30 Top Early-Stage Venture Capital Firms 2024

Securing a funding round from an early-stage venture capital firm can be a great way to give your business the boost it needs to become a key player in your industry’s marketplace – but where do you even begin? 

In the list below, we’ve listed some of the best early-stage venture capital firms that founders might want to consider for their early-stage funding rounds. Depending on your startup’s product or service, your track record, and what you’re looking for in an early-stage VC firm, we hope this gives you the initial “push” you need to begin brainstorming your next funding round.

• Location: New York, New York
• Industries: Internet, Software, Technology
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Stripe, Nourish

Thrive Capital, based in the heart of New York City, focuses primarily early-stage startups in the internet, software, and technology industries. This is a VC firm that prides itself on being a bridge from the old way of doing business to the new and supporting entrepreneurs who are prepared to redefine the rules of their respective industries. Thrive Capital gravitates towards ventures with both emotional and strategic potential, partnering with companies like Stripe and Nourish that seek to enact positive change in the world while also having a viable business model.

• Location: Boston, Massachusetts
• Industries: Biotech, Technology
• Notable Portfolio Companies: NRG Therapeutics, SoniVie

Omega Funds invests in early-stage companies within the biotech and technology sectors. Their approach is rooted in the belief that great companies are built by passionate individuals who are committed to outstanding execution. The team at Omega Funds assists portfolio companies at every stage, from inception to commercialization and beyond. 

• Location: Silicon Valley (Palo Alto, California)
• Industries: Fintech 
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Affirm, Futureswap, Groww

California-based Ribbit Capital has carved a niche for itself in the financial technology space. They back bold and bright early-stage entrepreneurs who are seeking to reshape finance on a global scale. 

By bringing together a deep understanding of financial services with an intuitive grasp of consumer needs, Ribbit Capital has supported ventures like Affirm, Futureswap, and Groww. Their success is grounded in their willingness to foster genuine relationships with their portfolio companies while maintaining a broad and forward-thinking perspective on industry dynamics.

• Location: San Francisco, California
• Industries: Enterprise Software, Infrastructure, Mobile
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Snapchat, GrubHub, Zillow

Based in the heart of San Francisco, Benchmark finds itself at the center of an innovative tech hub. Their portfolio showcases high-profile investments in Snapchat, GrubHub, and Zillow, among others – and by taking a close-knit team approach, Benchmark works side by side with entrepreneurs to nurture their dreams into sustainable realities.

• Location: Boston, Massachusetts
• Industries: Healthcare, Biotech, Medical Devices
• Notable Portfolio Companies: AsherBio, Celsius, Maze Therapeutics

Staying true to their mission of transforming breakthrough discoveries into promising new health solutions, Third Rock Ventures has enriched their portfolio with companies like AsherBio, Celsius, and Maze Therapeutics. Their dedicated team of professionals and thinkers passionately engages in every stage of a company's life cycle – right from launch through its success.

• Location: New York, New York
• Industries: Automotive, Fintech, Insurtech
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Holifya, Wayfinder Biosciences

Unafraid of venturing into uncharted territories, VC firm Exor leverages its network to propel startups into leaders within their respective industries. Their audacious drive to push boundaries sets them apart as they continue to explore the exciting arena of early-stage investment.

• Location: Palo Alto, California
• Industries: Technology
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Spotify, Atlassian, Etsy

Planted firmly in the heart of Silicon Valley, Accel is a leading name in the world of venture capital financing. They've got their hands in some big pots with a diverse portfolio that includes industry-changing businesses like Spotify and Atlassian. 

Known for their keen eye for technological innovation and disruption, they've proven themselves as an advocate for entrepreneurs and startups looking to reshape the tech landscape. Accel offers an unbeatable combination of expertise, support, and powerful industry networks.

• Location: New York, New York
• Industries: Life Sciences, Technology, Healthcare
• Notable Portfolio Companies: 76Bio, Allogene Therapeutics, Kite Pharma

With notable portfolio companies like 76Bio and Allogene Therapeutics under their belt, Two River clearly has a knack for identifying promising ventures in these sectors. Their mandate? Partner with visionary entrepreneurs to address unmet needs and create meaningful value. With a team rich in industry experience and operational expertise, Two River is your go-to for launching groundbreaking healthcare, biotech, or life science companies.

• Location: Basel, Switzerland
• Industries: Biotechnology, Health Care, Pharmaceutical, Diagnostics
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Redona Therapeutics, Anaveon, Capstan Therapeutics

Novartis is a pharmaceutical powerhouse situated in Basel, Switzerland. The firm has a strong track record of supporting innovative ventures that are shaping the future of health. Their industry experience extends across borders and disciplines, positioning them as a truly global leader. 

