Investment timing and the return on VC backed IPOs
Manigart, Sophie Mulier, Klaas Verplancke, Frederik
Manigart, Sophie
Mulier, Klaas
Verplancke, Frederik
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Conference Presentation
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2019
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Abstract
In this study we explain the returns obtained on venture capital (VC) investments in US companies that go public. Using a unique dataset of 1,921 investor-IPO returns, representing 564 IPOs, we show that later investments result in a higher return. This holds after controlling for observed and unobserved IPO company and VC investor characteristics. This is counterintuitive, as later investments should be less risky compared to early investments. We show that the positive relationship between investment timing and return can be explained by the VC’s reputation and the risk and uncertainty related to the IPO. The higher returns for late investments are obtained by high reputation VCs and on investments in more risky and uncertain IPOs. We exclude other possible explanations, such as IPO ratchets for late investors, exit pressure because of the relatively short VC fund lifespan cycle or by unexpected funding needs before IPO that expropriate early investors.
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IPOs, Venture Capital