RRE's Robinson discusses VC-backed IPO trend

James D. Robinson IV, co-founder and managing partner at RRE Ventures LLC, shares his investment strategies. RRE, which typically invests in information technology companies, expects to be in a company for about three to seven years, says Robinson. "I would argue we are actually already in a period where exits are ... shorter, rather than longer." There have been a slew of recent venture capital-backed initial public offerings, including RRE investments WisdomTree and Vocera Communications Inc. Robinson cites the election, improving conditions in Europe and the attention on Facebook Inc. as motivating factors for IPO activity. Although he suggests that Facebook-Instagram might inspire other large deals, he still feels that overall tech M&A pricing "doesn't feel like '99 yet." - Katie Roof