A syndicate is a group of individuals or organizations that come together to work on a specific project or venture, often pooling their resources and expertise. This collaboration can be seen in various fields, such as finance, where investors form a syndicate to fund a startup, or in media, where companies join forces to produce a film. Syndicates can also refer to organized crime groups that engage in illegal activities, such as drug trafficking or extortion. These criminal syndicates operate in secrecy and often have a hierarchical structure, with leaders coordinating the group's operations and members carrying out specific tasks.