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Secondary Market Process in Private Equity
Portfolio Monitoring

Private Equity Secondaries: Principles, Benefits, and Trends

Secondary Market Process in Private Equity
Portfolio Monitoring

Private Equity Secondaries: Principles, Benefits, and Trends

VC and PE Guide

Navigating Private Equity Fees: Carried Interest and Management Fees Explained

News from ScaleX

Introducing ScaleX Invest’s Convertible Debt Valuation Module: Simplify Complex Analyses

VC and PE Guide

Open-Ended vs. Closed-Ended Funds: Principles, Differences, and Impact on Private Equity

Fundraising

Convertible Debt: Mechanisms and Advantages

In the tech ecosystem, Venture Capital (VC) and Growth Equity are two critical investment approaches that drive innovation and support large-scale growth. This article explores the essential differences between these investment types and their impact on the broader tech landscape.Venture Capital and Growth Equity: Target Maturity and ObjectivesWhile both Venture Capital and Growth Equity fall under Private Equity, they target companies at different stages of development, each with unique growth needs. Venture Capital primarily focuses on early-stage startups, typically in Seed, Series A, or Series B funding rounds. These rounds allow young companies to validate their product, build an initial user base, and enter competitive markets. The high risk in Venture Capital lies in the unproven nature of these startups’ business models. Alongside funding, VC investors offer strategic guidance, networks, and essential resources to help the company establish a solid foundation.Growth Equity, on the other hand, targets more mature companies, typically at Series C and beyond, which have validated business models, stable revenue, and a clear value proposition. Growth Equity investors provide capital to achieve specific growth objectives, such as expanding product lines, entering new markets, or making strategic acquisitions. They contribute both funds and expertise to optimise processes and accelerate growth, building on established business models. Growth Equity carries lower risk than VC because these companies have already demonstrated stability and growth potential.This distinction in target maturity and objectives also reflects each approach’s return expectations: Venture Capital seeks exponential returns from a few high-performing companies, while Growth Equity pursues steady, predictable growth by investing in proven business models.Understanding Risk Profiles and Investment ThesesThe risk-return tradeoff is a significant distinction between Venture Capital and Growth Equity. Venture Capital investments involve a high level of risk, supporting startups with limited operational history, untested products, or disruptive but unproven business models. To manage this risk, VC funds diversify their portfolios, hoping that a few high-impact successes will balance out multiple failures.Growth Equity, on the other hand, has a more balanced risk profile. Growth Equity investors focus on companies with more predictable revenue streams, an established customer base, and a strong market position.Ownership and Operational Involvement: Different ApproachesBoth Venture Capital and Growth Equity add value beyond capital, but their levels of operational involvement and ownership stakes vary significantly.Venture Capital investors generally take an active role in a company’s strategy, operations, and growth initiatives. They often hold board seats, mentor founders, and influence key business decisions. This hands-on approach helps young companies lay the groundwork for rapid growth.In contrast, Growth Equity investors adopt a more indirect approach, focusing on optimising existing structures rather than creating new ones. Their involvement typically centres on improving operational efficiency, refining processes, and driving sustainable growth. For example, a Growth Equity investor might help a company optimise its marketing spend, streamline operations, or build strategic partnerships, allowing it to grow sustainably without direct intervention in daily management.Minority vs Majority StakesOwnership stakes also differ between Venture Capital and Growth Equity. Venture Capital investors typically take minority stakes, enabling founders and early team members to retain significant ownership and control. This approach allows VC investors to provide capital and strategic support without exercising direct control, aligning with their focus on fostering innovation.Growth Equity investors may choose either minority or majority stakes depending on the company’s maturity, growth potential, and strategic goals. While minority stakes are common, some Growth Equity firms prefer majority ownership, particularly if they see potential for substantial operational improvements. With a majority stake, Growth Equity investors can guide strategic decisions, focus on operational efficiency and profitability, and ultimately maximise company value.Exit Strategies and Impact on the Tech EcosystemVenture Capital and Growth Equity investors each pursue exit strategies aligned with their investment horizons and goals. For Venture Capital, exits are often achieved through IPOs or acquisitions by larger tech companies, enabling investors to realise exponential returns. This exit model drives continuous innovation in the ecosystem, as companies initially supported by VC often become acquirers of new startups, sustaining the cycle of growth.Growth Equity investors, however, have a broader range of exit options. Beyond IPOs and acquisitions, Growth Equity allows for structured exits through secondary sales or buyouts by other private equity firms. In doing so, Growth Equity plays a vital role in consolidating maturity within the tech ecosystem, allowing these companies to grow sustainably.Valuation Methods in Venture Capital and Growth EquityValuation methods vary significantly between Venture Capital and Growth Equity, reflecting the characteristics and objectives of each type of investment. In Venture Capital, valuations are often based on forward-looking projections of a company’s market potential. Techniques like the Projected Revenue Multiple (VC Method), Berkus Method, and Scorecard Valuation assess value according to non-financial indicators such as product viability or team expertise rather than historical performance. These approaches allow investors to value future potential.Growth Equity, by contrast, relies on valuation methods rooted in financial performance. Common approaches include Comparable Company Analysis, EBITDA Multiples, and Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), providing a quantitative assessment of enterprise value based on established financial ratios.For investors managing complex portfolios that include both Venture Capital and Growth Equity, having flexible tools to apply these diverse valuation methods is essential. The ScaleX Invest platform meets this need by offering a comprehensive suite of tools to evaluate and optimise portfolio value at every stage, from due diligence through to IPO.
VC and PE Guide

