Crowding Out Private Equity: Canadian Evidence

Posted: 30 Mar 2005

See all articles by Douglas J. Cumming

Douglas J. Cumming

Florida Atlantic University; Birmingham Business School; European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)

Jeffrey G. MacIntosh

University of Toronto - Faculty of Law

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Abstract

In this paper, we examine a Canadian tax-driven venture capital vehicle known as the "Labour Sponsored Venture Capital Corporation" (LSVCC). As a theoretical matter, we suggest that the LSVCCs can be expected to have higher agency costs and lower profitability than private venture capital funds. We present data that is consistent with this view. The central question that we analyze, however, is whether the tax advantages conferred on LSVCCs have resulted in LSVCCs "crowding out," or displacing other types of venture capital funds. Empirical analysis of our data (which covers the 1977-2001 period) is highly consistent with crowding out. The data suggest that crowding out has been sufficiently energetic as to lead to a reduction in the aggregate pool of venture capital in Canada, frustrating one of the key governmental goals underlying the LSVCC programs; namely, the expansion of the aggregate pool of capital. In the course of our analysis, we confirm the importance of macroeconomic factors (the performance of the stock market, real interest rates, and changes in real gross domestic product) in affecting the supply of and demand for venture capital. We also generate evidence that is consistent with the proposition that entrepreneurs in the market for venture capital prefer to incorporate their businesses federally, rather than provincially.

Keywords: Venture capital cycle, Government sponsorship, Tax, Crowding out

JEL Classification: G24, G28, G32, G38, K22

Suggested Citation

Cumming, Douglas J. and Macintosh, Jeffrey G., Crowding Out Private Equity: Canadian Evidence. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=679301

Douglas J. Cumming (Contact Author)

Florida Atlantic University ( email )

777 Glades Rd
Boca Raton, FL 33431
United States

HOME PAGE: http://sites.google.com/view/douglascumming/bio?authuser=0

Birmingham Business School ( email )

Edgbaston Park Road
Birmingham, B15 2TY
United Kingdom

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) ( email )

c/o the Royal Academies of Belgium
Rue Ducale 1 Hertogsstraat
1000 Brussels
Belgium

HOME PAGE: http://https://ecgi.global/users/douglas-cumming

Jeffrey G. Macintosh

University of Toronto - Faculty of Law ( email )

78 and 84 Queen's Park
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C5
Canada
416-978-5795 (Phone)
416-978-2648 (Fax)

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