Business Development Company - BDC

Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Business Development Company - BDC'

A company that is created to help grow small companies in the initial stages of their development. BDCs are very similar to venture capital funds. Many BDCs are set up much like closed-end investment funds and are actually public companies that are listed on the NYSE, AMEX and Nasdaq.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Business Development Company - BDC'

To qualify as a BDC, companies must be registered in compliance with Section 54 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. A major difference between a BDC and a venture capital fund is that BDCs allow smaller, non-accredited investors to invest in startup companies. Some of the reasons why BDCs have become popular is that they provide permanent capital to their management, allow investments by the general public and use mezzanine financing opportunities.

Related Definitions

  • Venture Capital

    Money provided by investors to startup firms and small businesses with perceived long-term growth potential. This is a very important source of funding for startups that do not have ...
    Read More »
  • Venture Capital Funds

    An investment fund that manages money from investors seeking private equity stakes in startup and small- and medium-size enterprises with strong growth potential. These investments are ...
    Read More »
  • Angel Investor

    An investor who provides financial backing for small startups or entrepreneurs. Angel investors are usually found among an entrepreneur’s family and friends. The capital they provide can ...
    Read More »
    • Seed Capital

      The initial capital used to start a business. Seed capital often comes from the company founders' personal assets or from friends and family. The amount of money is usually relatively ...
      Read More »
    • Closed-End Fund

      A closed-end fund is a publicly traded investment company that raises a fixed amount of capital through an initial public offering (IPO). The fund is then structured, listed and traded ...
      Read More »
    • Incubated Fund

      A fund that is offered privately when it is first created. Investors of this type of fund are usually employees associated with the fund and their family members. Incubation allows fund ...
      Read More »
    • Mezzanine Financing

      A hybrid of debt and equity financing that is is typically used to finance the expansion of existing companies. Mezzanine financing is basically debt capital that gives the lender the ...
      Read More »
    • Listed

      Being included and traded on a given exchange. Most exchanges have specific requirements which companies must meet in order to be listed and continue to stay listed.
      Read More »
    • New York Stock Exchange - NYSE

      A stock exchange based in New York City, which is considered the largest equities-based exchange in the world based on total market capitalization of its listed securities. Formerly run ...
      Read More »
    • American Stock Exchange - AMEX

      The third-largest stock exchange by trading volume in the United States. In 2008 it was acquired by the NYSE Euronext and became the NYSE Amex Equities in 2009. The AMEX is located in ...
      Read More »

Articles Of Interest

Partner Links