Top 11 Venture Capital Firms in Santa Clara

For founders preparing to raise capital, understanding the venture capital scene in Santa Clara and the broader Silicon Valley is critical. To help you identify the right investors for your startup, our team at Rho has put together this overview of the top VC firms operating in the area.

Actively raising? You can now access non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines through Rho Capital. Rho also provides access to business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay — built for startup teams moving fast.

Key Takeaways

• Seeking venture capital funding means partnering with an investor who provides capital in exchange for an equity stake in your company.
• Santa Clara is home to many top-tier VC firms, including Better Capital, Intel Capital, Acorn Pacific Ventures, and Heuristic Capital.
• If you're a startup leader who is raising or has just closed a round, Rho helps you access and manage your capital with alternative funding options, fast business banking, and corporate cards.

Which Santa Clara VC Firms Are Right for Your Stage?

From early-stage funding to preparing for an exit, knowing which investors to approach is key. To help you focus your efforts, we've outlined which Santa Clara VC firms invest at each stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Santa Clara

Pre-seed and seed funding is the earliest capital a startup raises, often used to validate an idea and build a product, marking the first step in securing venture capital. Among the seed VC firms in the area, you’ll find micro-venture firm Better Capital and incubator Inception, which nurtures startups working on AI and data science.

Early Stage VC Firms in Santa Clara

Early-stage funding, typically Series A or B, is for companies with a proven product and market traction that need capital to scale operations and grow their team. Santa Clara's early-stage VC firms include corporate investors like LG Technology Ventures, which backs companies in advanced materials, and Heuristic Capital Partners, a fund focused on hardware startups.

Late Stage VC Firms in Santa Clara

Late-stage funding helps mature companies expand into new markets, make acquisitions, or prepare for an IPO or acquisition. Heavyweights in this space include Intel Capital, which invests in disruptive technologies like AI and cybersecurity, and Presidio Ventures, which provides financial support to tech startups across sectors like FinTech and digital media.

Keep in mind that some VC firms invest across all startup funding stages, too, acting as multi-stage investors.

Below, we provide an overview of the top VC firms in Santa Clara, California, with key details on their investment stages, sector focus, portfolio highlights, and what makes each firm a compelling choice for founders.

1. Better Capital

Better Capital is a micro-venture firm that invests in and helps create innovative businesses from the ground up. They focus on providing capital and hands-on support at the very beginning of a startup's journey.

The firm's approach is deeply collaborative, signaling a preference for co-building companies rather than just funding them. This founder-centric model is geared toward providing operational guidance during the critical seed stage.

If you're a founder with an early-stage idea looking for a true partner, Better Capital could be a great match. They are ideal for entrepreneurs who want more than just a check and value a close working relationship.

• Investment stages: Seed and early-stage
• Industries of focus: Financial services and venture capital
• Founded: 2018
• Portfolio size: 168 investments
• Notable exits: 8

You can refer to their website here.

2. Intel Capital

As the corporate venture capital arm of Intel, the firm invests in startups developing new technologies in areas like cloud infrastructure, AI, and cybersecurity. Their investments are often strategic, supporting companies that complement Intel's core business.

Intel Capital invests across a company's entire lifecycle, from seed rounds to late-stage funding, signaling a capacity for long-term partnership. This multi-stage approach is paired with a clear focus on specific technology sectors, indicating they value deep technical alignment with their portfolio companies.

Founders working on hardware or software in areas strategic to Intel may find a powerful ally in the firm. If your startup could benefit from the resources, expertise, and market access of a major technology corporation, Intel Capital is an investor to consider.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage
• Industries of focus: Cloud and AI infrastructure, cybersecurity
• Founded: 1991
• Portfolio size: 1,607 investments
• Notable exits: 510

You can refer to their website here.

3. Acorn Pacific Ventures

Acorn Pacific Ventures provides capital and helps execute technology strategies for entrepreneurs. The firm operates as both a venture capital investor and a family investment office, signaling a flexible and long-term approach to its partnerships.

The firm invests across a company's entire lifecycle, from seed and convertible notes to late-stage venture rounds. This multi-stage capability indicates they are equipped to support companies through multiple phases of growth, with a focus on helping founders implement their technology roadmaps.