Technology Investment: Distinguishing Venture Capital from Growth Equity

Dynamic fair value assessment powered by ScaleX Invest, ensuring compliance with IPEV standards and fostering trust through accurate market-aligned valuations.
Portfolio Monitoring

IPEV: A Comprehensive Guide for Venture Capital and Growth Equity

ScaleX Invest offering seven valuation models, including DCF, VC method, and revenue multiples, for comprehensive tech company portfolio analysis.
Valuation

Everything You Need to Know About ScaleX Invest's Valuation Methods

ScaleX Invest’s “European Tech IPO Barometer” highlights key trends in post-IPO performance, showcasing mature tech hubs, underwriter dynamics, and high-performing sectors like AI and CleanTech.
News from ScaleX

Unlocking the Potential of European Tech IPOs: Key Takeaways from ScaleX Invest's Latest White Paper

ScaleX Invest bridges the gap between Venture Capital and Private Equity, offering tailored valuation models like DCF, revenue multiples, and listed peers for precise investment strategies.
VC and PE Guide

Venture Capital vs. Private Equity: Understanding Key Differences

Portfolio Monitoring

Understanding Waterfall Mechanisms in Venture Capital: Impact on GPs’ Returns

ScaleX Invest reduces startup bankruptcy risks in the French tech ecosystem, leveraging advanced scoring algorithms to identify high-potential companies and ensure portfolio resilience.
News from ScaleX

Understanding Post-Series A Bankruptcies in the French Tech Ecosystem

News from ScaleX

ScaleX Invest’s new portfolio feature: a comprehensive solution for funds and LPs

