Venture capitalist governance and value-added in four countries

Abstract

The rapid internationalization of markets for venture capital is expanding the funding alternatives available to entrepreneurs. At issue for both entrepreneurs and venture capital firms is how and when venture capitalists (VC) can provide meaningful oversight and add value to their portfolio companies beyond the provision of capital. An important way VCs add value beyond the money they provide is through their close relationships with the managers of their portfolio companies. Utilizing surveys of VCs in the US, the UK, the Netherlands, and France, the determinants of interaction between VCs and CEOs, the roles VCs assume, and VCs' perceptions of how much value they add through these roles are examined. The strategic, interpersonal, and networking roles through which VCs are involved in their portfolio companies are examined, and the success of such efforts are analyzed. VCs saw strategic involvement as their most important role.