Investments in new ventures involve financial contracts between an entrepreneur and outside investors. Investors, such as venture capital firms, represent well-diversified investors. In contrast, the entrepreneur must commit a substantial fraction of human and financial capital to the venture....

If control of their firms allows entrepreneurs to derive private benefits, it also allows other controlling parties. Private benefits are especially relevant for venture capitalists, who typically get considerable control in their portfolio firms, but not for banks, which are passive loan...

Technological innovation, although vital for sustenance of firms against fierce global competition, presents a paradox in micro-economic theory on the managerial decisions related to the financing of such innovation. In particular, budgeting decisions in R&D and innovation at the firm level do...

Investments in new venture involve financial contracts between an entrepreneur and one or more outside investors. Outside investors (such as venture capital firms) generally represent well-diversified investors. Even private investors generally commit small fractions of total wealth to any given...

Staged financing of venture capital-backed firms is valuable to both investors and entrepreneurs, but comes with a potential cost: hold-up. With asymmetric information and strong control rights, financial intermediaries may earn rents on their inside knowledge. We find that environments where...