General Partners (GPs) and Limited Partners (LPs) rely on performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the viability and success of their investments. These KPIs offer a quantitative measure of investment performance, thus enabling better decision-making processes. ScaleX Invest, through its SaaS solutions, provides investors with valuation methods adapted to technology companies, including multiples, to effectively track their portfolios. Here is an overview of the KPIs tracked by GPs and LPs.Internal Rate of Return (IRR)Gross IRRGross IRR is a crucial indicator for GPs as it measures their gross investment capacity by calculating the rate of return on invested capital before taking fees, expenses, and commissions into account. This indicator reflects the GP's ability to generate returns from the invested capital, providing a clear picture of investment performance. However, this indicator can be misleading if compared between funds or investments without considering differences in fee structures, as it does not account for incurred costs, which can significantly impact net returns for LPs.Net IRRNet IRR, on the other hand, is essential for LPs as it takes all fees and expenses into account, reflecting the actual return on the capital invested by LPs. This indicator is fundamental at the fund level as it provides a realistic view of the returns that LPs can expect after all costs are deducted. However, it can vary considerably depending on the provisions for commissions, fees, and expenses. Moreover, it is less informative at the beginning of a fund's lifecycle due to the J-curve effect, where investments may show negative returns.Multiple on Invested Capital (MOIC)MOIC is a key multiple for assessing a GP's performance. It measures the total value generated from the invested capital, highlighting the fund's ability to choose profitable investments. A clear advantage of MOIC is its ability to provide a simple indication of overall return without the distortion of time. However, it can be less informative about the efficiency of capital use over time, as it does not take investment duration into account. Additionally, MOIC can be divided into realised and unrealised MOIC. Realised MOIC measures the returns from liquidated investments, while unrealised MOIC evaluates the current value of active investments. Together, they offer a complete view of past performance and potential future gains.Total Value to Paid-In Capital (TVPI)TVPI is a critical indicator that measures the total value created relative to the capital paid in by LPs, thus offering an indication of the fund's ability to maximise returns. TVPI's strength lies in its ability to reflect both realised and potential future returns, making it a comprehensive measure of a fund's performance. However, TVPI can sometimes be inflated by unrealised gains that may not materialise. As with MOIC, the duration of investments is not considered, which constitutes a limitation.Residual Value to Paid-In Capital (RVPI)RVPI measures the theoretical value of active investments in the fund. This indicator is important at the beginning of the fund's lifecycle as it provides an estimate of future returns. However, it must be considered with caution as it accounts for unrealised value. Excessive reliance on RVPI can lead to an overestimation of a fund's performance.Distributions to Paid-In Capital (DPI)DPI measures the capital actually returned to LPs compared to the capital paid in. This indicator is crucial at the end of the fund's lifecycle as it reflects the realised value of investments. DPI is advantageous as it provides a direct measure of cash returns for LPs and is essential for evaluating the success of exits and the overall performance of the fund. However, focusing solely on DPI neglects the potential value of active investments (RVPI).Net Asset Value (NAV)This indicator is essential for GPs and LPs to assess the health and value of the portfolio. The main advantage of NAV is that it provides an instant snapshot of the current value of the portfolio, which is crucial for monitoring and comparing with other investment opportunities. Like RVPI, NAV can be influenced by the subjective valuation of unrealised investments.ProceedsProceeds refer to the distributions from the total or partial liquidation of investments. This indicator is crucial for assessing the returns generated by investments. Proceeds offer a direct measure of the success of exits.ConclusionFor technology investors, tracking these KPIs is crucial for making informed decisions and optimising investment strategies. ScaleX Invest's solutions allow investors to have accurate and relevant data, enabling them to assess opportunities and effectively value their portfolios. By leveraging these KPIs, GPs and LPs can maximise the return on their investments.ScaleX Invest provides a solid analytical framework for technology investors, ensuring that they have the necessary tools and insights to navigate a particularly dynamic ecosystem.
Portfolio Monitoring

Performance Indicators Tracked by GPs and LPs

ScaleX combines the peers multiple method with advanced analytics, enabling investors to benchmark valuations effectively while mitigating risks like market mispricing.
Valuation

Pros and cons of the peers multiple method to value Tech Companies

Analyzing the pros and cons of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) method in valuing tech companies, highlighting its comprehensive financial analysis and limitations for early-stage startups.
Valuation

Pros and Cons of the DCF Method to Value Tech Companies

ScaleX introducing the Waterfall Valuation Model, enabling tech investors to account for liquidation preferences and achieve precise portfolio valuations.
Portfolio Monitoring

Introducing ScaleX’s new Waterfall model: a Game-Changer for Tech Investors

ScaleX Invest empowers private equity investors with robust valuation tools, aligning with IPEV Guidelines and European regulatory standards for transparency and accuracy.
Portfolio Monitoring

Ensuring Independence: Valuation Guidance in European Private Equity

ScaleX exploring the integration of AI in investment management, focusing on compliance, portfolio optimization, and enhancing customer service with advanced tools.
VC and PE Guide

AI for Advisory: a friend more than a foe

Portfolio Monitoring

How can CVCs track and show the value of their portfolio?

