Venture Capital


The phrase venture capital can cover a wide variety of situations. We use it to refer to those firms or individuals who invest equity in early stage, unquoted businesses to support their growth. The investee businesses will often be exploiting leading edge technology. In these cases the investor is relying on the success of the technology and the growth in the market for that product for its return. Venture capital supporting technology is the most risky form of investment. Most venture capital firms would look for technology relevant skills when considering candidates. 

The venture capital firms tend to focus on one or both of the following.

• ICT - information and communications technology
• Life Sciences - biotechnology and healthcare

Venture capital is also used to refer to funds supporting domestic businesses with equity investments of under £10m for growth or for buy-outs or buy-ins. Venture capital firms in this area would include Venture Capital Trusts, Regional Venture Capital Funds and some specialist sector or regional funds.





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