Venture capital isn't for everyone--not all entreprenurs need $1 million or more for funding. But for entrepreneurs who want to join the big leagues, a venture capital firm can invest the funds to get you there. Every year, we take the pulse of the venture capital industry to help you determine if now is the right time to seek funding. Our listing ranks VC firms by the number of early-stage deals made in 2006. This year, we've included an additional online listing of 50+ firms ranked by later-stage deals and a VC primer that'll show you the ins and outs of this financing option.
by
Top Firms for Early Stage Companies
by
Top Firms for Later Stage Companies
|
Browse by state:
|
About the Top 100 VC Listing
|
What Is Venture Capital?
|
What It Is: Institutional venture capital comes from professionally managed funds that have $25 million to $1 billion to invest in emerging growth companies.
Appropriate for: High-growth companies that are capable of reaching at least $25 million in sales in five years.
Best Use: Varied. From financing product development to expansion of a proven and profitable product or service.
|
Cost and Funds Typically Available: Expensive. Institutional venture capitalists demand significant equity in a business. The earlier the investment stage, the more equity is required to convince an institutional venture capitalist to invest. The range of funds typically available is $500,000 to $10 million.
Ease of Acquisition: Difficult. Institutional venture capitalists are choosy. Compounding the degree of difficulty is the fact that institutional venture capital is an appropriate source of funding for a limited number of companies.
More on Venture Capital »
|
Jim Casparie: Raising Money
Find out what it takes to get your business funded.
FINANCING BASICS
• How to Attract VC Investors
• Realistic Projections That Attract Investors
• The True Costs of Raising Money
• Knowing When to Take the Money
• Little-Known Funding Faux Pas
• Keys to Getting Your Company Funded