Top 12 Venture Capital Firms in Austin

For founders preparing to raise capital, understanding the venture capital scene in Austin is a crucial first step. The 'Silicon Hills' area has a distinct community of investors, and knowing who they are can make your fundraising process more efficient. To help, our team has curated this guide to the top VC firms in Austin. It’s designed to give you a quick overview of relevant investors so you can focus on the ones that best align with your startup.

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Key Takeaways

• Seeking venture funding is about finding the right long-term partner for your business, not just a source of capital.
• Austin is home to a strong community of investors, with firms like Scout Ventures, Sapphire Ventures, Silverton Partners, and Elsewhere Partners being some of the top players.
• For leaders raising or managing a new round, our platform helps you protect and deploy your capital with business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay.

Which Austin VC Firms Are Right for Your Stage?

From your first seed round to a potential exit, it's important to connect with the right investors for your company's stage. This overview breaks down which Austin VC firms invest at each funding level.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Austin

This initial funding is for turning an idea into a viable product, a critical step for any seed-stage startup. Austin has several active pre-seed and seed VC firms, including GTM Fund, KdT Ventures, and Trust Ventures.

Early Stage VC Firms in Austin

Early-stage funding, typically Series A and B, is for companies with established product-market fit that are ready to scale their teams and customer base. Firms like Silverton Partners, which invests in everything from SaaS to CPG brands, and ATX Venture Partners are two of the key early-stage VC firms in the city.

Late Stage VC Firms in Austin

Late-stage rounds provide capital for mature companies to accelerate growth, expand into new markets, or prepare for an exit. In Austin, you'll find late-stage investors like Sapphire Ventures and Elsewhere Partners, which specializes in B2B software companies outside traditional venture hubs.

Keep in mind that some firms invest across the full spectrum of startup funding stages. For example, both Scout Ventures, which focuses on frontier and cybersecurity venture capital, and the accelerator Capital Factory support companies from their earliest days through to later growth rounds, a common model for multi-stage VCs.

Here is a closer look at the top VC firms in Austin, Texas, including details on their investment stages, sector focus, portfolio highlights, and what makes each firm a strong potential partner for your company.

1. Scout Ventures

Scout Ventures is an early-stage venture firm that invests in frontier technologies with both commercial and government applications. Their stated mission is to back companies that are making the world a better and safer place.

The firm has a distinct focus on "dual-use" technologies—innovations applicable to both commercial and defense sectors. This specialization in areas like robotics, cybersecurity, and quantum computing is a core part of their investment strategy.

If you are a founder working on deep technology, particularly with potential for both private and public sector use, Scout Ventures may be a strong fit. Their focus suggests they understand the unique challenges and opportunities in these specialized markets.

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

You can refer to their website here.

2. Sapphire Ventures

Sapphire Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in software companies with the potential to become market leaders. They partner with businesses they believe will have a significant and lasting impact on their industries.

The firm supports companies across both early and late stages, with a clear focus on enterprise software. Their strategy centers on backing "companies of consequence," suggesting a preference for businesses with strong fundamentals and ambitious goals.

If you are leading a B2B software company that is ready to scale, Sapphire could be a valuable partner. They are particularly well-suited for founders aiming to build a category-defining business in sectors like finance.

• Investment stages: Early-stage, late-stage, and venture
• Industries of focus: Finance, Financial Services, Venture Capital
• Founded: 1996
• Portfolio summary: 355 investments and 99 exits

You can refer to their website here.

3. Silverton Partners

Silverton Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm and one of the most experienced investors in Texas. They invest across a range of sectors, including software, tech-enabled services, and consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands.

The firm's long history in the Texas market, founded in 2006, gives them deep regional expertise. They focus on partnering with companies at the earliest stages, often leading seed and Series A rounds for promising entrepreneurs.

If you're a founder in Texas looking for an experienced, local partner to lead your first funding round, Silverton could be a great fit. They are well-suited for entrepreneurs building businesses in both technology and consumer brands.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Software, tech-enabled services, CPG, finance, and asset management
• Founded: 2006
• Portfolio summary: 209 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. They specifically focus on businesses built outside of major tech centers, providing both capital and operational support to help them scale.

