Top 12 Venture Capital Firms in Burlingame

For founders preparing to raise capital, understanding the local investor community is a critical first step. Burlingame, situated in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, is home to a growing number of influential venture capital firms. To help you prepare for your fundraise, our team at Rho curated this guide to the top VCs in the area. Use this overview to quickly identify the investors most relevant to your startup's stage and industry.

Just raised? Set up your financial stack in minutes with Rho. We provide business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay—all built for startup teams moving fast.

Which Burlingame VC Firms Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether you're just starting out or preparing for an exit, it’s important to connect with the right investors for your company's stage. Here is a quick overview of Burlingame VC firms and where they focus their investments.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms

Pre-seed and seed funding are the earliest forms of capital, typically used to develop your initial product and find market fit. For founders at this stage, firms like Refactor Capital and Fuel Capital focus on providing this initial capital, while specialized seed VC firms such as The Venture Reality Fund invest in emerging areas like AI.

Early Stage VC Firms

Early-stage venture capital, including Series A and B rounds, is for startups that have validated their business model and are ready to scale operations. In Burlingame, you'll find early-stage VC firms such as Altos Ventures, which has a long history of backing technology companies, and consumer-focused investors like Goodwater Capital.

Late Stage VC Firms

Late-stage financing supports mature companies as they expand into new markets, make acquisitions, or prepare for an IPO. Investors in this category include PeakSpan Capital, which partners with B2B software companies, and NewView Capital, which provides growth capital, while a firm like Ten Eleven Ventures specializes in late-stage cybersecurity investments.

Keep in mind that many venture capital firms for startups invest across multiple stages, from seed to growth.

To help you find the right partners, our team has compiled a detailed look at the top VC firms in Burlingame, California. We've included key details on their investment stages, sector focus, notable portfolio companies, and what makes each firm a strong potential partner for founders.

1. Goodwater Capital

Goodwater Capital is a venture firm dedicated to backing consumer technology companies. Their mission is to support entrepreneurs who are building products that have a positive impact on a global scale.

The firm invests across the entire company lifecycle, from seed and early-stage rounds to late-stage growth capital. This broad-spectrum approach, combined with a clear focus on consumer technology, makes them a versatile partner for founders.

This firm is an ideal partner for founders building consumer-facing businesses, regardless of their funding stage. If you're developing a product with mass-market appeal, Goodwater's extensive experience in the consumer sector could be a significant asset.

• Investment Stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture.
• Industries of Focus: Consumer technology, with a strong presence in financial services and fintech.
• Geographical Focus: Global, investing in entrepreneurs everywhere.
• Founded: 2014.
• Portfolio Size: Over 790 investments.
• Notable Exits: 27.

You can refer to their website here.

2. PeakSpan Capital

PeakSpan Capital is a growth-stage investment firm that exclusively partners with disruptive B2B software companies. They focus on providing capital and strategic support to help these businesses scale efficiently and build lasting market leadership.

The firm maintains a sharp focus on growth-stage B2B software, signaling a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in that sector. Their approach is centered on partnering with companies that have already established a strong product and are ready for the next phase of expansion.

PeakSpan is an excellent fit for founders who have moved beyond the early startup phase and are leading a B2B software company with demonstrated traction. If you are seeking a partner with specific expertise in scaling software businesses, this firm is a compelling option.

• Investment Stages: Early-stage venture, late-stage venture.
• Industries of Focus: B2B software.
• Founded: 2015.
• Portfolio Size: 59 investments.
• Notable Exits: 9.

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 one of the original investment firms dedicated solely to this critical sector.

The firm’s defining characteristic is its singular focus on cybersecurity, paired with its ability to invest across a company's entire lifecycle. They support businesses from the earliest seed rounds through to post-IPO stages, offering deep, sector-specific guidance.

This firm is a strong match if you are a founder building a cybersecurity business, regardless of your current stage. Their flexible, long-term approach makes them a valuable partner for companies aiming for sustained growth.

• Investment Stages: Seed, early-stage, late-stage, private equity, and post-IPO.
• Industries of Focus: Cybersecurity.
• Founded: 2014.
• Portfolio Size: Over 90 investments.
• Notable Exits: 22.

You can refer to their website here.

4. NewView Capital

NewView Capital has introduced a distinct venture capital model focused on driving sustainable, long-term growth for the companies it backs. They aim to provide more than just capital, positioning themselves as a partner for the entire business lifecycle.

The firm’s most defining feature is its flexible, multi-stage investment strategy, which spans from early and late-stage venture rounds to private equity. This approach signals their intent to support portfolio companies from initial scaling all the way to maturity, providing consistent backing through different growth phases.

