Top Venture Capital Firms in Arlington, Virginia

For founders preparing to raise capital, understanding the investor ecosystem in Arlington, Virginia—and the broader DMV area—is a crucial first step. Our team created this guide to the top venture capital firms to help you identify the right partners. Whether you're looking for pre-seed, seed funding, or Series A venture capital firms, or have a focus in SaaS, fintech, AI, or health tech, this overview will help you find relevant investors for your startup.

Just raised? Set up your financial stack with Rho in minutes. Rho provides business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay — built for startup teams moving fast.

Which Arlington VC Firms Are Right for Your Stage?

Knowing which investors to approach is critical, whether you're raising your first round or scaling toward an exit. Here’s a brief overview of Arlington-area VC firms and the stages where they typically invest.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms

Pre-seed and seed funding are the earliest rounds of capital, typically used to develop your initial product and establish market fit. For founders seeking seed funding, especially in cybersecurity, StoneMill Ventures is a key player, while Sands Capital also invests at this stage.

Early Stage VC Firms

Early-stage VC firms provide Series A and B financing for startups that have proven traction and are ready to scale their teams and customer base. In the Arlington area, you might consider approaching early-stage venture capital firms like SineWave Ventures, which invests in enterprise software, or RTX Ventures, which focuses on aerospace and defense.

Late Stage VC Firms

Late-stage venture capital helps mature companies accelerate growth, expand into new markets, or prepare for an exit like an IPO or acquisition. Investors focusing on this stage include Sands Capital, which supports companies through public listing, and SineWave Ventures, which also provides late-stage capital.

It's also worth noting that many venture capital firms invest across multiple funding stages, supporting companies from their earliest days through to maturity.

Here is our deep dive on the top venture capital firms in Arlington, Virginia. For each firm, we've included key details on their investment stages, sector focus, and notable portfolio companies to help you identify the right partners for your startup.

1. Sands Capital Ventures

Sands Capital is an active, long-term investor that supports innovative growth businesses across the globe. The firm invests across the entire growth spectrum, from venture and growth equity to the public markets.

The firm’s approach is deeply rooted in research, with a philosophy of “thinking in decades, not quarters” to identify high-quality businesses. They focus on visionary companies in sectors like technology and life sciences that have the potential to create lasting value.

Sands Capital is a good match for founders with a long-term vision who are building transformative companies. If you value a partner with deep analytical rigor that invests for the long haul, this firm could be a strong fit.

• Investment stages: All stages of the growth spectrum, including venture capital, growth equity, and public equity.

• Industries of focus: Innovative growth businesses, with a focus on technology, digital services, advanced computing, and financial services.

• Geographical presence: Headquartered in Arlington, VA, with offices in London and Singapore.

• Founded year: 1992.

• Notable portfolio companies: Globant, Axon Enterprises, Brightflag.

• Fund size: Manages over $49 billion in client assets.

You can refer to their website here.

2. SineWave Ventures

SineWave Ventures invests in early-stage technology companies that serve both commercial and public sector clients. The firm operates at the intersection of Silicon Valley innovation, Fortune 500 enterprise needs, and government applications.

The firm’s approach is thesis-driven, relying on a strategic network and deep technical knowledge to support a concentrated portfolio. Its team has extensive experience in government, intelligence, and enterprise technology, offering founders significant operational and technical depth.

SineWave Ventures is a good match for founders building enterprise technology with dual-use applications for commercial and public sector markets. If you are seeking partners with deep technical expertise and strong networks in government and large corporations, this firm could be a great fit.

• Investment stages: Early and late-stage venture.

• Industries of focus: Enterprise technology, with an emphasis on Data and Analytics, Networking, Cybersecurity, and Computing.

• Geographical presence: Based in San Francisco, with a strong network in Washington, D.C.

• Founded year: 2015.

• Team background: The team includes former leaders from the NSA, CIA, Department of Defense, and major tech companies.

• Portfolio size: The firm has made 44 investments.

You can refer to their website here.

3. DARPA

While not a venture capital firm in the traditional sense, DARPA is a key player in the innovation ecosystem as the U.S. Department of Defense's R&D agency. It focuses on developing breakthrough technologies to maintain national security.

The agency is defined by its high-risk, high-reward model, funding ambitious R&D projects that aim for transformational change over incremental advances. It provides deep technical depth through six specialized offices and emphasizes building a collaborative innovation ecosystem.

DARPA is an excellent partner for founders, researchers, and entrepreneurs with bold, high-impact ideas that align with U.S. national security priorities. You'll be a good fit if your work is cutting-edge and you thrive in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment.