The firm's defining characteristic is its focus on companies located "elsewhere"—that is, outside of traditional venture hubs. They partner with businesses that have already achieved product-market fit and are ready to expand, rather than investing at the idea stage.

If you are leading a capital-efficient B2B software company outside a major tech ecosystem, Elsewhere Partners could be a strong fit. They are well-suited for founders who have a proven business model and need a partner for the next phase of 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 summary: 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. They provide capital and support to help businesses with ambitious goals achieve significant scale and market presence.

The firm invests across a company's full lifecycle, from seed and early stages through to later growth rounds. This multi-stage approach is combined with a focus on sectors like finance and business development, indicating a preference for B2B models.

If you are a founder building a business in the financial or business services sectors, S3 Ventures could be a good match. Their ability to invest at any stage makes them a potential long-term partner for a company's entire growth journey.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Business Development, Finance, and Financial Services
• Founded: 2005
• Portfolio summary: 113 investments and 22 exits

You can refer to their website here.

6. GTMfund

GTMfund is an investment firm that backs early-stage companies, specializing in venture capital and private equity. Their focus is on providing capital to businesses at the seed and Series A stages.

The firm’s most distinct feature is its community-driven model, backed by over 300 go-to-market leaders. This structure gives portfolio companies direct access to a deep bench of operators with expertise in sales, marketing, and growth.

This firm is a strong match if you are a B2B SaaS founder looking for more than just capital. Entrepreneurs who want hands-on support building their go-to-market strategy will find their operator-led community particularly valuable.

• Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture
• Industries of focus: B2B SaaS
• Founded: 2020
• Portfolio summary: 123 investments and 8 exits
• Community: Backed by a network of over 300 go-to-market executives and operators

You can refer to their website here.

7. Capital Factory

Capital Factory is a venture capital firm and accelerator that invests in companies from seed to late stage. It acts as a central hub for the Texas startup community, providing resources and connections.

The firm’s model is unique because it combines investment with co-working spaces and accelerator programs. This structure signals a deep commitment to community and hands-on support for early-stage companies.

If you are a founder in Texas looking for more than just a check, Capital Factory could be an ideal partner. Their model is particularly well-suited for entrepreneurs who value community and hands-on guidance.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, late-stage venture, and convertible notes
• Industries of focus: Angel Investment, Finance, Financial Services, Incubators, Venture Capital
• Investor type: Accelerator, co-working space, and venture capital
• Founded: 2009
• Portfolio summary: 218 investments and 32 exits

You can refer to their website here.

8. KdT Ventures

KdT Ventures is an early-stage firm that invests in companies at the intersection of data, engineering, and biology. They focus on businesses built on scientific breakthroughs and deep technical foundations.

The firm’s specific focus on the convergence of scientific fields is its defining feature. This signals a preference for companies founded on complex research and a team with deep technical expertise.

If you are a founder with a background in science or engineering whose startup is built on a significant discovery, KdT Ventures could be a strong partner. Their specialization suggests they can understand and support highly technical business models from the start.

• Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Data, engineering, and biology
• Founded: 2017
• Portfolio summary: 79 investments and 5 exits

You can refer to their website here.

9. Trust Ventures

Trust Ventures is a venture capital firm that supports startups entering industries dominated by established players. They provide capital and expertise to help new companies compete in these incumbent-heavy markets.

The firm’s approach centers on helping companies overcome the regulatory and policy hurdles that often protect legacy businesses. This focus indicates they offer practical guidance for navigating complex, entrenched sectors.

If your startup is aiming to innovate in a highly regulated market, Trust Ventures may be a good partner. They are positioned for founders who need strategic support to clear a path for new technology and business models.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage venture, and private equity
• Industries of focus: Financial Services, Venture Capital
• Founded: 2018
• Portfolio summary: 51 investments and 3 exits

You can refer to their website here.

