Enterprise vs. Company — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 22, 2023
An "Enterprise" refers to a business or organization engaged in commercial, industrial, or professional activities and often suggests a certain scale or scope.
Difference Between Enterprise and Company
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Both "Enterprise" and "Company" are terms frequently used to describe business entities, but they carry different nuances. An enterprise typically refers to any business endeavor, often implying a level of complexity, scale, or scope. A company, however, is a specific type of business recognized as a legal entity, often with a more structured organizational form such as a corporation, limited liability company, or partnership.
When you talk about an enterprise, you might be referring to a sole proprietorship, a non-profit organization, or even a government venture in addition to a legally registered company. Companies, on the other hand, are usually set up with the express intention of generating profit and have legal obligations, such as filing taxes and keeping records, that an informal enterprise may not have.
Moreover, the term "enterprise" often carries a broader meaning, encompassing the initiative and risk involved in starting and operating a business. Companies, by comparison, may or may not exhibit these entrepreneurial qualities. Some companies are risk-averse and focus only on stable, predictable markets, whereas an enterprise could be characterized by innovation and a willingness to venture into new areas.
In summary, while every company could be considered an enterprise in the broadest sense, not every enterprise would be considered a company. Enterprises could be any venture or project with a business motive, whereas a company is a structured business entity with legal recognition and obligations.
Comparison Chart
Legal Entity
Not necessarily a legal entity
Usually a legal entity
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Scale
Implies a larger scale or scope
May be smaller in scale
Profit Focus
May or may not be profit-focused
Typically profit-focused
Types
Can include non-profits, government ventures
Usually businesses
Entrepreneurial Aspect
Often implies initiative and risk
May or may not have these aspects
Compare with Definitions
Enterprise
Any organized effort by human beings to achieve some purpose.
Education is a social enterprise.
Company
A business organization formed to conduct business.
The company was established in 1999.
Enterprise
A business venture with an aim to make a profit.
The new software startup is an exciting enterprise.
Company
A group of people working together for a commercial or industrial purpose.
She started working for the company last year.
Enterprise
A unit of economic organization or activity.
His enterprise employs over 200 people.
Company
A company, abbreviated as co., is a legal entity representing an association of people, whether natural, legal or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members share a common purpose and unite to achieve specific, declared goals.
Enterprise
A project or undertaking, especially a bold or complex one
A joint enterprise between French and Japanese companies
Company
A commercial business
A company director
A shipping company
The Ford Motor Company
Enterprise
A business or company
A state-owned enterprise
Company
The fact or condition of being with another or others, especially in a way that provides friendship and enjoyment
I really enjoy his company
Enterprise
An undertaking, especially one of some scope, complication, and risk.
Company
A number of individuals gathered together
The Mayor addressed the assembled company
Enterprise
A business organization.
Company
A flock of wigeon (ducks)
A company of wigeons occasionally numbers several thousand birds
Enterprise
Industrious, systematic activity, especially when directed toward profit
Private enterprise is basic to capitalism.
Company
Associate with; keep company with
These men which have companied with us all this time
Enterprise
Willingness to undertake new ventures; initiative
"Through want of enterprise and faith men are where they are, buying and selling, and spending their lives like serfs" (Henry David Thoreau).
Company
A group of persons
A company of scientists.
Enterprise
A company, business, organization, or other purposeful endeavor.
The government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) are a group of financial services corporations which have been created by the United States Congress.
A micro-enterprise is defined as a company or business having 5 or fewer employees and a low seed capital.
Company
One's companions or associates
Moved in fast company.
Is known by the company she keeps.
Enterprise
An undertaking, venture, or project, especially a daring and courageous one.
Biosphere 2 was a scientific enterprise aimed at the exploration of the complex web of interactions within life systems.
Company
A guest or guests
Had company for the weekend.
Enterprise
(uncountable) A willingness to undertake new or risky projects; energy and initiative.
He has shown great enterprise throughout his early career.
Company
The state of friendly companionship; fellowship
Was grateful for her company.
Friends who finally parted company.
Enterprise
(uncountable) Active participation in projects. en
Company
A business enterprise; a firm.
Enterprise
(intransitive) To undertake an enterprise, or something hazardous or difficult.
Company
A partner or partners not specifically named in a firm's title
Lee Rogers and Company.
Enterprise
(transitive) To undertake; to begin and attempt to perform; to venture upon.
Company
A troupe of dramatic or musical performers
A repertory company.
Enterprise
(transitive) To treat with hospitality; to entertain.
Company
A subdivision of a military regiment or battalion that constitutes the lowest administrative unit. It is usually under the command of a captain and is made up of at least two platoons.
Enterprise
That which is undertaken; something attempted to be performed; a work projected which involves activity, courage, energy, and the like; a bold, arduous, or hazardous attempt; an undertaking; as, a manly enterprise; a warlike enterprise.
Their hands can not perform their enterprise.
Company
A unit of firefighters.
Enterprise
Willingness or eagerness to engage in labor which requires boldness, promptness, energy, and like qualities; as, a man of great enterprise.
Company
A ship's crew and officers. See Usage Note at collective noun.
Enterprise
To undertake; to begin and attempt to perform; to venture upon.
The business must be enterprised this night.
What would I not renounce or enterprise for you!
Company
To accompany or associate with.
Enterprise
To treat with hospitality; to entertain.
