Core Viewpoint - The China Securities Investment Fund Industry Association has issued a notice urging private equity and venture capital funds to set reasonable equity buyback clauses, encouraging long-term discussions to resolve conflicts of interest and support the growth of real enterprises [1][7]. Group 1: Industry Development - The private equity and venture capital fund industry in China has been steadily developing, acting as a representative of patient capital and contributing positively to high-quality economic development through its roles as incubators, accelerators, and promoters of technological innovation [2][9]. - The application rate of equity buyback clauses in domestic primary market investment activities has exceeded 90%, indicating their widespread use to address uncertainties and information asymmetries between investors and companies [2][9]. Group 2: Challenges and Issues - The issue of equity buybacks has become a focal point in the market, with many startups facing financial and developmental pressures due to triggered buybacks, leading to difficulties for private equity funds in exiting their investments [3][10]. - The inability of companies to go public in the short term can lead to aggressive claims for buyback rights, potentially resulting in insolvency or bankruptcy for the companies involved, which ultimately harms fund investors [3][10]. Group 3: Regulatory Guidance - The notice emphasizes that private equity and venture capital funds must set scientifically reasonable buyback clauses and avoid using buyback arrangements for illegal lending or other non-equity investment activities [3][10]. - Fund managers are encouraged to adopt a long-term investment and value investment philosophy, enhancing their capabilities in value discovery, active management, and valuation pricing [3][10]. Group 4: Recommendations for Stakeholders - The notice encourages fund managers to communicate effectively with investors and other stakeholders when buyback conditions are triggered, assessing external factors such as macroeconomic conditions and industry policies [4][11]. - It suggests that fund managers should consider flexible measures, such as extending buyback deadlines or adjusting buyback targets, to help companies navigate difficulties and support their growth [4][11]. Group 5: Building a Healthy Ecosystem - To restore balance and compatibility in equity buyback clauses, collaboration among all market participants in terms of concepts, rules, and actions is essential [5][12]. - Fund managers must balance diligence and flexibility, ensuring that any measures taken to assist companies are communicated transparently to investors to avoid potential liabilities [5][12][13].

Core Insights - The new "National Nine Articles" and other government initiatives aim to enhance the "fundraising, investment, management, and exit" cycle, promoting venture capital and private equity investment to support technological innovation [1][2] Fundraising and Management - As of the end of 2024, Shenzhen has 801 private equity and venture capital fund managers with 3,429 registered funds, managing a total of 410.34 billion yuan, representing year-on-year growth of 4.13% and 1.13% respectively [3] - The number of private equity venture capital funds has increased 2.65 times since the end of 2018, with a management scale growth of 2.25 times, averaging annual growth rates of 24.09% and 21.74% [3] - The top 10% of institutions manage approximately 74% of the total fund scale, indicating a significant concentration trend in the industry [2] Investor Participation - The number of institutional investors in Shenzhen's private equity venture capital funds reached 17,110, with a total contribution of 835.86 billion yuan, reflecting year-on-year increases of 0.76% and 0.41% respectively [5] - The participation of long-term funds has increased, with government funds, guiding funds, pension and social security funds, insurance funds, and bank funds seeing a 16.74% increase in investor numbers [5] Investment Trends - By the end of 2024, Shenzhen's private equity venture capital funds had invested in 20,409 projects, targeting 12,503 companies nationwide, with a total investment amount of 963.99 billion yuan, a decrease of 2.37% year-on-year [7] - Investment in early-stage and small enterprises has increased, with early-stage projects accounting for 46.36% of total investments, up 0.97 percentage points from the previous year [7] - Investment in hard technology sectors, including aerospace, defense, and semiconductors, has seen significant growth, with project numbers increasing by 25.46%, 12.17%, and 6.46% respectively [8] Exit Strategies - The total number of exit projects in Shenzhen's private equity venture capital industry reached 1,954 in 2024, the highest in three years, with exit capital of 43.069 billion yuan, marking increases of 94.62% and 71.06% respectively [10][12] - The primary exit methods remain agreement transfers and corporate buybacks, with significant growth in public market exits as well [12][14] - The overall exit return multiple has decreased, but hard technology sectors have shown promising returns, with chemical products and semiconductors achieving exit multiples of 5.14 and 3.01 respectively [14][15]

Core Insights - The article discusses the development trends of venture capital institutions in Shenzhen over the past year, particularly focusing on the impact of the new "National Nine Articles" implemented in 2024 on the fundraising, investment, and exit cycles of private equity and venture capital [1][2]. Group 1: Investment Trends - Shenzhen's private equity and venture capital funds have shown a significant increase in investments in "hard technology" sectors, with notable growth in aerospace and defense (up 25.46%), semiconductors (up 12.17%), and biotechnology (up 6.46%) [1][7]. - The total number of projects in the "hard technology" category has reached 10,900, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.71%, with a three-year average annual growth rate of 11.14% [7]. Group 2: Exit Performance - The number of exit projects for Shenzhen's private equity and venture capital funds reached 1,954 in 2024, marking a new three-year high and a year-on-year increase of 96.42% [2]. - The actual exit amount for 2024 was 588.31 billion yuan, reflecting a growth of 70.28% compared to 2023 [2]. - Public market exits have also seen significant growth, with 331 projects exiting through this channel, a nearly 90% increase, and an actual exit amount of 222.41 billion yuan, up 104.50% [2][3]. Group 3: Funding Sources - The participation of long-term funds in Shenzhen's private equity and venture capital sector has increased, with the number of long-term fund investors rising by 16.74% to 2,381.06 billion yuan in 2024 [4]. - The number of guiding fund investors increased by 24.32% to 624, with a total investment of 909.47 billion yuan, a year-on-year growth of 14.11% [4]. Group 4: Fund Management Growth - As of the end of 2024, there were 801 private equity and venture capital fund managers in Shenzhen, managing a total of 3,429 funds with a combined scale of 4,103.42 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year growth of 4.13% in fund numbers and 1.13% in scale [6]. - The number of private equity and venture capital funds has increased by 165% since the end of 2018, with an average annual growth rate of 24.09% [6].