15 Best Venture Capital Firms For Seed Funding

For founders seeking early-stage venture capital, knowing the key investors is a critical first step. Understanding the different seed and pre-seed venture capital firms helps you target the right partners who align with your vision and can provide more than just seed funding.

To help, our team has curated this overview of top seed stage VC firms. Use this guide to better prepare for your fundraise and quickly identify the key players relevant to your company before you begin outreach.

Actively raising? You can now access non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines through Rho Capital. Rho also provides access to business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay — built for startup teams moving fast.

Key Takeaways

• Seed stage venture funding is the initial capital startups raise to finance early steps like product development and market research.
• Top seed stage VCs include General Catalyst, StepStone Group, Andreessen Horowitz, and Tribe Capital, known for backing a wide range of startups.
• Whether you are raising or have just closed a round, Rho Capital connects you to non-dilutive funding like venture debt and credit lines, while our integrated platform helps you manage capital with FDIC-insured accounts, corporate cards offering up to 2% cashback, and automated bill pay.

What is Seed Stage Venture Capital?

Seed stage venture capital is the initial funding a startup raises to finance its first steps, such as product development and market research. This capital is typically smaller than later funding rounds and comes from investors who support companies in their earliest, most formative phase.

Types of Seed Stage VC Firms At A Glance

If you're a founder raising seed funding, it helps to know which venture capital firms specialize by geography or sector; here’s a quick breakdown of those trends across top seed stage investors.

Seed Stage VCs in California

The Bay Area remains a major hub for early-stage venture capital, with many of the most successful early VC firms located in San Francisco and Menlo Park. This includes industry giants like Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, and General Catalyst.

Seed Stage VCs in New York

On the East Coast, New York City has a strong ecosystem of pre-seed venture capital firms. Notable investors providing seed funding in the area include Insight Partners, StepStone Group, and BoxGroup.

Financial Services & FinTech Seed Stage VCs

Many firms focus on financial services, a sector ripe for innovation. Seed venture capital firms with a strong track record in fintech include Tribe Capital, which uses data science in its approach, along with BoxGroup and StepStone Group.

Finally, some of the best early-stage VC firms are generalists, investing across a wide range of industries from SaaS to consumer goods, as well as various locations and funding stages.

To help you identify the right investors, here is more information on the top seed stage VC firms, including details on their locations, primary industries, and specific attributes that may be relevant to your startup.

1. General Catalyst

General Catalyst is a venture firm that partners with founders from the earliest stages through to growth, focusing on building resilient companies. They have a particular interest in supporting businesses that leverage applied AI to solve significant problems.

The firm invests across a company's entire lifecycle, from seed rounds to later-stage funding, demonstrating a commitment to long-term partnerships. Their portfolio includes major successes like Airbnb, Stripe, and HubSpot, showing a strong track record in identifying and scaling category-defining companies.

This firm is a strong potential partner if you are a founder seeking more than just capital and want a collaborative investor for the long haul. They are particularly well-suited for founders building businesses with a focus on applied AI or those aiming for significant, lasting impact in their industry.

As you prepare your pitch for firms like General Catalyst, remember that Rho can help you manage your capital efficiently once it's secured. Our integrated platform offers business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay to help you deploy your funding effectively.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Growth
• Industries of focus: Applied AI, Financial Services, and other technology sectors
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2000
• Notable portfolio companies: Airbnb, Stripe, HubSpot, Kayak
• Portfolio size: Over 1,400 investments

You can refer to their website here.

2. StepStone Group

StepStone Group is a global private equity and venture capital firm that provides investors with customized portfolios. They structure their support by integrating primary and secondary investments with direct co-investments.

The firm has a clear focus on the financial services, FinTech, and real estate investment sectors. Their model of combining different investment types suggests a flexible and sophisticated approach to partnering with companies.

StepStone Group is a strong potential partner for founders building companies in the FinTech and financial services industries. Their deep sector knowledge and versatile investment strategy make them a good fit for startups seeking a well-capitalized, experienced investor.

