Top 12 Venture Capital Firms in Burlingame

For founders preparing to raise capital, understanding the venture capital scene in Burlingame and the broader Bay Area is essential. Knowing which investors are in your backyard can make a significant difference. To help you prepare, our team at Rho has curated this guide to the top VC firms operating in the area. It’s a straightforward overview to help you quickly identify relevant investors for your startup.

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

Key takeaways

• Seeking venture capital funding is about more than just money; it's about finding a strategic partner who can provide expertise and connections to help your business grow.
• Burlingame is home to several notable VC firms, with top players including Goodwater Capital, PeakSpan Capital, Ten Eleven Ventures, and NewView Capital.
• Whether you are actively raising or have just closed a round, our platform helps you access and manage your capital through alternative funding, fast business banking, corporate cards, and integrated financial tools.

Which Burlingame VC Firms Are Right for Your Stage?

Knowing who to talk to is critical, whether you're raising an early round or preparing for an exit. To help you focus your efforts, here’s a quick look at which Burlingame VC firms invest at each stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Burlingame

Pre-seed and seed funding is the initial capital you raise to get your business off the ground, often used to build out your initial product and team. For founders at this stage, firms like Refactor Capital, which focuses on hard tech, AI-focused The Venture Reality Fund, and Fuel Capital are all active seed investors in the area.

Early Stage VC Firms in Burlingame

Early-stage venture capital typically covers Series A and B rounds, designed for companies with product-market fit that need to accelerate growth and scale operations. Some local early-stage VC firms to consider are Altos Ventures, which backs technology-driven companies, B2B software investor PeakSpan Capital, and Inspiration Ventures, which provides capital for enterprise SaaS and fintech startups.

Late Stage VC Firms in Burlingame

Late-stage funding is for mature companies looking to expand into new markets or prepare for an exit, such as an acquisition or IPO. In Burlingame, you’ll find investors like NewView Capital, which specializes in driving sustainable growth, and Ten Eleven Ventures, a cybersecurity venture capital firm that also invests in post-IPO and private equity deals.

It's also worth noting that many firms, including some mentioned here, are multi-stage investors that provide capital across the startup lifecycle.

To help you find the right investor, we've compiled information on the top VC firms in Burlingame, including their preferred investment stages, industry specializations, portfolio highlights, and what distinguishes each firm.

1. Goodwater Capital

Goodwater Capital is a venture firm that invests in consumer technology companies. They focus on backing entrepreneurs who are building products and services intended to have a positive impact on people's lives.

The firm stands out for its broad investment range, providing capital from seed and early-stage rounds all the way to late-stage venture. Their primary focus is on consumer-facing businesses, with significant experience in the fintech space.

Goodwater Capital may be a good match if you are a consumer tech founder, regardless of your company's stage. Their ability to invest across the startup lifecycle makes them a potential long-term financial partner.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Consumer tech, fintech, financial services
• Founded: 2014
• Portfolio size: Over 790 investments
• Track record: The firm has seen 27 exits from its portfolio companies.

You can refer to their website here.

2. PeakSpan Capital

PeakSpan Capital is a growth-stage investment firm that partners exclusively with B2B software companies. They provide capital to businesses that have established a market presence and are ready to scale.

The firm’s approach is highly specialized, concentrating on helping software companies accelerate their growth. They act as a dedicated partner for businesses moving beyond the initial startup phase into a period of expansion.

If you are a founder of a B2B software company with demonstrated traction and are looking for a partner to help you grow, PeakSpan Capital may be a strong fit for your next funding round.

• Investment stages: Early-stage and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: B2B software
• Founded: 2015
• Portfolio size: 59 investments
• Track record: The firm has seen 9 exits from its portfolio companies.

You can refer to their website here.

3. Ten Eleven Ventures

Ten Eleven Ventures is a specialized venture capital firm that invests exclusively in cybersecurity companies around the globe. Their focus is singular, concentrating on security-first businesses from their earliest stages.

The firm’s defining characteristic is its deep specialization in cybersecurity, combined with a flexible, multi-stage investment strategy. They support companies from seed rounds through to post-IPO and private equity stages.

If you are a founder building a cybersecurity company, Ten Eleven Ventures could be an ideal partner. Their ability to invest across the entire company lifecycle makes them a potential long-term ally for growth.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, late-stage, post-IPO, and private equity
• Industries of focus: Cybersecurity
• Founded: 2014
• Portfolio size: 91 investments
• Track record: The firm has seen 22 exits from its portfolio companies.

You can refer to their website here.

