The Determinants of Venture Capital Funding: Evidence Across Countries

72 Pages Posted: 13 Aug 1998

See all articles by Leslie A. Jeng

Leslie A. Jeng

Harvard University - Business School (HBS)

Philippe C. Wells

Bain Capital; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Date Written: May 1998

Abstract

This paper analyses the determinants of venture capital for a sample of 21 countries. In particular, we consider the importance of IPOs, GDP and market capitalization growth, labor market rigidities, accounting standards, private pension funds, and government programs. We find that IPOs are the strongest driver of venture capital investing. Private pension fund levels are a significant determinant over time but not across countries. Surprisingly, GDP and market capitalization growth are not significant. Government policies can have a strong impact, both by setting the regulatory stage, and by galvanizing investment during downturns. Finally, we also show that different types of venture capital financing are affected differently by these factors. In particular, early stage venture capital investing is negatively impacted by labor market rigidities, while later stage is not. IPOs have no effect on early stage venture capital investing across countries, but are a significant determinant of later stage venture capital investing across countries. Finally, government funded venture capital has different sensitivities to the determinants of venture capital than non-government funded venture capital. Our insights emphasize the need for a more differentiated approach to venture capital, both from a research as well as from a policy perspective. We feel that while later stage venture capital investing is well understood, early stage and government funded investments still require more extensive research.

JEL Classification: G3

Suggested Citation

Jeng, Leslie A. and Wells, Philippe, The Determinants of Venture Capital Funding: Evidence Across Countries (May 1998). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=103948 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.103948

Leslie A. Jeng (Contact Author)

Harvard University - Business School (HBS)

Soldiers Field Road
Morgan 270C
Boston, MA 02163
United States

Philippe Wells

Bain Capital ( email )

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) ( email )

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

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