Top 15 Venture Capital Firms Investing in AI

For founders building an artificial intelligence startup, knowing which investors are actively funding companies in your sector is a critical part of preparing to raise capital. To help you find the right partners, our team at Rho curated this guide to the top VC firms in AI. It’s a straightforward overview to help you quickly understand the most relevant investors for your business.

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Which VC Firms in AI Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether you're an early-stage company or preparing for an exit, knowing who to talk to is essential. Here’s a quick overview of which VC firms invest in AI at each stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in AI

This is the earliest stage of funding, intended to help you turn an idea into a minimum viable product and gain initial traction. Firms like Bee Partners, which leads pre-seed rounds, and Glasswing Ventures are key investors for AI startups at this phase.

Early Stage VC Firms in AI

Early-stage capital, covering Series A and B, is for companies that have found product-market fit and are ready to scale their team and customer base. In the AI sector, investors like Playground Global and SignalRank specialize in backing companies through this growth phase.

Late Stage VC Firms in AI

Late-stage funding supports mature companies as they expand into new markets, make acquisitions, or prepare for an IPO. For AI companies nearing an exit, GSR Ventures and Obvious Ventures are two firms with significant experience in these later rounds.

Keep in mind that some VC firms invest across the full spectrum of a startup's lifecycle.

Here is our detailed look at the top VC firms investing in artificial intelligence. For each firm, you'll find key information on their investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes them a strong potential partner for founders.

1. Amazon Alexa Fund

The Amazon Alexa Fund is a corporate venture fund with up to $200 million dedicated to advancing voice technology. As Amazon's investment arm, it supports companies building new experiences with voice, from consumer electronics to enterprise software.

The fund invests across all stages, from seed to late-stage rounds, and has backed well-known brands like Ring and Ecobee. This history shows a clear focus on products with mass-market potential that can integrate into a broader consumer ecosystem.

This fund is a strong match if you're developing voice-first technology or consumer products that could benefit from a strategic partnership with Amazon. Founders looking for more than just capital will find their ecosystem valuable.

• Investment stages Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Convertible Note, Debt
• Industries of focus Artificial Intelligence, Consumer Electronics, Hardware, Software, FinTech
• Geographical presence Based in Seattle, Washington
• Founded year 2015
• Notable portfolio companies Ring, Ecobee, Greenlight
• Investor type Corporate Venture Capital
• Portfolio size 141 investments

You can refer to their website here.

2. Obvious Ventures

Obvious Ventures invests in founders aiming to transform major industries through solutions for planetary, human, and economic health. Their focus is on backing businesses with a "world positive" thesis that can create large-scale impact.

The firm's portfolio highlights a commitment to deep tech and science-based companies, with notable investments like Recursion in AI-driven drug discovery and Planet in satellite imagery. They have a strong record of supporting companies from early stages through to successful public offerings.

This firm is a great match if your startup is built on a strong technical foundation and addresses a fundamental problem in their core areas. Founders with ambitious, long-term visions who are looking for a partner with experience in scaling complex businesses will find them to be a good fit.

• Investment stages Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity
• Industries of focus Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Finance, Financial Services, Insurance
• Geographical presence Based in San Francisco, California
• Founded year 2014
• Notable portfolio companies Beyond Meat, Planet, Gusto, Recursion
• Portfolio size 173 investments

You can refer to their website here.

3. Playground Global

Playground Global is an early-stage venture capital firm that focuses on deep tech. They partner with founders who have strong technical and scientific backgrounds to build category-defining companies.

The firm's portfolio shows a clear preference for companies building foundational technologies in areas like robotics, AI hardware, and next-generation computing. With notable exits like MosaicML to Databricks and Nervana to Intel, they have a track record of backing businesses with significant technical depth.

Playground Global is a good fit if you are a technical founder building a company based on a scientific or engineering breakthrough. They are well-suited for early-stage startups that require a partner with experience in complex, long-term technology development.

• Investment stages Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Information Technology, Software
• Geographical presence Based in Palo Alto, California
• Founded year 2015
• Notable portfolio companies Agility Robotics, MosaicML, Nervana, Ayar Labs
• Portfolio size 120 investments

You can refer to their website here.

4. Glasswing Ventures

Glasswing Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in startups applying AI and other advanced technologies to the enterprise and cybersecurity markets. They focus on backing founders who are building businesses that address significant industry needs.

