There are 5 stages of venture capital financing: 1. Pre-seed capital provides initial funding to launch a business before a product is released. 2. Startup capital funds a working prototype and initial consumer testing. 3. Early stage or second stage capital funds manufacturing, production, sales, and marketing as a product is promoted and may begin to turn a profit. 4. Expansion stage or third stage capital provides additional funding for growth. 5. Later stage or mezzanine/bridge funding occurs just before an IPO or acquisition.