Top 15 Venture Capital Firms Investing in AI

For founders building an artificial intelligence or machine learning startup, understanding which investors are active in your field is a critical first step before fundraising. Connecting with the right venture capital firms investing in AI can significantly shape your company's trajectory.

To help you prepare, our team has curated this guide to some of the top AI-focused venture capital firms. We want to give you a clear overview of relevant investors so you can approach your capital raise with confidence.

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

• Securing venture funding gives your AI startup the capital to scale complex technology, along with the strategic guidance and industry connections that experienced investors provide.
• Firms like Amazon Alexa Fund, Obvious Ventures, Playground Global, and Glasswing Ventures are prominent backers in the AI sector, actively investing in companies building new technologies.
• Once you've raised capital, our platform helps you manage it with integrated tools for business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, all in one place.

Which VC Firms in AI Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether your company is in its early days or approaching an exit, it's important to know which investors to approach. To help, we've put together a summary of AI-focused VC firms and their preferred investment stages.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in AI

Pre-seed and seed funding is the initial capital you raise to validate your idea, build a minimum viable product, and make your first key hires. For founders at this stage, some technology venture capital firms to consider are Bee Partners, which leads pre-seed deep tech investing, along with Glasswing Ventures and Flying Fish.

Early Stage VC Firms in AI

Early-stage funding, typically Series A and B, is for startups with proven product-market fit that need capital to scale their team and accelerate growth. Among the many early-stage investors and venture capital firms, Playground Global focuses on deep tech, while SignalRank and Heavybit are also active in this space.

Once you secure this funding, our integrated platform helps you manage it with tools for business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

Late Stage VC Firms in AI

Late-stage venture capital is for mature companies that are scaling predictably and may be preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) or acquisition. Notable late-stage venture capital firms include GSR Ventures and Obvious Ventures, both of which have backed companies through major IPOs and acquisitions.

As you approach this stage, you might also consider non-dilutive financing to extend your runway. Rho Capital helps founders access options like venture debt and credit lines without the complexities of traditional lending.

It's also worth noting that many AI-focused venture capital firms, such as Amazon Alexa Fund and SE Ventures, invest across multiple stages from seed to growth.

To help you identify the right partners, we've compiled a detailed look at some of the top VC firms investing in the AI sector. You'll find key information on their investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes each firm a strong potential fit for founders.

1. Amazon Alexa Fund

As Amazon's corporate venture capital arm, the Alexa Fund dedicates up to $200 million to fuel innovation in voice technology and ambient computing. Founded in 2015, it supports companies that can expand the possibilities of a voice-first digital world.

The fund invests broadly from seed to late-stage, backing companies that align with its strategic goals, from smart-home leader Ring to deep-tech startup Osmo. This shows a focus on both mainstream consumer hardware and frontier AI applications.

The Alexa Fund is a strong potential partner for founders developing products in consumer electronics, IoT, or AI, especially where integration with the Amazon ecosystem offers a clear advantage. Once you secure funding from a strategic partner like this, Rho’s integrated platform helps you manage it with tools for banking, cards, and payments.

• Investment stages: Seed to late-stage venture, convertible notes, and debt
• Industries of focus: Voice technology, AI, consumer electronics, and IoT
• Geographical presence: Seattle, Washington
• Founded: 2015
• Notable portfolio companies: Ring, Ecobee, Greenlight

You can refer to their website here.

2. Obvious Ventures

Obvious Ventures invests in entrepreneurs reimagining trillion-dollar industries with a focus on planetary, human, and economic health. Their commitment to world-positive companies is clear from their portfolio, which includes plant-based food pioneer Beyond Meat and AI-driven drug discovery platform Recursion.

The firm invests across stages from seed to late-stage and is a strong match if your startup has a clear purpose-driven mission, particularly in biotechnology, finance, or AI. After you've secured funding from a partner like Obvious Ventures, our integrated platform helps you manage and deploy your capital with tools for banking, cards, and payments.

• Investment stages: Seed to late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and financial services
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2014
• Notable portfolio companies: Beyond Meat, Planet, Gusto, Recursion
• Number of investments: 173

You can refer to their website here.

3. Playground Global

Playground Global is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in founders with deep technical and scientific expertise. They focus on companies building foundational technologies that have the potential to reshape entire industries.

