Top 12 Venture Capital Firms in San Diego
Find your next investor in San Diego. Our guide covers 12 active venture capital firms currently funding startups in the area.
Rho Editorial Team
For founders preparing to raise capital, understanding the local investor community is a critical first step. In the San Diego area—a growing hub for tech and life sciences—knowing which firms align with your company can make a significant difference.
To help you get started, our team at Rho curated this overview of the top venture capital firms operating in the region. This guide offers a quick summary of relevant investors to help focus your fundraising efforts.
Rho provides access to business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay — built for startup teams moving fast.
Key Takeaways
Seeking venture capital funding means finding a financial partner who provides capital for an equity stake to help grow your company.
San Diego's venture scene includes firms like Correlation Ventures, S32, L'ATTITUDE Ventures, and Harpoon.
Whether you are raising or have just closed a round, Rho helps you manage your new capital with fast business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay.
Which San Diego VC Firms Are Right for Your Stage?
From early-stage startups to companies preparing for an exit, connecting with the right investors is key. This overview breaks down which San Diego VC firms invest at each stage of a company's growth.
Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in San Diego
Pre-seed and seed funding is the initial capital you raise to validate your idea and build a minimum viable product. For founders at this stage, firms like L'ATTITUDE Ventures, which invests in U.S. Latino founders, and Finistere Ventures, an agtech venture capital firm, are key investors to know.
Early Stage VC Firms in San Diego
Early-stage funding, typically Series A and B, helps companies with a proven product and market traction begin to scale operations. San Diego investors active at this stage include Mesa Verde Venture Partners, which backs medical technology companies, and Harpoon, a firm specializing in enterprise software and financial services.
Late Stage VC Firms in San Diego
Late-stage rounds provide capital to established companies looking to expand significantly or prepare for an exit through an IPO or acquisition. Notable late-stage investors in the area include Domain Associates, a life sciences venture capital firm, and Qualcomm Ventures, a global investor that backs revolutionary businesses.
Keep in mind that many venture capital firms invest across multiple startup funding stages.
To help you find the right fit, here is a breakdown of the top VC firms in San Diego, covering their investment stages, sector focus, portfolio highlights, and what makes each firm a strong potential partner.
1. Correlation Ventures
Correlation Ventures is a California-based firm that provides both venture and debt financing. They invest across a company's lifecycle, from seed and early stages through later-stage growth rounds.
The firm operates as a co-investor, meaning they partner with other VCs rather than leading investment rounds. Their approach is designed to be fast and predictable, making quick decisions to support founders who already have a lead investor secured.
This firm is a good match if you have a lead investor committed and are looking to fill out your round. They are less suited for founders seeking a hands-on partner to lead their financing and guide company strategy.
Investment stages: Seed, early, and late-stage venture
Industries of focus: Finance, Financial Services, Venture Capital
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 working on advancements in technology, healthcare, and life sciences. They support businesses from their earliest stages through to later growth phases.
The firm’s investment strategy spans the full company lifecycle, from seed funding to late-stage venture rounds. This multi-stage approach suggests they can be a long-term partner for the companies they back, supporting them through multiple rounds of financing.
S32 is a strong potential partner if you are a founder in the tech or life sciences sectors. Their ability to invest across different stages makes them a good fit for teams seeking a consistent financial partner as they scale.
Investment stages: Seed, early, and late-stage venture
Industries of focus: Technology, healthcare, life sciences, and financial services
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 venture capital firm with a clear mission to invest in companies led by U.S. Latino founders. They provide capital to entrepreneurs who are building significant new businesses across different sectors.
The firm’s primary focus is on backing a specific founder demographic, making their approach distinct. They concentrate on seed and early-stage investments, showing a commitment to supporting companies from their initial stages.
This firm is a strong potential partner if you are a U.S. Latino founder seeking seed or Series A funding. Their model is built to support and elevate entrepreneurs from this community.
Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture
Founder focus: U.S. Latino-led companies
Founded: 2019
Portfolio size: 32 investments and 4 exits
You can refer to their website here.
4. Harpoon
Harpoon is a venture capital firm specializing in enterprise software and financial services. They primarily back companies in their early stages of growth.
