Top 9 Venture Capital Firms for Advanced Materials Startups

For founders in specialized fields like Advanced Materials or deep tech, securing capital means finding investors who truly get it. You need partners who appreciate the unique timelines and technical hurdles of materials science, advanced manufacturing, or cleantech.

To help with your search, the Rho team created this guide to the top venture capital firms in the sector. Use it to quickly identify investors who are actively funding companies like yours, from early-stage to late-stage rounds.

Just raised, or about to? Set up your financial stack with Rho in minutes. Rho provides business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay—built for startup teams moving fast.

Which VC Firms in Advanced Materials Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether you're an early-stage company or preparing for an exit, it helps to know which investors to approach. The following is a quick overview of VC firms in Advanced Materials, organized by investment stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Advanced Materials

Pre-seed and seed funding is the initial capital you'll raise to validate your core idea and build a minimum viable product. For founders in deep tech and materials science, firms like Breakout Ventures, Creative Ventures, and Valhalla Ventures specialize in backing scientist-entrepreneurs at this foundational stage.

Early Stage VC Firms in Advanced Materials

Early-stage funding, which includes Series A and B rounds, is for companies that have product-market fit and are ready to build out their commercial operations. Investors such as Capital-E focus on this phase, while other firms like Breakout Ventures and Material Impact also participate in these rounds to help companies scale.

Late Stage VC Firms in Advanced Materials

Late-stage capital supports established companies as they scale aggressively, expand into new markets, or prepare for an exit through an IPO or acquisition. Corporate venture capital arms are often active here; for example, Applied Ventures and PVP have strong track records of guiding industrial technology companies toward successful exits.

Keep in mind that some venture capital firms invest across all funding stages, from seed to exit.

Here is a closer look at the top VC firms investing in the Advanced Materials sector. We've outlined key details for each firm, including their preferred investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes them a compelling choice for founders.

1. Material Impact

Based in Boston, Material Impact builds companies that transform advancements in material science and deep technology into products. The firm is dedicated to backing businesses with a strong foundation in scientific innovation.

The firm invests across the full company lifecycle, from seed rounds to post-IPO support. Their portfolio highlights a focus on deep tech with practical applications, including companies like 6K Inc, which produces advanced materials, and Soft Robotics, a leader in automation.

This firm is a strong potential partner if you are a founder translating a core scientific discovery into a commercial product. Their approach appears well-suited for entrepreneurs who need investors with deep technical understanding and a long-term view on company building.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, late-stage, and post-IPO
• Industries of focus: Advanced Materials, deep technology
• Geographical presence: Based in Boston, Massachusetts
• Founded: 2016
• Notable investments: 6K Inc, Source Global, and Gen Phoenix
• Portfolio size: 40 investments

You can refer to their website here.

2. Breakout Ventures

Breakout Ventures is a San Francisco-based firm that invests in early-stage companies led by scientist-entrepreneurs. They focus on turning significant scientific breakthroughs into viable businesses.

The firm supports founders working on complex challenges in areas like life sciences and sustainable materials. Their portfolio includes companies like Ecovative Design, a pioneer in mycelium-based products, and Twelve, which converts CO₂ into sustainable fuels.

This firm is an excellent fit if you are a founder with a deep scientific background looking for a partner who understands the journey from lab to market. They are particularly well-suited for companies in life sciences and advanced materials.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Advanced Materials, Life Science, Energy, Financial Services
• Geographical presence: Based in San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2016
• Notable investments: Twelve, Ecovative Design, Cytovale, Modern Meadow
• Portfolio size: 35 investments

You can refer to their website here.

3. Creative Ventures

Creative Ventures is a deep tech venture firm that backs early-stage companies working on major global challenges. Based in Oakland, they focus on founders using science and technology to build solutions for critical problems.

The firm invests in a broad set of deep tech sectors, including in Advanced Materials, robotics, and health care. Their track record of portfolio companies being acquired by major industry players suggests a focus on building businesses with clear market value.

