Top Venture Capital Firms in Austin, Texas

For founders preparing to raise capital, understanding the venture capital scene in Austin is a critical first step. To help you quickly identify the right investors for your company, our team at Rho curated this guide to the top VC firms operating in the Silicon Hills. This overview is designed to give you a clear picture of who to talk to, whether you're looking for pre-seed funding or a Series A partner.

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Which Austin VC Firms Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether your company is in its early days or preparing for an exit, connecting with the right investors is key. Here is a quick overview of Austin VC firms, organized by the investment stage they focus on.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms

Pre-seed and seed funding are the earliest rounds of capital, designed to help you validate your initial product and business model. For founders seeking seed funding, firms like Capital Factory, which also operates as an accelerator, GTM Fund, and KdT Ventures are excellent starting points.

Early Stage VC Firms

Early-stage funding, typically Series A and B, is for companies with proven traction that need capital to scale operations and accelerate growth. Some of the most active early-stage venture capital firms in Austin include Silverton Partners, S3 Ventures, and ATX Venture Partners, which often invests in B2B software companies.

Late Stage VC Firms

Late-stage rounds support established companies as they expand into new markets, make acquisitions, or prepare for an exit like an IPO. If your company has reached this level of maturity, you might connect with investors such as Sapphire or private equity and venture capital firms like Elsewhere Partners.

It's also worth noting that many firms, including several mentioned here, invest across multiple stages from seed to growth.

To help you find the right fit, here’s our deep dive into the top VC firms in Austin. We cover their investment stages, sector focus, notable portfolio companies, and what makes each one a compelling partner for founders.

1. Scout Ventures

Scout Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in frontier and dual-use technologies to make the world a better, safer place. They often back companies with applications in both commercial and government markets.

The firm’s clear focus is on deep tech sectors like robotics, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems. By investing from seed to late-stage venture, they signal a commitment to partnering with founders for the long haul.

If you are a founder building a company in a frontier technology area, especially one with dual-use potential, Scout Ventures could be a great fit. Their specific focus suggests they provide deep expertise for these kinds of businesses.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture.
• Industries of focus: Frontier and dual-use technologies, including autonomous vehicles, cybersecurity, drones, and robotics.
• Founded: 2010.
• Portfolio snapshot: Over 125 investments and 28 exits.

You can refer to their website here.

2. Sapphire Ventures

Sapphire is a global software venture capital firm that partners with ambitious teams to build what they call "companies of consequence." They provide capital and support to businesses aiming for significant market impact and category leadership.

The firm invests from early to late stages, signaling a long-term commitment to its portfolio companies. Their focus is squarely on enterprise software, backing businesses that are defining or redefining their industries through technology.

If you are a founder building a category-leading software company with global ambitions, Sapphire could be an ideal partner. They are best suited for teams that have a clear vision for large-scale growth and market leadership.

• Investment stages: Early-stage venture, late-stage venture.
• Industries of focus: Enterprise software, finance, and financial services.
• Founded: 1996.
• Portfolio snapshot: Over 355 investments and 99 exits.

You can refer to their website here.

3. Silverton Partners

Silverton Partners is an Austin-based, early-stage venture capital firm. They invest across a diverse range of sectors, including software, tech-enabled services, and consumer packaged goods (CPG).

The firm’s investment strategy spans from seed to late-stage rounds, indicating they are prepared to support companies throughout their growth journey. Their broad industry focus, from enterprise software to CPG, makes them a versatile partner in the Texas tech scene.

If you're an early-stage founder in one of their core sectors, Silverton could be a strong match. They are particularly well-suited for entrepreneurs seeking a long-term local partner with deep experience in the Austin market.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture.
• Industries of focus: Software, tech-enabled services, and CPG brands.
• Founded: 2006.
• Portfolio snapshot: Over 200 investments and 38 exits.

You can refer to their website here.

4. Elsewhere Partners

Elsewhere Partners is a growth capital firm that invests in B2B software companies located outside of traditional venture hubs. They provide both funding and operational support to help these businesses scale effectively.

The firm’s approach centers on capital-efficient companies that have already achieved product-market fit, often with little to no previous institutional funding. They act as hands-on partners, offering deep operational guidance to help founders navigate their next stage of growth.