The firm's focus on enterprise software and financial services gives them deep expertise in these sectors. While they concentrate on early-stage deals, they also participate in later rounds, suggesting they can support companies as they mature.
Harpoon is a good fit if you are a founder building an enterprise software or financial services company. They are particularly relevant for teams seeking seed or early-stage capital from an investor with specific industry knowledge.
Investment stages: Seed, early, and late-stage venture
Industries of focus: Enterprise software and financial services
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, investing globally in entrepreneurs building groundbreaking companies. They support founders from the earliest stages through later growth rounds.
As a corporate venture arm, the firm offers access to Qualcomm's deep technical expertise and global network. Their multi-stage investment strategy shows they can support companies throughout their entire growth journey.
This firm is a strong match if you are building a business in a sector aligned with Qualcomm's strategic interests, such as AI, IoT, or automotive tech. Founders who can benefit from a corporate partnership will find them particularly valuable.
Investment stages: Seed, convertible note, early, and late-stage venture
Industries of focus: 5G, AI, automotive, IoT, and enterprise
Investor type: Corporate Venture Capital
Geographical presence: Global
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 that invests exclusively in the life sciences sector. Their focus is on building companies that develop new therapies and medical technologies.
The firm’s deep specialization in biotechnology and healthcare is a key aspect of their model. They invest across a company's full lifecycle, from early stages to private equity, showing they can be a long-term partner.
Domain Associates is a strong potential partner if you are a founder in the life sciences field. They are particularly well-suited for teams looking for an investor with deep industry knowledge and the capacity to provide capital through multiple growth phases.
Investment stages: Early-stage venture, late-stage venture, and private equity
Industries of focus: Life sciences, biotechnology, and healthcare
Founded: 1985
Portfolio size: Over 300 investments and 95 exits
You can refer to their website here.
7. TRITON FUNDS LLC
TRITON FUNDS LLC is a student-run investment fund that makes direct investments in companies throughout the United States. They operate as both a venture capital and private equity firm, engaging with businesses at various stages of their development.
The firm’s most notable feature is its student-run management, which offers a fresh perspective on investment. Their investment scope is unusually broad, covering venture capital, private equity, and even post-IPO opportunities.
This fund could be a good match for founders emerging from a university environment or those who value the insights of a younger, academically-connected team. Their broad investment mandate suggests an openness to companies at different points in their journey.
Investment stages: Venture, private equity, and post-IPO
Industries of focus: Finance
Investor type: Student-run venture capital and private equity firm
Founded: 2018
Portfolio size: 47 investments and 33 exits
You can refer to their website here.
8. FusionX Ventures
FusionX Ventures is an early-stage investment fund that backs companies building the next generation of cloud-enabled smart machines. They provide capital to founders working on hardware and software innovations.
The firm’s investment thesis is highly specific, concentrating on businesses at the intersection of cloud computing and intelligent devices. While they invest from seed to late-stage, their identity as a micro-VC suggests a focus on providing initial capital and targeted support.
FusionX is a good match if you are an early-stage founder developing a product that fits their "smart machines" theme. Their specific focus means they likely bring relevant expertise and network connections for companies in this niche.
Investment stages: Seed, convertible note, early, and late-stage venture
Industries of focus: Cloud-enabled smart machines
Investor type: Micro VC
Founded: 2015
Portfolio size: 22 investments and 2 exits
You can refer to their website here.
9. Mesa Verde Venture Partners
Mesa Verde Venture Partners invests in a diversified portfolio of early-stage biotechnology and medical technology companies. They provide capital to help founders bring new scientific and healthcare innovations to market.
The firm’s defining characteristic is its specific focus on early-stage life sciences companies. This specialization suggests they bring deep industry knowledge to their portfolio companies, rather than being generalist investors.
This firm is a strong potential partner if you are a founder in the biotech or medtech space seeking early-stage funding. Their focused approach is best for teams that can benefit from an investor with specific expertise in their field.
Investment stages: Early-stage venture, late-stage venture, and debt
Industries of focus: Biotechnology and medical technology
Founded: 2006
Portfolio size: 33 investments and 13 exits
You can refer to their website here.
10. Finistere Ventures
Finistere Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in the agriculture sector, providing capital to companies developing new technologies in food and farming.
