Exit market liquidity and venture capitalists' investment behaviour: Evidence from Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of exit market liquidity on venture capitalists' (VCs') investment behaviour. The sample consists of 4,758 investment rounds disbursed by venture capital funds in three selected common law-based OECD countries (Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom) during 1990-2005. The results indicate that investments in early-stage projects by VCs are not related to exit market liquidity conditions after controlling for exogenous factors. Empirical results, however, show that exit market liquidity is positively associated with VCs' investments in new projects (as opposed to follow-on projects). Put differently, new firms (including start-ups) are more likely to obtain venture capital funding during times of liquid exit market conditions. Arguably, these findings highlight the importance of 'timing' of new project launch.