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A Rise in Good Deals, but an Investor Drought
Report

A Rise in Good Deals, but an Investor Drought

The State of European Venture Capital


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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Analytical
  • Scientific
  • Overview

Recommendation

A number of common complaints often surface when investors discuss the European venture capital (VC) industry: limited geographic scope, a lack of transparency and less-than-competitive returns. While some of these criticisms have merit, the reality surrounding European VC is much more complex and nuanced. This expert analysis by Boston Consulting Group professional Michael Brigl and professor Heinrich Liechtenstein concludes that, while the sector could use some improvement, it is healthier than many people think. getAbstract recommends this astute overview to investors, entrepreneurs and VC partners.

Summary

By some accounts, European venture capital (VC) returns don’t measure up to those of other asset classes. Government entities, whose main goal is to support regional or national objectives rather than to earn good returns, constitute 30% of European VC investors. And a lack of transparency allows VC funds to operate under a cloak of secrecy. Yet analysis concludes that the state of the European VC industry is better than many people think. VC investments in Europe grew by 73% between 2012 and 2014, closely trailing the United States’ 78% growth rate. But since...

About the Authors

Michael Brigl is a partner and managing director with the Boston Consulting Group. Heinrich Liechtenstein is a professor at the IESE Business School at the University of Navarra.