Venture capital is capital provided by full-time, professional firms (venture capitalists) or private persons who invest with management in ambitious, fast-growing companies who have the potential to develop into significant businesses.

In addition to injecting cash into the company, the venture capitalist is likely to add considerably to the credibility of the company and to supply management expertise, support and access to their contacts. As part of their mentoring and monitoring of their investment, they are likely to insist on board membership.

In contrast to bank finance, venture capitalists are not looking for repayment, but for a minority of the share capital of your company in return for cash. The venture capitalists will then typically look to realise their investment in five years, either through floatation on a public market, a trade sale or for their stake to be bought out by the company.

Is Venture Capital An Option For You?

• Are you prepared to sell equity in your company?
• Does your company have high growth prospects with an ambitious team that can grow your company rapidly?
• Are you looking for more than €100,000?
• Is your market large and expanding?
• Does your product have a competitive advantage that can be protected by intellectual property rights?
• Can your team demonstrate relevant experience?
• Do you have a clearly defined exit mechanism?

Which Venture Capitalists Should You Talk To?

When considering venture capital, it is important to ensure you are talking to the right people. This is dependent on the venture capitalists

• Area of expertise
• Area of interest
• Current availability of capital
• Risk exposure in the same sector

How Can We Help You?

Enterprise Ireland can assist companies who wish to raise venture capital funding to grow their businesses in two ways.

Enterprise Ireland does not act as a broker, but can assist companies with contact details and specific areas of interest for the major Irish venture capital companies. In addition Enterprise Ireland can assist you with introductions to these specific venture capital funds.

Enterprise Ireland partners with Venture Capital funds to provide finance.The 2007 - 2012 Seed and Venture Capital Scheme was launched to improve access to finance for small and medium sized enterprises and to further develop the Seed and Venture Capital Industry in Ireland. Enterprise Ireland has committed to investing €175 million under this progamme. We have committed to funds, some of which are specifically targeted towards

• Small and medium enterprises at early stages of development
• Smaller investment amounts (less than €500K first round)
• A greater regional perspective
• Sectors that are traditionally difficult to finance, e.g. biotechnology

For further information visit the Enterprise Ireland web site, accessible via the 'Associated Links' on this page.