What did people invest in the Virginia Company?

The Virginia company was a joint stock company established by the King James himself.

Explanation:

The Virginia company sold shares and people invested €12 and the cost was shared amongst the shareholders bearing both profit and failures. The moto of the company was to provide profit to the shareholders and to expand and establish the English Colony throughout the world.

This company benefited the royalties by expanding the English market and reaping natural resources. Eventually the company was revoked in 1624 after the undeniable failure.