The firm shows a clear preference for B2B companies with deep technical foundations, with portfolio companies like Black Kite in cyber-risk monitoring and Allure Security in fraud detection. This signals a strong interest in businesses that use AI to solve complex operational problems for other companies.

Glasswing is a strong potential partner if you are an early-stage founder building an enterprise or security-focused company with AI at its core. They are well-suited for teams with deep technical expertise tackling specific industry challenges.

• Investment stages Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise Software, Security, Quantum Computing
• Geographical presence Based in Boston, Massachusetts
• Founded year 2016
• Notable portfolio companies Black Kite, ChaosSearch, Allure Security, Zylotech
• Portfolio size 71 investments

You can refer to their website here.

5. Silent Ventures

Silent Ventures provides what it calls "stealth capital for elite operators," concentrating on sectors vital to national security. The firm invests in companies developing technology in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and industrial automation.

Their portfolio shows a strong focus on defense technology, backing companies like the defense-tech unicorn Anduril Industries and Hadrian, which builds AI-powered factories. This signals a product-centric approach with a priority on businesses that can help re-industrialize the defense supply chain.

This firm is a strong match if you are a founder with deep operational experience building technology in the defense or manufacturing sectors. They are well-suited for teams that require a partner with a specific, contrarian view on national security investments.

• Investment stages Seed, Early Stage Venture, Convertible Note, Venture
• Industries of focus Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Drones, Industrial Automation, Manufacturing, Marine Technology, Military, National Security
• Geographical presence Based in Dallas, Texas
• Founded year 2022
• Notable portfolio companies Voyager Technologies, Anduril Industries, Hadrian, Saronic Technologies, UNION Technologies
• Investor type Venture Capital
• Portfolio size 25 investments

You can refer to their website here.

6. LDV Capital

LDV Capital invests in deep technical teams building businesses that analyze visual data through computer vision and artificial intelligence. They partner with founders from the earliest stages to help build companies with a strong technological foundation.

The firm maintains a tight focus on companies where visual data is the core asset. Their portfolio includes the AI video platform Synthesia and features several high-profile exits, including the acquisitions of Mapillary by Meta and Ezra by Function Health.

This firm is a strong match if your startup is built on a deep technical foundation in computer vision or AI for visual analysis. Founders seeking a partner with a specialized focus and a history of successful exits will find them a good fit.

• Investment stages Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, Agriculture, Logistics, Software
• Geographical presence Based in New York, New York
• Founded year 2012
• Notable portfolio companies Synthesia, Clarifai, Ezra, Mapillary, Unsplash
• Investor type Venture Capital
• Portfolio size 55 investments

You can refer to their website here.

7. Amino Capital

Amino Capital is a Palo Alto-based venture firm that invests in early-stage companies, with a strong focus on data-driven startups in AI and enterprise software. The firm has been recognized on Forbes' Midas Seed List and as a top AI trendsetter, signaling its influence in the seed-stage ecosystem.

The firm's portfolio is distinguished by its backing of several high-profile unicorns, a fact highlighted in their public portfolio data. With investments in companies like Chime, Rippling, and Webflow, their track record points to a focus on businesses with the potential for massive scale and significant exits.

Amino Capital is a strong potential partner if you are an early-stage founder in the AI, SaaS, or enterprise software sectors with high-growth ambitions. Their history suggests they are a good match for teams aiming to build category-defining companies with unicorn potential.

• Investment stages Seed, Early Stage Venture, Venture
• Industries of focus Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise Software, Generative AI, SaaS
• Geographical presence Based in Palo Alto, California
• Founded year 2012
• Notable portfolio companies Chime, Webflow, Rippling, GRAIL, Replit
• Investor type Accelerator, Venture Capital
• Portfolio size 164 investments

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 applied artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions. They also back startups creating the essential tools and infrastructure that support the AI ecosystem.

The firm has a clear track record of guiding portfolio companies to successful acquisitions by major tech players, including the sales of Reclaim.ai to Dropbox and Streem to Frontdoor. This history points to a focus on businesses with practical, high-value applications that can be integrated into larger platforms.

Flying Fish is a strong match for early-stage founders whose businesses are centered on applied AI. If you are building a company with a clear path to a strategic exit, their experience and network could be a significant asset.

