Top 14 Venture Capital Firms Focused on Banking Startups

When you're preparing to raise capital for your Banking or FinTech startup, knowing which investors truly understand your space is critical. Finding the right partner not only helps you secure funding but also sets you up to manage and deploy that capital efficiently later on.

To help you identify those partners, our team at Rho curated this overview of top venture capital firms in the financial technology sector. Use this guide to quickly understand the key players and build your list of relevant investors before you start your outreach.

Rho provides access to business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay — built for startup teams moving fast.

Key Takeaways

• For startups in the banking industry, securing venture funding provides not only capital but also crucial validation and guidance from investors with deep sector experience.
• Leading venture capital firms like StepStone Group, Goldman Sachs, Greycroft, and Visa are notable backers in the banking space, actively funding the next generation of financial technology companies.
• Once you secure funding, Rho helps you manage and deploy your capital efficiently with an integrated platform that includes fast business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

Which VC Firms in Banking Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether you are an early-stage company or preparing for an exit, knowing which investors to approach is a critical step.

This overview outlines venture capital firms that invest in the banking industry, organized by their typical investment stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Banking

This initial funding round is designed to help you transform an idea into a minimum viable product and begin establishing product-market fit. For FinTech startups at this stage, firms like Brooklyn Bridge Ventures, Mithril, and Thursday Ventures are known to provide seed capital.

Early Stage VC Firms in Banking

Early-stage funding, which includes Series A and B rounds, is for companies with a validated product and initial market traction looking to scale their team and accelerate growth. If your banking technology startup is ready to expand, you might approach early stage venture capital firms like Carrick Capital Partners and First Analysis.

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

Late Stage VC Firms in Banking

Late-stage rounds provide significant capital to mature companies for scaling globally, making strategic acquisitions, or preparing for an exit such as an IPO. Prominent investors in this space include financial services giants like Goldman Sachs and private equity firms such as StepStone Group.

Keep in mind that some of the most active financial technology VC firms, including Greycroft and LionTree, invest across multiple stages from seed to exit.

To help you build your list, here is a closer look at top VC firms investing in the banking sector. We've included information on their investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes each firm a unique partner for founders.

1. StepStone Group

StepStone Group is a global private markets investment firm that provides customized portfolios for its investors. The firm is known for its comprehensive approach, integrating primary, secondary, and co-investment strategies.

A key aspect of StepStone is its ability to invest across the entire company lifecycle, from seed and early-stage venture rounds to late-stage and private equity. This flexibility, combined with a clear focus on the financial services and banking sectors, makes them a versatile partner.

This firm could be a strong match if you are a founder in the banking or FinTech space seeking a long-term partner. Their capacity to fund companies from inception through maturity means they can provide continuous support as your business scales.

• Investment Stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity, Secondary Market
• Industries of Focus: Banking, Financial Services, FinTech, Real Estate Investment, Venture Capital
• Primary Location: New York, New York
• Founded: 2007
• Investor Type: Private Equity Firm, Venture Capital
• Number of Investments: 101

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

You can refer to their website here.

2. Goldman Sachs

As a global investment bank, Goldman Sachs also operates a formidable venture capital arm that invests across the financial services industry. The firm provides both capital and deep institutional expertise to its portfolio companies.

What’s notable is the firm's capacity to invest across the entire company lifecycle, from seed and early-stage rounds to private equity and debt. Their portfolio features some of the most recognized tech companies, including Uber and Spotify, demonstrating a history of backing businesses that achieve significant scale.

Goldman Sachs could be a good match if you are a founder with high-growth ambitions and a clear vision for capturing a large market. Their experience is especially relevant for FinTech companies planning for major funding rounds or a future IPO.

• Investment Stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity, Debt
• Industries of Focus: Banking, Finance, Financial Services, Venture Capital
• Primary Location: New York, New York
• Founded: 1869
• Investor Type: Investment Bank, Venture Capital
• Number of Investments: 1,090

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

You can refer to their website here.

3. Greycroft

Greycroft is a venture capital firm that invests in technology startups, with a specific focus on internet and mobile markets. They are known for backing companies from their earliest stages all the way through to growth and exit.

A key characteristic of the firm is its investment flexibility, participating in rounds from seed and convertible notes to late-stage venture and private equity. Greycroft has a strong track record in FinTech, with notable exits including the acquisitions of Venmo and Braintree by PayPal.

