Venture capital is a form of private equity financing that provides capital to startup companies and small businesses with perceived long-term growth potential. It involves high risk for investors but also offers the possibility of high returns. Venture capital funding comes in stages from seed funding to help prove an idea, to multiple rounds of funding as the company grows. Venture capital firms are run by general partners who manage funds from limited partners and seek to invest in companies that will provide high returns over a long time horizon of 5-10 years. Venture capital funding is advantageous for entrepreneurs through providing financing, business expertise, networking opportunities and an exit strategy for the company.