This firm could be a great partner if you are an early-stage founder in a complex, technical field. Their wide-ranging industry focus makes them a good fit for entrepreneurs applying deep tech to problems in sectors from construction to biotechnology.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Advanced Materials, Biotechnology, Clean Energy, Construction, Health Care, Robotics
• Geographical presence: Based in Oakland, California
• Founded: 2016
• Notable investments: Caper (acquired by Instacart), Sense Photonics (bought by Ouster), IOTAS (purchased by ADT), Bleximo, ALICE
• Portfolio size: 60 investments

You can refer to their website here.

4. Phoenix Venture Partners

Phoenix Venture Partners (PVP) is a venture capital firm that partners with entrepreneurs to bring breakthrough materials science innovations to market. Based in San Mateo, they focus on commercializing deep technical advancements.

The firm has a strong track record of guiding companies to successful exits, including IPOs and strategic acquisitions by major players like Pfizer and Koch Industries. This history suggests a focus on building businesses with clear, valuable outcomes.

PVP is a compelling choice if you are a founder in the materials science space looking for a partner with deep industry expertise. Their experience is particularly relevant for those aiming for a public offering or a strategic acquisition.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Advanced Materials
• Geographical presence: Based in San Mateo, California
• Founded: 2010
• Notable investments: Absci, Finisar, Serenex (acquired by Pfizer), DarkVision (acquired by Koch Industries)
• Portfolio size: 47 investments

You can refer to their website here.

5. Valhalla Ventures

Valhalla Ventures is a Los Angeles-based firm that backs early-stage companies building what they call “enduring moats.” Their focus is on deep tech and hard science across a range of industries, from gaming to space travel.

The firm's strategy centers on backing companies with defensible technology, often in hardware or complex scientific fields. Their portfolio includes companies like K2 Space, which builds satellite platforms, and Rain, which develops autonomous firefighting helicopters.

Valhalla Ventures is a strong potential partner if you are a founder working on ambitious, technically complex solutions. They are well-suited for entrepreneurs in fields like biotech, climate tech, and advanced manufacturing who are building businesses with deep, defensible technology at their core.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Advanced Materials, Biotechnology, Energy, Gaming, Industrial, Manufacturing, Space Travel, Sustainability
• Geographical presence: Based in Los Angeles, California
• Founded: 2020
• Notable investments: Jaza, K2 Space, Biofire, Terran Biosciences
• Portfolio size: 23 investments

You can refer to their website here.

6. Applied Ventures

Applied Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Applied Materials, a global leader in nanomanufacturing technology. Based in Santa Clara, the firm invests in companies that are pushing the boundaries of materials science and semiconductors.

As a corporate VC, the firm offers more than just capital, providing access to the resources and expertise of its parent company. Their portfolio features companies with deep technical moats, such as Lightmatter, a photonic AI-chip startup, and Inpria, which was acquired for its advanced semiconductor technology.

This firm is an ideal partner if your startup operates in the semiconductor, advanced manufacturing, or nanotechnology sectors. Founders who can benefit from a strategic relationship with an industry leader will find their model particularly compelling.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Advanced Materials, Manufacturing, Nanotechnology, Semiconductor
• Geographical presence: Based in Santa Clara, California
• Founded: 2006
• Notable investments: Lightmatter, Rescale, Inpria (acquired by JSR Corporation), Kateeva
• Portfolio size: 97 investments

You can refer to their website here.

7. Tekfen Ventures

Tekfen Ventures is the New York-based corporate venture capital arm of Tekfen Group. The firm invests in early-stage technology companies, particularly those aligned with industrial sectors.

The firm shows a clear focus on industrial, construction, and agricultural technology, with a strong record of guiding companies to successful exits through both acquisitions and public listings. Notable investments include the smart-access company Latch and industrial cybersecurity leader Claroty.

Tekfen Ventures is a strong match if you are a founder in an industrial or real-asset-heavy sector. Their model is especially valuable for startups that can benefit from a strategic partnership with a large industrial conglomerate.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Advanced Materials, Industrial, Construction, Agriculture, Real Estate, Energy
• Geographical presence: Based in New York, NY
• Founded: 2016
• Notable investments: Latch, Quanergy Systems, Claroty, Avvir
• Portfolio size: 23 investments

You can refer to their website here.

