What is Venture Capital?

Definition:

Venture capital is a type of investment business ventures can seek from financially-qualifying individuals, investment banks, or financial institutions to help jumpstart operation and scale their business.

🤔 Understanding venture capital

To start a new business, an entrepreneur needs money. Venture capital is one funding source that can help make it possible for entrepreneurs to finance a new business venture. Startups in their early stages (less than 2 years old) typically turn to venture capital to get started since banks, capital markets and other sources of loans are less likely to consider them because of their limited (or no) operating history. However, funding through venture capital is not available only at the fledgling stages. It can also cushion a business at later stages of its early evolution. To secure funding, entrepreneurs must prove the validity of their business idea and its potential to grow in the long-term to a venture capitalist (a single investor, aka a VC) or a venture capital firm (a group of investors, aka a VC firm.) Often, the riskier the idea, the more likely it is to woo VCs who have a penchant for business ideas that are “disruptive” and have the potential to reshape industries.

Example

The venture capital industry has its wings spread all over the world, but the Bay Area — that is, San Francisco and Silicon Valley — dominates the total venture capital investment in the entire United States. Despite the risk involved, venture capitalists love investing in technology innovation startups because of their track record of easier scalability and quick returns. Successful big technology businesses that grew out the valley in the last couple of decades, like Google, PayPal, Apple, Meta, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Uber, all started because their founders had a compelling idea, and a venture capitalist took a chance on them. GGV, Sequoia Capital, Accel Partners, Benchmark Capital, Andreesen Horowitz, and Founders Fund, are some of the big-name venture capital players in industries ranging from technology to new media, healthcare, and financial services.

Takeaway

Securing venture capital funding can prove to be a fortune for a new, inexperienced business. But venture capitalists (or VCs) are not buying into the risk and uncertainty for nothing...

In exchange for funding, VCs are likely to ask for equity in the company they’re investing in. That gives them part-ownership and a say in decision-making. A VC may also ask to sit on the board of directors of the company it backs. When selecting an investor, founders too are entering a gamble, too, because they typically give up some ownership stake in their company in exchange for funding, as well as reduced control, in many cases. Plus, the process to secure funding isn’t always straightforward. VCs are often professional investors with a ton of industry and investment experience. To select investors who are at the top of their game, entrepreneurs need to be on top of theirs, too.

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What is the difference between venture capital and private equity?

Private equity and venture capital firms perform similar tasks— Both make calculated investments in private companies to increase their value and profitability, with the hope of garnering substantial returns down the line. Both do so by raising funds from financially-qualifying individuals and institutions. They’re related, but they are not the same. Below are three key differences in business operations and overall motivations that can set them apart from each other:

  • Age and size of the investee: Private equity firms tend to invest in older, more established companies that have been in operation for a while. For example, in 2014, a leading private equity firm called Bain Capital invested in the popular American shoemaker TOMS Shoes Inc. after it had been in business for about 8 years. On the other hand, venture capital firms focus on giving fresh, emerging businesses and startup ideas the financial resources they need to set the ball rolling.
  • Size of the investment: Private equity firms spend hundreds of millions, even billions, of dollars while investing in companies. Investments made by venture capital firms are relatively smaller and more incremental. A venture capital investment in a startup in its early stages, for instance, may not exceed $10M. As the company grows and its business expands, venture capitalists may invest more and more.
  • Risk and uncertainty: Between the two, private equity firms are the ones playing it relatively safe. This is because the companies they are investing in are older, have a track record to assess and enough performance data to analyze. Venture capitalist firms, on the other hand, may find risk charming. It’s part of their job to sniff the long-term potential of an idea when it is only a business plan, not an actual business in operation.

Who is an angel investor?

If private equity is for teenage and adult companies, and venture capital is for toddlers, angel investing is for newborns. An angel investor is a wealthy individual with deep pockets who jumps in at the very beginning of a business idea’s life cycle to support its transition into a real business. In other words, an angel investor is committed to the long idea of an embryonic company that has little or no capital.