VC and PE Guide

Unveiling the difference between LPs and GPs in finance

Portfolio Monitoring

Understanding NAV financing

Fundraising

What Venture Loan debt costs

Valuation

What you should know about early-stage startup valuation

VC and PE Guide

Infographics: optimising the e-commerce conversion funnel

VC and PE Guide

E-commerce success: 10 KPIs that matter

VC and PE Guide

10 KPIs you need to track regarding SaaS

VC and PE Guide

Stock exchange: the difference between IPO and Direct Listing

Equity Management

Incentive compensation: how to build loyalty, retain and reward employees

Fundraising

Startup funding: key alternatives to VC money

VC and PE Guide

Decoding SaaS KPIs: read our infographic

Fundraising

Keys to a well-designed executive summary

ScaleX leveraging SaaS and PaaS models to provide bankers with advanced tools for investment management, risk analysis, and operational efficiency.
VC and PE Guide

Decoding tech jargon: PaaS, SaaS and IaaS

ScaleX empowers investors with its ESG module, supporting compliance with SFDR requirements and enabling transparent, data-driven portfolio management.
Sustainability

Reading the SFDR Article 8 and 9 categorisations

ScaleX advancing startup valuation research through its partnership with Audencia’s ‘Finance for Innovation’ Chair, analyzing the impact of macroeconomic factors and business cycles.
News from ScaleX

R&D partnership between ScaleX and Audencia's "Finance for Innovation" chair

Sustainability

ESG Score: promoting sustainable growth and social impact

Sustainability

Unlocking success: Extra-financial criteria in company assessment

Corporate Venture

Working with a startup: should you buy, co-develop or invest?

Sustainability

Where do startups fit in a corporate ESG strategy?

Fundraising

What's the difference between a pre-seed and seed funding round?

Fundraising

Banks and startups: an ever evolving relationship

Corporate Venture

10 reasons why you should work with startups

VC and PE Guide

Infographic - Top trends in the circular economy

News from ScaleX

Early Metrics becomes ScaleX, data-driven software

Sustainability

Measuring environmental and social impact with ESG scoring

Sustainability

Infographic – Key trends in sustainable finance

Early Metrics partners with Euronext to provide automated analytical reports, enhancing investor insights into 430 listed Tech SMEs across Europe.
News from ScaleX

Euronext and Early Metrics join forces to support Tech SME investors

Corporate Venture

How can procurement teams assess and mitigate the risks of engaging with startups

Fundraising

How can banks improve their relationship with small businesses

Equity Management

Founder and CEO: two distinct roles in a startup

Valuation

DCF or VC, which is the best startup valuation method?

VC and PE Guide

What’s the difference between a startup, a scale-up, and a tech company?

Fundraising

Startup loans: how can banks deal with their high credit risk?

Fundraising

ScaleX: helping banks better collaborate with startups

Corporate Venture

How startups and researchers can partner to foster innovation

News from ScaleX

Euronext launches the Tech Leaders segment in partnership with Early Metrics

Fundraising

Entrepreneurs: 6 things to know before talking to a bank

Sustainability

Earth Day: 10 emerging startups fighting climate change in Europe

Sustainability

Climate Tech: 8 innovative trends to make finance more sustainable

Corporate Venture

Corporate Venture Capital: top solutions for common pain points

Corporate Venture

5 reasons why open innovation teams use startup scoring

Fundraising

A new AI-led approach to credit risk and retailer financing