• Investment stages Seed, Early Stage Venture, Convertible Note, Venture
• Industries of focus Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning
• Geographical presence Based in Seattle, Washington
• Founded year 2016
• Notable portfolio companies Picnic, Reclaim.ai, Streem, Finn.ai
• Portfolio size 62 investments

You can refer to their website here.

9. FUSE

FUSE is a Seattle-based venture firm that invests in early-stage software companies. They concentrate on businesses in the Pacific Northwest, providing capital and operational support to help them scale.

The firm’s key distinction is its deep network of seasoned operators from highly successful technology companies. Their connections include leaders from major exits like Auth0’s $6.5 billion acquisition by Okta and Apptio’s $4.6 billion sale to IBM, reflecting a community of proven company builders.

FUSE is a strong potential partner if you are an early-stage software founder, particularly in AI, who values guidance from experienced leaders. Their focus on the Pacific Northwest makes them an especially good fit for startups in that region.

• Investment stages Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Software
• Geographical presence Based in Seattle, Washington
• Founded year 2020
• Notable portfolio companies Carbon Robotics, Icertis, Auth0, Apptio, Smartsheet
• Portfolio size 47 investments

You can refer to their website here.

10. SE Ventures

SE Ventures is a global venture capital fund backed by Schneider Electric, with over $1 billion in capital to invest in companies shaping the future of energy and automation. They focus on startups that are driving industrial efficiency and sustainability.

The firm's connection to Schneider Electric provides a clear strategic advantage, with a portfolio centered on industrial automation, energy, and climate tech. Their track record includes backing several high-growth companies, including the computer-vision unicorn Scandit and industrial cybersecurity leader Claroty.

SE Ventures is a strong match if you are a founder in the industrial, energy, or sustainability sectors. Companies that could benefit from a strategic partnership with a global industrial player will find their backing particularly valuable.

• Investment stages Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus Industrial Automation, Sustainability, CleanTech, Energy, AI
• Geographical presence Based in Menlo Park, California
• Founded year 2017
• Notable portfolio companies AutoGrid, Scandit, Proterra, Volta Charging, Claroty
• Portfolio size 45 investments

You can refer to their website here.

11. SignalRank

SignalRank uses a data-driven approach to venture capital, employing algorithms to find high-potential early-stage companies. Their focus is on identifying startups that are well-positioned to raise a strong Series B round.

The firm’s defining feature is its algorithmic method for sourcing deals, which allows it to target top-performing companies. Their portfolio includes major successes like UiPath, which had one of the largest software IPOs, and the vertical-farming unicorn InFarm.

SignalRank is a good fit if you are an early-stage founder with strong traction and clear metrics demonstrating high growth potential. Their model is best suited for companies on a clear path toward a significant Series B fundraise.

• Investment stages Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus Artificial Intelligence, FinTech, Machine Learning, Software
• Geographical presence Based in Palo Alto, California
• Founded year 2021
• Notable portfolio companies UiPath, InFarm, Around, Miles
• Portfolio size 22 investments

You can refer to their website here.

12. Illuminate Ventures

Illuminate Ventures backs seed-stage B2B and enterprise software companies that deliver rapid, measurable ROI. They focus on founders building solutions in high-growth areas like AI, big data, and SaaS.

The firm has a history of significant exits, including the multi-billion dollar public listing of Coupang and the acquisition of Xactly. This track record points to a strategy of backing companies with clear paths to market leadership and high-value outcomes.

This firm is a good match if you are a founder of a B2B software startup with a product that offers clear, demonstrable value to customers. Their experience is well-suited for teams aiming for a major exit through an IPO or strategic acquisition.

• Investment stages Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise Software, Big Data, SaaS
• Geographical presence Based in Oakland, California
• Founded year 2010
• Notable portfolio companies Coupang, Xactly, Opsmatic, Red Aril
• Portfolio size 65 investments

You can refer to their website here.

13. Heavybit

Heavybit is a venture firm that invests in companies building tools for software developers. They have a strong record of backing technical founders and helping them build successful businesses.

The firm's defining characteristic is its exclusive focus on developer-first products, from APIs to cloud infrastructure. Their portfolio includes major successes in the space, such as Snyk and LaunchDarkly, which signals deep expertise in this category.