The firm's clear focus on AgTech and biotechnology is a defining feature, signaling deep expertise in this space. They invest across multiple stages, from seed to late-stage rounds, showing they can support a company's growth over time.
This firm is a strong potential partner if you are a founder building a company in the agriculture or food technology sectors. Their specialized knowledge makes them a good fit for teams seeking an investor who understands the industry's unique challenges.
Investment stages: Seed, early, and late-stage venture
Industries of focus: Agriculture, AgTech, and Biotechnology
Founded: 2005
Portfolio size: 66 investments and 7 exits
You can refer to their website here.
11. Spark Growth Ventures
Spark Growth Ventures is a venture capital and micro private equity firm that invests in and acquires technology companies. They partner with businesses in their later stages of development, providing capital for growth.
The firm’s focus on profitable technology companies is a key aspect of their model, setting them apart from many traditional VCs. They make both minority and majority investments, signaling flexibility in how they structure their partnerships.
This firm is a good match if you lead a profitable B2B SaaS, fintech, or marketplace company. They are best suited for founders looking for a growth partner or considering a partial or full acquisition.
Investment stages: Early-stage venture, late-stage venture, and private equity
Industries of focus: B2B SaaS, Fintech, and Marketplaces
Founded: 2020
Portfolio size: 53 investments and 2 exits
Investment approach: Makes both minority and majority investments in profitable companies.
You can refer to their website here.
12. Mission Ventures
Mission Ventures is a California-based firm that provides capital and guidance to early-stage companies. Their investment focus is on businesses operating within emerging markets.
The firm's strategy centers on backing software and fintech companies in developing economies. By offering both investment and guidance, they signal a hands-on approach to helping founders build their businesses from the ground up.
This firm is a strong potential partner if you are an early-stage founder building a software or fintech company for an emerging market. They are a good fit for teams seeking an active investor with experience in these specific sectors.
Investment stages: Seed, early, and late-stage venture
Industries of focus: Emerging markets, finance, fintech, and software
Founded: 1996
Portfolio size: Over 100 investments and 30 exits
You can refer to their website here.
What This Tells Us About San Diego's VC Scene
This list of investors suggests that San Diego's funding market is well-balanced. You will find firms that support companies at all points of their development, from those specializing in early stages to multi-stage partners that can provide capital through later rounds. For founders, this means support is available whether you are just starting out or are ready to scale.
The market also shows a healthy diversity in sector focus. While there is a strong concentration in life sciences and technology, reflecting the region's core industries, you will also find investors with unique approaches. These include firms dedicated to specific founder communities or niche sectors like AgTech. This variety gives you more opportunities to find a partner who understands your specific goals.
Raise Confidently with Rho
Fundraising requires significant time and energy, so approaching it with a focused list of relevant investors is a more effective strategy. Our guide is designed to help you concentrate your efforts on the firms that best align with your company's stage and sector.
Once your round is closed, the work of managing that new capital begins. If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes.
We provide startups with the tools to manage their finances efficiently from day one. Our platform combines business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay to help you put your new funding to work.
FAQs about Venture Capital Firms in San Diego
What's the difference between corporate and private venture capital firms?
Private venture capital firms are independent entities focused on financial returns. Corporate VCs, like Qualcomm Ventures, are investment arms of larger companies that provide capital plus strategic benefits like industry expertise and potential partnership opportunities.
How do I find SaaS venture capital firms in San Diego?
To find SaaS investors, review the portfolios of firms like Harpoon and Spark Growth Ventures. Also, research individual partners' investment histories and connect with other SaaS founders in the area for recommendations and introductions to the right people.
Are there many pre-seed VC firms in San Diego?
Yes. While many local firms are multi-stage, some specialize in initial funding. Firms like L'ATTITUDE Ventures and FusionX Ventures are known for backing companies at the pre-seed and seed stages, helping you get your idea off the ground.
How important is a warm introduction to San Diego VCs?
A warm introduction significantly increases your chances of getting a meeting. Investors receive many cold emails, so a referral from a trusted contact in their network helps your company get noticed and adds immediate credibility to your pitch.
What should I do after securing venture capital financing for my startup?
After closing your round, you need a solid financial foundation. Rho helps you open business bank accounts, issue corporate cards, and manage spending in one place. You can get started with Rho in minutes.