Virginia is an excellent starting point for your new business venture. The state is known for its low operating costs, business-friendly tax framework, a wide range of incentives, and other benefits. Many successful businesses thrive here, and finding a venture capital provider for your startup should not be too difficult if you have a solid idea.
We also recommend checking out our full list of the top venture capital firms.
Best Virginia VC Firms
1. The PenFed Foundation
- Location: Alexandria, VA
- Industries: Veteran Entrepreneur Investment Program
- Stage: Convertible Note, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Seed, Venture
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Undisclosed
The PenFed Foundation runs a targeted Veteran Entrepreneur Investment Program (VEIP) using its PenFed Credit Union Foundation contributions and matching funding of up to $1 million.
The company specifically supports veteran-owned startups, which receive seed funding to grow their companies. The PenFed Foundation perpetually reinvests returns in future veteran-owned companies to support this ongoing program.
The program was started to service approximately 25 percent of 200,000 veterans who leave active duty annually and want to start their own businesses. The PenFed Foundation is built on the basis that there is no lack of talent or imagination; it is just a matter of capital and a powerful network of support that these veterans need to succeed as independent businesspeople following their service.
2. Columbia Capital
- Location: Alexandria, VA
- Industries: Enterprise IT, Digital Infrastructure, and Mobility
- Stage: Infrastructure and Mobility
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Cloud Sherpas, Cologix, Eunetworks, Extenet Systems, MetroPCS, Presidio, SummitIG, TriStar
Columbia Capital funds organizations in the Enterprise IT, Digital Infrastructure, and Mobility arenas. This VC firm provides funding in the range of $15 million to $40 million. Before funding is finalized, Columbia Capital collects and synthesizes market data into investment ideas.
Columbia Capital has been actively investing in business since 1989 and has raised $5 billion in fund commitments to date. With over 30 years of experience and a proven track record, this venture capital firm has developed a profitable and reproducible investment methodology, guided by a specialized and experienced team, and invested in over 175 companies.
Columbia Capital is focused exclusively on the Communications and Technology (“C&T”) industry and uses its experience and insights in conjunction with experienced executive team members to proactively initiate and develop new ventures.
3. Grotech Ventures
- Location: Vienna, VA
- Industries: Technology
- Stage: Seed Stage
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Advertising.com, Adwerx, Airside Mobile, AnyPresence, Apkudo, Atavium, Aztek Networks
Grotech Ventures comprises a team of financial experts who are passionate about investing in burgeoning technology. The firm is dedicated to helping creative and self-driven entrepreneurs build viable technology companies that stand the test of time.
This VC firm targets early-stage companies and invests in the range of $500,000 to $5 million. Grotech Ventures has been investing in standout entrepreneurs since 1984. The company's strategy is (simply put) to "invest in high-potential technology companies". Beyond the initial investment, Grotech continues building value throughout the life of the company.
4. IMS Ventures
- Location: Alexandria, VA
- Industries: Entrepreneurial Enterprises
- Stage: Seed Stage
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Undisclosed
IMS Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that finances entrepreneurial enterprises. The VC firm looks to invest between $250,000 and $500,000 in the first round, with the potential for further investment in subsequent rounds. IMS Ventures also invests time and expertise in mentorship and interventions that help their portfolio companies succeed.
The firm invests in different industry segments but prefers businesses with tangible products or services. In their own words, "We fill a void in the venture capital environment by taking an active role in our portfolio companies. Our company assists early-stage entrepreneurs in validating their product and business concepts. We also help in preparing them for future growth and expansion."
IMS Ventures has a host of both international and local portfolio companies. So, if your business is product-centered or offers a "tangible" service, IMS Ventures is the VC firm for you.
