In a technology-driven, digital world, many of the largest and most successful businesses now operate as “platforms.” Such firms leverage networked technologies to facilitate economic exchange, transfer information, connect people, and make predictions. Platform companies are already...

Against the backdrop of an ever-changing financial landscape sometimes characterized by an abundance of funding and start-up opportunities, but usually characterized by down rounds and decreasing valuations (leading to funding, investment and liquidity gaps), “venture capital” has taken on a...

This paper explores the issue of “re-making” corporate law through the prism of the United Nations' recent efforts at reducing legal obstacles experienced by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in starting and scaling a business. In order to be successful, we recommend that the UN...

We conjecture that venture capitalists and their investors often fall prey to what is known as ‘collective conservatism.' We investigate this conjecture by analyzing boilerplate provisions in limited partnership agreements. When investors accept suboptimal boilerplate provisions it is not...

In his book, 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams: Why Public Efforts to Boost Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Have Failed - and What to Do about It,' Harvard Business School Professor, Josh Lerner, explains that governments can only play a limited role in spurring innovation and entrepreneurship....

Recent regulatory initiatives that attempt to encourage shareholder engagement, ensure board independence and improve the operation and transparency of corporate groups are of great interest to both academics and practitioners. These initiatives reflect a ‘one-size-fits-all' approach that may...

One important effect of the sluggish IPO market is the focus on deregulation and the emergence of a new generation of securities markets. These deregulated markets are considered important to stimulate entrepreneurial activity and attract venture capital. This paper argues that the introduction...

This paper examines recent trends in venture capital fundraising and investments. We find that the emergence of ‘new' types of investors, such as crowdfunding platforms, super-angels and corporations, during this period may explain the changes in the venture capital model. Importantly, the new...