starting capital

USAGE SUMMARY

"starting capital" is not correct and usable in written English.
The phrase "starting capital" may be used in spoken English as jargon to refer to the money that is initially invested in a business, but it is not typically used in formal writing. For example, "The company was able to get off the ground quickly due to their large starting capital."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

It had practically no starting capital, but managed to persuade its customers to pay in advance.

The Economist

It meant the starting capital position of the bank in its five-year recovery plan was weaker than in the plan announced last year.

Independent

It leaves Australia outside the AIIB, which signed up 20 founding members last Friday and has total starting capital of $50bn, mostly provided by China.

The Guardian

But if we take the same example and require you to put 20 percent down, or $20,000, your profit would amount to only 100 percent of your starting capital.

The New York Times

I lost most of my ill-gotten gains but none of my starting capital.

Forbes

He explained that he managed to save his starting capital from his previous jobs.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Other institutions also say they are assured of much of the money before they publicly start capital campaigns.

The New York Times - Arts

She is starting a capital campaign to continue the upgrades.

The New York Times - Arts

How about with some deep, offsetting tax cuts, starting with capital gains, to motivate entrepreneurs and investors?

Forbes

In addition to starting sentences, capital letters should also be at the start of both proper nouns and titles.

WikiHow

AgBank epitomizes the country's state-governed, stop-start capital markets.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing initial funding, ensure the context is clear. Use more formal alternatives like "initial investment" if writing for academic or business purposes.

Common error

Avoid using "starting capital" in formal contexts where a more precise term like "seed funding" or "venture capital" would be more appropriate to accurately describe the funding source.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "starting capital" functions as a noun phrase, identifying the funds or resources used to initiate a project or business. Despite its common usage, Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase may not be suitable for formal writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "starting capital" is a noun phrase referring to the initial funds needed for a project or business. However, Ludwig AI indicates it is not grammatically correct and may not be ideal for formal writing. While the phrase is commonly found in news articles, and business contexts, more specific terms like "initial investment", "seed funding", or "venture capital" may be more appropriate in formal or business settings. Therefore, while widely understood, consider the context and audience when choosing whether to use "starting capital" or a more refined alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial investment

Focuses on the act of investing rather than the capital itself.

seed funding

Specifically refers to funding in the early stages of a business.

startup funds

Highlights the funds needed to start a business.

venture capital

Implies a more formal investment from venture capitalists.

initial outlay

Emphasizes the expenditure at the beginning of a project.

commencement capital

Stresses the capital used for commencing operations.

founding investment

Highlights the investment made during the founding of a company.

launch capital

Emphasizes the capital required to launch a new venture.

early stage funding

Focuses on the timing of the funding.

primary capital

Refers to the main or most important capital at the beginning.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "starting capital" in a sentence?

While Ludwig AI notes that "starting capital" might not be ideal for formal writing, you could say, "The entrepreneur secured sufficient starting capital to launch their innovative project."

What are some alternatives to using "starting capital" in formal writing?

Consider using alternatives such as "initial investment", "seed funding", or "venture capital" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "starting capital" and "seed funding"?

"Starting capital" is a general term, while "seed funding" specifically refers to the initial capital used to start a new business, often from investors.

Which is more appropriate, "starting capital" or "initial investment" in a business plan?

In a business plan, "initial investment" is generally more appropriate as it conveys a sense of planned financial allocation, making it better suited for formal business writing.