Once you've secured funding from a specialized investor like StepStone, our integrated financial platform helps you manage and deploy that capital efficiently with tools like business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed
• Industries of focus: Banking, Financial Services, FinTech, Real Estate Investment, Venture Capital
• Geographical presence: New York, New York
• Founded: 2007
• Portfolio size: 101 investments

You can refer to their website here.

3. Andreessen Horowitz

Andreessen Horowitz, often called a16z, is a venture capital firm that operates across all funding stages. They are known for being stage-agnostic, supporting companies from their initial seed rounds through to later growth phases.

The firm is distinguished by its track record of backing iconic technology companies that have reshaped their industries. Their portfolio includes several major successes, such as GitHub, Coinbase, Airbnb, and Stripe, highlighting their focus on long-term, high-growth potential.

Andreessen Horowitz is a strong potential partner for founders with ambitious, category-defining ideas, regardless of their company's current stage. Their deep experience in finance and technology makes them a particularly good fit for startups in those sectors.

As you prepare your pitch for firms like Andreessen Horowitz, remember that Rho can help you manage your capital efficiently once it's secured. Our integrated platform offers business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay to help you deploy your funding effectively.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Finance, Financial Services, Technology
• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
• Founded: 2009
• Notable portfolio companies: GitHub, Coinbase, Airbnb, Stripe, Oculus VR
• Portfolio size: Over 1,600 investments

You can refer to their website here.

4. Tribe Capital

Tribe Capital is a venture firm that uses data science to inform its investment decisions in both venture and crypto markets. This quantitative approach helps them identify and support promising companies with a data-driven edge.

The firm invests from seed to late-stage, with a clear focus on finance and financial services. Their portfolio includes well-known companies like the equity management platform Carta and the sales intelligence tool Apollo.io.

Tribe Capital is a strong match for founders building companies in the fintech space or those whose business models have a significant data component. Their ability to invest across stages makes them a valuable long-term partner for growing startups.

After securing funding from a data-focused firm like Tribe Capital, you need to manage it well. Our integrated financial platform helps you deploy your capital with precision, offering business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Finance, Financial Services, Venture Capital
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2018
• Notable portfolio companies: Kraken, Carta, Airtable, Shiprocket, Apollo.io
• Portfolio size: 240 investments

You can refer to their website here.

5. Accel

Accel is a venture capital firm that supports entrepreneurs globally, investing from the seed stage through to growth rounds. With a history dating back to 1983, they have a long track record of partnering with companies from their earliest days.

The firm is known for backing some of the most iconic technology companies, including an early investment in Facebook that became one of the highest-return VC deals ever. Their portfolio also features major successes like Slack, Dropbox, and Bumble, showing a strong focus on both consumer and enterprise technology.

Accel is an excellent potential partner for founders with ambitious, category-defining ideas who are looking for a long-term investor. Their experience scaling global companies makes them a great fit for startups aiming for significant market impact.

After securing funding from a firm like Accel, our integrated financial platform helps you manage and deploy that capital efficiently with tools like business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity
• Industries of focus: Finance, Financial Services, Venture Capital
• Geographical presence: Palo Alto, California
• Founded: 1983
• Notable portfolio companies: Facebook, Flipkart, Dropbox, Slack, Bumble
• Portfolio size: Over 2,100 investments

You can refer to their website here.

6. Pear VC

Pear VC is a venture firm that partners with technology companies at the very beginning of their journey, focusing on pre-seed and seed investments.

The firm is known for backing companies from their earliest stages and has a strong track record of successful exits, including DoorDash and Guardant Health.

Pear VC is a good fit for founders at the pre-seed or seed stage who are building technology companies, particularly in sectors like financial services or education.

