For founders preparing to raise capital, understanding the venture capital scene in Burlingame and the wider San Francisco Peninsula is a critical first step. To help you find the right investors, our team at Rho curated this guide to the top VC firms operating in the area. It’s a straightforward overview to help you identify relevant partners, whether you're looking for pre-seed, seed, or Series A venture capital financing for your startup.
Rho provides access to business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay — built for startup teams moving fast.
Key Takeaways
- Seeking venture capital funding is about finding the right financial partners to support your startup's growth.
- Burlingame is home to several prominent VC firms, including top players like Goodwater Capital, PeakSpan Capital, Ten Eleven Ventures, and NewView Capital.
- If you are a startup leader raising capital or have recently closed a round, Rho helps you manage your funds with business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay.
Which Burlingame VC Firms Are Right for Your Stage?
From your earliest funding rounds to preparing for an exit, it helps to know which investors are the right fit for your current stage. This overview shows which Burlingame VC firms invest at each point in a startup's journey.
Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Burlingame
Pre-seed and seed funding are the earliest rounds of capital, designed to help startups refine their business idea and build an initial product. For founders seeking seed funding, firms like Refactor Capital focus on hard tech, while The Venture Reality Fund is a notable AI venture capital firm, and Fuel Capital invests in consumer and business software.
Early Stage VC Firms in Burlingame
Early-stage venture capital, typically Series A and Series B, helps companies with a proven product and market traction scale their team and operations. Burlingame has several early-stage VC firms, including Altos Ventures, which backs technology-driven companies, and PeakSpan Capital, which partners with B2B SaaS startups. Another key player is Goodwater Capital, a prominent consumer venture capital firm.
Late Stage VC Firms in Burlingame
Late-stage funding is for established startups looking to expand significantly, enter new markets, or prepare for an exit through an IPO or acquisition. Among the firms providing late-stage venture capital are NewView Capital, which offers a model for driving sustainable growth, and Ten Eleven Ventures, a specialized cybersecurity venture capital firm. PeakSpan Capital also invests in growth-stage companies.
Keep in mind that many venture capital firms, including several mentioned here, invest across multiple stages, from seed to late-stage growth rounds.
To help you identify the right investors, here is a closer look at the top VC firms in Burlingame, with key details on their investment stages, sector focus, portfolio highlights, and what makes each firm a compelling choice for founders.
1. Goodwater Capital
Goodwater Capital is a venture firm that invests in consumer technology companies. Their stated mission is to back exceptional founders who are building products to improve people's lives.
The firm's defining characteristic is its dedicated focus on consumer tech, combined with a broad investment mandate. They support companies from the seed stage all the way through late-stage growth rounds.
If you are building a consumer-focused company and want a financial partner for the long haul, Goodwater may be a strong match. Their multi-stage approach means they can support you throughout your startup's journey.
- Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
- Sector focus: Consumer technology
- Founded: 2014
- Portfolio activity: The firm has made over 790 investments.
You can refer to their website here.
2. PeakSpan Capital
PeakSpan Capital is a growth investment firm that partners exclusively with B2B software companies. They provide capital and support to help these businesses scale effectively.
The firm’s approach is defined by its singular focus on B2B software, which suggests deep domain expertise. Their model of "partnering exclusively" points to a hands-on relationship with their portfolio companies.
If you are a founder of a B2B software company that has found product-market fit and is ready for its next phase of growth, PeakSpan could be an ideal partner. They are positioned to support companies moving from early traction to market leadership.
- Investment stages: Early-stage and late-stage venture
- Sector focus: B2B software
- Founded: 2015
- Portfolio activity: 59 investments
You can refer to their website here.
3. Ten Eleven Ventures
Ten Eleven Ventures is a global venture capital firm that invests exclusively in cybersecurity companies. They are dedicated to backing founders who are building the future of digital security.
The firm’s defining trait is its deep specialization in cybersecurity, paired with a broad, multi-stage investment approach. This structure allows them to support companies from the seed stage all the way through to post-IPO and private equity rounds.
If you are a cybersecurity founder seeking a long-term financial partner with deep industry knowledge, Ten Eleven Ventures may be a good fit. Their model is designed to support companies throughout their entire growth journey.
- Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, late-stage, private equity, and post-IPO
- Sector focus: Cybersecurity
- Founded: 2014
- Portfolio activity: 91 investments
You can refer to their website here.
