We prove curvature estimates for general curvature functions. As an application we show the existence of closed, strictly convex hypersurfaces with prescribed curvature $F$, where the defining cone of $F$ is $\C_+$. $F$ is only assumed to be monotone, symmetric, homogeneous of degree $1$, concave and of class $C^{m,\al}$, $m\ge4$.