Heavybit is an ideal partner if you are a technical founder building a company for developers. Their specialized program and community are designed for startups creating developer platforms, APIs, and infrastructure software.

• Investment stages Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus Developer Tools, Cloud Infrastructure, Enterprise Software, AI, Machine Learning
• Geographical presence Based in San Francisco, California
• Founded year 2013
• Notable portfolio companies PagerDuty, Snyk, Netlify, LaunchDarkly, CircleCI
• Portfolio size 96 investments

You can refer to their website here.

14. Bee Partners

Bee Partners leads pre-seed rounds for deeptech companies, writing the first check for founders building businesses in AI, robotics, and industrial automation.

The firm is known for its focus on backing technical founders from the very beginning, often as the lead investor. Their track record includes several high-value exits to major tech companies, including the acquisition of BuildingConnected by Autodesk and TubeMogul by Adobe.

This firm is an excellent match if you are a founder at the earliest stages of building a deeptech company. They are a good fit for teams seeking a lead investor with experience in commercializing complex technologies.

• Investment stages Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Industrial Automation, Machine Learning, Manufacturing
• Geographical presence Based in San Francisco, California
• Founded year 2009
• Notable portfolio companies BuildingConnected, TubeMogul, Indiegogo, Rapid Robotics
• Portfolio size 127 investments
• Notable exits 17

You can refer to their website here.

15. GSR Ventures

GSR Ventures is a long-standing firm that invests in technology companies developing AI-enabled software and services. They provide capital across a company's lifecycle, from seed rounds to later-stage private equity.

The firm is distinguished by its track record of backing high-profile technology companies that achieved massive scale, particularly in Asian markets. Their portfolio includes successes like the ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing and the food-delivery platform Ele.me, which was acquired by Alibaba for $9.5 billion.

GSR Ventures is a strong potential partner if you are a founder building a high-growth tech company with ambitions for a major exit. Their experience with IPOs and large-scale acquisitions makes them a good fit for teams targeting significant market leadership.

• Investment stages Seed, Early Stage Venture, Private Equity, Venture
• Industries of focus Artificial Intelligence, FinTech, Financial Services
• Geographical presence Based in Menlo Park, California
• Founded year 2004
• Notable portfolio companies Didi Chuxing, Ele.me, Skydio, Xiaohongshu (RED)
• Portfolio size 437 investments
• Notable exits 32

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for AI Companies

This review of top AI investors reveals a healthy and varied funding environment for founders. You’ll find firms that focus on every phase of a company's growth, from pre-seed specialists to late-stage partners. This balance suggests that whether you are just starting out or preparing to scale, there are active, interested investors for your business.

While many firms are concentrated in tech centers like California, the list also shows a notable presence in other hubs like Seattle, Boston, and New York. The variety of investor types, from traditional VCs to corporate funds, also means you have different kinds of strategic value to consider. We hope this curated list helps you identify the right partners for your specific goals.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Fundraising is a demanding process, and your time is best spent connecting with the right people from the start. A focused list of investors helps you target the firms most aligned with your company's stage and sector.

Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes. Our platform is built to get your new capital working for you without delay.

We provide the essential financial tools for startups, including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay. This lets you manage your new funding efficiently, so you can concentrate on building your business.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on AI

What are the best cities for AI startups to get funding?

While San Francisco remains a key hub, cities like Seattle, New York, and Boston are also excellent for AI funding. These areas have strong venture capital communities and deep talent pools, offering great opportunities outside of Silicon Valley.

What do early-stage AI VCs look for in a startup?

Early-stage investors prioritize your team's technical expertise and a clear demonstration of product-market fit. They want to see that your AI technology solves a significant problem for a well-defined market and has a path to growth.

How is approaching a corporate VC different?

When you approach a corporate VC, emphasize strategic alignment with their parent company. Beyond financial returns, they seek technologies that can enhance their existing products or open new markets, offering unique partnership opportunities for your startup.

Do I need a finished product for a pre-seed round?

For a pre-seed round, a finished product isn't always necessary. Investors at this stage often back a strong founding team and a compelling vision. A prototype or clear proof-of-concept can make your pitch much more effective.

How should I manage my capital after fundraising?

Effective capital management is key after a fundraise. Our platform at Rho provides the tools you need, including business banking and corporate cards, to help you deploy your new funding efficiently and focus on growth.