Financial Contracting Theory Meets the Real World: An Empirical Analysis of Venture Capital Contracts

S-Tier
Journal: Review of Economic Studies
Year: 2003
Volume: 70
Issue: 2
Pages: 281-315

Authors (2)

Steven N. Kaplan (University of Chicago) Per Strömberg (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We compare the characteristics of real-world financial contracts to their counterparts in financial contracting theory. We do so by studying the actual contracts between venture capitalists (VCs) and entrepreneurs. The distinguishing characteristic of VC financings is that they allow VCs to separately allocate cash flow rights, board rights, voting rights, liquidation rights, and other control rights. We describe and measure these rights. We then interpret our results in relation to existing financial contracting theories. We also describe the interrelation and the evolution across financing rounds of the different rights. Copyright 2003, Wiley-Blackwell.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:restud:v:70:y:2003:i:2:p:281-315
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25