Him at the threshold met, and well did enterprise.
Company
To keep company with someone; associate.
Enterprise
To undertake an enterprise, or something hazardous or difficult.
Company
A team; a group of people who work together professionally.
Enterprise
A purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness);
He had doubts about the whole enterprise
Company
A group of individuals who work together for a common purpose.
A company of actors.
Enterprise
An organization created for business ventures;
A growing enterprise must have a bold leader
Company
(military) A unit of approximately sixty to one hundred and twenty soldiers, typically consisting of two or three platoons and forming part of a battalion.
The boys in Company C
Enterprise
Readiness to embark on bold new ventures
Company
A unit of firefighters and their equipment.
It took six companies to put out the fire.
Enterprise
A project or undertaking, often requiring boldness or effort.
The space mission was a costly enterprise.
Company
(nautical) The entire crew of a ship.
Enterprise
A systematic purposeful activity.
Agriculture is the oldest human enterprise.
Company
An intelligence service.
As he had worked for the CIA for over 30 years, he would soon take retirement from the company.
Company
A small group of birds or animals.
Company
(legal) An entity having legal personality, and thus able to own property and to sue and be sued in its own name; a corporation.
Company
(business) Any business, whether incorporated or not, that manufactures or sells products (also known as goods), or provides services as a commercial venture.
Company
(uncountable) Social visitors or companions.
Keep the house clean; I have company coming.
Company
(uncountable) Companionship.
I treasure your company.
Company
To accompany, keep company with.
Company
To associate.
Company
To be a lively, cheerful companion.
Company
To have sexual intercourse.
Company
The state of being a companion or companions; the act of accompanying; fellowship; companionship; society; friendly intercourse.
Evil company doth corrupt good manners.
Brethren, farewell: your company alongI will not wish.
Company
A companion or companions.
To thee and thy company I bidA hearty welcome.
Company
An assemblage or association of persons, either permanent or transient.
Thou shalt meet a company of prophets.
Company
Guests or visitors, in distinction from the members of a family; as, to invite company to dine.
Company
Society, in general; people assembled for social intercourse.
Nature has left every man a capacity of being agreeable, though not of shining in company.
Company
An association of persons for the purpose of carrying on some enterprise or business; a corporation; a firm; as, the East India Company; an insurance company; a joint-stock company.
Company
Partners in a firm whose names are not mentioned in its style or title; - often abbreviated in writing; as, Hottinguer & Co.
Company
A subdivision of a regiment of troops under the command of a captain, numbering in the United States (full strength) 100 men.
Company
The crew of a ship, including the officers; as, a whole ship's company.
Company
The body of actors employed in a theater or in the production of a play.
Company
To accompany or go with; to be companion to.
Company
To associate.
Men which have companied with us all the time.
Company
To be a gay companion.
Company
To have sexual commerce.
Company
An institution created to conduct business;
He only invests in large well-established companies
He started the company in his garage
Company
Organization of performers and associated personnel (especially theatrical);
The traveling company all stayed at the same hotel
Company
The state of being with someone;
He missed their company
He enjoyed the society of his friends
Company
Small military unit; usually two or three platoons
Company
A band of people associated temporarily in some activity;
They organized a party to search for food
The company of cooks walked into the kitchen
Company
A social gathering of guests or companions;
The house was filled with company when I arrived
Company
A social or business visitor;
The room was a mess because he hadn't expected company
Company
A unit of firefighters including their equipment;
A hook-and-ladder company
Company
Crew of a ship including the officers; the whole force or personnel of a ship
Company
Be a companion to somebody
Company
A legal entity separate from its owners.
The company is filing for bankruptcy.
Company
An organization involved in trade of goods, services, or both.
The company exports goods globally.
Company
A business entity that aims to generate profit.
The primary goal of the company is to increase shareholder value.
Common Curiosities
What is an Enterprise?
An enterprise is a business or organization engaged in commercial, industrial, or professional activities.
Do Companies have to be profit-focused?
Companies are usually set up with the intention of making a profit.
What is a Company?
A company is a legal entity formed to conduct business, usually with the aim of generating profit.
Is an Enterprise a legal entity?
An enterprise is not necessarily a legal entity, unlike a company.
Is a Company always a legal entity?
Generally, a company is a legal entity with distinct obligations.
What types of ventures can be considered an Enterprise?
Sole proprietorships, partnerships, non-profits, and even government projects can be considered enterprises.
What types of business entities can be considered a Company?
Corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships are types of companies.
Is every Company an Enterprise?
While every company could be considered an enterprise, not every enterprise is a company.
What is the primary focus of a Company?
A company's primary focus is usually to generate profit.
What is the entrepreneurial aspect of an Enterprise?
An enterprise often implies initiative, risk-taking, and boldness.
What implies larger scale, Enterprise or Company?
The term "enterprise" often implies a larger scale or scope.
Can an Enterprise be non-profit?
Yes, an enterprise can be non-profit or even a government venture.
Do Companies have to be entrepreneurial?
Companies may or may not exhibit entrepreneurial qualities.
Can a government project be considered an Enterprise?
Yes, government projects can also be considered enterprises.
How do Enterprises and Companies differ in legal obligations?
Companies usually have specific legal obligations like filing taxes, while enterprises may not have these requirements if they are not a legal entity.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
