Top 6 Venture Capital Firms in Los Altos

When you're preparing to raise capital, understanding the local investor community is key. For founders in the Bay Area, that means getting to know the venture capital firms in Los Altos and the surrounding area. To help you get started, our team at Rho created this guide to the top VCs operating locally. It’s a simple overview to help you quickly find investors who might be a good match 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 is about more than just money; it’s about finding a long-term partner who provides capital and guidance in exchange for equity in your company.
• The Los Altos area has a strong investor community, with firms like Rocketship.vc, Toyota Ventures, TSVC, and Davidovs Venture Collective being some of the key players.
• Once you secure funding, Rho helps you manage your new capital with a single platform for business banking, corporate cards, and payments.

Which Los Altos VC Firms Are Right for Your Stage?

From early-stage funding to preparing for an exit, connecting with the right investors is a critical step. This overview outlines which Los Altos VC firms invest at different company stages.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Los Altos

Pre-seed and seed funding are the earliest forms of capital, intended to help you turn an idea into a viable business. For founders seeking seed funding venture capital firms in Los Altos, options include Toyota Ventures, TSVC, and Davidovs Venture Collective.

Early Stage VC Firms in Los Altos

Early-stage funding, which includes Series A and Series B rounds, is for companies that have a product and are ready to grow their customer base. Some of the notable firms in the area are Ignition Partners and Levensohn Venture Partners, both of which invest in companies at this point in their journey.

Late Stage VC Firms in Los Altos

Late-stage funding supports established companies as they scale operations, enter new markets, or prepare for an exit. For founders at this stage, Rocketship.vc is one of the local firms that provides late-stage venture capital.

Keep in mind that some VC firms invest across multiple startup funding stages.

To help you find the right fit, here is more information on the top VC firms in Los Altos, including their preferred investment stages, industry focus, notable portfolio companies, and their distinct approach to partnering with founders.

1. Rocketship.vc

Rocketship.vc is a venture fund that uses data science to find and invest in promising companies around the world. Founded in 2013, the firm applies a quantitative approach to identify startups with strong growth signals.

The firm's model is notable for its data-driven investment thesis, which helps it source deals globally rather than relying on a local network. They invest across multiple stages, from seed and convertible notes to late-stage venture rounds.

This approach may be a great fit if you're a founder who values a quantitative perspective and is looking for a partner that can support your company's growth over the long term.

• Investment stages: Seed, convertible note, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Finance, Financial Services, Venture Capital
• Founded: 2013
• Portfolio size: The firm has made 83 investments and has had 11 exits.

You can refer to their website here.

2. Toyota Ventures

Toyota Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Toyota, operating as a seed-stage firm that invests in startups around the world. Launched in 2017, it aims to discover and fund innovative companies from their earliest stages.

The firm concentrates on seed and early-stage investments, providing the initial capital to help new ideas develop. As a corporate VC, they offer founders the potential for strategic collaboration with a global industrial leader.

This firm could be a strong partner if you are an early-stage founder seeking not just capital but also deep industry expertise and potential partnership opportunities. Their structure is well-suited for startups whose technology aligns with the long-term vision of a large corporation.

• Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Finance, Financial Services, Venture Capital
• Founded: 2017
• Portfolio size: 121 investments and 6 exits
• Investor type: Corporate Venture Capital

You can refer to their website here.

3. TSVC

TSVC is a venture capital firm that concentrates on providing seed-stage funding to technology startups. Since its founding in 2010, it has established itself as a key player for founders at the earliest stages of company building.

The firm operates as a micro VC, signaling a focus on smaller, targeted investments to help new ideas get off the ground. Their investment activity shows a clear preference for backing companies through convertible notes and seed rounds.

This firm is likely a strong match if you are a founder with a tech-focused startup, particularly in the fintech sector. Their model is built to provide that crucial first check to help you move from concept to product.

• Investment stages: Seed, convertible note, and early-stage venture
• Industries of focus: FinTech, Financial Services, Angel Investment, Venture Capital
• Founded: 2010
• Portfolio size: The firm has made 276 investments and has had 47 exits.
• Investor type: Micro VC, Venture Capital

You can refer to their website here.

