What is the difference between a corporate venture function and institutional venture firm?

A corporate venture function, commonly known as a CVC, is typically a team within an operating entity that is focused on venture investing on behalf of its parent company. Investments completed by a corporate venture function is usually related to the industry the parent company operates in and investment goals are strategic in additional to being financial. An institutional venture firm is a standalone company whose operations is solely focused on investments and the focus is on financial returns.