• Location: San Francisco, California
• Industries: Climate, Enterprise, Healthcare
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Dapper Labs, BioAge, Spindle

Caffeinated Capital primarily focuses on industries like enterprise, healthcare, and climate. With an impressive track record, it's brought to life companies like Dapper Labs, BioAge, and Spindle. The firm doesn't just provide capital investment but also extends its network and valuable market insights to help startups thrive.

Investors—Looking for Venture-Worthy Startups? Systematic helps you discover, research, and connect with investment-ready companies. Join today to expand your portfolio.

• Location: Boulder, Colorado
• Industries: FinTech, Renewable Energy, Oil and Gas
• Notable Portfolio Companies: DataRobot, Chainalysis, Digital Ocean

Techstars is recognized as an incubator for innovation that offers much more than financial investment to burgeoning and early-stage companies. They're well known for their mentorship programs – a crucial advantage for young companies navigating the choppy waters of entrepreneurship.

• Location: Silicon Valley (Worldwide)
• Industries: Fintech, Mobility, Insurtech
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Dropbox, Lending Club, Milo

As a global innovation platform, Plug and Play Tech Center specializes in early-stage startups in the fintech, mobility, and insurtech sectors. Notable companies like Lending Club, Milo, and even Dropbox have found their footing with the help of Plug And Play's network and resources. The investment firm remains focused on empowering startups to meet the future head-on with innovative solutions to contemporary challenges.

• Location: San Francisco, California
• Industries: Fintech, Healthcare, Consumer
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Carbon Health, FabFitFun, Guideline

500 Startups has an eye for backing the trailblazers in fintech, healthcare, and consumer industries. Their diverse portfolio includes Carbon Health, a breakthrough in digital healthcare; FabFitFun, a lifestyle subscription service; and Guideline, an all-inclusive 401(k) provider for small businesses. 500 Startups is passionate about transforming markets and lives through technology, nurturing early-stage startups through seed accelerators, and providing educational programs for entrepreneurs.

• Location: San Francisco, California
• Industries: Enterprise, Fintech, Healthcare, Consumer
• Notable Portfolio Companies: DoorDash, Coinbase, Airbnb

SV Angel’s investment strategy centers around identifying and supporting startups that are shaping our future. With notable portfolio companies like DoorDash, a renowned food delivery platform; Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange; and Airbnb, a global marketplace for hospitality services, SV Angel has made its mark by endorsing businesses that redefine their sectors and our lives.

• Location: San Francisco, California
• Industries: Internet, Cloud Companies
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Ascent, Cratoflow, Building Swell

Right Side Capital Management seeks to invest early in startups that are leveraging cloud technology to innovate and disrupt traditional markets. The investment firm stands apart with its quantitative approach to investing, using data-driven methods to identify high-potential early-stage ventures. It's a haven for startups looking for investors who understand their ambition to leverage technology for progress.

• Location: Princeton, New Jersey
• Industries: SaaS, Human Health, Climate Tech, Fintech
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Upside Foods, NotCo, AvantGuard

SOSV is a multi-stage venture capital investor that focuses on industries with the potential to create transformative shifts. Recognized for its notable portfolio companies like Upside Foods and NotCo, SOSV marries capital with creativity to bring about solutions that have a profound impact on society.

• Location: Menlo Park, California
• Industries: Healthcare, Technology, Consumer
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Databricks, Fizz, OpenDoor

New Enterprise Associates, or NEA, is located in the thriving tech hub of Menlo Park, California. With a commitment to turning big ideas into successful enterprises, the early stage VC firm invests across a broad array of industries. At NEA, risk-taking blends with strategic planning to foster an environment that allows for monumental success.

• Location: San Francisco, California
• Industries: Cybersecurity, Technology
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Figma, Notion, Discord, Deliveroo

Index Ventures is an international venture capital firm with a deep-seated interest in cybersecurity and technology. Known for backing some of the world's most innovative tech startups such as Figma, Notion, and Discord Index Ventures, believes in the power of entrepreneurship to improve lives. The venture firm's goal remains constant – to partner with passionate, early-stage entrepreneurs who use their skills and drive to transform the industries they enter.

• Location: Menlo Park, California
• Industries: Energy, Financial, Enterprise, Healthcare
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Zoom, Nubank, Vanta

Sequoia Capital is an investment firm that’s got its hand in nearly every industry pie imaginable. From energy to financial sectors, enterprise solutions to healthcare, their versatility and adaptability are clear in the breadth of their portfolio. Notably, they’re the financial fuel behind major success stories, where they've been recognizing and nurturing growth potential where others might not. With Sequoia Capital, it isn't just about investing in a successful startup but about building dreams and turning them into lasting legacies.

