Full Definition
Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) refers to the investment arms of large corporations that make equity investments in external startup companies. CVCs invest for both financial returns and strategic benefits, such as access to innovative technology, talent, or market intelligence.
Top CVC Programs
- Google Ventures (GV)
- Intel Capital
- Salesforce Ventures
- Microsoft's M12
- Samsung NEXT
Pros and Cons for Startups
- Pros: Strategic partnerships, distribution access, domain expertise, credibility signal
- Cons: May limit acquisition options, slower decision-making, potential IP concerns, strategic misalignment risk
Real-World Example
Salesforce Ventures invests $10M in a CRM startup's Series B, providing access to the Salesforce AppExchange and enterprise customer introductions.
Related Terms
A form of private equity financing provided by firms to startups with high growth potential.
The second major round of venture funding, focused on scaling the business to a larger market.
A later-stage funding round for companies looking to scale aggressively, acquire competitors, or prepare for IPO.
When one company purchases another company, either by buying its assets or its equity.
The primary investor in a funding round who sets the terms, contributes the largest check, and often takes a board seat.
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