The world of venture capital–which typically provides early financing to technology and biotechnology startups–has sometimes been shrouded in mystique. Now the National Venture Capital Association, a trade group based in Arlington, Va., wants to make it easier for entrepreneurs and others to understand the industry.

At an event Thursday evening in Mountain View, Calif., the NVCA premiered a video explaining just what the venture capital industry does. Amid a listing of some of the biggest companies that venture capitalists have funded–including Apple, Intel, Amazon and Google–the video told the tale of a would-be entrepreneur who was having trouble launching a clean-fuels business. At an "entrepreneur support group," who should ride to the rescue but a khaki-wearing venture capitalist who promises to provide money and contacts to get the venture off the ground.

The video, dubbed "VentuReality," features cameos from venture capitalists at Scale Venture Partners, Technology Ventures and others. Emily Mendell, a spokeswoman for the NVCA, says the video is "intended to educate the general public" as well as members of Congress, with the NVCA planning to send a copy of the video to every member of Congress starting next week.

Here is the link so you can watch the video:
http://blogs.wsj.com/biztech/2008/09/19/venture-capital-for-dummies/