4. NewView Capital

NewView Capital offers a distinct approach to venture capital, centered on driving sustainable growth for the companies it backs. They position themselves as a partner for entrepreneurs aiming to scale their businesses effectively over the long term.

The firm’s model is designed to support companies across multiple stages, from early and late-stage venture rounds to private equity. This flexibility allows them to provide continuous capital and guidance as a company matures.

NewView Capital is a good fit for founders seeking a financial partner for the long haul. If you're looking for an investor who can support your company through various growth phases, their model is worth considering.

• Investment stages: Early-stage venture, late-stage venture, and private equity
• Industries of focus: Finance, financial services
• Founded: 2018
• Portfolio size: 59 investments
• Track record: The firm has seen 7 exits.

You can refer to their website here.

5. Altos Ventures

Altos Ventures is a venture capital firm that backs technology-driven companies, with a primary focus on early-stage investments. They have been supporting founders since 1996, providing capital to help get new ideas off the ground.

A key aspect of their approach is their long-term perspective, reflected in their multi-stage investment capability from seed to late-stage rounds. This signals their interest in building lasting relationships with the companies they support, particularly within the financial technology sector.

If you are a founder of an early-stage, technology-focused company, especially in the fintech space, Altos Ventures could be a relevant investor. Their willingness to invest across multiple stages makes them a good option for founders looking for a partner for the long run.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Finance, financial services, fintech
• Founded: 1996
• Portfolio size: Over 370 investments
• Track record: The firm has seen 46 exits.

You can refer to their website here.

6. Refactor

Refactor Capital is a seed-stage venture firm focused on hard tech startups. They provide initial capital, typically investing $1-2 million to help founders get their ideas off the ground.

The firm’s defining feature is its exclusive focus on hard tech companies at the seed stage. Their investment strategy centers on providing foundational capital to businesses built on significant technical innovation.

If you are a founder in a technically demanding field looking for seed funding, Refactor may be a good fit. They are positioned to support companies that are solving complex problems with deep technology.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Hard tech
• Founded: 2016
• Fund size: $50M (Fund IV)
• Portfolio size: 96 investments
• Track record: The firm has seen 10 exits.

You can refer to their website here.

7. The Venture Reality Fund/VRF

The Venture Reality Fund, or VRF, is an early-stage venture firm that invests in companies working on AI and spatial computing. They provide capital to founders building technologies that will define our digital future.

The firm’s investment thesis is tightly focused on AI and what they call "Spatial Computing," which includes virtual and augmented reality. This specialization suggests they have deep technical knowledge and a specific vision for how these technologies will evolve.

VRF is a good match if you are a founder of a seed or early-stage startup in the AI, AR, or VR sectors. They are looking for companies with a strong technical foundation that are creating new forms of digital experiences.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage venture
• Industries of focus: AI, spatial computing (AR/VR), gaming, software
• Founded: 2016
• Portfolio size: 64 investments
• Track record: The firm has seen 9 exits.

You can refer to their website here.

8. Zacua Ventures

Zacua Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies focused on the built environment. They support entrepreneurs who are developing new technologies for the construction, real estate, and building sectors.

The firm’s approach is defined by its exclusive focus on the built environment, from construction and real estate tech to green buildings and advanced materials. They concentrate on providing seed and Series A funding, positioning themselves as foundational partners for new companies.

Zacua Ventures is a strong potential partner if you are a founder of an early-stage startup in the construction or property technology space. Their specific industry knowledge and focus on initial funding rounds make them a relevant choice for getting your business started.

• Investment stages: Seed and Series A
• Industries of focus: Construction tech, real estate tech, smart buildings, green buildings, advanced materials, and urban tech
• Founded: 2022
• Portfolio size: 21 investments
• Team background: The team has experience as founders, operators, and investors within the built environment industry.

You can refer to their website here.

9. Amasia

Amasia is a global venture capital firm that operates with a specific thesis, currently centered on sustainability and climate-focused companies. They invest in businesses that aim to address environmental challenges through behavior change.

The firm’s approach is distinguished by its clear, thesis-driven focus on sustainability and climate tech. Their global presence allows them to support companies with international ambitions from an early point in their development.

Amasia is a good fit if you are a founder working on a sustainability or climate-related business, regardless of your funding stage. Their model is designed for entrepreneurs who value a partner with a specific point of view and global reach.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Sustainability, climate tech
• Founded: 2013
• Portfolio size: 93 investments
• Track record: The firm has seen 11 exits.
• Geographical presence: Global

You can refer to their website here.

