Top Venture Capital Firms in Sunnyvale, California

For founders preparing to raise capital, understanding the venture capital community in Sunnyvale and the broader Silicon Valley is a critical first step.

To help you identify the right partners, our team at Rho has curated this overview of the top VC firms in the area. It’s designed to help you quickly understand relevant investors before or during your fundraise.

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Which Sunnyvale VC Firms Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether you're an early-stage company or closer to an exit, knowing who to talk to is key. This overview breaks down which Sunnyvale VC firms invest at each stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms

Seed funding is the earliest capital you'll raise, typically used to validate your idea and build an initial product. For founders seeking seed or pre-seed VC firms, options in the area include Plug and Play, AI-focused Fellows Fund, and the impact-oriented Google.org.

Early Stage VC Firms

Early-stage funding, covering Series A and B rounds, is for companies with product-market fit that are ready to scale. Sunnyvale has a number of early-stage VC firms, such as CrowdStrike Falcon Fund, which backs B2B and cybersecurity startups, and Samsung NEXT.

Late Stage VC Firms

Late-stage venture capital is for established companies looking for growth capital before a potential IPO or acquisition. While fewer Sunnyvale firms specialize exclusively at this stage, investors like Samsung NEXT and Plug and Play do participate in later rounds for transformative companies.

Keep in mind that some VC firms invest across multiple stages, from seed to late-stage rounds.

To help you find the right investor, here is our detailed look at Sunnyvale's top VC firms, including their investment stages, sector focus, portfolio highlights, and what makes each one unique.

1. Plug and Play

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform that connects startups with a vast network of corporations and investors. Founded in 2006, it operates as a multifaceted organization, combining venture capital with accelerator programs and co-working spaces.

The firm’s distinctive approach lies in its ecosystem model, which facilitates direct collaboration between startups and established industry leaders. This focus on corporate partnerships provides founders with unique opportunities for mentorship, pilot projects, and customer acquisition across various sectors.

Plug and Play is a strong fit for founders at the seed or early stages who are looking for more than just capital. If you can benefit from a structured program and direct access to a corporate network, especially in FinTech or Smart Cities, this firm is worth considering.

• Investment Stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Private Equity, and non-equity assistance.
• Industries of Focus: Financial Services, FinTech, Smart Cities, and more.
• Investor Type: A hybrid of an accelerator, venture capital firm, and co-working space.
• Founded: 2006.
• Portfolio Size: Over 2,100 investments.
• Notable Exits: The firm has seen nearly 200 exits from its portfolio.

You can refer to their website here.

2. Fellows Fund

Fellows Fund is a venture capital firm that brings together a community of AI pioneers to back the next generation of founders. They provide capital, strategic advice, and critical connections to early-stage companies focused on artificial intelligence.

The firm’s deep specialization in AI is its core strength, offering founders access to a network of experts with relevant technical and operational experience. Their approach goes beyond capital, emphasizing hands-on support to help startups navigate the unique challenges of building an AI-driven business.

Fellows Fund is a great fit for founders at the seed or early stages who are building an AI-native company. If you value investors who bring deep domain expertise and can provide targeted mentorship, this firm should be on your list.

• Investment Stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of Focus: Artificial Intelligence
• Investor Type: Venture Capital
• Founded: 2021
• Portfolio Size: 28 investments
• Notable Exits: The firm has 2 exits from its portfolio.

You can refer to their website here.

3. PreAngel

PreAngel is an investment firm that combines the functions of an angel group, incubator, and venture capital fund. Since its founding in 2011, it has focused on providing seed and early-stage capital to technology startups.

The firm’s model is notable for its hybrid approach, offering the hands-on support of an incubator alongside traditional venture funding. Their investment thesis is centered on foundational technologies like AI, big data, and cloud infrastructure.

PreAngel is best suited for founders at the earliest stages who are building companies in deep tech sectors like AI or open-source software. If you're looking for an investor that provides both capital and structured support, this firm could be a strong partner.

• Investment Stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of Focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Cloud Infrastructure, Drones, Financial Services, Machine Learning, Mobile Apps, Open Source, SaaS
• Investor Type: Angel Group, Incubator, Venture Capital
• Founded: 2011
• Portfolio Size: 137 investments
• Notable Exits: The firm has 11 exits.

You can refer to their website here.

4. CrowdStrike Falcon Fund

CrowdStrike Falcon Fund is an early-stage investment fund created by cybersecurity company CrowdStrike and venture firm Accel. The fund is designed to support companies building applications on the CrowdStrike Falcon platform, providing both capital and strategic partnership.

The fund’s most compelling feature is its direct link to CrowdStrike's ecosystem, offering startups deep technical expertise and go-to-market advantages. This approach signals a clear focus on companies that can integrate with and enhance their core platform, prioritizing product-centric B2B and security startups.

