Using a hand-collected sample of contracts and investment proposals from German venturecapital financing relationships, we analyze specific incentive conflicts. We apply indirect anddirect measures of these problems and extend the “direct” approach by Kaplan and Strömberg(2004) to a four-...

The paper offers a new explanation for the widely observed use of redeemable and convertible preferred stock in venture capital finance. Redeemable and convertible preferred stocks can be used to endogenously allocate cash flow and control rights as a function of the state of nature, the...

This paper investigates four common features (covenants) of venture capital investment contracts from a real option perspective, using both analytical solutions and numerical analysis to draw inferences for a better understanding of contract features.

Vesting of equity payments to an entrepreneur, which is a form of time-contingent compensation, is very common in venture capital contracts. Empirical research suggests that vesting is used to help overcome asymmetric information and agency problems. We show in a theoretical model that vesting...

The paper offers a new explanation for the widely observed use of redeemable and convertible preferred stock in venture capital finance. Redeemable and convertible preferred stocks can be used to endogenously allocate cash flow and control rights as a function of the state of nature, the...

When a young entrepreneurial firm matures, it is often necessary to replace the founding entrepreneur by a professional manager. This replacement decision can be affected by the private benefits of control enjoyed by the entrepreneur which gives rise to a conflict of interest between the...

Der Aufsatz gibt zunächst einen kurzen Überblick über die Entwicklung des Marktes für Wagniskapital in den USA und in Deutschland. Dann wird gezeigt, mit welchen besonderen Anreiz- und Vertragsproblemen die Finanzierung von Innovationen zu kämpfen hat und welche neuen Instrumente von der...

When a young entrepreneurial firm matures, it is often necessary to replace the founding entrepreneur by a professional manager. This replacement decision can be affected by the private benefits of control enjoyed by the entrepreneur which gives rise to a conflict of interest between the...