• Industries of focus: Biological technologies, defense sciences, information innovation, microsystems technology, strategic technology, and tactical technology.

• Founded year: 1958.

• Notable achievements: The Internet (ARPANET), GPS, stealth technology, and autonomous vehicles.

• Team background: Program managers are visionary leaders from industry, government, and academia.

• Community programs: DARPAConnect for newcomers and the Embedded Entrepreneur Initiative to help transition technologies to market.

• Geographical presence: United States.

You can refer to their website here.

4. StoneMill Ventures

StoneMill Ventures invests in disruptive cyber security companies, primarily at the seed stage. The firm looks for passionate entrepreneurs who are ready to challenge key components of the security ecosystem.

The firm’s approach is founder-first and deeply technical, offering active mentorship alongside capital. Founder Michael Sutton brings extensive operational experience from his time as CISO at Zscaler, signaling a hands-on, supportive partnership.

StoneMill is a good match for seed-stage cybersecurity founders who value a partner with deep industry knowledge. If you are building a pioneering security company and want guidance from an experienced operator, this firm could be a strong fit.

• Investment stages: Primarily seed stage.

• Industries of focus: Cyber security.

• Geographical presence: Focus on the Washington, DC metro area, but invests globally.

• Founded year: 2018.

• Team background: Founded by Michael Sutton, the former CISO of Zscaler, who has experience building and exiting multiple security companies.

• Portfolio size: 41 investments.

• Number of exits: 9.

You can refer to their website here.

5. RTX Ventures

RTX Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies), investing in early-stage companies that are transforming the aerospace and defense sectors.

The firm’s approach is resource-driven, providing portfolio companies with more than just capital by enabling them to leverage the scale and technical depth of RTX. This includes access to R&D collaborations, supply agreements, and joint go-to-market opportunities.

RTX Ventures is a good match for founders in aerospace and defense who are seeking a strategic partner to help them scale. If your startup would benefit from deep technical expertise and the backing of a major industry player, this firm is worth considering.

• Investment stages: Early stage.

• Industries of focus: Aerospace and defense, with priorities in autonomy and sensing, compute, advanced manufacturing, space, data, analytics, and propulsion.

• Founded year: 2022.

• Notable portfolio companies: Hermeus, Impulse Space, HawkEye 360, Ursa Major.

• Portfolio size: 21 investments.

• Number of exits: 1.

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About Arlington, Virginia, United States's VC Scene

The venture capital firms in Arlington reflect the area's unique position near the U.S. capital. While you can find investors for every stage, from seed to late-stage growth, there is a clear concentration in specific sectors. The market is particularly strong for founders in cybersecurity, aerospace, defense, and enterprise technology with government applications.

This specialization means that if your startup aligns with these industries, you have access to a deep pool of investors with relevant expertise and connections. For companies outside these core areas, fundraising may require looking more broadly, but firms like Sands Capital show that opportunities exist for a wider range of innovative businesses.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Fundraising requires significant time and energy, so approaching the right investors is essential. We hope this guide helps you build a focused list of firms that align with your company's stage and sector.

Once your round is closed, the work of managing that capital begins. Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes, so you can focus on building your business.

Our platform provides an integrated solution for your new capital with business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay. We give you the tools to manage your finances efficiently from day one.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms in Arlington

What are the top SaaS venture capital firms in Arlington?

While Arlington has a strong defense-tech focus, firms like SineWave Ventures invest in enterprise software, and Sands Capital backs innovative technology companies. Founders should highlight how their SaaS product aligns with these investors' broader theses.

Are there fintech venture capital firms in Arlington?

Yes, the Arlington area has investors interested in fintech. Sands Capital, for example, lists financial services as a key focus area, backing innovative companies that are transforming the industry. Founders should research their specific portfolio for alignment.

How important is a government or defense angle for Arlington VCs?

It is a significant advantage. Many local VCs, including RTX Ventures and SineWave Ventures, specialize in dual-use technologies for commercial and public sectors. A strong government use case can make your startup particularly attractive to these firms.

What's the best way to get an introduction to a VC firm?

A warm introduction through a mutual connection, such as another founder, lawyer, or banker, is most effective. If that isn't possible, a concise and well-researched cold email that directly addresses the firm's investment thesis can also work.

How can Rho help after I secure venture capital financing?

Once your round closes, our platform helps you manage the capital effectively. We provide integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated payments, letting you focus on growth. Get started with Rho in minutes.