venture capital

American  

[ven-cher kap-i-tl] / ˈvɛn tʃər ˌkæp ɪ tl /

noun

1. funds invested or available for investment in a new or unproven business enterprise (often used attributively): a venture capital firm. VC

   Startups may seek private equity or venture capital as alternative funding sources;

   a venture capital firm.

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venture capital British  

noun

1. capital that is provided for a new commercial enterprise by individuals or organizations other than those who own the new enterprise

2. another name for risk capital

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Other Word Forms

• venture capitalism noun
• venture capitalist noun

Etymology

Origin of venture capital

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

For the first time ever, many investors will be able to allocate a portion of their retirement portfolio to so-called alternative investments, such as private equity, venture capital, private credit and hedge funds.

From MarketWatch

“We like venture capital in particular because there’s a potential to get into highly disruptive companies across all sectors of the global economy, but particularly technology and healthcare,” Mehrotra said.

From The Wall Street Journal

They just behave like public venture capital — exciting, but unsuitable as a core holding.

From MarketWatch

In November alone, there were 14 venture capital rounds of half a billion dollars or more.

From Barron's

In November alone, there were 14 venture capital rounds of half a billion dollars or more.

From Barron's

Related Words

• working capital