The Signaling Value of Technology Venture Acquisitions
Abstract
We study the effects of technology venture acquisitions on investment in the acquired firm’s business area. Using data on acquisitions and venture capital funding in the U.S. from Crunchbase, we consider the ventures acquired between 2014 and 2016 alongside a set of comparable control ventures that remained independent as of 2016. By modeling each venture as a point in the technology space, we leverage textual analysis to track investments in business areas similar to acquired or control ventures. Our difference-indifferences analysis shows that acquisitions stimulate venture capital investment, particularly in areas with fewer ventures and more intense past or expected acquisition activity. This suggests that tech acquisitions signal the potential of a business area. Contrary to antitrust concerns, we find that acquisitions by big tech platforms and other large acquirers have a similar positive effect, whereas private equity buyouts lead to an even greater increase in venture capital activity.