Hello, today the idea I am pitching the idea of Government as Venture Capitalist.
In many ways, Government agencies today follow the venture capitalist model with some differences. Specifically, VC funds focus on profit while Government agencies focus on specific missions. While this dichotomy can be seen as an obstacle it is really an advantage because it allows government agencies to focus on mission-specific investments. In aggregate however, both VC funds and Gov’t agencies follow very similar cycles.
Both fundraise. VC funds go out and raise funds while Gov’t brings money by taxes, revenue-generating programs, and fines.
VC funds invest into companies with potential. Government invests via X Prizes, grants, and the normal procurement process that we are all familiar with. Founders with ideas.
Once the investment has been selected, both VC funds and Gov’t agencies contract with potential investments.
Once contracts have been established, VCs actively own investments to add value.
And finally, once the potential has been realized VC firms exit the investment by either selling their investment privately or publically on the markets.
What we propose to study is the addition of the two steps as a way to provide Government with mission-specific solutions while reducing costs and shifting risks of developing these solutions. In-Q-Tel