نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 دانشیار، گروه حقوق خصوصی، دانشکده معارف اسلامی و حقوق، دانشگاه امام صادق علیهالسلام، تهران، ایران.
2 استادیار، گروه حقوق خصوصی، دانشکده معارف اسلامی و حقوق، دانشگاه امام صادق علیهالسلام، تهران، ایران.
3 دانشآموخته کارشناسی ارشد حقوق خصوصی، دانشکده معارف اسلامی و حقوق، دانشگاه امام صادق علیهالسلام، تهران، ایران.
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
∴ Introduction
Venture capital investment involves infusing capital, providing managerial services, and planning for capital exit in young, innovative, and growing companies. These distinctive characteristics separate venture capital contracts from other financial agreements. Recognized globally by leaders in both governmental and economic spheres, venture capital investment has proven crucial for economic development and technological advancement. Noteworthy examples include the semiconductor industry and companies such as Microsoft and Facebook (Meta), which have substantially benefited from venture capital investments. For instance, M12, formerly known as Microsoft Ventures, serves as Microsoft’s venture capital firm, investing in startups and technological projects focused on artificial intelligence, software development, and cybersecurity. Similarly, Facebook has established an internal unit dedicated to venture capital investment in new technologies. These ventures highlight the pivotal role of venture capital contracts in driving economic progress within contemporary managerial and economic systems.
However, the agreements and regulations underlying venture capital contracts can create potential conflicts between the rights of the capital recipient and the investor, as evidenced by studies within the US legal system. To mitigate such conflicts, there is a need to redefine the nature of these contracts in accordance with Islamic jurisprudence. In Iran, despite laws and regulations advocating for the support and development of venture capital investments, the legitimacy, validity, and nature of venture capital contracts under the Iranian legal system and Islamic jurisprudence have not been thoroughly explored. This research aims to fill this gap by refuting claims of illegitimacy, establishing the legitimacy of venture capital contracts, and demonstrating their compatibility with Islamic participation agreements while clarifying their incompatibility with other nominate contracts.
∴ Research Question
The central research question of this study is: How can the nature of venture capital contracts be reinterpreted within the framework of Islamic jurisprudence to address claims of their speculative and irrational nature, thereby establishing their legitimacy and validity in both Islamic and Iranian legal systems?
∴ Research Hypothesis
The hypothesis driving this research posits that venture capital contracts, when scrutinized under Islamic jurisprudence, can be deemed legitimate and valid. This legitimacy hinges on demonstrating that these contracts align with the principles of Islamic finance and jurisprudence, particularly through the framework of participation agreements. The study hypothesizes that the speculative and irrational concerns associated with venture capital contracts can be addressed by redefining their nature within the Islamic legal context, thus proving their compatibility with the principles of trade and profit-sharing recognized in Islamic law.
∴ Methodology & Framework, if Applicable
This research employs a library-documentary method for data collection and a descriptive-analytical approach for data analysis. The study involves deducing, interpreting, and reasoning findings from documents, with extensive references to the texts and opinions of Islamic jurists and legal scholars. The methodological framework includes:
Reviewing existing literature on venture capital contracts in both Western and Islamic legal contexts.
Analyzing the principles of Islamic jurisprudence to understand the legitimacy of venture capital contracts.
Examining the compatibility of venture capital contracts with various nominate contracts in Islamic jurisprudence, such as sale, partnership, reward, and participation agreements.
Utilizing the principles of the Qur'an, specifically the general verse "Allah has permitted trade" (Surah Al-Baqarah - 275), the rule of the Muslim market, and the principle of legitimacy to argue for the validity of venture capital contracts.
∴ Results & Discussion
The study finds that venture capital contracts, despite their modern inception, can be aligned with the principles of Islamic jurisprudence, particularly through the lens of participation agreements. The key results and discussions include:
Legitimacy in Islamic Jurisprudence: The venture capital contract is legitimized by the principle of the validity of contracts and the Qur'anic verse permitting trade. This legitimacy is further supported by the rule of the Muslim market and the overarching principle of legitimacy in Islamic law.
Compatibility with Nominate Contracts: The venture capital contract shares significant similarities with the participation agreement in Islamic jurisprudence. Both contracts involve the mixing of assets, shared ownership, and management of these assets according to agreed terms. The division of profits and losses based on co-owned shares in both contracts further establishes this compatibility.
Addressing Speculative and Irrational Claims: The speculative nature of venture capital investments, while inherent to their high-risk, high-reward paradigm, can be rationalized within Islamic jurisprudence by emphasizing the profit-sharing and risk-bearing principles foundational to Islamic finance.
Economic and Technological Impact: By legitimizing venture capital contracts within the Islamic legal framework, the study underscores their potential in fostering economic development and technological innovation, as evidenced by successful global examples.
∴ Conclusion
This research concludes that venture capital contracts, while modern, can be reconciled with the principles of Islamic jurisprudence, particularly through the framework of participation agreements. By proving their legitimacy based on Islamic legal principles, the study establishes their validity within the Iranian legal system. The key findings are:
Venture capital contracts are legitimate and valid under Islamic jurisprudence, supported by the Qur'anic principles of trade and the rule of the Muslim market [Souq al-Muslimeen].
These contracts align closely with the participation agreement in Islamic jurisprudence, sharing critical elements such as asset mixing, shared ownership, and profit-loss distribution.
Addressing the speculative and irrational concerns associated with venture capital contracts can be achieved by emphasizing their alignment with the risk-sharing principles of Islamic finance.
The research highlights the significant role of venture capital contracts in economic and technological advancement, advocating for their broader acceptance and integration within Islamic legal systems.
By establishing the legitimacy and redefining the nature of venture capital contracts within Islamic jurisprudence, this study paves the way for their acceptance and utilization in fostering economic growth and innovation, particularly within Islamic countries like Iran.
کلیدواژهها [English]