• The Mandarin term “创业基金” is a paraphrase of the English term “venture fund”.
  
• The purpose of a venture fund is to nurture entrepreneurs with potential but lack of capital (mostly small and medium-sized enterprises), assisting their development of regional businesses and adding value to their existing operations.
  
• In the early 1990s, the Singapore Government allocated S$150 million to set up the first venture fund in line with the economic regionalisation policy to nurture Singapore entrepreneurs with potential and a risk-taking spirit.
  
• In 1992, the Singapore Venture Capital & Private Equity Association was established to promote awareness of the venture fund and its importance to economic development.
  
• By 1998, 80 companies in Singapore had benefited from the venture fund. The fund offered loans up to four times the value of a company’s funds.

While many venture fund companies focus on internet, technology and biotechnology businesses, traditional industries can also, in fact, bring in high returns. (Lianhe Zaobao, 3/11/2006)