Top Venture Capital Firms in San Diego, California

For founders preparing to raise capital, understanding the venture capital scene in San Diego is a critical first step. Knowing the key investors in Southern California helps you connect with partners who understand your specific industry and stage of growth.

To help you get started, our team has curated this overview of the top VC firms in the area. Use this guide to identify the most relevant investors for your startup before or during your fundraise.

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Which San Diego VC Firms Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether your company is in its early days or preparing for an exit, knowing who to approach is key. Below is a brief overview of San Diego VC firms and the stages at which they typically invest.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms

Pre-seed and seed funding are the earliest forms of capital you'll raise, typically used to validate your idea and build an initial product. In San Diego, you might connect with seed VC firms like L'ATTITUDE Ventures, which invests in U.S. Latino founders, or Finistere Ventures for its focus on the agtech sector.

Early Stage VC Firms

Early-stage funding, such as Series A and B rounds, helps startups with proven traction to scale their teams and expand their market reach. Several early-stage venture capital firms in the area specialize in specific industries, including Domain Associates for life sciences, Mesa Verde Venture Partners for medtech companies, and Harpoon for financial services.

Late Stage VC Firms

Late-stage rounds provide significant capital for established companies to accelerate growth, pursue acquisitions, or prepare for an exit like an IPO. Prominent investors in this category include the corporate venture arm Qualcomm Ventures and the data-driven team at Correlation Ventures, while S32 also invests at this stage with a focus on technology and healthcare.

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

To help you find the right partner, here is our detailed look at the top VC firms in San Diego, including their investment stages, sector focus, notable portfolio companies, and what makes each one a compelling choice for founders.

1. Correlation Ventures

Correlation Ventures is a multi-stage venture capital firm that supports companies from their earliest days through later growth rounds. Based in California, they provide both equity and debt financing to their portfolio companies.

As their name suggests, the firm takes a distinctively data-driven approach to investing, using analytics to make faster, more informed decisions. This quantitative strategy allows them to co-invest alongside other VCs with impressive speed and conviction.

This firm is an excellent match for founders who value an analytical partner and want a co-investor that can move quickly. Their ability to invest across stages also makes them a good long-term partner for companies planning for sustained growth.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage, Late Stage
• Industries of focus: Financial Services, Finance
• Founded: 2006
• Portfolio size: Over 400 investments and 88 exits

You can refer to their website here.

2. S32

S32 is a venture capital firm that invests in companies at the forefront of technology, healthcare, and life sciences. They support businesses that are pushing the boundaries in these complex and highly specialized fields.

The firm has a clear focus on deep-tech and science-driven innovation, backing companies that are solving significant challenges. Their investment thesis centers on supporting ventures from their earliest stages all the way through to later growth rounds.

S32 is a strong potential partner if you are a founder in the tech or life sciences sectors with a bold, research-backed vision. They are well-suited for companies that require investors with deep domain expertise and a long-term perspective.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage, Late Stage
• Industries of focus: Technology, Healthcare, Life Sciences
• Founded: 2017
• Portfolio size: Over 130 investments and 23 exits

You can refer to their website here.

3. L'ATTITUDE Ventures

L'ATTITUDE Ventures is a purpose-driven venture capital firm dedicated to backing U.S. Latino entrepreneurs. They focus on identifying and funding high-growth companies led by this often-overlooked founder demographic.

The firm’s defining characteristic is its exclusive focus on the U.S. Latino cohort, which it views as a major driver of the American economy. They primarily invest at the seed and early stages, providing critical capital to help founders build and scale their businesses.

This firm is an ideal partner if you are a U.S. Latino founder seeking an investor who understands your unique cultural context and market opportunity. Their model is built to support founders who are creating transformative businesses.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage
• Industries of focus: Industry-agnostic, with a focus on companies led by U.S. Latino founders
• Founded: 2019
• Portfolio size: Over 30 investments and 4 exits

You can refer to their website here.

4. Harpoon

Harpoon is a venture capital firm that invests in companies building foundational tools for the financial services and enterprise software industries. They support businesses from their earliest stages through later growth rounds.

