The world has anxiously waited for encouraging news about COVID-19 vaccine candidates. Happily, this news came right before Thanksgiving, with Moderna reporting that its vaccine is more than 94% effective and Pfizer indicating that its vaccine was similarly effective. Read more
At NVCA, we understand that venture capital powers the American economy, and we advocate that venture is a key component to keeping our economy strong through the COVID-19 pandemic fallout.
American startups are the most innovative companies in the world, and many that are backed by VC are currently using their resources and human capital to combat COVID-19. Large companies often dominate the headlines, but nimble high-growth companies are the ones re-defining the boundaries of science and technology. Some of these companies were previously in the healthcare space and have shifted their attention solely to addressing COVID-19, while others were previously in other sectors and have pivoted to do their part. Read more
Welcome to the first blog in our VC Policy Pulse series, where we speak with a VC investor on a policy issue that is having a major impact on the VC and startup ecosystem. Today, we’re hearing from Mark Kvamme, Co-Founder & Partner at Drive Capital and former NVCA Board Member, about the effects of the Volcker Rule on the startup ecosystem in the Midwest and how recent reform to the rule will increase VC investment and startup activity in the middle of the country. Read more
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the world, many U.S. VC-backed startups are helping fight the virus by developing, testing, and implementing treatments that can manage, alleviate, or even prevent the symptoms of COVID-19. The venture industry is proud to support these innovative companies by providing capital and strategic guidance that is essential to tackling the crisis. Read more
Many of America’s startups are currently researching and producing advanced technologies needed to fight COVID-19. Nimble, high-growth companies have frequently re-defined the boundaries of science and technology, and many startups are using their capabilities and expertise to find and develop the technology-driven solutions needed to get past this pandemic. Read more
We worked with Ross DeVol, President and CEO of Heartland Forward, on this partner blog post to highlight the importance of entrepreneurs and startups during this crisis and how they could be the engine to get people back to work.
It should come as no surprise to the NVCA community that entrepreneurs are critical to the economy’s long-term success. Heartland Forward, a think-and-do tank based in Bentonville, Arkansas, put cold, hard numbers behind this claim with our latest research report, “Young Firms and Regional Economic Growth.” As local economies begin to rebuild post-COVID-19, these entrepreneurs and their young firms (defined as businesses five years old or less) could be the engine to get people back to work. The venture capital community can continue to play an important role in helping strengthen our country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Read more
The U.S. startup ecosystem has rapidly entered a new chapter of what will be a turbulent period over at least the next several quarters. Investment in the startup ecosystem is expected to drop significantly at a time when the country needs it most for company and job creation towards economic recovery from the global pandemic. NVCA released a white paper outlining what we believe the industry may look like over the coming months as this crisis evolves. Read more
The Treasury Department recently released the long awaited final rules implementing the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA), and they go into effect February 13, 2020. Through FIRRMA, Congress gave CFIUS significant new powers to police investments into certain U.S. companies and has made CFIUS highly relevant in the startup ecosystem. CFIUS’s power was demonstrated in recent high-profile cases that forced Chinese investors to divest of holdings in Grindr, PatientsLikeMe, and Musical.ly. The combination of CFIUS interest in data rich companies and their expanded authority over non-controlling investments means the agency will be a player in the startup ecosystem going forward. Read more
What can NIH offer to NVCA member firm’s life science portfolio companies? How can you get access to NIH funded companies? Since when does NIH have Entrepreneurs in Residence? Check out the answers to these questions and more in our first Q&A session with NIH investment executives, Dr. Ethel Rubin and John Sullivan. To cultivate the relationship between NIH and NVCA members, Ethel and John will be publishing a variety of Q&A sessions on topics such as NIH non-dilutive funding, resources open to investors, recent VC deals from their portfolio, and more. Read more
As the entrepreneurial ecosystem and D.C. continue to intersect more and more, it’s crucial that VCs and startups engage with policymakers on policies and ideas that impact America’s startup industry.
Recently, NVCA brought the ecosystem and D.C. together at our annual VCs-to-DC event. VCs-to-DC convened VCs, founders, and policymakers in our nation’s capital to take part in conversations on policy issues to strengthen the U.S. startup environment. Read more