• Location: Menlo Park, California
• Industries: Consumer, Fintech, Enterprise, Healthcare
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Instacart, Handshake, Stackbit

Kleiner Perkins is a remarkable venture capital firm that has garnered acclaim for their ability to pick out winners in industries like consumer products, fintech, enterprise solutions, and healthcare. They're the power behind many innovative startups like Instacart and Handshake, demonstrating their ability to spot industry innovators and help them succeed. With Kleiner Perkins, an early-stage capital investment isn’t just a transaction; it's a strategic partnership formed to propel fledgling businesses into the big leagues.

• Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Industries: Consumer, Enterprise
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Stripe, Canva, HubSpot

General Catalyst carries a vision of tapping into entrepreneurial potential and bringing it to the forefront of the industry. They focus particularly on the consumer and enterprise sectors, with big names like Stripe and Canva as part of their impressive portfolio. With General Catalyst, their goal is simple yet profound: find the potential unicorns of an industry, invest in them, help them get to the growth stage, and consequently redefine the industry itself.

• Location: Boston, Massachusetts
• Industries: Technology, Consumer
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Affirm, 8Fig, Amplitude

With an unwavering mission to unearth the best companies and bring their vision to reality, Battery Ventures stands as an ally to dedicated entrepreneurs. They've played pivotal roles in lifting up and growing notable portfolio companies like Affirm, 8Fig, and Amplitude and helping them reach their growth potential. The sheer diversity of their successes speaks volumes about the firm's ability to adapt and thrive across dynamic industry landscapes.

• Location: Menlo Park, California
• Industries: Internet, Computing, Energy, Medical Technology 
• Notable Portfolio Companies: GitLab, Block, OpenAI

Rooted in the vibrant hub of Menlo Park, Khosla Ventures has extended its reach across industries ranging from Internet and Computing to Energy and Medical Technology. This venture capital firm carves a niche for itself by sparking revolutionary changes across diverse sectors through early-stage revenue and beyond.

• Location: San Francisco, California
• Industries: Consumer, Cybersecurity, SaaS, Healthcare
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Tumblr, Poshmark, Synthego

Menlo Ventures is more than just a venture capital firm – it’s a powerhouse that fuels transformative ideas in a variety of industries. With a good sense for spotting potential and an unwavering belief in their entrepreneurs, Menlo Ventures has catalyzed the growth of celebrated brands like Tumblr, Poshmark, and Synthego. They're determined not just to forecast the future but to architect it.

• Location: Menlo Park, California
• Industries: Consumer, Enterprise, Software
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Airbnb, LinkedIn, Nextdoor

Greylock is where innovation breeds success. An investment firm that prides itself on its long-term investment perspective, they can spot potential from a great distance. They've played a notable role in pioneering industries such as consumer tech and enterprise software, bringing life to companies like Airbnb and LinkedIn. With a rich history and even more promising future, this venture capital firm continues to leave its indelible imprint on the business landscape.

• Location: Palo Alto, California
• Industries: Consumer, Enterprise, Healthcare
• Notable Portfolio Companies: BlueCloud, Monogram Health, Fabric

Norwest Venture Partners operates at the forefront of innovation and has made significant strides in transforming healthcare and reshaping consumer experiences. With notable investments in companies like BlueCloud and Fabric, their influence permeates various aspects of everyday life. Norwest Venture Partners doesn't just invest in early-stage businesses—they invest in ideas and the people who have the audacity to bring them to fruition.

• Location: San Francisco, California
• Industries: Technology
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Square, Uber, Warby Parker

First Round is the embodiment of transformative technology. They've been instrumental in bringing groundbreaking, early-stage tech companies to the forefront of their respective fields and have an unrivaled perspective on emerging trends shaping our technological landscape. This VC firm doesn't just ride the wave of innovation—they help create it.

• Location: San Francisco, California
• Industries: FinTech, Commerce, Apps
• Notable Portfolio Companies: DocuSign, LinkedIn, Taleo

Bain Capital Ventures is a driving force in the world of technological advancement. They place their bets on disruptive ideas in early-stage fintech, commerce, and app development—a move that has led them to assist in the growth of some truly incredible companies, including DocuSign and LinkedIn. BCV is more than just an investment firm; they're enablers of innovation and creators of opportunities that are shaping tomorrow's industries today.

• Location: Menlo Park, California
• Industries: Fintech, Gaming, Enterprise
• Notable Portfolio Companies: Affirm, The Honest Company, Zola

Lightspeed Venture Partners is a venture capital firm investing in early-stage and late-stage companies across several industries, including fintech, consumer goods, and healthcare. However, this venture capital firm does more than invest. Lightspeed Venture Partners is known for their resources for helping startups grow from seed to Series A with its Launch Seed program.

• Location: San Francisco, California
• Industries: Mobility, Artificial Intelligence, Biotech
• Notable Portfolio Companies: SpaceX, Ramp, Airbnb

Founders Fund invests in companies building revolutionary technologies in the early stages and beyond. This multi-stage venture capital firm seeks primarily to fund startups with world-changing technology and the growth potential to achieve position transformation within their industries and beyond.