The firm’s primary focus is on financial technology, backing founders who are creating innovative solutions in the space. While they are positioned as an early-stage investor, their portfolio shows a flexibility to support companies from seed funding all the way to late-stage growth.

Harpoon is a strong potential partner if you are a founder in the fintech or enterprise software sectors. Their capacity to invest across multiple stages makes them a compelling choice for companies looking for a long-term financial partner.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage, Late Stage
• Industries of focus: Financial Services, Enterprise Software
• Founded: 2018
• Portfolio size: 37 investments and 5 exits

You can refer to their website here.

5. Qualcomm Ventures

Qualcomm Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Qualcomm, a global technology leader. They invest worldwide in entrepreneurs who are building transformative companies that align with their parent company's strategic vision.

As a corporate venture firm, they offer more than just capital, providing access to Qualcomm's deep technical expertise and global network. Their investment focus is on strategic areas like 5G, AI, and IoT, backing companies from seed stage through later rounds.

This firm is an excellent fit if your startup operates in a sector aligned with Qualcomm's core business and could benefit from a strategic partnership. Founders seeking a long-term investor with significant technical resources will find them to be a powerful ally.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage, Late Stage, Convertible Note
• Industries of focus: 5G, AI, Automotive, Consumer, Enterprise, IoT
• Investor type: Corporate Venture Capital
• Founded: 2000
• Portfolio size: Over 540 investments and 139 exits

You can refer to their website here.

6. Domain Associates

Domain Associates is a venture capital firm with an exclusive focus on the life sciences industry. For decades, they have been investing in companies that are advancing healthcare and biotechnology.

The firm’s defining feature is its deep specialization, backing companies from early stages through to private equity rounds. This long-term approach suggests they are committed to supporting companies throughout their entire growth journey.

Domain Associates is a great match if you are a founder in the life sciences sector seeking a partner with extensive industry knowledge. Their ability to invest across multiple growth stages makes them a compelling choice for companies with a long-term vision.

• Investment stages: Early Stage, Late Stage, Private Equity
• Industries of focus: Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Health Care
• Founded: 1985
• Portfolio size: Over 300 investments and 95 exits

You can refer to their website here.

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

The venture capital market in San Diego appears robust and well-rounded for founders. Our list shows that you can find investors across all funding stages, from pre-seed to late-stage growth. Many firms are prepared to support companies throughout their entire lifecycle, making them potential long-term partners rather than just a single-round investor.

While the investor base is diverse, there is a clear concentration of expertise in technology and life sciences, with several firms providing deep industry knowledge in those fields. You'll also find specialized investors focused on areas like fintech and purpose-driven funds supporting specific founder communities. This mix suggests that founders, particularly those in specialized, high-growth sectors, are well-positioned to find the right capital and support in San Diego.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Approaching your fundraise with a focused list of investors is essential. It allows you to save your time and energy for the conversations that are most likely to lead to a strong partnership.

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

We provide integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay to help you manage your new funds efficiently. Our platform is built to give you full control over your company’s finances from day one.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms in San Diego

What are the top biotech venture capital firms in San Diego?

San Diego is a hub for life sciences. Firms like Domain Associates and S32 are prominent investors in biotech and medtech. Research their portfolios to see if your company aligns with their investment focus and current interests.

How do I find pre-seed VC firms in San Diego?

To find pre-seed investors, focus on networking within the local startup community. While some larger firms invest at this stage, dedicated pre-seed VCs and angel investor groups are often your best starting point for initial capital.

What do early-stage VC firms look for in a startup?

Early-stage VCs want to see a strong founding team, a large addressable market, and initial product-market fit. You should have a clear business model and early traction to show your company's potential for high growth.

Are there fintech venture capital firms in San Diego?

Yes, San Diego has a growing fintech scene. Firms like Harpoon specialize in financial services and enterprise software, while multi-stage investors like Correlation Ventures also actively fund innovative fintech companies in the region.

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

Once your round closes, our platform helps you manage your new capital. We provide integrated banking, corporate cards, and automated payments, giving you full financial control so you can focus on growth. Get started with Rho.