Skip to content
Business Concepts Online

Business Concepts Online

Online Business Ideas

Primary Menu
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Business

Business Vs Enterprise

Whyte August 22, 2021 2 min read

There are many differences between a business and an enterprise. Although both types are legal entities, a business’s primary purpose is to make money. An enterprise, on the other hand, has a much wider purpose. A social enterprise, for example, operates as a non-profit and has social objectives. Ultimately, however, a business should be a legitimate company that makes money, and it is this purpose that determines whether the entity is considered a business or an enterprise.

The term enterprise can be used to describe a business, but it is generally used in a more general sense, meaning a larger company. It sounds more formal and complex than a business, but it also denotes a broader scope. Most commonly, you’ll hear the word enterprise in the context of IT, as it often refers to a larger business. In some cases, a business may be an enterprise, but it will not be a corporation until it reaches a certain number of employees, departments, or levels of complexity.

While many people think of a small business as a traditional company, a corporation is a more expansive and specialized entity. It has more rights and benefits and is protected by various laws. As a result, both terms are used interchangeably. While both terms are similar in meaning, it is important to remember that a business can also be a corporation, whereas an enterprise is a legal entity. It’s important to understand the differences between business and enterprise and which one best fits your needs.

An enterprise is a large and complex business. It can consist of a single person or multiple employees. While a business can be a sole proprietorship or a partnership, an enterprise is a company that is multi-leveled, has multiple levels of management, and employs a number of departments. It will be an enterprise once it is legally incorporated in a state. It can be a single-person company, or a complex organization with many employees, and even multiple stores.

In the US, a company is generally a legal entity that separates individuals from commercial organizations. There are two kinds of companies: enterprises and corporations. A corporation is typically considered a bigger, formal business. It is a business that has incorporated, which is a separate legal process. Incorporation provides a business with distinct legal protections and advantages over other business structures. There are also differences between the legal structures of enterprises and corporations.

Continue Reading

Previous: How Business Expenses Work
Next: What Does a Business Analyst Do?

Related Stories

Monetizing Digital Community Building Beyond Traditional Membership Models
5 min read
  • Business

Monetizing Digital Community Building Beyond Traditional Membership Models

December 6, 2025
Operationalizing Ethical AI Governance in Small to Medium Enterprises
5 min read
  • Business

Operationalizing Ethical AI Governance in Small to Medium Enterprises

December 5, 2025
Building Neurodiversity-Friendly Workplace Environments: It’s Not Just a Program, It’s a Mindset
5 min read
  • Business

Building Neurodiversity-Friendly Workplace Environments: It’s Not Just a Program, It’s a Mindset

November 26, 2025

You may also like

Implementing ESG and Sustainability Metrics in Financial Reporting: A Practical Guide
5 min read
  • Accounting

Implementing ESG and Sustainability Metrics in Financial Reporting: A Practical Guide

December 9, 2025
Financial Management for Subscription-Based and SaaS Business Models
5 min read
  • Accounting

Financial Management for Subscription-Based and SaaS Business Models

December 9, 2025
The Rise of Climate Tech Startups and the Quest for Real Impact
5 min read
  • Startup

The Rise of Climate Tech Startups and the Quest for Real Impact

December 8, 2025
Building a Bridge: How to Create a Niche Marketplace for Local Artisans and Makers
5 min read
  • Startup

Building a Bridge: How to Create a Niche Marketplace for Local Artisans and Makers

December 8, 2025

Categories

  • Accounting
  • Business
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Startup

Ads

Ads

Copyright © All rights reserved | Business Concepts Online.