How is an angel investing different from venture capital?

Angel investing is a subset of venture capital and usually involves an investment lower than venture capital. Angel investors are literally helping to plant the seeds for a business they hope will bloom. That’s where the kind of funding they provide, seed funding, gets its name.

However, angel investing involves a single individual shelling out dollars. That makes it all the more crucial for an entrepreneur raising funding through an angel investor to differentiate between a professional and proficient investor who is adept with processes of due diligence and product analysis, which can help guide the fledgling company, versus someone who is investing with less expertise or experience.

Angel investors and venture capitalists may also differ in their expectations from the business they invest in. As mentioned above, venture capitalists seek equity in the company and thus, a say in the company’s decisions. They may or may not take on mentorship. Angel investors, however, are likely to mentor and advise the company they’ve invested in and ensure they sustain on a path to success.

What are the different stages of venture capital investment?

  1. Startup stage: At this stage, the investment is focused on a newly-minted company, or a startup, that has just about begun revving its engines. The startup’s founder may have made a personal investment to develop the idea or venture. There is still plenty of room to build experience with customers and revenue. So the startup is seeking both funding, as well as advice and guidance on navigating the industry and market. This is when an angel investor is likely to step in.

An angel investor can make a necessary investment (typically <$1M) to back the company’s concept. Bear in mind that an angel investor is making more of a personal investment and may be more comfortable funding local companies and those with personal connections.

  1. Seed or early stage: A startup is at the seed or early-stage of funding after some sense of its potential for success has emerged. Experience with cash flow and revenue may still be limited. But, by and large, the venture is ready to hit the ground running. This is when a venture capital (or VC) fund can play a significant role.

At this stage, organized groups of angel investors and VC funds dedicated to early-stage ventures may make an investment (typically $5M - 20M) and guide the startup through challenges ranging from those that are industry- and management-specific, to others that may be more specific to an individual business. Like, building back-end systems, or closing sales. Mentorship on transforming mindset to experience more success in the business may also be available when it is actively sought out. It is worth noting that early-stage VC funds may consider geographic proximity of the startup while making a decision to invest.

  1. Growth stage: A company is already on the highway when it is ready for a growth-stage investment. In other words, a lot has been established— a business model, profitability, and a clear path to growth. A growth-stage investment can help a company travel deeper into newer, less-traveled markets.

At this stage, a potential investee is able to attract robust investments from venture capitalists across the country.

  1. Late stage: A late-stage investment takes place when the business has accumulated enough miles. A profitable company seeking to raise funding for goals that are more strategic, such as expanding overseas or investing in sales and marketing, are eligible for late stage funding. The motivation is to crush the competition and gain a significant advantage in the market.

At this stage, a group of venture capital firms with large pools of funds may come together to make the investment.

Where does a venture capital firm get all its money?

Just like the ventures they invest in, venture capital (or VC) firms also raise the funding they can make available for investments. Partners of a VC firm pull together funds from institutional investors like hedge funds, endowments, insurance companies, and foundations. In exchange for the funds, they owe returns to their investors. In other words, a VC firm sits at a powerful spot between those who need the money and those who can provide it. With great power, however, comes great responsibility. So, it is crucial for VC firms to earn a profit on their investments so that their investees succeed and in turn, they can give their limited partners their money back.

How is a venture capital firm structured?

It is important to understand how venture capital (or VC) firms are structured to gain clarity on who to approach for funding. Below is how a VC firm is typically structured. Job titles are listed in order of hierarchy.

