A seminar by Dr Vladimir Mukharlyamov from Georgetown University
Title: Transferable Skills? Founders as Venture Capitalists
Abstract: In this paper we explore whether or not the experience as a founder of a venture capital-backed startup influences the performance of founders who become venture capitalists (VCs). We find that nearly 7% of VCs were previously founders of a venture-backed startup. Having a successful exit and being male and white increase the probability that a founder transitions into a venture capital career. Successful founder-VCs have investment success rates that are 6.5 percentage points higher than professional VCs while unsuccessful founder-VCs have investment success rates that are 4 percentage points lower than professional VCs. While successful founder-VCs do get higher quality deal flow than professional or unsuccessful founder-VCs, observably higher deal quality does not explain the entire difference in performance. Using an instrumental variables approach to separate unobservable deal quality from value-add, we find that the outperformance of successful founder-VCs is consistent with them adding more value post-investment. From society's perspective, it may be beneficial for successful founders not to launch another company but, instead, to become VCs and influence multiple ventures.
For further information, please contact RSFAS Seminars.
All information collected by the University is governed by the ANU Privacy Policy.