Centralization of securities regulation in Canada is a recurring topic which was recently given new impetus. Various participants suggest that the American model is an example of regulatory centralization and could be transposed to Canada. Our study shows the enormous differences which separate...

We analyze exit-related perceptions of the members of a large, well-structured Canadian angel group. Because they invest in high tech deals larger than CAN$1.2 million, together with venture capitalists and a matching fund, these angels should consider the initial public offering (IPO) as a...

Numerous innovative Canadian new technology-based firms migrate abroad when local venture capitalists exit. This article aims to determine how common this type of exit is, and to understand the motivations behind and the consequences of these migrations. We use a mixed-methodology approach,...

Private placements provided by institutional or individual accredited investors are becoming an important financing tool for small public firms worldwide. However, private placement issuers offer poor average returns. We explain this puzzle using 2,987 traditional private placements by Canadian...

<title>Abstract</title> This article analyses the QBIC programme introduced in Quebec to help capitalize SMEs. Taxpayers that invest in holding companies that finance one or more growth corporations receive substantial tax credits. Companies financed by this programme are apparently of mediocre quality. After...

<title>Abstract</title> This exploratory study attempts to estimate the external financing costs (EFCs) for a sample of new technology-based firms (NTBFs). A large body of literature describes the constraints these companies face when trying to obtain outside equity from venture capitalists or...

In just several years, Israel developed a strong venture capital industry that places it among the top countries in terms of capital-GDP ratio. The strategy of the Israeli government was twofold. First, the government strongly stimulated the demand for venture capital, using R&D grants,...

Purpose – This paper aims to test the irrelevance proposition whereby changes in capital structure do not affect firm value. Design/methodology/approach – The long-run effect of changes in capital structure on firm value is examined, using a sample of 243 French firms over the period...

To ease the financing of growing SMEs, governments found or indirectly fund venture capital companies. These companies act in a context of extreme information asymmetry and potentially exorbitant agency costs. The rigorous governance of these companies is thus pivotal to their performance. We...