Beta is a coefficient that attempts to measure an investment's likelihood to move 'with the market.' The total market has a Beta == 1 by definition, with beta r

Beta is a coefficient that attempts to measure an investment's likelihood to move 'with the market.' The total market has a Beta == 1 by definition, with beta ratings above 1 indicating higher volatility/sensitivity to market movements, and vice-versa. See Wikipedia for how the calculations are made. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_%28finance%29 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_%28finance%29 In this context, I a 'high beta investment' is likely to move with the market, ie) is dependent on some aspect of market performance. 'Beta capital' I think refers to using sources of capital that are likely to become more or less available depending on the market. I've never heard of capital sources being given beta values though, so I think this may be a finance/VC colloquialism rather than an actual calculated value. Disclaimer: I am not a VC and may be totally wrong. http://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/beta.asp http://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/beta.asp