This firm could be a strong match if you are a founder in the internet or mobile space, particularly within payments or financial services. Their ability to support companies across the entire lifecycle is valuable for teams with ambitious, long-term growth plans.

• Investment Stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity, Convertible Note, Debt
• Industries of Focus: Banking, Finance, Financial Services, FinTech, Venture Capital
• Primary Location: New York, New York
• Founded: 2006
• Investor Type: Venture Capital
• Number of Investments: 825

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

You can refer to their website here.

4. Visa

Visa operates as a strategic corporate venture arm, leveraging its global position in electronic payments to invest in the next wave of financial technology. The firm backs companies that are shaping the future of commerce and money movement.

A key attribute is their focus on companies that can integrate with or expand upon the global payments ecosystem. Their portfolio includes category-defining companies like Stripe, Marqeta, and Airwallex, showing a preference for businesses with strong infrastructure.

Visa is an ideal partner if your startup operates in the payments, mobile commerce, or financial infrastructure space. Founders who can benefit from a strategic relationship with a global payments network will find their capital and industry access particularly valuable.

• Industries of Focus: Banking, Payments, Financial Services, Mobile Payments
• Primary Location: Foster City, California
• Founded: 1958
• Investor Type: Corporate Venture
• Number of Investments: 124
• Notable Investments: Stripe, Marqeta, Grab Holdings, Airwallex, DocuSign

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

You can refer to their website here.

5. Mithril Capital Management

Mithril Capital Management is a global investment firm that backs technology companies, with a focus on the finance, tech, and macroeconomics sectors. They invest across multiple stages, from seed to late-stage venture rounds.

The firm is known for backing ambitious, category-defining technology companies. Their portfolio includes data-analytics firm Palantir and Auris Health, a robotic-surgery company acquired by Johnson & Johnson for $3.4 billion.

Mithril may be a good partner if you are a founder building a business with a strong technological moat and a long-term vision. Their portfolio suggests a preference for companies tackling complex problems in sectors like data, robotics, and energy.

• Investment Stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of Focus: Banking, Finance, Financial Services, Technology
• Primary Location: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2012
• Investor Type: Venture Capital
• Number of Investments: 62
• Notable Investments: Palantir, Auris Health, Helion, BlackSky

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

You can refer to their website here.

6. Carrick Capital Partners

Carrick Capital Partners is a private equity and venture capital firm that invests in software, SaaS, and tech-enabled service companies. They provide capital to businesses that are ready to scale their operations and market presence.

The firm has a clear focus on B2B technology and a history of guiding companies to successful exits, as seen with portfolio companies like Saama Technologies and Mavenlink. Their portfolio also includes notable FinTech companies like DailyPay, an on-demand pay provider, and Exiger, a risk and compliance software company.

Carrick could be a strong partner if you are a founder of a growing SaaS or tech-enabled services company with established traction. Their experience is particularly relevant for founders seeking operational support to scale their business and plan for a strategic exit.

• Investment Stages: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity
• Industries of Focus: SaaS, FinTech, Tech-Enabled Services, Banking
• Primary Location: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2012
• Investor Type: Private Equity Firm, Venture Capital
• Notable Investments: DailyPay, Exiger

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

You can refer to their website here.

7. Brooklyn Bridge Ventures

Brooklyn Bridge Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital firm based in New York, known for being one of the first investors in its portfolio companies. While the firm is no longer making new investments, its track record provides insight into its strategy and past successes.

The firm concentrated on seed-stage investments, often providing the first institutional capital for founders with a strong presence in the New York tech community. Its portfolio includes notable companies like the financial health app Brigit and the AI-powered grocery service Hungryroot, highlighting a history of backing successful consumer and FinTech businesses.

Historically, this firm was a good match for founders at the earliest stages, particularly those building companies in New York City. Their portfolio suggests an affinity for businesses with strong consumer appeal or a clear FinTech application.

• Investment Stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of Focus: Banking, Finance, Venture Capital
• Primary Location: New York, New York
• Founded: 2012
• Investor Type: Venture Capital
• Notable Investments: Hungryroot, Brigit, Superhuman
• Status: No longer making new investments.

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

You can refer to their website here.

8. First Analysis

First Analysis is a venture capital firm that combines investing with services like equity research and investment banking. They support companies through both early and late-stage venture rounds.

A defining feature is their integrated model, which pairs venture funding with in-house equity research and investment banking expertise. Their portfolio shows a focus on technology companies in sectors like cybersecurity and healthcare, with notable investments including Fortress Information Security.

