DCU study finds that venture capital backed firms helped to create up to 100,000 jobs over last 15 years

Venture capital and private equity backed firms have helped to create up to 100,000 high level jobs since 2003 according to an economic impact study conducted by DCU Business School.

The report finds that since 2016, venture capital portfolio companies have created 5,000 mostly graduate jobs. Over the last fifteen years up to 2018 inclusive, the  research finds that portfolio companies have created 25,046 high calibre jobs, of which 7,098 are represented in the current portfolio and 17,948 were in exits since 2003.

“Based on estimates that these companies support up to three additional downstream jobs means that equity funded companies helped to create up to a further 75,000 jobs or 100,000 in total,” commented Dr Eric Clinton, associate professor in entrepreneurship at DCU Business School and author of the report. 

“This may be a conservative estimate of job creation as our study does not include the growth in employment in equity backed firms since they exited the portfolio due to acquisition or IPO.” 

Neil McGowan, chairman, Irish Venture Capital Association (IVCA) commented, “Irish venture capital and private equity firms have invested €5bn in Irish SMEs since 2003 and, through syndication, have attracted in a further €3bn in funding from international firms.” 

He said that in 2017 activity levels reached an all-time high with 291 funding rounds raising €994m. During the three-year period 2016-18, 748 funding rounds have raised €2.6 billion.  

“Compared to the previous study period (2012-2015), this is an increase of over 60% in the number of fundraising rounds and a 115% increase in the amount of capital raised by innovative SMEs.” 

Mr McGowan added that there could be up to €1 billion available for investment up to 2024. “The Government has been proactive and through Enterprise Ireland committed up to €175m as a cornerstone investor to venture capital funds under the Seed & Venture Capital Scheme 2019-2024. ISIF (Ireland Strategic Investment Fund) is also a critical funding partner of IVCA members.  Based on historic activity, it is anticipated that the venture capital and private equity industry will leverage this commitment by a multiple of four to five times.” 

Dr Clinton, who lectures 300 students in entrepreneurship in DCU, said, “An encouraging entrepreneurial pipeline is developing in Ireland as today’s Kardashian generation demonstrates an increased appetite to start their own businesses. Thanks to social media they have an outward looking perspective and are influenced by 20 plus year old global role models who are carving out successful new businesses, many internet related. 

“At a time when Ireland remains overly dependent on Foreign Direct Investment, it is vital that the Government creates the environment to harness this appetite for entrepreneurship. For example, current capital gains tax rates are a disincentive to younger members taking over a family firm.”  

The report also warns that “incentives offered to entrepreneurs in other European countries are overtaking those offered in Ireland”. 

Dr Clinton said that while many students were still attracted to employment in multinational marquee names like Google and Facebook, recent years have seen much greater interest in starting their own businesses.

He referred to a 2016 study which found that five years after graduation, more Irish students (27.4%) were interested in starting their own business than working with a large company (18.6%). 

“Another positive sea change is that women are becoming just as interested in starting new businesses as their male counterparts. This entrepreneurial appetite amongst men and women is being driven by work life balance, increasing awareness of the importance of mental health and the social media influence of global young role models.”  

For full details or to download the report 'The Economic Impact of Venture Capital in Ireland 2016-2018' visit www.ivca.ie. 

Photo (l-r): Dr Eric Clinton, DCU, Sarah-Jane Larkin, director general, Neil McGowan, chairman and Gillian Buckley, vice chairperson, Irish Venture Capital Association.