Top Venture Capital Firms in Oakland, California

For founders preparing to raise capital, understanding the venture capital ecosystem in Oakland and the greater East Bay is a critical first step. To help you find the right partners, our team at Rho curated this guide to the top VC firms in the area. It’s a straightforward overview designed to help you quickly identify relevant investors for your startup, whether you're just starting your search or are actively fundraising.

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Which Oakland VC Firms Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether your company is in its early days or preparing for an exit, it helps to know who to talk to. Here is a quick overview of which Oakland VC firms invest at each stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms

This is the earliest funding stage, designed to help you turn an idea into a viable product and achieve initial market traction. For founders seeking pre-seed or seed funding, firms like 1517, Powerhouse Ventures, and Better Ventures are key players in the Oakland area to have on your radar.

Early Stage VC Firms

Early-stage funding, which includes Series A and B rounds, is for companies with a proven product ready to scale operations and accelerate growth. If this describes your startup, you could connect with investors like Illuminate Ventures, which focuses on enterprise SaaS solutions, or Creative Ventures, a deep tech firm investing in sectors like AI and biotech.

Late Stage VC Firms

Late-stage venture capital provides growth equity for established companies to expand significantly, enter new markets, or prepare for an exit via acquisition or IPO. While many local firms focus on earlier stages, investors like Kaiser Permanente Ventures for health tech companies and Kapor Capital also participate in later-stage deals.

It's also common for a single VC firm to invest across multiple stages, from a company's initial seed round through its later growth phases.

To help you find the right fit, here’s a closer look at Oakland's top venture capital firms, including details on their preferred investment stages, industry focus, notable portfolio companies, and what makes each a compelling partner.

1. Kapor Capital

Kapor Capital is an Oakland-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage, tech-enabled startups. The firm is distinguished by its mission to back companies that close social and economic gaps for low-income communities and communities of color.

The firm’s investment thesis centers on "gap-closing" ventures that generate both economic returns and positive social impact. They actively seek founders whose lived experiences provide unique insights into the problems their companies are solving, creating a portfolio that reflects a more inclusive tech ecosystem.

Kapor Capital is an ideal partner if your startup has a clear social mission at its core and a business model designed to address systemic inequities. They are particularly focused on supporting founders from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.

• Investment Stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture.
• Industries of Focus: Technology in education, finance, health, and work that addresses critical access gaps.
• Geographical Focus: Based in Oakland and invests across the United States.
• Founded: 1999.
• Founder Focus: A strong commitment to backing diverse and underrepresented founders.
• Portfolio Size: Over 280 investments made.

You can refer to their website here.

2. Powerhouse Ventures

Powerhouse Ventures invests in seed-stage startups that are building software to accelerate the decarbonization of global energy and mobility systems. The firm backs founders creating innovative technology designed to have a significant and rapid impact on climate change.

The firm’s clear focus is on software-driven solutions rather than hardware, allowing them to back asset-light companies with the potential to scale quickly. They concentrate on the earliest stages of a company's life, providing capital and support to help founders turn their vision into a market-ready product.

Powerhouse Ventures is a strong match for founders developing software for the cleantech, renewable energy, or electric vehicle sectors. If you are at the seed stage and your business model is centered on software, this firm has the specific expertise you need.

• Investment Stages: Seed and early-stage venture.
• Industries of Focus: Software for energy, mobility, and cleantech.
• Founded: 2018.
• Portfolio Size: 47 investments.

You can refer to their website here.

3. Coinbase Ventures

Coinbase Ventures is the corporate venture arm of Coinbase, focused on investing in promising early-stage companies in the cryptocurrency and blockchain sectors. Their mission is to support the growth of the open financial system by backing entrepreneurs building foundational web3 infrastructure.

As a strategic investor, the firm provides more than just capital; it offers access to Coinbase's deep expertise and network within the crypto ecosystem. They invest across a company's lifecycle, from initial seed rounds to later-stage funding, signaling a long-term commitment to their portfolio companies.

This firm is an excellent partner if you are a founder building in the web3 space, particularly if your startup could benefit from a strategic alignment with Coinbase. They are a go-to investor for teams creating new protocols, decentralized applications, and financial tools on the blockchain.

• Investment Stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture.
• Industries of Focus: Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, FinTech, and Financial Services.
• Founded: 2018.
• Portfolio Size: Over 420 investments.

You can refer to their website here.

4. 1517 Fund

1517 Fund provides pre-seed and seed funding for technology startups, focusing on supporting teams at the earliest stages of their development. They help founders move from an initial concept to a tangible product with early traction.