The firm has a clear focus on deep tech, backing companies in fields like robotics, AI, and next-generation computing hardware. Their portfolio includes robotics developer Agility Robotics and generative AI platform MosaicML, which was acquired by Databricks.

Playground Global is a strong fit if you are a technical founder building a business in a complex field like robotics or AI. Once you secure funding from a specialized firm like this, our integrated platform helps you manage it with tools for business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Artificial intelligence, robotics, information technology, and software
• Geographical presence: Palo Alto, California
• Founded: 2015
• Notable portfolio companies: Agility Robotics, MosaicML, Nervana, Ayar Labs
• Number of investments: 120

You can refer to their website here.

4. Glasswing Ventures

Glasswing Ventures is an early-stage venture firm that backs startups applying AI and other frontier technologies to solve problems in the enterprise and cybersecurity markets. They focus on companies building foundational platforms that can transform major industries.

The firm has a clear focus on enterprise and security applications of AI, backing companies like Black Kite, a leader in third-party cyber-risk monitoring. Their portfolio also includes Basetwo AI, which provides a low-code platform for manufacturing engineers.

Glasswing Ventures is a good fit for founders building AI-powered solutions for enterprise or security markets, especially at the seed or early stages. Once you secure funding from a specialized firm like this, our integrated platform helps you manage it with tools for business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture
• Industries of focus: AI, enterprise software, and cybersecurity
• Geographical presence: Boston, Massachusetts
• Founded: 2016
• Notable portfolio companies: Black Kite, ChaosSearch, Allure Security, Basetwo AI
• Number of investments: 71

You can refer to their website here.

5. Silent Ventures

Silent Ventures provides capital to founders with deep operational experience, focusing on critical sectors like national security and industrial automation. Based in Dallas, the firm takes a focused approach to backing companies building foundational technologies for defense and manufacturing.

The firm invests from seed to early-stage, often backing founders in complex fields like cybersecurity, robotics, and AI for defense applications. Their portfolio includes high-profile defense-tech companies like Anduril Industries and Hadrian, which is building AI-powered factories.

Silent Ventures is a strong match if you are building a company in the defense-tech or advanced manufacturing sectors, especially with a contrarian approach. Once you secure funding from a specialized firm like this, our integrated platform helps you manage it with tools for business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage venture, and convertible notes
• Industries of focus: National security, defense tech, AI, cybersecurity, and industrial automation
• Geographical presence: Dallas, Texas
• Founded: 2022
• Notable portfolio companies: Anduril Industries, Hadrian, Saronic Technologies
• Number of investments: 25

You can refer to their website here.

6. LDV Capital

LDV Capital invests in deep-tech startups that use AI and computer vision to analyze visual data. The firm backs technical teams building businesses where visual information is the core asset.

The firm’s focus on visual data is clear from its portfolio, which includes generative-AI video platform Synthesia. They also have a track record of successful exits, including the acquisition of street-level imagery platform Mapillary by Meta.

LDV Capital is a strong partner if you are a founder with deep technical expertise in computer vision or AI. Once you secure funding from a specialized firm like this, our integrated platform helps you manage it with tools for business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Computer vision, AI, machine learning, and software analyzing visual data
• Geographical presence: New York, New York
• Founded: 2012
• Notable portfolio companies: Synthesia, Clarifai, Mapillary, Ezra
• Number of investments: 55

You can refer to their website here.

7. Amino Capital

Amino Capital is a Palo Alto-based venture firm that backs data-driven founders from the earliest stages. Recognized on Forbes' Midas Seed List, they have a strong record of investing in AI and enterprise software.

The firm's portfolio features several high-profile unicorns, including fintech company Chime and HR platform Rippling. This history suggests a focus on backing companies with the potential for massive scale and market leadership.

Amino Capital is a strong potential partner if you are building a company in enterprise SaaS or generative AI. Once you secure funding, our platform helps you manage it with integrated tools for business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Artificial intelligence, enterprise software, generative AI, and SaaS
• Geographical presence: Palo Alto, California
• Founded: 2012
• Notable portfolio companies: Chime, Webflow, Rippling, GRAIL, Replit
• Number of investments: 164

You can refer to their website here.

8. Flying Fish Partners

Flying Fish Partners is an early-stage venture firm that invests in companies building practical applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning, along with the tools that support them.

