There are many types of venture capital firms. Listed below are the different types. Startup Capital, Expansion Capital, and Late Stage Capital are just some of them.
Each one has its own unique set of characteristics. To find out more, read on! To get started, you’ll need a little bit of experience in your field. Seed Capital is the most common form of venture capital. It offers the earliest investment, while late-stage capital focuses on growth and expansion.
Seed Capital
In 2014, there were 138 active Seed Funds. To qualify, a firm had to make four unique seed investments in that calendar year. This figure excludes corporate VCs, including Google Ventures. But it’s clear that the number of seed funds has been increasing over the past several years. There are some differences between seed funds and their larger counterparts. Here are a few key differences to keep in mind.
Startup Capital
There are several types of venture capital firms. The first venture capitalist was George Doriot, who actively participated in the development of a startup, providing funding, counsel and connections to entrepreneurs. Since then, the VC industry has consolidated around Doriot’s original philosophy. The primary difference between venture capital firms and other forms of funding is the level of expertise and the size of the portfolio. The difference between venture capital and other forms of funding is reflected in their valuations and terms of investment.
Expansion Capital
Expansion Capital is a kind of private equity investment that some companies put on their balance sheet to finance their next stage of growth. It is generally used to increase sales, increase the size of management teams, and accelerate business growth strategies. Expansion Capital can also be used to augment working capital. As a company grows, it develops receivables and needs additional cash for rainy days.
Late Stage Capital
Unlike early-stage venture capital, which is given to start-up companies before commercial sales or product or service availability, later-stage venture capital firms usually invest in businesses that have already reached a certain level of success and have the potential to grow beyond their seed-stage status. These companies have already achieved significant revenue growth and may be profitable or they may still be in the process of turning a profit. A good example of a late-stage VC company is Meritech Capital Partners, founded in 1999.
Bridge Financing
A bridge loan is a type of short-term financing that helps a startup achieve its objectives and receive additional funding. These loans can take the form of convertible notes, which convert to equity at the next round of funding at a discount to per-share value. This way, the company can later value the stock at a higher price. A bridge loan is similar to an equity loan, because it is derived from equity investors and comes in the form of a security, which becomes equity if things go well.