If you're a founder of a bootstrapped or lightly-funded B2B software company based outside a major tech ecosystem, Elsewhere Partners could be an excellent fit. They are ideal for entrepreneurs seeking a strategic partner for sustainable, long-term growth.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, late-stage venture, and private equity.
• Industries of focus: B2B software.
• Geographical focus: Companies located outside of traditional venture hubs.
• Founded: 2017.
• Portfolio snapshot: 22 investments and 3 exits.

You can refer to their website here.

5. S3 Ventures

S3 Ventures is a venture capital firm that partners with entrepreneurs to build high-impact companies. As one of the largest Texas-based venture firms, they provide long-term capital and support to help businesses scale successfully.

The firm invests from seed through late-stage rounds, showing a clear commitment to supporting companies throughout their growth. Their focus on business development and financial services indicates they bring deep expertise to B2B companies in these sectors.

If you are a founder in the business or financial technology space looking for a hands-on, long-term partner, S3 Ventures could be a strong fit. They are well-suited for entrepreneurs who value a close investor relationship from the earliest stages.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture.
• Industries of focus: Business development, finance, and financial services.
• Founded: 2005.
• Portfolio snapshot: Over 113 investments and 22 exits.

You can refer to their website here.

6. GTMfund

GTMfund is a venture capital firm focused on seed and early-stage investments. As their name suggests, they specialize in helping founders build a powerful go-to-market strategy.

Their model appears to center on providing hands-on support for commercialization, not just capital. This signals a deep focus on helping companies build out their sales and marketing engines.

GTMfund is a great match if you have a solid product and are ready to scale revenue. They are best suited for founders who want an active partner to help build their go-to-market machine.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage venture.
• Industries of focus: Finance, financial services, and venture capital.
• Founded: 2020.
• Portfolio snapshot: Over 120 investments and 8 exits.

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About Austin, Texas, United States's VC Scene

Our look at Austin's venture capital firms reveals a mature and well-balanced market for founders. You'll find strong support at the earliest stages, with firms specializing in seed and Series A rounds. At the same time, many of these investors, including S3 Ventures and Sapphire, have the capital and commitment to support companies through later growth stages. This indicates a healthy environment that can sustain a company from its inception to a major exit.

While there is a clear concentration in B2B software and financial technology, the market also shows considerable diversity. Investors in Austin are backing everything from consumer brands to deep tech with government applications. For you as a founder, this means that no matter your company's stage or sector, there is likely a relevant investor in the city ready to talk.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Focusing on the right investors saves you critical time and energy, helping you make every conversation count during your fundraise. We hope this guide gives you a strong starting point for your outreach.

Once your round is closed, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes. We provide integrated business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay to help you manage your new capital efficiently from day one.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms in Austin

What do pre-seed VC firms in Austin look for?

At the pre-seed stage, Austin VCs focus on your team's strength, the market size, and your vision. A clear, compelling pitch and early signs of product validation are more important than significant revenue or traction at this point.

Which Austin VC firms focus on SaaS startups?

Many Austin firms, including Silverton Partners and S3 Ventures, invest in SaaS. They look for companies with strong product-market fit, a clear go-to-market strategy, and a scalable business model to support long-term growth and market leadership.

Are there fintech venture capital firms in Austin?

Yes, Austin has a growing fintech scene. Firms like S3 Ventures and Sapphire Ventures actively invest in financial technology, seeking innovative solutions in payments, banking, and enterprise financial software that can achieve significant scale in the market.

How should I approach venture capital firms in Austin?

A warm introduction from a mutual connection is always best. If that's not possible, a concise, personalized email to a relevant partner is your next best option. Clearly state your value proposition and why their firm is a good fit.

Do Austin VCs invest in anything besides software?

Absolutely. While software is a major focus, firms like Silverton Partners invest in CPG brands, and Scout Ventures backs deep tech. The Austin ecosystem supports a diverse range of industries, so it's worth researching specific firm portfolios.

How can Rho help after I secure venture capital financing?

Once your round closes, our platform helps you manage your new capital. We provide integrated banking, corporate cards, and spend controls, letting you focus on growth. Get started with Rho in minutes.