Forbes: NVCA CEO Bobby Franklin on Venture Capital's Innovation Impact

In a Forbes interview, Bobby Franklin, President and CEO of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), outlines the organization's efforts to advocate for public policies that stimulate innovation and propel economic growth. Franklin highlights key policy challenges and priorities impacting the venture capital ecosystem. He addresses the detrimental effects of revised M&A guidelines, which have intensified scrutiny and decelerated the exit market, a critical component for capital return to investors. The interview also underscores the significance of tax policy, particularly the successful campaign to reinstate immediate expensing of R&D costs for startups, averting the previous requirement to amortize these expenses over five years. Looking forward, Franklin identifies AI regulation, legal immigration reform to attract top talent, and revisions to defense procurement rules as crucial long-term policy considerations. The discussion emphasizes venture capital's role in supporting innovation within capital-intensive industries, including life sciences, drug discovery, and artificial intelligence. This article serves as an informative resource for scaleup CMOs and CEOs seeking insight into policy matters directly affecting the venture capital landscape.