULB Institutional Repository from ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles

Abstract: Using an original survey sample of 103 unquoted Belgian technology-based small firms (TBSFs), we examine the capital structure of start-up companies during their consecutive development stages. We find that internal funds, either alone as personal savings or in combination with family and friends, to be the primary source of financing. Personal funds of the founders are used to finance the start of 82% of TBSFs. Commercial bank and government funds are the most important sources of external finance for TBSFs subsequent to start-up. Most founders agreed that business angels and venture capitalists play a greater role at later stages. However, once granted, more substantial amounts of funding come from venture capitalists. There is also evidence that suggests a change in the mix of internal and external sources of finance. Finally, our findings based on founders' scores in raising external funds suggest a call for urgent policy action to improve access to and availability of early-stage entrepreneurial finance in Belgium. We discuss our findings in light of the capital structure of small firms relating to TBSFs. © 2008 Taylor & Francis.

Keywords: Ownership structure; Technology-based firms; Venture capital (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
Note: SCOPUS: ar.j
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

Published in: Economics of innovation and new technology (2008) v.17 n° 1,p.97-122

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Related works:
Journal Article: WHO FUNDS TECHNOLOGY-BASED SMALL FIRMS? EVIDENCE FROM BELGIUM (2008)
Working Paper: Who funds technology-based small firms? Evidence from Belgium (2008)
Working Paper: Who Funds Technology-Based Small Firms? Evidence from Belgium (2004)
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