4. NewView Capital
NewView Capital has developed a distinct model in venture capital designed to drive sustainable growth for entrepreneurs. The firm provides capital and strategic support to help companies build for the long term.
The firm’s approach is marked by its ability to invest across multiple stages, from early and late-stage venture rounds to private equity. This flexibility signals a commitment to being a long-term partner throughout a company's growth.
If you are a founder seeking a financial partner who can support your company through various funding stages, NewView Capital may be a strong choice. Their emphasis on sustainable growth aligns well with founders focused on building a durable business.
- Investment stages: Early-stage venture, late-stage venture, and private equity
- Sector focus: Finance and financial services
- Founded: 2018
- Portfolio activity: 59 investments
You can refer to their website here.
5. Altos Ventures
Altos Ventures is a venture capital firm that backs technology-driven companies, with a focus on early-stage investments. With a history dating back to 1996, they bring decades of experience to their partnerships with founders.
The firm’s approach is characterized by its flexibility, supporting companies from seed rounds all the way to late-stage venture. Their focus is primarily on the finance and FinTech sectors, and their large portfolio suggests a broad but experienced investment strategy.
If you are a founder in the FinTech space seeking a long-term partner, Altos Ventures may be a strong fit. Their ability to invest across multiple stages means they can provide consistent support as your company grows.
- Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
- Sector focus: Finance, Financial Services, FinTech
- Founded: 1996
- Portfolio activity: 373 investments
You can refer to their website here.
6. Refactor
Refactor Capital is a seed-stage venture firm that invests in "hard tech" startups. They typically provide initial funding of $1-2 million from their $50 million fourth fund.
The firm’s approach is defined by its clear focus on hard tech companies at the seed stage. This specialization suggests they have deep knowledge in technically complex fields and are not generalist investors.
If you are a founder building a hard tech company and need seed capital, Refactor may be a good choice. Their focused investment strategy means they are prepared to support companies tackling difficult technical problems from the start.
- Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture
- Sector focus: Hard tech
- Founded: 2016
- Portfolio activity: 96 investments
- Fund size: $50M (Fund IV)
- Typical investment: $1-2M
You can refer to their website here.
7. The Venture Reality Fund/VRF
The Venture Reality Fund, also known as VRF, is a venture capital firm that invests in artificial intelligence and spatial computing. Their focus is on backing companies that are building technologies to shape our digital future.
The firm’s defining feature is its specialized investment thesis, concentrating on AI, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). They primarily support companies at the seed and early stages, indicating a preference for getting involved from the ground up.
If you are a founder working in AI or spatial computing and are seeking seed or early-stage funding, VRF could be a suitable partner. Their specific industry focus suggests they bring relevant expertise beyond just capital.
- Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture
- Sector focus: AI, spatial computing (AR/VR), gaming, and software
- Founded: 2016
- Portfolio activity: 64 investments and 9 exits
You can refer to their website here.
8. Zacua Ventures
Zacua Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in entrepreneurs developing new technologies for the built environment. They support founders who are bringing innovation to the construction, building materials, and property technology sectors.
The firm’s defining characteristic is its exclusive focus on the built environment, from construction tech to green and smart buildings. Their investment thesis centers on backing companies at the seed and early stages, showing a preference for getting involved at a foundational level.
If you are a founder with a seed or early-stage startup focused on modernizing the construction or building industries, Zacua Ventures could be a relevant investor. Their specific industry knowledge makes them a good fit for entrepreneurs in this space.
- Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture
- Sector focus: Built environment, including construction, green building, and smart building technology
- Founded: 2022
- Portfolio activity: 21 investments
You can refer to their website here.
9. Amasia
Amasia is a global, thesis-driven venture capital firm that concentrates its investments in sustainability and climate technology. They support companies that aim to address significant environmental challenges.
The firm’s approach is defined by its clear, thesis-driven focus on climate and sustainability. Their global perspective and broad investment range, from seed to late-stage, suggest they are equipped to back companies with international ambitions at multiple points in their growth.
For founders building a company centered on sustainability or climate solutions, Amasia is a highly relevant investor. Their ability to invest across stages makes them a potential long-term partner for companies with global scale in mind.
- Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
- Sector focus: Sustainability and climate
- Founded: 2013
- Portfolio activity: 93 investments and 11 exits
You can refer to their website here.
10. Fuel Capital
Fuel Capital is an early-stage venture firm that invests in consumer technology, business software, and cloud infrastructure companies. They provide foundational capital to help startups build and scale their operations from the ground up.