10. Bedrock

Bedrock is an investment firm that finances companies with a unique story and market position. They look to back businesses they consider to be truly one-of-a-kind.

The firm invests from seed to late-stage rounds, showing a capacity to support companies throughout their growth. Their approach is built around identifying and backing businesses with a strong, distinct narrative.

Bedrock is a good fit if you are building a company with a powerful, differentiated vision, especially in the fintech sector. They are positioned for founders who have a clear story about why their business is fundamentally different.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: FinTech, Finance, and Financial Services
• Founded: 2017
• Portfolio summary: 65 investments and 3 exits

You can refer to their website here.

11. Ironspring Ventures

Ironspring Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in companies modernizing core industrial sectors. They lead and co-lead investments in businesses focused on construction, manufacturing, logistics, and alternative energy.

The firm’s defining trait is its sharp focus on these physical industries, signaling deep domain expertise in sectors often underserved by other VCs. This specialization suggests they understand the unique challenges of building technology for the industrial world.

If you are a founder building a business in construction, manufacturing, or supply chain, Ironspring Ventures may be a strong match. They are well-positioned for early-stage entrepreneurs who need a partner with specific knowledge of industrial markets.

• Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Construction, manufacturing, transport & logistics, and alternative energy
• Founded: 2019
• Portfolio summary: 32 investments and 1 exit

You can refer to their website here.

12. ATX Venture Partners

ATX Venture Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in B2B software, APIs, and frontier technology companies. They focus on businesses with strong technical foundations and clear market applications.

The firm’s investment thesis centers on early-stage B2B companies, with a specific interest in marketplaces and API-first products. This indicates a preference for businesses that can scale efficiently and create network effects.

If you are a founder of an early-stage B2B software or marketplace company, ATX Venture Partners may be a good match. They are well-suited for entrepreneurs who have a strong product and are ready to build a scalable business.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: B2B software, APIs, frontier tech, and marketplaces
• Founded: 2014
• Portfolio summary: 109 investments and 10 exits

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About Austin's VC Scene

This overview of Austin's top investors reveals a market with considerable support for early-stage companies. You’ll find a strong concentration of firms ready to write the first check for seed and Series A rounds. At the same time, the number of multi-stage firms on the list shows that capital is also available for companies scaling through later growth stages, suggesting a well-rounded environment for founders.

The sector focus is also quite varied. While B2B software and fintech are prominent themes, you can also connect with specialists in deep tech, industrial sectors, and consumer goods. For founders, this diversity means you have a good opportunity to find a partner with genuine expertise in your field. The key is to use this information to build a focused list of potential investors who match your company's specific needs.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Fundraising requires significant time and energy, so a focused list of relevant investors is essential. This approach helps you connect with partners who truly understand your business.

If you’ve just raised, the work of managing that capital begins immediately. Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes.

Our platform is built to help you manage your new capital with confidence. We provide integrated business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay designed for growing startups.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms in Austin

Are there Austin VCs for specific industries like fintech or SaaS?

Yes, Austin has a diverse investor community. While many firms focus on B2B software and fintech, you'll also find specialists in deep tech, CPG, and industrial technology. Researching a firm's portfolio is the best way to check for alignment.

How do I connect with early-stage VC firms in Austin?

Warm introductions through your network are most effective. Attending local tech events and accelerator demo days are also great ways to meet investors. Many firms, like Capital Factory, are central hubs for the startup community and host regular events.

What do Austin VCs look for in a startup pitch?

Austin investors typically want to see a clear problem, a validated solution with traction, and a strong founding team. Emphasize your unique market insight and a realistic plan for scaling the business with their capital.

Should I only look at venture capital firms in Austin?

While local VCs offer regional expertise and networks, don't limit your search. Many national and global firms actively invest in Austin-based startups. A mix of local and outside investors can provide a broader range of support and connections.

How can Rho help after I secure venture capital financing?

Once your round is closed, our platform helps you manage the capital effectively. We offer integrated business banking, corporate cards, and AP automation to help you deploy funds with control and visibility. Get started with Rho.