Once you secure funding from an early-stage specialist like Pear VC, our integrated financial platform helps you manage and deploy that capital efficiently with tools like business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Convertible Note, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Seed, Venture
• Industries of focus: Angel Investment, Education, Financial Services, Venture Capital
• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
• Founded: 2013
• Notable portfolio companies: DoorDash, Guardant Health, Credible Labs
• Portfolio size: Over 400 investments

You can refer to their website here.

7. Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform that connects startups with corporations and investors. They operate as an accelerator and venture capital firm, providing more than just funding.

Their model is unique, combining venture capital with an accelerator and corporate partnerships across sectors like FinTech. Their portfolio includes major successes like PayPal, Dropbox, and Honey, as seen on their investment portfolio.

This firm is a strong match for early-stage founders who can benefit from a large ecosystem of corporate partners and investors. Their accelerator model is particularly well-suited for startups seeking deep industry connections.

For founders who join an accelerator like Plug and Play, managing finances becomes critical. Our integrated platform helps you handle your capital with business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, letting you focus on growth.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Private Equity, Non-Equity Assistance
• Industries of focus: Financial Services, FinTech, Smart Cities, Venture Capital
• Geographical presence: Sunnyvale, California
• Founded: 2006
• Notable portfolio companies: PayPal, Dropbox, Honey
• Investor type: Accelerator, Co-Working Space, Venture Capital
• Portfolio size: Over 2,100 investments

You can refer to their website here.

8. Madrona

Madrona is a venture firm based in Seattle that invests in companies from their earliest stages through to post-IPO. While they have a strong focus on the Pacific Northwest, they also support founders beyond the region.

The firm has a long history of backing companies in cloud services, finance, and consumer internet, guiding them to successful public offerings and acquisitions. Their portfolio includes major exits like Apptio and Smartsheet, demonstrating their experience with long-term growth.

Madrona is a strong potential partner for founders building technology companies with high-growth potential, especially those based in the Pacific Northwest. Their track record with IPOs makes them a good fit for founders aiming for a major market exit.

After securing funding from a long-term partner like Madrona, our integrated financial platform helps you manage and deploy that capital efficiently with tools like business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Post-IPO
• Industries of focus: Cloud Data Services, Finance, Service Industry, Angel Investment
• Geographical presence: Seattle, Washington
• Founded: 1995
• Notable portfolio companies: Apptio, Smartsheet, Redfin, Rover.com, Impinj
• Portfolio size: Over 500 investments

You can refer to their website here.

9. Insight Partners

Insight Partners is a global software investor that backs high-growth technology and internet companies. They operate across all stages, from seed funding to private equity, supporting businesses throughout their entire lifecycle.

The firm is known for backing companies that become household names, with a portfolio including Shopify, DocuSign, and Twitter. Their history of guiding companies to major IPOs and acquisitions signals a focus on scaling businesses for significant market impact.

Insight Partners is a great match for founders of ambitious software companies who are looking for a long-term partner to help them scale. After securing a round with a major investor like Insight, our integrated platform helps you manage that capital with business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity
• Industries of focus: Finance, Financial Services, Software, Internet
• Geographical presence: New York, New York
• Founded: 1995
• Notable portfolio companies: Shopify, DocuSign, Twitter, Qualtrics, SentinelOne
• Portfolio size: Over 1,100 investments

You can refer to their website here.

10. International Finance Corporation

International Finance Corporation (IFC) is the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, operating as a global private equity and venture capital firm. It focuses on advancing economic development by investing in for-profit projects in developing countries.

The IFC invests across all stages, from seed to private equity, with a strong emphasis on finance and financial services. Its portfolio includes major global companies like Coursera and Remitly, reflecting its mission to back businesses with significant developmental impact.

The IFC is an ideal partner for founders in emerging markets who are building scalable businesses that contribute to economic growth. After securing funding from a global institution like the IFC, our integrated financial platform helps you manage that capital with business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Debt, Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity
• Industries of focus: Finance, Financial Services, Funding Platform, Hedge Funds
• Geographical presence: Washington, District of Columbia
• Founded: 1956
• Notable portfolio companies: Coursera, Interswitch, Remitly, Planet Labs, BigBasket
• Portfolio size: Over 600 investments
• Investor type: Government Office, Private Equity Firm, Venture Capital

You can refer to their website here.