NewView Capital is an ideal partner for founders who are looking for a long-term relationship with an investor. If you need a firm that can provide capital and guidance across multiple funding rounds, their model is designed to support that journey.

• Investment Stages: Early-stage venture, late-stage venture, and private equity.
• Industries of Focus: Finance, financial services, and venture capital.
• Founded: 2018.
• Portfolio Size: 59 investments.
• Notable Exits: 7.

You can refer to their website here.

5. Altos Ventures

Altos Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in technology-driven companies, with a particular focus on their early stages of development. They have been backing founders for decades, establishing a long track record in the industry.

A key aspect of Altos Ventures is their long-term, multi-stage investment philosophy, supporting companies from seed rounds through to later growth stages. Having been founded in 1996, their longevity suggests a patient, cycle-tested approach to building businesses.

This firm is a great fit for founders of tech companies, especially in the fintech sector, who value a partner with deep experience. If you're looking for an investor who can support your company across its entire lifecycle, Altos Ventures is worth considering.

• Investment Stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture.
• Industries of Focus: Finance, financial services, and fintech.
• Founded: 1996.
• Portfolio Size: Over 370 investments.
• Notable Exits: 46.

You can refer to their website here.

6. Refactor

Refactor Capital is a seed-stage venture firm that provides early funding to companies in the hard tech space. They typically invest between $1-2 million, backing founders from their latest $50 million fund.

The firm’s defining trait is its sharp focus on seed-stage, hard tech startups, signaling deep expertise in that sector. This specialized approach allows them to provide targeted support to companies tackling complex technical challenges from day one.

Refactor is an excellent match for founders of hard tech companies who are raising their initial round of institutional funding. Their model is designed for teams that can benefit from a partner with specific domain knowledge from the very beginning.

• Investment Stages: Seed, early-stage venture.
• Industries of Focus: Hard tech.
• Typical Investment: $1-2 million.
• Fund Size: $50 million (Fund IV).
• Founded: 2016.
• Portfolio Size: 96 investments.
• Notable Exits: 10.

You can refer to their website here.

7. The Venture Reality Fund/VRF

The Venture Reality Fund, or VRF, is a venture firm that backs early-stage companies in artificial intelligence and spatial computing. Their mission is to support founders who are building the next generation of digital experiences.

The firm’s clear commitment to AI, AR, and VR signals a deep, thematic focus on technologies that are reshaping how we interact with the digital world. They primarily engage at the seed and early stages, providing foundational capital to innovative teams.

VRF is a strong potential partner if you are a founder working on early-stage ventures in AI or spatial computing. Their specialized expertise makes them well-suited for teams that need more than just capital to succeed.

• Investment Stages: Seed, early-stage venture.
• Industries of Focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Spatial Computing (AR/VR), Gaming, and Software.
• Founded: 2016.
• Portfolio Size: Over 60 investments.
• Notable Exits: 9.

You can refer to their website here.

8. Zacua Ventures

Zacua Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in entrepreneurs who are modernizing the built environment. They provide foundational capital to companies at the seed and early stages of their development.

The firm’s most notable quality is its exclusive focus on sectors like construction, green building, and smart building technology. As a newer firm founded in 2022, they bring a fresh perspective to a traditional industry, aiming to back the next generation of innovators.

Zacua Ventures is an excellent choice for founders of early-stage startups in construction tech or property tech. If your company is creating solutions for a more sustainable and efficient built world, their specialized expertise could be a major advantage.

• Investment Stages: Seed, early-stage venture.
• Industries of Focus: Construction, green building, smart buildings, and building materials.
• Founded: 2022.
• Portfolio Size: 21 investments.

You can refer to their website here.

9. Amasia

Amasia is a global, thesis-driven venture capital firm with a core focus on sustainability and climate. They partner with companies that are building solutions to address significant environmental challenges.

The firm’s most distinct quality is its dedicated, thesis-led approach to investing in the climate sector. Their multi-stage investment capability, from seed to late-stage rounds, signals a commitment to supporting companies throughout their growth journey.

Amasia is a strong potential partner for founders whose companies are centered on sustainability or climate technology. If you are seeking an investor with deep domain expertise and the flexibility to provide capital across multiple funding stages, this firm is worth a look.

• Investment Stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture.
• Industries of Focus: Sustainability, Climate.
• Founded: 2013.
• Portfolio Size: 93 investments.
• Notable Exits: 11.

You can refer to their website here.

10. Fuel Capital

Fuel Capital is an early-stage venture firm that backs companies across consumer, B2B software, and cloud infrastructure. They provide foundational capital to help startups build and scale their businesses from the ground up.

