D Enterprise

3.7 Venture capital

Why is it significant?

If firms are to make the necessary investment to exploit high risk and long payback opportunities they need to be able to access the appropriate level and type of equity finance. For start-up and early-stage companies, the usual sources of equity finance are personal, family and friends’ finance, and formal and informal (‘business angel’) venture capital finance

How does the UK perform?

Taking seed, start-up and expansion venture finance together, the UK has one of the highest levels of venture capital investment in the EU (Chart 3.7).

Last updated on 20 November 2003