The firm is known for its distinct focus on backing young founders, including those who have chosen to build their companies instead of pursuing a traditional university education. Their approach is deeply rooted in providing mentorship and a strong community for scientists, engineers, and makers working on ambitious ideas.

If you are a young, technical founder with a contrarian vision, 1517 could be an excellent partner. They are a strong fit for entrepreneurs who value a hands-on, supportive community and are forging their own path outside of established institutions.

• Investment Stages: Pre-seed, seed, and early-stage venture.
• Industries of Focus: Generalist technology.
• Founder Focus: A strong emphasis on young founders, including dropouts and those without college degrees.
• Founded: 2015.
• Portfolio Size: Over 115 investments.

You can refer to their website here.

5. Illuminate Ventures

Illuminate Ventures is a venture capital firm that backs B2B and enterprise software startups. They focus on companies that can deliver a quick and measurable return on investment for their customers.

The firm concentrates on seed-stage companies that are slightly more mature, often with early revenue or strong user engagement. Their investment thesis is centered on high-growth enterprise SaaS, cloud computing, and AI solutions.

This firm is a great fit if you're a founder of an enterprise software company with a proven product. They are looking for teams that can demonstrate clear business value and a path to rapid customer adoption.

• Investment Stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture.
• Industries of Focus: Enterprise software, SaaS, AI, cloud computing, and big data.
• Founded: 2010.
• Portfolio Size: Over 65 investments.
• Track Record: 11 exits.

You can refer to their website here.

6. Better Ventures

Better Ventures is a mission-driven firm that invests in startups aiming to build a better world. They support founders whose companies are designed to generate both financial returns and positive social or environmental impact.

The firm’s investment thesis is built around "impact investing," targeting companies in sectors like sustainability, fintech, and transportation. They concentrate their efforts on seed and early-stage rounds, providing foundational support to mission-aligned startups.

Better Ventures is an ideal partner for founders whose business model is fundamentally tied to a social or environmental mission. If your company operates in sectors like sustainability or inclusive fintech, their expertise and network will be highly relevant.

• Investment Stages: Seed and early-stage venture.
• Industries of Focus: Impact investing, sustainability, fintech, and transportation.
• Founded: 2010.
• Portfolio Size: 86 investments.
• Track Record: 8 exits.

You can refer to their website here.

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

This overview of Oakland's venture capital firms reveals a market with a strong focus on early-stage investment. If you are raising a pre-seed, seed, or Series A round, you will find a robust set of potential partners. While some firms on our list participate in later-stage deals, the city’s clear strength is in providing the foundational capital that helps new companies launch and achieve initial traction.

The market also shows a healthy diversity in sector focus. You can connect with investors specializing in everything from enterprise SaaS and web3 to cleantech. A notable theme is the presence of mission-driven capital, with several firms dedicated to backing companies that create positive social or environmental change. This variety means founders across many industries can find experienced partners in Oakland.

Raise Confidently with Rho

A focused list of relevant investors is invaluable when your time and energy are limited. It allows you to direct your efforts where they will have the most impact during your fundraise.

Once your round is closed, the next step is managing that capital effectively. If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes.

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

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms in Oakland

Which Oakland VCs focus on SaaS?

Firms like Illuminate Ventures specialize in B2B and enterprise software. When researching, review a VC's portfolio to see if they have experience with SaaS companies similar to yours, as this indicates a good potential fit for your startup.

Are there biotech venture capital firms in Oakland?

Yes, the Oakland area has investors focused on deep tech, including biotech. Firms like Creative Ventures invest in this sector. We recommend targeting VCs with specific life sciences or health tech expertise to find the most relevant partners.

How do I find social impact venture capital firms?

To find mission-driven investors, start with firms like Kapor Capital and Better Ventures, which explicitly focus on social and environmental impact. Clearly articulating your company's mission in your pitch will attract the right kind of capital.

What is the difference between pre-seed and seed funding?

Pre-seed funding typically helps you develop an idea into a minimum viable product. Seed funding follows, providing capital to achieve initial market traction and build out your team. Both stages are critical for early-stage startups.

How should I prepare for my first VC meeting?

Know your numbers, business model, and market inside and out. Be prepared to clearly explain the problem you are solving and why your team is the right one to do it. Practice your pitch until it is concise and compelling.

How can Rho help after I secure venture capital?

Once your round is closed, our platform helps you manage your new capital. We provide integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated payments designed for scaling startups. You can get started with Rho in minutes.