All of the companies currently backed by a private equity firm can be spoken of as the firm's portfolio.

At first the company, backed by $41 million in financing, offered an ambitious application that let people share photos with others nearby.

The company, backed by its cash-rich parent, plans to diversify into other domestic food manufacturing areas.

But the company, backed by actuaries and auditors, says it is worth £40.8m.

In 1986, received a loan from a company backed by the Small Business Administration, of money meant to help struggling entrepreneurs.

It is a risky proposition, for only 1 of every 5 or 10 companies backed by venture funds makes it that far, some analysts say.

It is a private company backed by Silicon Valley investors.

It is a company backed by 50 years of experience in the local market, plus 15 years internationally.

One group with the most to lose may be start-up companies backed by venture capitalists.

Idleness, however, and the sight of the company, backed by the police, triumphing, angered the men.