This firm is a good fit for founders seeking a financial partner that also offers strategic guidance on technology. If you need an investor who can support you from the early stages through to scaling, Acorn Pacific could be a strong match.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage
• Founded: 2015
• Portfolio size: 30 investments
• Notable exits: 3

You can refer to their website here.

4. Heuristic Capital

Heuristic Capital Partners is a venture fund that concentrates on early-stage hardware companies. They provide capital to startups building physical products and related technologies.

The firm's specific focus on hardware signals a deep technical understanding of the sector. Their investment scope covers seed, early, and late-stage rounds, showing they can support a company's full growth cycle.

This firm is a strong choice for founders developing hardware-based solutions. If you need an investor with specialized knowledge in your field, Heuristic Capital is worth considering.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Hardware
• Founded: 2016
• Portfolio size: 24 investments
• Notable exits: 4

You can refer to their website here.

5. LG Technology Ventures

As the corporate venture capital arm of LG, LG Technology Ventures invests in early-stage companies working on information technology and advanced materials. The firm aims to identify and fund startups that align with LG's long-term strategic goals.

The firm's multi-stage investment approach, from seed to post-IPO, signals a capacity for long-term partnerships. Their focus on specific sectors like IT and advanced materials shows they seek companies with technology that can create strategic value for the broader LG ecosystem.

This firm is an excellent choice for founders whose technology aligns with LG's strategic direction. If you are looking for a partner that offers potential market access and deep industry resources, LG Technology Ventures is worth exploring.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, late-stage, and post-IPO
• Industries of focus: Information technology and advanced materials
• Founded: 2018
• Portfolio size: 65 investments
• Notable exits: 9

You can refer to their website here.

6. Presidio Ventures

Presidio Ventures is a corporate venture capital firm that provides financial support and business development expertise to technology startups. Their approach centers on offering strategic guidance to help their portfolio companies grow.

The firm invests across a company's entire lifecycle, from seed rounds to post-IPO, signaling a capacity for long-term partnership. With a focus on sectors like FinTech, cybersecurity, and digital media, they seek to add strategic value beyond just capital.

This firm is a good fit for founders in the technology sector who are looking for a partner that can provide ongoing support. If your startup operates in one of their key industries and could benefit from strategic business development, Presidio Ventures is worth considering.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, late-stage, and post-IPO
• Industries of focus: FinTech, cybersecurity, digital media, and Internet of Things
• Founded: 1998
• Portfolio size: 74 investments
• Notable exits: 9

You can refer to their website here.

7. NVentures

As the corporate venture capital arm of NVIDIA, NVentures invests in companies using artificial intelligence to drive innovation. They focus on early-stage technology startups across a variety of industries.

The firm’s primary characteristic is its deep connection to NVIDIA, offering portfolio companies access to its technology, expertise, and global ecosystem. They invest across all stages, from seed to post-IPO, indicating a capacity for long-term support as a company scales.

NVentures is an ideal partner for founders building AI-first companies who would benefit from more than just capital. If your startup's growth is tied to AI and you seek a strategic partner with deep technical resources, this firm is a compelling choice.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, late-stage, and post-IPO
• Industries of focus: AI across various sectors, including generative AI, robotics, and healthcare
• Founded: 2021
• Portfolio size: 38 investments
• Notable portfolio companies: Cohere, Hugging Face, CoreWeave
• Key benefit: Access to NVIDIA's ecosystem, technology, and expertise

You can refer to their website here.

8. ZenStone Venture Capital

ZenStone Venture Capital invests in companies that are past the initial seed stage and are driven by technology and data. They provide capital to early-stage ventures to help them grow.

The firm's investment thesis is centered on businesses where technology and data are fundamental to their model. Their focus spans several industries, including consumer, finance, and real estate, signaling a broad interest in how data can transform different markets.

This firm is a good match for founders whose companies have a proven concept and are ready for their next phase of growth. If your startup uses tech and data to solve problems in their target sectors, ZenStone could be a valuable partner.

• Investment stages: Post-seed and early-stage
• Industries of focus: Consumer, Finance, Internet of Things, Logistics, Real Estate
• Founded: 2014
• Portfolio size: 40 investments
• Notable exits: 17

You can refer to their website here.

