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Public policy, entrepreneurship, and venture capital in the United States

Author

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  • Cumming, Douglas
  • Li, Dan

Abstract

This paper empirically examines business starts, deaths, venture capital and patents in relation to U.S. public policy. The most consistent evidence in the data shows that lower levels of labor frictions and higher levels of SBIR awards are associated with more business starts and higher levels of venture capital per population. Counter to expectations, the data indicate a positive impact from the homestead exemption only among the bottom quartile homestead exemption states, and otherwise a negative impact. We analyze a variety of other policy instruments and compare the effects of policy in regular times with the financial crisis of 2008–2010.

Suggested Citation

  • Cumming, Douglas & Li, Dan, 2013. "Public policy, entrepreneurship, and venture capital in the United States," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 345-367.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:corfin:v:23:y:2013:i:c:p:345-367
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2013.09.005
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Venture capital; Entrepreneurship; Public policy; Tax; Labor law; Bankruptcy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G24 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Investment Banking; Venture Capital; Brokerage
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G33 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Bankruptcy; Liquidation
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • K22 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Business and Securities Law
    • K31 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Labor Law

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