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

Total venture capital in the U.S. amounted to only $400 million a year when I began my career.

From The Wall Street Journal

Patience previously covered venture capital and startups in the Journal’s San Francisco bureau.

From The Wall Street Journal

Although the company hasn’t said why it decided to leave Colorado, Florida has become a growing hub for technology firms and venture capital.

From MarketWatch

“If you launch your balloon from an open field you are at risk of an enemy counterstrike,” said Zubrin, who has since raised $2.5 million in venture capital and is supplying the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some of Black’s outside investments were in funds focused on investing in timber, venture capital and Chinese private equity—areas not generally in Apollo’s wheelhouse at the time.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• working capital