Venture Capital VS Private Equity Firms

Key differences between these 2 investment vehicles

4 min read

Venture Capital (VC) and Private Equity (PE) both refer to types of investment vehicles used to fund companies, typically those that aren't publicly traded on a stock exchange.

However, they differ in several key areas:

	Venture Capital Firms (VC)	Private Equity Firms (PE)
Investment Stage and Size	VC funds typically invest in early-stage, high-growth potential companies. A VC fund might invest £1-10 million in a Series A round for a tech startup	PE firms often invest in established businesses that are underperforming or have potential for restructuring. A PE firm could spend £100 million or more to buy a significant stake or take full control of an established company
Control	VC funds typically do not take a controlling interest in companies, preferring to take a minority stake and provide strategic advice and networking opportunities, rather than direct control.	PE firms often take a controlling stake in the companies they invest in, sometimes even buying the company outright. This allows them to make major decisions, like restructuring the company or replacing its management.
Return Expectations	Given the high risk of early-stage investing, VC funds often seek high returns on their investments to compensate for the losses from their failed ventures. A common expectation is for a successful investment to return 10x the original investment amount.	PE firms, however, typically aim for more modest, steady returns, often in the range of 20-25% annualised, as they invest in more mature, stable companies.
Exit Strategy	VC funds typically look for an exit strategy that will provide a significant return on investment, often through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) or a buyout from a larger company.	PE firms, on the other hand, often improve the companies they invest in and sell them off for a profit after a few years.
Where are they?	Top 58 Venture Capital Firms London

Let's illustrate these differences with examples:

Venture Capital Example

A VC firm like Balderton may invest £2 million into a promising tech startup (e.g., an early-stage artificial intelligence company). They don't seek to control the company, but rather provide funding, strategic advice, and connections. If this company grows significantly and goes through an IPO or is acquired by a larger company, Sequoia could make many times their initial investment, making up for other investments that didn't perform as well.

Private Equity Example

A PE firm like Blackstone might identify an undervalued, mature manufacturing company and acquire it for £200 million. They could then restructure the company to improve its performance, possibly by cutting costs, improving operational efficiency, or streamlining the product offering. After several years, they might sell the company for £300 million, earning a substantial profit on their initial investment.

Venture Capital VS Private Equity Firms

Venture Capital Example

Private Equity Example

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