How Do Venture Capitalists Choose Investments

Abstract

In this paper, we consider how venture capitalists (VCs) choose or screen their investments by studying the contemporaneous investment analyses produced by 10 venture capital firms for investments in 42 portfolio companies. Consistent with most academic and anecdotal accounts, we find that it is common for VCs to consider explicitly the attractiveness of the opportunity – the market size, the strategy, the technology, customer adoption, and competition – the management team, and the deal terms. We also provide evidence on how the venture capitalists expect to monitor those investments. In at least half of the investments, the VC expects to play an important role in recruiting management. Finally, we complement the investment analyses with information from the financial contracts for the investments and consider the relation of the analyses with the contractual terms and with subsequent performance. In both analyses, the evidence suggests that the VC’s initial appraisal of the management team is important. Stronger management teams obtain more attractive contracts and are more likely to take their companies public.

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