The firm has a history of successful exits, with portfolio companies like Streem and Reclaim.ai being acquired by major public companies. This track record points to a focus on building applied AI businesses that are attractive acquisition targets for larger technology firms.

Flying Fish is a strong match for founders at the seed or early stages who are building applied AI tools with a clear path to market. Once you secure funding, our integrated platform helps you manage it with tools for business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage venture, and convertible notes
• Industries of focus: Applied AI and machine learning
• Geographical presence: Seattle, Washington
• Founded: 2016
• Notable portfolio companies: Streem, Reclaim.ai, Picnic, Finn.ai
• Portfolio size: 62 investments

You can refer to their website here.

9. FUSE

FUSE is a Seattle-based venture capital firm that backs early-stage software companies, with a clear focus on AI and machine learning. They invest from seed to late-stage, supporting founders building the next generation of enterprise technology.

What makes FUSE different is its emphasis on building a strong community of founders and operators. Their network includes leaders from major tech successes like Auth0, acquired by Okta for $6.5 billion, and Apptio, bought by IBM for $4.6 billion.

FUSE is a strong potential partner for founders building enterprise software, particularly in the AI and machine learning space. After securing capital from a firm like FUSE, our platform helps you manage it with integrated tools for banking, cards, and payments.

• Investment stages: Seed to late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: AI, machine learning, and software
• Geographical presence: Seattle, Washington
• Founded: 2020
• Notable portfolio companies: Carbon Robotics, Icertis, Auth0, Apptio, Smartsheet
• Number of investments: 47

You can refer to their website here.

10. SE Ventures

SE Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Schneider Electric, managing a global fund of over $1 billion. The firm backs companies developing new technologies in industrial automation, energy, and sustainability.

A key aspect is its strategic relationship with Schneider Electric, which offers portfolio companies deep industry expertise and a potential path to acquisition. This is evident in their portfolio, which includes industrial cybersecurity leader Claroty and energy-management platform AutoGrid, which was acquired by Schneider Electric.

SE Ventures is a strong fit for founders building solutions in climate tech, energy management, and industrial automation. Once you secure funding from a strategic investor like this, our integrated platform helps you manage it with tools for banking, cards, and payments.

• Investment stages: Seed to late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Industrial automation, sustainability, energy, and AI
• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
• Founded: 2017
• Notable portfolio companies: AutoGrid, Scandit, Claroty, Proterra
• Number of investments: 45

You can refer to their website here.

11. SignalRank

SignalRank takes a quantitative approach to venture capital, using algorithms to identify premier early-stage companies that are positioned for a strong Series B round.

Their model focuses on sourcing deals algorithmically, which has led them to back major successes like robotic-process-automation leader UiPath and vertical-farming unicorn InFarm.

This firm is a strong match for founders in software, AI, or fintech who have clear traction and are preparing for their Series B. Once you secure that funding, our platform helps you manage it with integrated tools for business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Artificial intelligence, business intelligence, fintech, and software
• Geographical presence: Palo Alto, California
• Founded: 2021
• Notable portfolio companies: UiPath, InFarm, Around, Miles
• Number of investments: 22

You can refer to their website here.

12. Illuminate Ventures

Illuminate Ventures backs B2B enterprise software companies at the later seed stage, focusing on solutions that deliver a clear and measurable return on investment. They specialize in startups using AI, big data, and cloud computing to build high-value enterprise tools.

The firm has a strong history of successful exits, including the IPO of e-commerce company Coupang and the acquisition of sales-performance platform Xactly. This track record shows a focus on companies with the potential for significant market impact and a clear path to a liquidity event.

Illuminate Ventures is a good match if you are a founder of an enterprise SaaS company with early traction and a clear path to profitability. Once you secure funding from a firm like Illuminate, our platform helps you manage it with integrated tools for business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Enterprise software, AI, big data, and SaaS
• Geographical presence: Oakland, California
• Founded: 2010
• Notable portfolio companies: Coupang, Xactly, Opsmatic
• Number of investments: 65

You can refer to their website here.

13. Heavybit

Heavybit is a venture firm that specializes in backing developer-first companies. They have a strong record of helping technical founders build successful businesses from the ground up.

The firm's focus on developer-centric products is a key differentiator, with a portfolio that includes market leaders like PagerDuty, LaunchDarkly, and Snyk. This shows a deep understanding of how to build and scale tools for software engineers.

