How does venture capital play a role in corporate green innovation? Evidence from China

Abstract

This research underscores the critical role of green innovation in advancing corporate sustainability and green transformation. Analyzing 9048 panel data points from China between 2010 and 2021, we applied a series of fixed effect models to assess how venture capital (VC) influences corporate green innovation. The study examined the effect of VC on two key business aspects: the costs of debt financing and the propensity for corporate risk-taking. The findings confirm that venture capital is essential in promoting corporate green innovation by lowering debt-related financial burdens and diminishing firms' inclination to take risks. Additionally, our heterogeneity analysis indicates that venture capital's impact is more pronounced within eastern China and among state-owned enterprises, suggesting regional and ownership-based variations in green innovation dynamics.