Final answer:
Creditors are entities that lend money or provide services on credit, expecting repayment in the future. They differ from investors like venture capitalists who may provide funds but typically also contribute strategic insight and oversight to a company.
Step-by-step explanation:
Those who lend money or deliver goods and services before being paid are known as creditors. This term also applies to banks and other financial institutions when they provide loans to businesses or individuals. When a company or government entity needs to raise funds, they may do so through various means such as early-stage investors, reinvesting profits, selling stock, or borrowing through banks or bonds. Creditors, in this context, are entities that have provided financial resources or services with the expectation of being repaid at a later date. In contrast, venture capitalists are a type of investors who not only provide capital but may also offer mentorship and strategic guidance to the company they invest in.