Should state offer more venture capital?
This week, Gov. Scott Walker is expected to unveil his proposal for a venture capital fund. Most everyone agrees that the state needs more angel and venture capital for start-up companies, which create almost all new jobs. The sticking points are just what role state government should play, how much the state should invest, and how to manage such a program.
Creating a venture capital fund was a key issue left hanging in the last legislative session. They debated but failed to pass a $400 million plan.
Do you agree that the state should be involved in offering venture capital? How much, and where should the money come from? We’ll share our perspectives in our editorial Wednesday.
Greg Peck can be reached at (608) 755-8278 or gpeck@gazettextra.com. Or follow him on Twitter or Facebook
Feb 13, 2013 at 11:55 a.m.
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TCB, very well stated.
Feb 13, 2013 at 10:55 a.m.
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State Govt role in VC is to create and foster the environment-not the capital-at which private equity finds the risk to invest their capital worthy of such risk. Incentives work. Imagine if the state of California had a peice of Apple or Google? The ipod, iTunes, iMac, iPhone, or google wallet, google+, apps, google talk, earth etc all would have died - simply due to state bureaucracy crushing the creative voice within these companies.
Feb 13, 2013 at 7:44 a.m.
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There is no place for government in venture capital, the people making the decisions in government have no 'skin in the game' so to speak it isn;t their money as opposed to in the private sector where those people really are risking something when investing. Stay out of it, we see how good of a job government does when they back certain companies or industries, there are far more losses than gains. I would rather Walker call Mitt Romney or people like him to come in and invest in startups. That would be a better suited role for the governor to promote the state and its potential companies to outside investors, rather than filling that role himself.
Feb 13, 2013 at 7:04 a.m.
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I say govt should get out of the way and if a new business has a good idea private venture capitalist will back it. That's why I am against the govt picking and chosing winners and losers with their pet agendas like Solyndra. My answer is no. Build good roads and other infrastructures, keep regulations at a minimum and just get out of the way.
Feb 13, 2013 at 5:51 a.m.
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No. That is nothing but a bribe.
Feb 12, 2013 at 10:46 p.m.
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Sure. What's millions more lost or missing? Wasn't it that kid who's father was a supporter given an 80k a year job at that agency? I lose track, sorry.
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