11. Sequoia Capital

Sequoia Capital is a venture capital firm with a long history of backing companies across the technology sector. They invest from the earliest seed stages through to post-IPO, supporting founders in industries like finance, healthcare, and enterprise software.

The firm is known for partnering with legendary companies that define their markets, including Apple, Google, and Nvidia. Their strategy involves supporting founders for the long term, across all funding stages, from initial idea to global scale.

Sequoia is a great partner for founders with ambitious, category-creating ideas who are aiming to build enduring businesses. When you're preparing to pitch to a firm of this caliber, having your financial operations in order is key; our integrated platform at Rho helps you manage your capital with business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Post-IPO
• Industries of focus: Energy, Financial, Enterprise, Healthcare, Internet, Mobile
• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
• Founded: 1972
• Notable portfolio companies: Apple, Google, Nvidia, YouTube, Zoom
• Portfolio size: Over 2,100 investments

You can refer to their website here.

12. Khosla Ventures

Khosla Ventures offers venture assistance to entrepreneurs building companies in AI, sustainability, enterprise, and other frontier technologies. The firm focuses on businesses with the potential for significant, positive impact.

The firm invests across all stages, from seed to post-IPO, and is known for backing transformative companies. Their portfolio includes major successes like DoorDash, Instacart, and OpenAI, showing a clear ability to identify and support market leaders.

Khosla Ventures is a strong partner for founders with ambitious, technology-forward ideas in their core industries. After securing funding from a firm like Khosla, our integrated platform at Rho helps you manage and deploy that capital efficiently with tools for business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Post-IPO
• Industries of focus: AI, sustainability, enterprise, consumer, health, frontier technologies, finance
• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
• Founded: 2004
• Notable portfolio companies: DoorDash, Instacart, Impossible Foods, OpenAI, Block
• Portfolio size: Over 1,200 investments

You can refer to their website here.

13. Mayfield Fund

Mayfield is an early-stage venture capital firm with a long history of backing entrepreneurs. They focus on foundational companies in enterprise, deeptech, and human and planetary health.

With roots dating back to 1969, the firm has a clear people-first investment philosophy, partnering with founders from the earliest stages. Their portfolio includes major successes like HashiCorp and Lyft, showing their ability to support companies through to public offerings.

Mayfield is a strong potential partner for founders building companies in complex, high-impact sectors. Their experience guiding businesses to IPOs makes them a good fit for entrepreneurs with long-term, ambitious goals.

After securing funding from an established firm like Mayfield, our integrated platform helps you manage that capital with business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity
• Industries of focus: Enterprise, Deeptech, Human and Planetary Health
• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
• Founded: 1969
• Notable portfolio companies: HashiCorp, Lyft, Marketo, SolarCity
• Portfolio size: Over 700 investments

You can refer to their website here.

14. BoxGroup

BoxGroup is an early-stage investment fund that backs technology companies from their inception. They are known for making seed-stage investments across a variety of tech sectors, with a focus on impactful businesses.

The firm has a strong record of supporting foundational companies in fintech and consumer brands, including Plaid, Ramp, and Warby Parker. Their portfolio highlights an ability to identify and back businesses that become infrastructure staples or household names.

BoxGroup is a strong potential partner for founders at the seed stage building technology-driven businesses. Their deep experience in fintech and direct-to-consumer makes them particularly well-suited for entrepreneurs in those spaces.

After securing an early investment from a firm like BoxGroup, our integrated platform helps you manage that capital. Rho provides business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay to help you deploy your funds efficiently.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Finance, Financial Services, FinTech, Impact Investing
• Geographical presence: New York, New York
• Founded: 2009
• Notable portfolio companies: Plaid, Airtable, Ramp, Warby Parker, Flatiron Health
• Portfolio size: 714 investments

You can refer to their website here.

