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The patterns of venture capital investment in the UK bio-healthcare sector: the role of proximity, cumulative learning and specialisation

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  • Alessandro Rosiello
  • Stuart Parris

Abstract

This paper focuses on the patterns of venture capital (VC) investment in dedicated biotech firms (DBFs) in the therapeutic and diagnostic sectors (bio-healthcare). We use a database of 655 UK bio-healthcare deals to map the geographical flows of VC investment and measure the co-location of investors and DBFs. Then, using 20 face-to-face interviews with venture capitalists (VCs) and DBF firms in Cambridge and Scotland, we study the strategic motives underlying the co-location of investors and investee companies and reflect on the catalytic role VCs play in context of the Scottish and Cambridge bio-clusters. From the viewpoint of VC-related policies, we find that our study is more in line with arguments stressing the attractive power of ‘investor-ready’ opportunities (Mason and Harrison 2003) than supply-side approaches that take for granted VC presence at the core of high-tech clusters. In line with Avnimelech, Rosiello, and Teubal (2008), we propose that VC policy should be consistent with the wider strategic objectives of innovation and technology policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandro Rosiello & Stuart Parris, 2009. "The patterns of venture capital investment in the UK bio-healthcare sector: the role of proximity, cumulative learning and specialisation," Venture Capital, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(3), pages 185-211, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:veecee:v:11:y:2009:i:3:p:185-211
    DOI: 10.1080/13691060902973016
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    Cited by:

    1. Garry A. Gabison, 2015. "Venture Capital Principles in the European ICT Ecosystem: How can they help ICT innovation?," JRC Research Reports JRC98783, Joint Research Centre.
    2. Christos Kolympiris & Sebastian Hoenen & Nicholas Kalaitzandonakes, 2018. "Geographic distance between venture capitalists and target firms and the value of quality signals," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 27(1), pages 189-220.
    3. David J Smith & Michael Ehret, 2013. "‘Beyond the golden triangle’: Biotechnology incubation in the East Midlands region of the UK," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 28(1), pages 66-84, February.
    4. Gil Avnimelech & Alessandro Rosiello & Morris Teubal, 2010. "Evolutionary interpretation of venture capital policy in Israel, Germany, UK and Scotland," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 37(2), pages 101-112, March.

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