4. Davidovs Venture Collective

Davidovs Venture Collective is a venture capital firm that concentrates on technology investments. Established in 2021, the firm supports companies from their earliest stages of development.

The firm shows a clear interest in foundational technologies, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. Their strategy is centered on seed and early-stage rounds, which shows they prefer to partner with companies from the very beginning.

If you are a founder building a company in the AI or robotics sectors, this firm may be a good match. They are positioned to provide the initial capital needed to help you develop your product and find market fit.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Seed
• Industries of focus: Angel Investment, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Venture Capital
• Founded: 2021
• Portfolio size: The firm has made 74 investments and has had 3 exits.

You can refer to their website here.

5. Ignition Partners

Ignition Partners is a venture capital firm that has been helping entrepreneurs since 2000. They concentrate on early-stage companies, providing capital to help them capture market opportunities.

The firm has a clear focus on enterprise technology, including cloud computing, cybersecurity, and IT infrastructure. With a history of 315 investments, their extensive experience is a key aspect of their model.

This firm is a strong potential partner if you are an early-stage founder building a B2B software company. Their deep portfolio and specific industry focus suggest they can provide relevant guidance for growth.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Enterprise Software, IT Infrastructure, Software
• Founded: 2000
• Portfolio size: The firm has made 315 investments and has had 95 exits.

You can refer to their website here.

6. Levensohn Venture Partners

Levensohn Venture Partners is a venture capital firm that has been investing since 1996. They provide capital to companies at the seed and early stages of their development.

The firm manages portfolios in both biotechnology and information technology, with a specific emphasis on supporting breakthrough technologies. This dual focus suggests they have expertise across two distinct and highly technical fields.

This firm may be a strong match if you are a founder in the biotech or IT sectors with a deeply innovative product. Their interest in early-stage companies means they are prepared to partner with you from the beginning.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Biotechnology, Information Technology
• Founded: 1996
• Portfolio size: The firm has made 39 investments and has had 16 exits.

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About Los Altos's VC Scene

This overview of Los Altos investors shows a strong focus on early-stage companies. Most of the firms on this list direct their capital toward seed and Series A rounds, which is a positive signal if you are a founder seeking your first or second round of institutional funding. It points to a local community prepared to back new ideas from the beginning.

At the same time, the market isn't limited to a single industry. The firms here support a variety of sectors, from enterprise software and fintech to AI and biotechnology. This suggests that founders with strong technology in different fields can find relevant investors. For you, this means Los Altos offers a well-rounded environment for fundraising, especially at the early stages.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Fundraising requires significant time and energy, which makes a focused list of investors invaluable. It allows you to concentrate your efforts on the firms that are the best fit for your company.

Once you secure funding, the next step is putting that capital to work. If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes so you can move forward with confidence.

Our platform assists in managing your new capital efficiently by offering integrated business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay designed for startups ready to scale.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms in Los Altos

Which Los Altos VCs focus on fintech venture capital?

TSVC is a key local firm with a strong focus on fintech. If you're building a financial technology company, they are a good starting point for your seed or early-stage funding conversations in the Los Altos area.

Are there AI venture capital firms in Los Altos?

Yes, Davidovs Venture Collective is a notable firm in Los Altos that concentrates on artificial intelligence and robotics. They primarily invest in companies at the seed and early stages, making them a good fit for new AI startups.

Can I find cybersecurity venture capital firms in Los Altos?

Ignition Partners is a prominent local firm with a focus on enterprise technology, including cybersecurity. They support early-stage companies, so they are a relevant contact if you are building a B2B software or security-focused startup.

Are there biotech venture capital firms in Los Altos?

Yes, Levensohn Venture Partners is an established firm in the area that invests in biotechnology. They support companies from the seed and early stages, making them a potential partner for founders with innovative biotech products.

How can I manage venture capital financing for my startup?

Once you secure funding, managing it effectively is the next step. Our platform helps you open accounts, issue cards, and manage payments in one place. You can get started with Rho in minutes.