Size and Evolution of the Risk Capital Industry

Abstract

Operation in the risk capital industry is a very complex undertaking. This complexity derives both from the different main objectives which may be pursued through investments of this kind and the wide variety of organisational/institutional forms involved. Further uncertainty arises from the lack of a standardised definition; this is a hindrance to the publication of data in forms allowing fully reliable comparisons to be made. Nonetheless, this chapter intends to provide a quantitative picture of the private equity and venture capital industry, highlighting the most recent developments in the sector and outlining the main differences still affecting some of the main countries in the European area.