9. Nvidia Inception

Nvidia Inception is an incubator program that supports startups using artificial intelligence and data science to create new products and services. The firm provides resources and guidance to help founders build their companies from the ground up.

The program's main feature is its focus on nurturing companies through hands-on support, which is characteristic of an incubator model. Their investment scope covers seed to late-stage rounds, showing they can support a company's full growth cycle.

This program is a great fit for founders of AI-driven startups who are looking for more than just funding. If you need technical expertise, industry connections, and a structured support system to grow your business, Inception is worth exploring.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage
• Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), data science, and machine learning
• Founded: 1993
• Portfolio size: 53 investments
• Notable exits: 1

You can refer to their website here.

10. Aurum Partners

Aurum Partners is a venture capital firm that invests across various asset classes in both public and private markets. Their investment strategy covers the full capital structure, offering flexibility to the companies they back.

The firm's most distinct feature is its broad investment mandate, which is not limited to traditional venture equity. This approach, combined with a clear focus on finance and financial services, suggests they have deep expertise in the sector.

Aurum Partners is a suitable choice for founders in the financial technology space who are looking for a versatile investor. If you need a partner who can support your company through different growth stages and funding structures, this firm is worth a look.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage
• Industries of focus: Finance, Financial Services, and Venture Capital
• Founded: 2014
• Portfolio size: 38 investments
• Notable exits: 10

You can refer to their website here.

11. Ericsson Ventures

As the corporate venture capital arm of Ericsson, Ericsson Ventures invests in innovative companies that align with the parent company's strategic direction. The firm functions as both a venture capital and private equity investor, providing capital to promising technology startups.

The firm's approach is defined by its strategic connection to Ericsson, offering portfolio companies access to its global network and deep technical expertise. By investing in both early and late-stage ventures, they show a capacity to support companies throughout their growth cycle.

Ericsson Ventures is a strong potential partner for founders developing technologies that complement Ericsson's core business in areas like network infrastructure and enterprise solutions. If your startup could benefit from the resources and market access of a major telecommunications leader, this firm is one to consider.

• Investment stages: Early-stage and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Areas strategic to Ericsson, including network infrastructure, 5G, and enterprise technology
• Portfolio size: 37 investments
• Notable exits: 10

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About Santa Clara's VC Scene

The Santa Clara fundraising market offers a balanced mix of investors for startups at different growth phases. Our list shows that many local VCs are multi-stage investors, prepared to fund companies from seed rounds through to later growth phases. This provides a stable environment for founders seeking long-term financial partners.

A clear pattern is the strong presence of corporate venture capital and a focus on deep technology. With investors like Intel Capital, NVentures, and Ericsson Ventures, the area is a hub for startups in AI, hardware, and enterprise infrastructure. For you as a founder, this means that demonstrating strategic alignment with these technology sectors can be particularly effective.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Having a focused list of relevant investors helps you direct your energy where it matters most. This is especially important during a fundraise, when your time is one of your most valuable assets.

If you’re actively raising, Rho Capital connects you to non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines through a fast, guided process.

Once your capital is secured, our integrated platform provides the tools you need—business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—to manage and deploy funds efficiently.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms in Santa Clara

Are there many fintech venture capital firms in Santa Clara?

Yes, Santa Clara has a strong fintech ecosystem. Firms like Presidio Ventures and Aurum Partners actively invest in financial technology, and many multi-stage investors in the area are open to fintech startups with strong growth potential.

What are the main differences between seed and Series A venture capital firms?

Seed firms typically fund initial product development and market validation based on an idea. Series A firms invest in companies that already have a proven product and market traction, providing capital to scale operations and grow the team.

How important is a warm introduction to a Santa Clara VC?

A warm introduction from a trusted contact in a VC’s network is highly valuable and can significantly increase your chances of getting a meeting. It provides initial validation and helps your pitch get noticed among many unsolicited proposals.

Do Santa Clara VCs invest in social impact or clean tech startups?

While the area is known for deep tech, many Santa Clara VCs are increasingly open to social impact and clean tech ventures. Founders should highlight a strong business model and potential for scalable returns to attract their interest.

How can Rho help my startup after securing venture capital financing?

After your fundraise, our integrated platform helps you manage and deploy capital with business banking, corporate cards, and automated payments. Rho provides the financial tools you need to operate efficiently and scale your business.