In the US, venture capital investment in 2008 was about 0.2% of GDP, yet venture-backed companies already produced 21% of GDP, and provided 11% of private sector employment. This is an enormously effective economic multiplier of which the US has enjoyed the benefit, but the UK has not. No directly comparable figures are available for the UK, but the amount is known to be very small.

Set against a variety of Government initiatives to assist the growth of small companies, a panel of distinguished UK venture capitalists will debate why this is so, and what can be done to change the situation. In particular, our panel will consider:

- Why has professional seed stage venture funding thrived in the US, but not in the UK?
- How does the way in which such venture activity is carried on in the US differ from the US?
- Are there aspects of US best practice which can be translated or reproduced?
- How can Government policy facilitate and encourage this process?

Speakers:
CHAIR: Guy Fraser-Sampson - Head of Financial Policy, Policy Exchange
Richard Anton Partner - Amadeus Capital and Chairman, BVCA
Charles Irving Partner - Pond Ventures
Bindi Karia - VC/Emerging Business Lead, Microsoft

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