This firm is an excellent match for early-stage founders in cybersecurity or adjacent B2B sectors whose products can benefit from the Falcon platform. If you are looking for a strategic investor that provides distribution access and deep domain knowledge, the Falcon Fund is worth a close look.

• Investment Stages: Early Stage Venture
• Industries of Focus: Cybersecurity, B2B Software
• Investor Type: Corporate Venture Capital
• Founded: 2019
• Portfolio Size: 24 investments
• Notable Exits: The fund has 4 exits.
• Unique Backing: A strategic partnership between cybersecurity leader CrowdStrike and venture capital firm Accel.

You can refer to their website here.

5. Samsung NEXT

Samsung NEXT is the corporate venture capital arm of Samsung, investing in transformative software and services startups. They provide capital and strategic support to founders building next-generation products, bridging the gap between innovative startups and a global technology leader.

The firm’s most significant feature is its role as a strategic investor, offering startups access to Samsung's global resources and expertise. Their focus is on founders who can benefit from a deep corporate partnership, not just a financial investment, with a primary interest in seed-stage companies.

Samsung NEXT is an ideal partner for founders building software or services companies that align with Samsung's broader strategic interests. If your startup could benefit from deep integration with a global technology leader, this firm is a compelling choice.

• Investment Stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of Focus: Software and Services
• Investor Type: Corporate Venture Capital
• Founded: 2012
• Portfolio Size: Over 360 investments
• Notable Exits: The firm has 45 exits from its portfolio.

You can refer to their website here.

6. Google.org

Google.org is the philanthropic arm of Google, providing funding to organizations that leverage technology and innovative approaches to tackle major global challenges. They support teams with ambitious ideas aimed at creating significant, long-term positive impact.

The firm’s model is centered entirely on social good, backing non-profits and for-profit companies with a clear mission. A key feature is their flexible capital, offering grants in addition to seed and venture funding, which allows them to support a diverse range of impact-focused initiatives.

Google.org is a strong match for founders of non-profits or social enterprises whose core objective is to address a pressing humanitarian or environmental issue. If your work is driven by a mission for global change, this firm offers a unique combination of capital and strategic support.

• Investment Stages: Grant, Seed, Venture
• Industries of Focus: Impact Investing, Non Profit
• Investor Type: Corporate Venture Capital
• Founded: 2005
• Portfolio Size: 86 investments
• Notable Exits: The firm has 1 exit.

You can refer to their website here.

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

This overview of Sunnyvale’s venture capital firms reveals a market with deep support for early-stage companies. The majority of investors on our list focus their capital and resources on pre-seed, seed, and Series A rounds. For founders who are just starting out or looking to secure their first major round of funding, this indicates a strong local community of potential partners ready to back new ideas.

Beyond the early-stage focus, there is a notable diversity in the types of investors available. You have access to traditional VCs, corporate funds, and accelerator programs. This variety means you can find partners who offer more than just capital, including strategic guidance in specific sectors like AI and cybersecurity or direct access to corporate ecosystems. This mix makes Sunnyvale a well-rounded starting point for many fundraising journeys.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Having a focused list of relevant investors is crucial when your time and energy are limited during a fundraise. This approach helps you concentrate your efforts on the conversations that are most likely to lead to a partnership.

Once your round is closed, our team is here to support your next steps. Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes, so you can put your new capital to work immediately.

We provide the tools you need to manage your funds effectively, from business banking and corporate cards to automated bill pay. Our platform is designed to give you clear financial control as you grow.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms in Sunnyvale

What do Sunnyvale VCs look for in a startup?

Sunnyvale investors typically seek a strong founding team, a large addressable market, and a product with a clear competitive advantage. Demonstrating early customer validation or product-market fit is also critical for securing a meeting with top firms.

Are there SaaS venture capital firms in Sunnyvale?

Yes, many Sunnyvale VCs, including firms like PreAngel, actively invest in SaaS companies. To get their attention, you should clearly show strong initial traction and a well-defined plan for customer acquisition and scaling your platform.

Which Sunnyvale VCs focus on fintech?

Firms like Plug and Play have a strong focus on fintech. When pitching to them, emphasize your unique technology, your business model, and how your solution addresses a specific gap in the financial services market.

How can I connect with cybersecurity VCs in Sunnyvale?

For specialized funds like the CrowdStrike Falcon Fund, a warm introduction is best. You can also engage with their ecosystem by building on their platform, which can provide a direct path to their investment team.

Are there social impact venture capital firms in Sunnyvale?

Yes, organizations like Google.org support companies with a clear social mission. To secure funding, you must demonstrate a sustainable model for creating measurable, long-term positive impact alongside your business goals.

How can Rho help after I secure venture capital?

After your fundraise, our platform helps you manage your new capital. We provide integrated banking, corporate cards, and automated payments to keep your finances organized as you grow. Get started with Rho.