The firm’s approach is distinguished by its focus on seed and early-stage rounds, signaling a commitment to partnering with founders from the very beginning. Their investment thesis is concentrated on software and infrastructure, rather than a generalist strategy.
If you are a founder of a seed or early-stage company in the consumer, business software, or cloud sectors, Fuel Capital may be a relevant investor. Their model is designed to support companies at the ground level as they establish their product and market.
- Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture
- Sector focus: Consumer, business software, and cloud/infrastructure
- Founded: 2013
- Portfolio activity: 144 investments and 32 exits
You can refer to their website here.
11. Impact Venture Capital
Impact Venture Capital invests in information technology startups, with a focus on companies in their early stages. They provide capital to founders building businesses in several high-growth IT sectors.
The firm’s approach is defined by its clear focus on specific verticals, including FinTech, cybersecurity, and data analytics. While they concentrate on early-stage companies, they also invest from the seed stage through late-stage rounds, suggesting they can support companies as they scale.
If you are a founder of an IT startup in one of their core sectors, Impact Venture Capital may be a good fit. Their model is well-suited for entrepreneurs looking for a financial partner who understands their industry and can potentially provide support across multiple funding rounds.
- Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
- Sector focus: Information technology, including TMT, Civic Tech, Cyber Security, FinTech, and Data Analytics
- Founded: 2016
- Portfolio activity: 29 investments and 1 exit
You can refer to their website here.
12. Inspiration Ventures
Inspiration Ventures is a venture capital firm that provides early-stage capital to promising startups. Their investment focus is on companies in the AI, FinTech, and Enterprise SaaS sectors.
The firm’s approach is marked by its clear focus on early-stage companies within specific technology verticals. Their willingness to invest via convertible notes suggests they are comfortable partnering with founders at the earliest stages of development.
If you are a founder of an early-stage startup in AI, FinTech, or Enterprise SaaS, Inspiration Ventures may be a relevant investor. Their specific industry focus suggests they bring relevant expertise to the table beyond just capital.
- Investment stages: Seed, early-stage venture, and convertible note
- Sector focus: AI, FinTech, and Enterprise SaaS
- Founded: 2007
- Portfolio activity: 34 investments and 5 exits
You can refer to their website here.
What This Tells Us About Burlingame's VC Scene
This review of Burlingame's venture firms reveals a market with considerable depth. While there is a strong contingent of investors focused on seed and early-stage rounds, many firms on our list also provide capital for later-stage growth. This indicates a well-balanced market that can support companies from their initial funding through scaling.
The sector focus is also notably diverse. Beyond generalist software investors, you will find specialists in fields like FinTech, cybersecurity, climate tech, and the built environment. For you as a founder, this means you have a strong opportunity to connect with investors who bring specific industry knowledge to the table, not just capital.
Raise Confidently with Rho
Having a focused list of relevant investors is a significant advantage when your time and energy are limited. This guide is designed to help you target the right financial partners for your startup's specific stage and sector.
Once you've secured your funding, the next step is putting that capital to work efficiently. Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes, so you can focus on building your business.
Our platform gives you the tools to manage your new funds with confidence. We provide integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, all built for startups.
FAQs about Venture Capital Firms in Burlingame
Are there clean tech venture capital firms in Burlingame?
Yes, Burlingame has firms with a focus on sustainability. Amasia is a key investor in climate tech, while Zacua Ventures backs innovation in green buildings, making the area a good place for founders in these sectors.
What is the typical seed funding from Burlingame VCs?
Investment amounts vary by firm and a startup's needs. Some firms, like Refactor Capital, have a target range of $1-2 million for initial checks, while others maintain flexibility to lead or participate in different seed round sizes.
Do Burlingame VCs invest outside of software?
Yes. While software is a major focus, you'll find specialists in other areas. Refactor Capital invests in hard tech, Zacua Ventures focuses on the built environment, and Amasia is dedicated to climate tech, showing considerable sector diversity.
How important is an introduction to a Burlingame VC?
While not always required, a warm introduction from a trusted contact in your network can significantly improve your chances of getting a meeting. It helps your pitch get noticed by partners who receive a high volume of inquiries.
How can I manage my funds after raising venture capital?
Once you secure funding, it's critical to have a solid financial foundation. Rho provides integrated banking, corporate cards, and expense management to help you manage your new capital effectively and focus on growing your business.