Difference between private equity and venture capital?

VC buys part of a small company and hopes it will grow.

PE buys all of an established company and hopes to cut costs/improve profits, then re-float or sell to the trade.

IMO, Alan

In message , Iceman writes

They are different things.

Private equity is usually when an individual or the trust or companies that they control make an initial subscription for new shares. Often these shares are not traded on a recognised exchange.

Venture Capital is a share in companies that are usually just starting up or expanding and are therefore more risky but have the potential for greater returns. These shares may, or may not, be traded on one of the recognised trading exchanges.

Nothing at all. The two are synonymous (I work for a Big 4 accountancy firm - VCs/PE houses are my clients).