Forerunner of the modern corporation that enabled investors to pool financial capital for colonial ventures?

Question

Virginia Company? London Company?

Answer 1

The companies were 'chartered' by the King or Queen for specific tasks such at The East India Company. Liability of the investors was not 'limited' however as in a modern 'joint stock' company. This led to sometimes vast losses being made - such as in the English South Sea Bubble or earlier Scottish Darien Company - the failure of which is said by some historians to have led to the Act of Union. The modern 'corporation' was an invention of the Industrial Revolution and early 19th century. Is this what you want to know?