Top 7 Venture Capital Firms in Bethesda

For founders preparing to raise capital, understanding the local investor community is a crucial step. In Bethesda, Maryland—a key part of the BioHealth Capital Region—knowing which venture capital firms are active can make all the difference in your fundraising process.

To help you connect with the right partners, our team created this guide to the area's top VC firms. It’s a direct overview designed to help you quickly identify relevant investors for your startup, whether you're looking for pre-seed or Series A venture capital firms.

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

• Seeking venture capital funding means partnering with investors who provide capital in exchange for an equity stake in your company.

• Bethesda is home to several prominent venture capital firms, including Lockheed Martin Ventures, Northpond Ventures, Core Ventures, and Epidarex Capital.

• If you're a startup leader actively raising or have recently closed a round, our team at Rho can help you access and manage your capital with alternative funding, business banking, corporate cards, and other financial tools.

Which Bethesda VC Firms Are Right for Your Stage?

From your first funding round to a future exit, knowing which investors to approach is key. To help, we've outlined which Bethesda VC firms invest at specific stages.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Bethesda

Pre-seed and seed funding provides the initial capital to turn your idea into a viable product and begin building traction. For founders seeking their first round of venture capital financing for startups, Bethesda firms like Core Ventures and Epidarex Capital are key players to know.

Early Stage VC Firms in Bethesda

Early-stage venture capital generally refers to Series A and Series B rounds, which help companies scale their teams and accelerate growth. If you lead a health tech or life sciences startup, you might connect with BroadOak Capital Partners, while companies in aerospace or security could find a fit with Lockheed Martin Ventures.

Late Stage VC Firms in Bethesda

Late-stage funding supports mature startups as they expand into new markets or prepare for an exit, such as an IPO or acquisition. In Bethesda, investors like Novak Biddle Venture Partners and the biotech venture capital firm Northpond Ventures provide capital for these later growth phases.

Keep in mind that some investors, often called multi-stage VCs, provide funding across the entire startup lifecycle.

To help you find the right investment partner, here is our overview of the top VC firms in Bethesda, Maryland, with key details on their sector focus, preferred investment stages, notable portfolio companies, and what makes each firm a distinct choice for founders.

1. Lockheed Martin Ventures

As the venture capital arm of Lockheed Martin Corporation, Lockheed Martin Ventures invests in companies that align with the parent corporation's strategic goals. They provide capital to startups developing new technologies that could be relevant to the aerospace and security giant.

The firm concentrates on early-stage companies in sectors like national security, aerospace, and space travel. A key benefit of partnering with them is the potential access to Lockheed Martin's deep technical knowledge and opportunities for strategic collaboration.

This firm is a strong match for founders building technology in the defense, security, or aerospace industries. If your startup could benefit from a close relationship with a major industry player, they are a valuable potential partner.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture

• Industries of focus: Aerospace, National Security, Security, Space Travel

• Founded: 2007

• Investor type: Corporate Venture Capital

• Portfolio size: Over 90 investments

You can refer to their website here.

2. Northpond Ventures

Northpond Ventures is a multi-stage investment firm that supports science-driven companies in the life sciences and technology sectors. They provide capital to businesses from their earliest stages all the way through to post-IPO, acting as both a venture capital and private equity partner.

The firm’s approach is centered on its scientific expertise, allowing it to back companies with complex, foundational technologies. Their ability to invest across the full company lifecycle signals a capacity for long-term partnership, supporting founders as they scale.

Northpond Ventures is an excellent fit for founders with deep scientific or technical backgrounds building companies in biotechnology or life sciences. If you are looking for an investor who understands your core technology and can provide capital across multiple funding rounds, this firm is a strong potential match.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage, Late Stage, Post-IPO

• Industries of focus: Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Technology

• Founded: 2018

• Investor type: Venture Capital, Private Equity

• Portfolio size: Over 120 investments

You can refer to their website here.

3. Core Ventures

Core Ventures is an investment firm that provides capital to early-stage companies with advanced technological capabilities. They focus on seed and early-stage rounds, supporting founders as they begin to build and scale their businesses.

The firm invests across B2B, B2C, and finance, indicating a flexible approach that prioritizes the strength of the technology over a specific industry. Their clear focus on the earliest stages of a company's life suggests they are comfortable backing founding teams from the beginning.

Core Ventures could be a strong partner for founders with a technical background who are raising their first or second round of funding. If your startup has a solid technological foundation and is seeking seed capital, this firm is worth considering.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Seed

• Industries of focus: B2B, B2C, Finance, Venture Capital

• Founded: 2012

• Investor type: Venture Capital

• Portfolio size: 29 investments

• Number of exits: 8

You can refer to their website here.

4. Epidarex Capital

Epidarex Capital is a venture capital firm that backs high-growth life science and health technology companies. They focus on providing capital to startups in markets that are often overlooked by other investors.

The firm’s strategy centers on its life sciences expertise and its commitment to specific geographic areas, particularly in the UK. Their investment scope from seed to late-stage signals they are prepared to support companies for the long haul.