15. Base10 Partners

Base10 Partners is an early-stage venture firm that invests in companies automating traditional sectors of the economy. They focus on founders building technology for industries like logistics, retail, and business services.

A unique aspect of their model is The Advancement Initiative, a fund that donates half of its carried interest to support underrepresented students and STEM programs. Their portfolio includes well-known companies like Figma, Notion, and Brex.

Base10 is a great fit for founders building automation tools for established, real-world industries. If your company also has a strong sense of purpose, their mission-aligned approach could make for a powerful partnership. Once you secure funding from a firm like Base10, our integrated financial platform helps you manage and deploy that capital efficiently with tools like business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Automation of real economy sectors like logistics, retail, and business services
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2017
• Notable portfolio companies: Figma, Notion, Plaid, Brex, Instacart
• Unique initiative: The Advancement Initiative donates 50% of carry to fund scholarships and STEM programs at HBCUs.
• Portfolio size: Over 140 investments

You can refer to their website here.

What Startup Founders Should Look for in a Seed Stage VC Firm

When evaluating early-stage venture capital firms, look beyond the check size. The right partner brings relevant industry expertise, a network that can open doors, and a genuine belief in your long-term vision. Consider whether a firm’s focus aligns with your sector and if their typical investment stage—from pre-seed to later rounds—matches your current needs.

As this list shows, many top seed stage VC firms are concentrated in traditional hubs, but thriving ecosystems also exist in cities like Boston. Similarly, while some investors are generalists, many specialize in sectors like AI or enterprise software. Understanding these patterns helps you create a targeted list of investors who are most likely to understand your business.

Before you begin outreach, focus on these key steps:

• Research a firm’s portfolio for potential conflicts or synergies
• Identify specific partners whose experience aligns with your company
• Organize your financial data for a smooth diligence process

A strong financial setup is crucial. Rho can help you access non-dilutive funding options through Rho Capital and offers an integrated platform with banking, corporate cards, and payments to manage your capital effectively once it's secured.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Creating a focused list of relevant investors is one of the most effective ways to manage your fundraise. It helps you direct your limited time and energy toward the firms most likely to support your vision.

If you’ve just raised or are planning to, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes. Through Rho Capital, we also help founders access non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines.

Once your capital is secured, our integrated platform provides the tools you need to manage it. We offer business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay to help you deploy funds efficiently.

FAQs about Seed Stage Venture Capital

What is the difference between seed funding vs venture capital?

Seed funding is a specific type of early-stage venture capital, typically the first institutional money a startup raises. Venture capital is a broader term for financing at any stage, from pre-seed venture capital to later growth rounds.

How much is a typical seed round venture capital check?

A typical venture capital seed funding round can range from $500,000 to $3 million. The exact amount depends on the startup's needs, industry, and the specific seed stage venture capital firms involved in the deal.

What are venture capital returns by stage?

Venture capital returns by stage are highest for pre-seed and seed investments due to higher risk. Later-stage rounds offer more moderate returns as companies mature. The most successful early stage VC firms excel at managing this risk-reward balance.

How do I find early stage venture capital firms outside of major hubs?

Beyond traditional hubs, many top early stage VC firms operate in growing ecosystems. You can find investors focused on specific cities like Austin, Miami, or Chicago, providing local early stage funding venture capital for founders.

What is the focus of early stage consumer venture capital?

Early stage consumer venture capital firms focus on startups building products and services for individuals. This includes direct-to-consumer brands, mobile apps, and other consumer-facing technologies that aim for widespread adoption and strong brand loyalty.

How can I manage my venture capital seed money effectively?

Effectively managing your venture capital seed money requires a strong financial foundation. Our integrated platform helps you deploy capital with business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay. Get started with Rho to manage your funds.