10. Fuel Capital

Fuel Capital is an early-stage venture firm that invests in consumer, business software, and cloud infrastructure companies. They focus on providing foundational capital to help founders build their businesses from the ground up.

The firm’s investment approach is concentrated on seed and early-stage rounds, signaling a preference for partnering with companies at their inception. Their focus covers a range of sectors, from consumer-facing products to the technical infrastructure that powers them.

If you are a founder at the seed or early stage building a company in consumer tech, B2B software, or cloud services, Fuel Capital may be a good fit. Their experience across these areas makes them a versatile partner for getting your company started.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Consumer, business software, cloud and infrastructure
• Founded: 2013
• Portfolio size: 144 investments
• Track record: The firm has seen 32 exits.

You can refer to their website here.

11. Impact Venture Capital

Impact Venture Capital is a firm that provides funding to information technology startups. They concentrate on specific sectors, including fintech, cybersecurity, and data analytics.

The firm’s investment strategy is notable for its combination of a broad, multi-stage approach with a narrow industry focus. They support companies from seed funding through to later rounds, but only within specific IT verticals.

Impact Venture Capital is a good match if you are an IT founder in one of their core areas, such as civic tech or data analytics. Their ability to invest across stages makes them a potential long-term partner for growth.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: IT, TMT, Civic Tech, Cyber Security, FinTech, and Data Analytics
• Founded: 2016
• Portfolio size: 29 investments
• Track record: The firm has seen 1 exit.

You can refer to their website here.

12. Inspiration Ventures

Inspiration Ventures provides early-stage capital to startups in the AI, fintech, and enterprise SaaS sectors. They focus on backing promising companies at the beginning of their growth.

The firm’s approach is defined by its concentration on foundational funding, including seed, convertible note, and early-stage venture rounds. This specialization in AI, fintech, and SaaS suggests they have targeted expertise in these markets.

Inspiration Ventures is a good match for founders of early-stage companies operating in their specific industries of focus. Their model is designed to support new businesses that are just getting started.

• Investment stages: Seed, convertible note, and early-stage venture
• Industries of focus: AI, fintech, and enterprise SaaS
• Founded: 2007
• Portfolio size: 34 investments
• Track record: The firm has seen 5 exits.

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About Burlingame's VC Scene

This overview of Burlingame's venture capital firms reveals a well-balanced market for founders. You’ll find a healthy mix of investors, from those who focus exclusively on seed and early rounds to multi-stage firms prepared to provide capital through a company's entire growth cycle. This balance suggests that opportunities are available whether you are just starting out or preparing to scale.

In terms of industry focus, there is a strong concentration in software and fintech, which is typical for the region. However, the presence of specialized investors in areas like cybersecurity, hard tech, and sustainability shows a notable diversity. For you, this means it's very possible to find a partner with direct experience in your field. Your next step is to identify the firms that best match your company's stage and sector.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Having a focused list of relevant investors is critical when your time and energy are limited during a fundraise. We created this guide to help you concentrate your efforts on the firms that are the best fit for 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. We help you access capital without giving up equity, so you can maintain ownership as you grow.

Once capital is secured, Rho provides integrated tools to help you manage and deploy funds efficiently. Our platform includes business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay to support your startup’s financial operations.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms in Burlingame

Are there fintech venture capital firms in Burlingame?

Yes, Burlingame has a strong fintech focus. Firms like Goodwater Capital, Altos Ventures, and Impact Venture Capital actively invest in financial technology, making it a good place for fintech founders to seek funding.

What about SaaS venture capital firms in Burlingame?

Yes, several firms focus on B2B software and SaaS. PeakSpan Capital invests exclusively in B2B software companies, while Inspiration Ventures targets enterprise SaaS, offering strong opportunities for founders in this space.

How important is a warm introduction to Burlingame VCs?

A warm introduction is highly recommended as it can significantly increase your chances of getting a meeting. Use your network of advisors, other founders, and industry contacts to connect with partners at your target firms.

What do early-stage VC firms in Burlingame look for?

Early-stage firms typically look for a strong founding team, a large addressable market, and initial signs of product-market fit. A clear vision for how you will use the capital to grow is also essential.

What if my startup isn't a fit for venture capital?

Not all businesses are suited for VC funding. Alternative, non-dilutive options like venture debt or credit lines can provide capital for growth without giving up equity. These are often faster and more flexible for many companies.

How can Rho help my startup with funding?

Our team at Rho can help you access non-dilutive funding like venture debt and credit lines. We provide a fast, guided process to secure capital, letting you maintain ownership while you scale your business.