venture capital

[ven-cher kap-i-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.

venture capital

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

Other Word Forms

• venture capitalism noun
• venture capitalist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of venture capital¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

He has ploughed some of those riches into a European venture capital firm, which has backed firms such as Germany's Helsing, which develops weapons systems powered by artificial intelligence.

From BBC

Southern California defense startups are receiving millions in funding as Silicon Valley venture capital firms and legacy tech giants do an about-turn on the sector.

From Los Angeles Times

With a gross domestic product topping $4.1 trillion, he said the state leads in startups, venture capital and space technology.

From Los Angeles Times

Recently a U.S. federal court of appeals upheld this lie by ruling against the Atlanta-based Fearless Fund, a venture capital firm’s grant program designed to benefit Black women businesses founded and run by Black women.

From Salon

Globally, venture capital investments in defense tech is on the rise.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• working capital