Money or resources used to start a business, investment, or venture. Often implies the initial stake needed to generate returns.
Figurative use: something that serves as a foundation or advantage for future success, such as skills, knowledge, or connections.
You need capital to start a business.
He made a large profit with a small amount of seed money.
Language skills can be an asset for working abroad.
元手 is a casual, everyday word for seed money used to start something, while 原資 is more formal and typically used in financial or corporate contexts.
Standard kanji spelling; used in financial and metaphorical contexts.
Compound of 元 (もと, 'origin, source') and 手 (て, 'hand'), with rendaku voicing. Literally 'source hand', referring to the initial resources one has at hand to begin an endeavor.