Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/44762 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
1998
Citation: 
[Journal:] EIB Papers [ISSN:] 0257-7755 [Volume:] 3 [Issue:] 1 [Publisher:] European Investment Bank (EIB) [Place:] Luxembourg [Year:] 1998 [Pages:] 127-143
Publisher: 
European Investment Bank (EIB), Luxembourg
Abstract: 
To resume the main findings, industry data shows that, contrary to conventional belief, the European industry is not 'small' as compared to the US industry. Although the venture capital industry is clearly underdeveloped in continental Europe, it possesses the attributes of a mature industry in the UK. However, it appears that - all over Europe - venture capitalists essentially provide late-stage development capital, and there are few investments in start-up companies. Even if conclusions must be drawn with caution, these features of the European industry may advocate some government intervention. Of course, public support can take different forms, such as tax and regulatory changes or direct inflows of capital. Regulatory impediments to the industry should obviously be removed. In the case of direct inflows, past experience in the US and Europe points out the inadequacy of conventional tools such as loans or guarantee schemes for young innovative companies, and suggests that investments in private funds offer a better alternative.
Document Type: 
Article

Files in This Item:
File
Size
143.15 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.