  • Analyst: They are typically the most junior members of the investment team. Analysts tend to have at least 2 to 3 years of experience in banking, consulting, or in a startup. They’re not out on the field and are not the ones making final decisions. What they are doing is due diligence and analysis of potential investments.
  • Associate: Associates have a more people-facing job. They’re out in the field hearing out ideas and evaluating them. Their reconnaissance can help narrow down potential investments for a firm. Associates have the ability to help open the flood gates of funding by giving the green signal for a potential investment to be brought to the attention of higher-ups in the firm.
  • Principal: A Principal is usually a senior, well-networked member of the investment team whose job is to discover promising entrepreneurs and bring them to meet the firm’s senior leadership. They’re not the ones leading deals, but are the ones bringing in the deals with the ability to set up the right meetings with the right people.
  • General Partner: These are the members of the team wearing the big decision-making boots. A General Partner’s (or GP’s) word will carry a large amount of weight as the firm decides what deals to close and which ones to pass. A GP can suggest a potential investment and have their team take a vote on it.
  • Limited Partner: VC firms are typically set up as limited partnerships. The limited partners are in fact the owners and the source of capital for the firm.

How can I become a venture capitalist?

If you have an impressive CV complete with an MBA degree and a few years of experience in consulting, investment banking, or a startup, you may fill some of the common requisite criteria to become a venture capitalist (or VC) and enter the investing arena. Since venture capital firms are often focused on funding innovation in technology, specialization and expertise in a technical field can help give you an edge. Some of the skills that are indispensable to a VC’s job include sourcing deals, doing due diligence, negotiating, and financing. Besides strengthening the hard, technical skills, focusing on fortifying softer skills like building a strong social media presence on sites like LinkedIn or Twitter, and actively taking on the enterprise to network within the entrepreneurial community can go a long way.

Ready to start investing?
Sign up for Robinhood and get stock on us.Certain limitations apply

New customers need to sign up, get approved, and link their bank account. The cash value of the stock rewards may not be withdrawn for 30 days after the reward is claimed. Stock rewards not claimed within 60 days may expire. See full terms and conditions at rbnhd.co/freestock. Securities trading is offered through Robinhood Financial LLC.

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This information is educational, and is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. This information is not a recommendation to buy, hold, or sell an investment or financial product, or take any action. This information is neither individualized nor a research report, and must not serve as the basis for any investment decision. All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of capital. Past performance does not guarantee future results or returns. Before making decisions with legal, tax, or accounting effects, you should consult appropriate professionals. Information is from sources deemed reliable on the date of publication, but Robinhood does not guarantee its accuracy.

Options trading entails significant risk and is not appropriate for all customers. Customers must read and understand the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before engaging in any options trading strategies. Options transactions are often complex and may involve the potential of losing the entire investment in a relatively short period of time. Certain complex options strategies carry additional risk, including the potential for losses that may exceed the original investment amount.

Commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs and options refers to $0 commissions for Robinhood Financial self-directed individual cash or margin brokerage accounts that trade U.S. listed securities and certain OTC securities electronically. Keep in mind, other fees such as trading (non-commission) fees, Gold subscription fees, wire transfer fees, and paper statement fees may apply to your brokerage account. Check out Robinhood Financial’s Fee Schedule for details.

Brokerage services are offered through Robinhood Financial LLC, (RHF) a registered broker dealer (member SIPC) and clearing services through Robinhood Securities, LLC, (RHS) a registered broker dealer (member SIPC). Cryptocurrency services are offered through Robinhood Crypto, LLC (RHC) (NMLS ID: 1702840). Robinhood Crypto is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. The Robinhood spending account is offered through Robinhood Money, LLC (RHY) (NMLS ID: 1990968), a licensed money transmitter. A list of our licenses has more information. The Robinhood Cash Card is a prepaid card issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Mastercard®. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. RHF, RHY, RHC and RHS are affiliated entities and wholly owned subsidiaries of Robinhood Markets, Inc. RHF, RHY, RHC and RHS are not banks. Products offered by RHF are not FDIC insured and involve risk, including possible loss of principal. RHC is not a member of FINRA and accounts are not FDIC insured or protected by SIPC. RHY is not a member of FINRA, and products are not subject to SIPC protection, but funds held in the Robinhood spending account and Robinhood Cash Card account may be eligible for FDIC pass-through insurance (review the Robinhood Cash Card Agreement and the Robinhood Spending Account Agreement).

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