Michael Dell's newest role: private investor

Article Abstract:

Dell Computer's founder, Michael Dell, is nurturing the financial growth of technology start-ups through his new investment company, MSD Capital. The move has allowed the 34-year-old Dell to emerge as a significant investor who can allocate money and professional resources to generate new ideas or handle company acquisitions. Dell is the lone general partner, or lead investor, in the $1 billion New York firm that has assisted at least 12 companies since its Jul 1998 debut. Technology trends influence Dell's investment strategies, as do companies that approximate his business interests. Dell provides input and even tests products, according to MSD Capital investment partners. A Dell Computer spokeswoman said Dell also adheres to Dell Computer's policy of prohibiting executives from influencing companies in which they hold a stake. This boundary would counter any conflict-of-interest questions regarding MSD Capital and Dell Computer suppliers.

Strategy & planning, Management, Planning, Financial services industry, Financial services, Services, Investment companies, Company services, Company business planning, Dell, Michael, MSD Capital

---

Knowing when to quit: do optimism and overconfidence cloud inventor judgment

Article Abstract:

A survey of 730 Canadian inventors finds that this group generally continues to spend money on their project despite having been told that their project is not feasible. The study also found that inventors who had a positive evaluation of their project were more optimistic and risk taking. It is also found that optimism seemed to matter more to those inventors who were advised to discontinue their project.

Behavior, Inventors, Confidence, Optimism, Survey

---

Does whom you know matter in venture capital networks?

Article Abstract:

Networking appears to have performance benefits to portfolio companies even if it does not lead to co-investing. The number of well-connected venture capital firms (VC) that a particular VC is connected to has the strongest influence on performance.

Analysis, Business networks (Social groups), Business performance management, Report

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Timely stocks with high return on equity. Advantages and disadvantages of E/C international standards
• Abstracts: Information content of extended trading for index futures. Non linear dynamics and competing behavioral interpretations: evidence from intra-day FTSE-100 Index and futures data
• Abstracts: The role of innovation characteristics and perceived voluntariness in the acceptance of information technologies
• Abstracts: Who trades on pro forma earnings information? Introducing the first management control systems: evidence from the retail sector
• Abstracts: Can standard operating procedures be motivating? Reconciling process variability issues and behavioral outcomes

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.