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

The government's Sovereign AI unit is a venture capital fund that will invest in British AI companies, backed by £500m of public funding.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

This is especially true for the growth-stage firms across Europe, which are too mature for early-stage venture capital but too small and too risky for conventional bank lending.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

Graflund previously worked at the venture capital business of private equity firm EQT—an early backer of Candela—and has held senior roles at Northvolt and Heart Aerospace.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

ARK’s Cathie Wood, one of the most bullish names in tech, said Tuesday that the move will help with the “democratization” of venture capital.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Parallel to the most advanced and promising scientific endeavors, venture capital underwrites the industries of the near future.

From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Nadin, Mihai

Related Words

• working capital