The firm’s investment strategy is notable for its breadth, covering a wide range of sectors from consumer products to deep tech. This signals a flexible, founder-centric approach rather than a rigid, top-down thesis on a single industry.

Fuel Capital is a great fit for founders at the seed or early stages who are building in the consumer, SaaS, or infrastructure spaces. Their broad focus makes them a good partner for teams that value a versatile investor over a niche specialist.

• Investment Stages: Seed, early-stage venture.
• Industries of Focus: Consumer, business software, and cloud/infrastructure.
• Founded: 2013.
• Portfolio Size: 144 investments.
• Notable Exits: 32.

You can refer to their website here.

11. Impact Venture Capital

Impact Venture Capital is an early-stage firm that backs information technology startups. They focus on several key sectors, including fintech, cybersecurity, and data analytics.

The firm’s investment strategy is defined by its multi-stage capability, supporting companies from seed to late-stage rounds. This is paired with a clear focus on specific IT verticals, signaling deep expertise in those areas.

Impact Venture Capital is a strong fit for founders of IT startups in their target sectors who are seeking a long-term financial partner. If you want an investor who can support your company from its earliest days through to its growth stages, this firm is worth considering.

• Investment Stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture.
• Industries of Focus: Information Technology, including TMT, Civic Tech, Cybersecurity, FinTech, and Data Analytics.
• Founded: 2016.
• Portfolio Size: 29 investments.
• Notable Exits: 1.

You can refer to their website here.

12. Inspiration Ventures

Inspiration Ventures provides early-stage capital to promising startups in AI, Fintech, and Enterprise SaaS. The firm concentrates on backing companies in these high-growth technology sectors from their earliest days.

The firm’s investment strategy is defined by its focus on foundational funding, including seed rounds, convertible notes, and early-stage venture. This specialization, combined with a tight focus on specific technology verticals, signals a deep understanding of these markets.

This firm is a strong match for founders at the earliest stages of building a company in AI, fintech, or enterprise SaaS. If you are seeking a partner with specific domain expertise for your initial funding rounds, Inspiration Ventures is worth a look.

• Investment Stages: Seed, early-stage venture, and convertible notes.
• Industries of Focus: AI, Fintech, and Enterprise SaaS.
• Founded: 2007.
• Portfolio Size: 34 investments.
• Notable Exits: 5.

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About Burlingame, California, United States's VC Scene

Our review of Burlingame's top venture capital firms reveals a remarkably well-balanced and mature market for founders. There isn't a heavy concentration in one particular stage; instead, you'll find a healthy mix of investors focused on everything from pre-seed and seed rounds to late-stage growth capital. The presence of many multi-stage firms means you can find partners prepared to support your company through its entire growth journey.

The diversity extends to industry focus as well. While core areas like B2B software and fintech are strongly represented, the market also includes specialized investors in cybersecurity, climate tech, consumer products, and hard tech. This variety suggests that founders from a wide range of sectors can find knowledgeable investment partners in Burlingame.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Fundraising requires significant focus, and this guide is designed to help you direct your energy toward the most relevant investors. Approaching the right partners from the start improves your chances of securing the capital you need to grow.

Once your round is closed, the work of managing that capital begins. Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes, allowing you to get back to building your business.

Our integrated platform provides the tools you need to manage your new funding with confidence. We offer business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, all designed for fast-moving startups like yours.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms in Burlingame

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

Early-stage firms prioritize a strong founding team, a large addressable market, and initial signs of product-market fit. Be prepared to show early traction, a clear business model, and a compelling vision for your company's future growth.

Are there many fintech venture capital firms in Burlingame?

Yes, Burlingame has a strong fintech ecosystem. Firms like Altos Ventures and Inspiration Ventures actively invest in financial technology, making it a supportive environment for founders building in this sector.

What is the best way to approach a venture capital firm?

The most effective method is a warm introduction from a trusted contact in the investor's network. This could be another founder, a lawyer, or an advisor who can vouch for you and your business.

What should I have ready before seeking seed funding from venture capital firms?

Before approaching seed investors, you should have a concise pitch deck, a clear financial model, and detailed founder bios. Being well-prepared demonstrates professionalism and respect for an investor's time, helping you make a strong first impression.

Are there specialized cybersecurity venture capital firms in Burlingame?

Absolutely. Burlingame is home to dedicated cybersecurity investors like Ten Eleven Ventures, which focuses exclusively on the sector. This gives founders access to deep industry expertise and a network tailored to their specific needs.

How can Rho help after I secure venture capital financing for my startup?

Once your round closes, our platform helps you manage your capital with confidence. We offer integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated payments, all designed to give you full control over your company's finances. Get started with Rho.