Move by 500 Startups means more firms will openly market funds — peHUB poll

You go first. No, you go first.

That seems to be the mindset of many private equity and venture funds following the SEC’s decision last year to lift the ban on general solicitation. So far, just two VC funds have taken advantage of the new rules — ff Venture Capital and 500 Startups.

But, according to a peHUB survey, many more firms will start to openly market their funds in the next 18 months.

Our poll asked: “Now that 500 Startups is publicly soliciting investors, do you expect a lot more funds to follow?”

Of the 93 people who took the survey, two-thirds answered in the affirmative.

The largest number — 36, or about 39 percent — responded: “Yes, but not till 2015.”

Another 26 respondents (or 28 percent) said, “Yes, the floodgates will open in 2H.”

Just 31 people (or 33 percent) – answered, “No, it will remain rare.”

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