8. Boeing HorizonX Ventures

Boeing HorizonX Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Boeing, investing from late seed through mid-stage growth. The Chicago-based firm backs startups in sectors strategic to the aerospace giant's future.

The firm targets technologies with clear applications in aerospace, manufacturing, and enterprise software, including AI and advanced materials. Their portfolio includes companies like AI software firm SparkCognition and hypersonic engine developer Reaction Engines.

This firm is an excellent match if your company operates in a sector with direct relevance to aerospace, defense, or industrial technology. Founders seeking a strategic partner with deep industry connections will find their model particularly valuable.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Advanced Materials, AI, Cyber Security, Manufacturing, Space Travel
• Geographical presence: Based in Chicago, Illinois
• Founded: 2017
• Notable investments: SparkCognition, Reaction Engines, Gamma Alloys
• Portfolio size: 38 investments

You can refer to their website here.

9. Capital-E

Capital-E is a Washington, D.C.-based firm that provides early-stage capital to companies built on enabling electronics or advanced materials. They focus on businesses with a strong technical foundation and a clear selling proposition.

The firm concentrates on foundational technologies, backing companies that develop core components for larger industries like telecommunications and automotive. Their portfolio includes businesses like Silicon Mobility, which makes semiconductors for electric vehicles, and Accelleran, a 5G software provider.

This firm is a good fit if you are an early-stage founder developing a core technology in electronics or materials science. They appear well-suited for companies whose products serve as critical components for larger systems in sectors like automotive or telecom.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Advanced Materials, enabling electronics, impact investing
• Geographical presence: Based in Washington, D.C.
• Founded: 2005
• Notable investments: Accelleran, Silicon Mobility, Silicon Line
• Portfolio size: 26 investments

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for Advanced Materials Companies

The venture capital support for companies in Advanced Materials appears well-balanced. Our list shows a healthy mix of firms that invest across different stages, from pre-seed to late-stage rounds. This suggests that whether you are just starting out or preparing to scale, there are potential financial partners available.

Geographically, while there is a strong concentration of firms in California, you can also find investors in other major U.S. hubs like New York, Boston, and Chicago. This distribution provides more options for founders located outside of the West Coast.

The variety of investors is also notable. You'll find both traditional venture firms and corporate venture arms. This gives you the choice between a purely financial partnership and a strategic one that could provide access to valuable industry resources and expertise.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Fundraising requires significant time and effort, so approaching the right investors from the start is critical. This guide is designed to help you focus your energy on the firms most likely to understand your vision.

Once your round is closed, the work of building the company accelerates. If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes.

We provide the tools you need to manage your new capital with confidence, from business banking to corporate cards and bill pay. Our platform integrates these functions so you can focus on growth.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Advanced Materials

Are there European venture capital firms for Advanced Materials?

Yes, Europe has a growing number of VCs focused on deep tech and materials science. Firms often cluster in hubs like Berlin, London, and Paris, backing innovations in industrial technology and sustainability. Research investors with a relevant portfolio.

What about nanotech venture capital firms in the Asia-Pacific region?

The Asia-Pacific region is a key center for manufacturing and has a rising number of specialized VCs. Investors in places like Singapore, Tokyo, and Shanghai are actively funding nanotech, semiconductor, and advanced fabrication startups with global potential.

How do I choose between a traditional VC and a corporate VC?

Traditional VCs offer broad network access and focus on financial returns. Corporate VCs provide strategic value, including industry expertise and potential customers. Your choice depends on whether you need purely financial backing or a strategic industry partner.

What do deep tech VC firms look for in a pitch?

Beyond a strong team, deep tech investors want to see a clear technological advantage and a well-defined path to market. Be prepared to explain your core innovation, intellectual property, and the specific problem your product solves.

Are most advanced materials venture capital firms focused on a specific industry?

Many are. Some firms specialize narrowly in areas like semiconductors or biotechnology. Others invest more broadly across deep tech, looking for foundational technologies with applications in multiple sectors. It is important to research each firm's focus.

How can Rho help after I close my funding round?

Once you've secured capital, our platform helps you manage it effectively. We offer integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated payments. Set up your company's financial operations in minutes with Rho.