Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship (벤처창업연구)

The Korean Society of Business Venturing (한국벤처창업학회)
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A Study on Determinants of Venture Capital Investments During Economic Booms and Busts

경제 호황과 후퇴의 시기에 벤처캐피탈 투자 의사결정요인 비교연구

  • Received : 2023.12.26
  • Accepted : 2024.02.26
  • Published : 2024.02.29
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Abstract

Recently, venture capital investment has been shrinking globally due to high interest rates and economic slowdown. Korea is no exception. Due to the downturn in the M&A and public markets, increasing economic uncertainty, and the aftermath of corporate bankruptcies, venture capitalists are facing many difficulties in raising funds. In the changed economic environment, the investment decision factors of venture capitalists have also changed. However, studies on VCs' investment decisions have focused on the general economic environment. This study examines how VCs' investment decision-making factors change during economic recessions and booms. To this end, we interviewed active investors who have experienced both economic recessions and booms to compare how VCs' investment decision factors change: 1) personal characteristics of founders, 2) experience of founders, 3) product/service, 4) market, 5) financial situation, 6) contract terms and 7) venture capital co-investment. The results showed that founder's personal characteristics, experience, and product/service were more important during the economic recession. Market is slightly more important during economic booms. The importance of financial situation and investment conditions increased sharply during the recession compared to the boom. Finally, venture capital co-investment did not differ significantly between recessions and booms. By understanding the investment decision-making factors of venture capitalists in the recent difficult venture investment environment, this study aims to help startups raise funds and survive in a difficult market.

최근 고금리, 경기둔화로 인한 벤처투자 위축이 전 세계적으로 진행 중이며, 우리나라도 예외가 아니다. M&A와 상장시장의 침체, 경기불확실성 증가, 기업 파산의 여파로 인한 투자심리 위축으로 벤처기업의 자금조달에 많은 어려움을 겪고 있다. 이렇게 바뀐 경제 환경에서 벤처캐피탈의 투자의사결정 요인도 많은 변화를 나타내고 있다. 하지만, 벤처캐피탈의 투자의사결정에 대한 연구는 일반적인 경제 환경에 초점을 맞추고 있다. 본 연구는 경제 후퇴와 호황에 따라 벤처캐피탈의 투자의사결정 요인이 어떻게 변화하는지를 살펴보았다. 이를 위해 경제 불황과 호황을 모두 겪은 적극적인 벤처 투자자들을 인터뷰하여 벤처캐피탈의 투자의사결정 요인: 1)창업자의 개인적 특성, 2)창업자의 경험, 3) 제품/서비스, 4) 시장, 5) 재무상황, 6) 투자조건, 7) 벤처캐피탈 공동투자가 어떻게 변화하는지를 비교하여 연구하였다. 연구결과, 투자의사결정 요인인 창업자의 개인적 특성, 경험, 제품/서비스는 경제 불황기에 더 높은 중요도를 가졌다. 시장 요인은 경제 호황기에 약간 높은 수준의 중요도를 나타냈다. 재무적 상황과 투자조건 요인은 경제 불황기에 경제 호황기 대비 중요도가 급격히 상승하였다. 마지막으로 벤처캐피탈 공동 투자는 경제 불황과 호황기에 많은 차이를 보이지 않았다. 본 연구는 최근 어려워진 벤처투자 환경에서 벤처캐피탈의 투자의사결정 요인을 보다 심도 있게 이해함으로써, 스타트업의 자금 조달을 돕고, 어려운 시장에서 생존하는 방안 마련에 도움을 준다.

Keywords

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