Shares/Stock Private equity vs. venture capital: What's the difference?

greenieS

Verified member
What are the differences between private equity and venture capital?

Private equity is sometimes confused with venture capital, as both refer to firms that invest in companies and exit the sale of their investments in equity financing, for example, by holding initial public offerings (IPOs). However, there are significant differences in the way the companies involved in the two types of financing operate.

Private equity and venture capital buy different types and sizes of companies, invest different amounts of money and require different percentages of equity in the companies in which they invest.

Dining keys:

Private equity is capital invested in a company or other entity that is not publicly listed or traded.
Venture capital is the financing of startups or other young businesses that have the potential for long-term growth.
Private equity and venture capital buy different types of companies, invest different amounts of money and require different amounts of capital in the companies in which they invest.
Understanding private equity and venture capital
Private equity, the most basic, is equity - shares that represent ownership or an interest in an entity - that is not listed or publicly traded. Private equity is a source of investment capital from individuals and companies with high net worth. These investors buy shares of private controlling companies or gain public companies, with the intention of taking them as private and eventually delisting them from public stock exchanges. Large institutional investors dominate the world of private capital, including pension funds and large private equity firms funded by a group of accredited investors.


Because the goal is direct investment in a company, substantial capital is needed, which is why high net worth individuals and deep-pocket firms are involved.

Venture capital is the financing given to companies and small businesses that are considered to have the potential to break out - when the price of the asset moves above a resistance zone or below a support zone. Funding for this financing usually comes from wealthy investors, investment banks and any other financial institutions. The investment does not have to be financial, but can also be offered through technical or managerial expertise.

Investors who provide funds are gambling that the new company will deliver and will not be damaged. However, the trade-off is the potential for above-average returns if the company offers its potential. For newer companies or those with a short operating history - two years or less - venture capital financing is both popular and sometimes necessary for raising capital. This is especially the case if the company does not have access to capital markets, bank loans or other debt instruments. A disadvantage for the new company is that investors often get equity and therefore a voice in the company's decisions.

Key differences between equity and venture capital

Private equity firms mostly buy mature companies that are already established. Companies may deteriorate or fail to make the profits they should because of inefficiency. Private equity firms buy these companies and streamline operations to increase revenue. Venture capital firms, on the other hand, invest mostly in startups with high growth potential.

Private equity firms mostly buy 100% ownership of the companies they invest in. As a result, companies have full control of the company after the purchase. Venture capital firms invest 50% or less of their own capital in companies. Most venture capital firms prefer to spread their risk and invest in many different companies. If a start-up fails, the entire fund of the venture capital firm is not substantially affected.

Private equity firms typically invest more than $ 100 million in a single company. These companies prefer to focus all their efforts on a single company, because they invest in already established and mature companies. The chances of absolute losses from such an investment are minimal. Venture capitalists typically spend $ 10 million or less on each company because they deal primarily with start-ups with unpredictable chances of failure or success.

special considerations

Private equity firms can buy companies from any industry, while venture capital firms are limited to startups in technology, biotechnology and clean technology. Private equity firms also use both cash and debt in their investments, while venture capital firms only deal with equity. These observations are commonplace. However, there are exceptions to each rule, a company may operate outside the rules compared to its competitors.

Insight Advisor

Rebecca Dawson Silber Bennett Financial, Los Angeles, CA.

With private capital, the assets of several investors are combined, and these combined resources are used to acquire parts of a company or even an entire company. Private equity firms do not maintain long-term ownership, but rather prepare an exit strategy after a few years. Basically, they are looking to improve on an acquired business and then sell it for a profit.

A venture capital firm, on the other hand, invests in a company in its early stages of operation. He takes the risk of offering funding to new companies so that he can start producing and making a profit. Often, the initial money provided by venture capitalists is what gives new businesses the means to become attractive to private equity buyers or eligible for investment banking.
 
Top