Contrary to public perception, a Joint Venture can actually involve more than two people.
The meaning is the same as that of partnership in business except that "JV" is much more formal and official.
It is actually a legal lingo that refers to the company or entity that is formed by the partnership of two or more people in order to start a business.
But joint ventures are as much popular to people as they are to established companies.
This is because it provides benefits that can cut down costs and help make the job easier.
For instance, market penetration.
Two (or more) companies will share the risk with each other as well as the profits of the business.
All the properties of the company or the entity created will be owned jointly and when the partnership ends or is dissolved, the properties will be divided equally, unless otherwise stated in a legal agreement.
It can be long term or short term agreement between the parties.
Often, there is rather a specified situation or goal than specified period of time.
Besides risk sharing, many people and companies opt for a joint venture because of the other benefits.
One of which is access to know-how.
One company for instance possesses a patent for a technology that another company needs to manufacture a product.
Instead of paying for the patent, the two companies can agree to do a joint venture for a specific amount of time or a particular project where they will manufacture the product and divide the profits equally while still keeping the idea and the patent to each company.
Another reason is geographical limitations.
For instance, if you have a company that wants to get into a country having policies for foreigners owning their business, they can seek a partnership with a local company and provide that service.
Some companies who have the language barrier to contend with for starting a business in a particular country can opt to partner with a local company instead to minimize the hardships of starting up the company.
Market access is another reason why some people opt for joint ventures.
Rather than spend millions introducing a product to the masses, a company can join with another who already has the market share and the access and just have that product or service bundled up with the local company's own product or service.
JVs are also useful when companies or people need the additional funding or raising capital for the new business or for an expansion.
Some lenders and banks also lend easier to companies that are in joint ventures because they feel that there is less risk involved with lending money to them.
Truly, joint ventures provide unending benefits to anyone but care must also be taken when choosing a partner.
The success of a joint venture after all depends on how compatible the partners are.