0 a person or company that invests money (= gives or lends it in order to make a profit) in new companies, especially when this involves risk:
1 a person or financial organization that invests in new businesses, especially ones that involve risk:
Heavily funded by venture capitalists, the companies faced enormous pressures to get big as fast as possible.
The company is backed by a number of leading venture capitalists.
Venture capitalists are pouring money into clean technology.