Heavybit is an ideal partner if you are a technical founder building infrastructure or API-first products for other developers. Once you secure funding from a firm like Heavybit, our platform helps you manage it with integrated tools for business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed to late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Developer tools, cloud infrastructure, AI, and enterprise software
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2013
• Notable portfolio companies: PagerDuty, CircleCI, Netlify, LaunchDarkly, Snyk
• Number of investments: 96

You can refer to their website here.

14. Bee Partners

Bee Partners leads pre-seed investments in deep tech, writing the first check for founders building companies in AI, robotics, and industrial automation.

The firm’s commitment to leading pre-seed rounds gives founders a strong early partner. Their track record includes major exits like the acquisition of construction-tech platform BuildingConnected by Autodesk, showing their ability to back companies to significant outcomes.

Bee Partners is an excellent fit for technical founders at the pre-seed stage who are creating foundational technologies in AI or automation. Once you secure that first check, our platform helps you manage it with integrated tools for business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed and seed
• Industries of focus: Deep tech, AI, robotics, industrial automation, and manufacturing
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2009
• Notable portfolio companies: BuildingConnected, TubeMogul, Indiegogo
• Number of investments: 127

You can refer to their website here.

15. GSR Ventures

GSR Ventures is a global venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, with a particular focus on those developing AI-enabled financial and enterprise software. They back founders from seed stage through to private equity, supporting companies across their entire growth journey.

The firm has a history of backing market-defining companies that have achieved massive scale, including Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing and social-commerce platform Xiaohongshu. Their track record also includes U.S. drone maker Skydio and the food-delivery platform Ele.me, which was acquired by Alibaba, showing a focus on high-growth businesses with the potential for major IPOs or acquisitions.

GSR Ventures is a strong potential partner for founders building highly scalable companies in AI or fintech, especially those with ambitions for a major public offering or strategic acquisition. Once you secure funding from a global investor like GSR, our platform helps you manage it with integrated tools for business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed to private equity
• Industries of focus: AI, fintech, and financial services
• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
• Founded: 2004
• Notable portfolio companies: Didi Chuxing, Ele.me, Skydio, Xiaohongshu (RED)
• Number of investments: 437

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for AI Companies

This list of investors shows that the funding environment for AI companies is both broad and mature. Rather than being concentrated in one area, capital is available from a diverse set of firms with different specialties and goals.

You’ll find opportunities across the spectrum, from pre-seed specialists to multi-stage firms that can support a company through its entire lifecycle. While traditional tech hubs like the Bay Area and Seattle are prominent, the presence of investors in other cities shows that strong ideas can attract capital from various locations. The investor scene appears well-balanced, with no single stage or thesis dominating.

For founders, this means there are many potential entry points. The key is to identify partners whose focus aligns with your specific stage and vision. Once you secure that capital, our platform helps you manage it with integrated tools for business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Knowing which investors to approach is critical when you're fundraising, as your time and resources are finite. We hope this guide gives you a clear starting point for building a focused list of firms aligned with your goals.

If you’re seeking funding, Rho Capital connects you to non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines through a fast, guided process. We help you access financing tailored to your stage without the complexities of traditional lenders.

Once your capital is secured, our integrated platform helps you manage and deploy it efficiently. You get access to business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, all in one place.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on AI

What should I look for in early stage AI venture capital firms?

Look for partners with deep expertise in your specific field. The best early stage investors offer not just capital but also critical guidance on product development, hiring, and finding market fit for your AI startup.

Which venture capital firms in Europe invest in AI?

Europe has many technology venture capital firms backing AI. While global firms like SE Ventures are active, local funds in London and Berlin often focus on regional deep tech and enterprise software startups, providing localized support.

Are there many AI-focused venture capital firms in Asia?

Yes, Asia is a major hub for AI investment. Firms like GSR Ventures are highly active there, alongside many Singapore and India venture capital firms that specialize in technology and support founders with deep regional expertise.

What are my funding options besides venture capital?

Beyond equity, you can explore non-dilutive financing. Rho Capital connects you with options like venture debt and credit lines, helping you extend your runway without giving up more ownership after securing a priced round.

How can Rho help my startup manage its funding?

Once you secure capital, our integrated platform helps you manage it efficiently. Rho provides business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, all in one place to give you clear financial control.