This firm is a great choice if you are a founder in the life sciences or health tech space, especially if you are based in an under-ventured region. They are a good fit for teams seeking a partner for multiple funding rounds.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture

• Industries of focus: Life Science, Health Technology

• Founded: 2010

• Investor type: Venture Capital

• Portfolio size: 48 investments

• Number of exits: 4

You can refer to their website here.

5. BroadOak Capital Partners

BroadOak Capital Partners operates as both a privately held investment bank and a venture capital firm, with a comprehensive focus on the life sciences industry. They provide companies with financial advisory services in addition to direct investment capital.

The firm’s hybrid model is a defining characteristic, offering founders a unique blend of strategic financial guidance and growth capital. Their ability to invest from early stages through to post-IPO demonstrates a capacity for long-term partnership.

This firm is a strong match for founders in the life sciences sector who anticipate needing sophisticated financial advice on topics like M&A or public offerings. If you are looking for an investor who can support your company through complex financial milestones, BroadOak is a valuable connection.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Post-IPO

• Industries of focus: Life Science, Finance

• Founded: 2006

• Investor type: Investment Bank, Venture Capital

• Portfolio size: 27 investments

• Number of exits: 7

You can refer to their website here.

6. Novak Biddle Venture Partners

Novak Biddle Venture Partners provides equity financing and management assistance to young companies in the information technology sector. They have a long history of backing businesses from their earliest stages.

The firm’s investment strategy spans from seed rounds to private equity, showing a capacity to support companies throughout their entire growth journey. With a significant number of exits, their track record suggests a focus on guiding portfolio companies toward successful outcomes.

This firm is a solid choice for founders in the information technology space who are looking for a long-term financial partner. Their multi-stage approach means they can provide capital and support from initial funding through to maturity.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity

• Industries of focus: Information Technology, Financial Services

• Founded: 1997

• Investor type: Venture Capital

• Portfolio size: 117 investments

• Number of exits: 42

You can refer to their website here.

7. Columbia Partners Private Capital

Columbia Partners Private Capital is a multi-strategy investment firm that provides direct debt and equity financing, co-invests, and manages funds of funds. Their model gives them the flexibility to offer different types of capital to growing businesses.

The firm’s most distinct quality is its broad financial toolkit, which includes venture capital, private equity, and venture debt. This structure allows them to support companies with the specific type of capital needed at various points in their lifecycle.

This firm is a strong fit for founders leading more mature companies who are seeking late-stage or private equity funding. Businesses looking for non-dilutive growth capital may also find their debt financing options to be a good match.

• Investment stages: Debt, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity, Venture

• Industries of focus: Finance, Venture Capital

• Founded: 2004

• Investor type: Fund Of Funds, Private Equity Firm, Venture Capital, Venture Debt

• Portfolio size: 30 investments

• Number of exits: 13

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About Bethesda's VC Scene

This overview of Bethesda's investors shows a market with significant depth, particularly for certain industries. You'll find a strong concentration of firms focused on life sciences and health technology, which is consistent with the area's reputation as a BioHealth hub. There is also notable activity in IT, security, and finance.

For founders, the local investor community appears well-balanced across different funding stages. While some firms specialize in early rounds, many are multi-stage investors prepared to offer support from seed funding through to later growth phases. This variety gives you more options as your company grows, and our team at Rho is here to help you manage your capital effectively at every step.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Having a focused list of relevant investors is invaluable when fundraising. It helps you direct your limited time and energy toward the partners most likely to support your company.

If you’re seeking funding, Rho Capital connects you to non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines through a fast, guided process. Our team helps founders access working capital while they are actively raising.

Once your capital is secured, Rho provides integrated tools to help you manage and deploy funds efficiently. This includes business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, all in one platform.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms in Bethesda

Are there many biotech venture capital firms in Bethesda?

Yes, Bethesda is a major hub for life sciences and biotech venture capital firms. Its location within the BioHealth Capital Region attracts investors focused on health tech, medical devices, and biotechnology, creating a rich funding environment for these sectors.

Can I find SaaS or fintech venture capital firms in Bethesda?

While the area is known for life sciences, firms like Novak Biddle Venture Partners and Core Ventures do invest in information technology and finance. Your search for SaaS or fintech venture capital firms may require looking at their specific portfolios.

What do Bethesda VCs offer besides capital?

Beyond capital, many Bethesda VCs provide strategic guidance and industry connections. For example, partnering with Lockheed Martin Ventures can offer access to deep technical expertise and potential collaborations within the aerospace and defense industries.

How should I approach venture capital firms for startups?

A warm introduction from a mutual connection is often most effective. Research each firm's portfolio to confirm alignment and tailor your pitch to their investment thesis before reaching out through your network or their official channels.

How can I manage my funds after a successful raise?

Once you secure funding, our team can help you manage it effectively. Rho provides an all-in-one platform with business banking, corporate cards, and expense management tools designed for growing companies like yours.