seed money

American  

noun

1. capital for the initial stages of a new business or other enterprise, especially for the initial operating costs.

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seed money British  

noun

1. money used for the establishment of an enterprise

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Etymology

Origin of seed money

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

seed money

There have now been 7 million sign-ups, and 1.7 million of those accounts are eligible for the $1,000 in seed money, according to fresh figures from the Treasury Department.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026

It might take a little time for the $1,000 seed money to show up in some cases, financial advisers say.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026

Micron raised $300,000 in seed money from local Boise business leaders, and in 1980 it received a $1 million investment from J.R.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 3, 2026

The seed money may show as pending or on the way, the Treasury official noted.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 2026

He gave a million dollars in seed money and hired an attorney to draw up papers for Partners in Health and its corresponding sister organization in Haiti, Zanmi Lasante.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French