Venture capital investors are professionals engaged on a temporary basis, usually minority, the capital of companies with high growth potential to stimulate development and increase its market value, in order to obtain medium-term capital gains.

• Risk Capital Companies (SCR).
• Venture Capital Funds (VCF).
• Management Companies Venture Capital (SGECR).

They target businesses that are difficult to access other sources of funding during the initial stage or starting or stage of maturity as a result of a process of expansion or restructuring. This is an equity injection of funds by temporarily assuming the same risk as other partners, is funding without warranties or guarantees.

The characteristics of venture capital are:

• Financing enterprise development. The investment involves the taking of shares in the capital of the company, may also ordinary or equity loans to participating companies.
• Timing of investment. This funding is always given a defined time horizon, it can be very varied depending on the characteristics and status of the project.
• Investment in companies whose securities are not listed on the first stock market
• Minority character of the shares. The investment typically between 25% and 35%.
• High risk and expectations of growth or profitability..Investments are risky and less liquid than other forms of investment or long-term financing. The project in question is acting as a warranty and guarantee.
• Support the management level.. In addition to the transfer of funds in the medium to long term, venture capital implies an important role in advising and supporting the management level that adds value, especially in the start-up phases of new projects.

The financial instruments used by the VC can be of two types:

• Equity instruments or own resources, with which the stake in the company is through acquisition of shares.
• Debt instruments or external resources, with which the stake in the company is through equity loans.