This firm is a good fit if you are a founder of a technology-driven company seeking a partner with deep analytical capabilities. Their structure is well-suited for businesses in regulated or complex industries that can benefit from their research-backed approach.

• Investment Stages: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of Focus: Technology, Cybersecurity, Healthcare, Financial Services
• Primary Location: Chicago, Illinois
• Founded: 1981
• Investor Type: Investment Bank, Venture Capital
• Notable Investments: Gradient Cyber, Dina, Fortress Information Security

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

You can refer to their website here.

9. LionTree

LionTree operates as both an investment bank and a venture capital firm, providing capital across a company's full lifecycle. They invest from seed rounds through to late-stage private equity, positioning themselves as a long-term financial partner.

A key aspect of LionTree is its dual role as both a bank and a venture investor, allowing them to support companies with advisory services alongside capital. Their portfolio is notably diverse, featuring high-growth companies like the FinTech platform Public.com, sports-merchandise giant Fanatics, and the streaming service FuboTV.

LionTree is a compelling partner for founders building businesses with strong brand and community elements, especially in media, consumer, and FinTech. Their investment banking expertise is particularly valuable for companies with ambitions for a major exit or IPO.

• Investment Stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity
• Industries of Focus: Banking, Financial Services, Media, Consumer
• Primary Location: New York, New York
• Founded: 2012
• Investor Type: Investment Bank, Venture Capital
• Notable Investments: Public.com, Fanatics, FuboTV, Oatly

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

You can refer to their website here.

10. Thursday Ventures

Thursday Ventures is a venture capital firm that funds and nurtures early-stage technology companies with the potential for global impact. They provide initial capital and support to help founders build their businesses from the ground up.

The firm invests from seed to late-stage, with a clear focus on deep tech sectors like robotics and software, alongside FinTech. Their portfolio includes notable companies like the fitness-wearable maker WHOOP and the OpenAI-backed robotics startup 1X Technologies, signaling a focus on ambitious, category-defining businesses.

Thursday Ventures could be a good partner if you are a founder building a company with a strong technological foundation and a long-term vision. Their investments show an appetite for complex challenges in both consumer and enterprise markets.

• Investment Stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of Focus: Banking, FinTech, Robotics, Software, Electric Vehicle
• Primary Location: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2017
• Investor Type: Venture Capital
• Notable Investments: WHOOP, Chronosphere, 1X Technologies, Biobot Analytics

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

You can refer to their website here.

11. Greenoaks

Greenoaks is a global investment firm that backs internet-based companies. They focus on sectors including commercial services, health technology, and B2B software.

The firm invests across a company's lifecycle, from seed to late-stage rounds. Their portfolio is distinguished by its inclusion of major public companies like Coupang, Toast, and Klaviyo, which public filings confirm, signaling a strategy of backing businesses built for massive scale.

Greenoaks is a strong potential partner if you are building a global internet business with clear market-defining potential. Their track record suggests they are well-equipped to support founders on the path to an IPO.

• Investment Stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of Focus: Banking, Finance, Financial Services, FinTech, Venture Capital
• Primary Location: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2012
• Investor Type: Venture Capital
• Number of Investments: 150
• Notable Investments: Carvana, Coupang, ServiceTitan, Toast, Klaviyo

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

You can refer to their website here.

12. William Blair

William Blair is a global investment banking and asset management firm that also operates a venture capital arm. They provide capital to companies in both early and late-stage venture rounds, focusing on sectors like banking, finance, and wealth management.

A key feature is their integrated model, which combines venture funding with investment banking services. This structure suggests they can provide strategic guidance on M&A, as demonstrated by successful exits like Avention and Managed Health Network.

William Blair could be a good fit if you are a founder of a growth-stage company with a clear path to a strategic exit. Their experience in both venture capital and investment banking is valuable for teams planning for an acquisition or major financing event.

• Investment Stages: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of Focus: Banking, Finance, Wealth Management
• Primary Location: Chicago, Illinois
• Founded: 1935
• Investor Type: Investment Bank, Venture Capital
• Notable Investments: Avention, Managed Health Network, Signal

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

You can refer to their website here.

13. Jefferies

Jefferies is a global investment bank that offers research and execution services across equity, fixed income, and foreign exchange markets. The firm operates as both a financial advisor and a direct investor, with a focus on the banking and wealth management sectors.

A defining feature is their investment portfolio, which includes major public companies like Apple and Alphabet. This indicates a focus on large, established businesses, often through public market holdings or debt financing, rather than traditional early-stage venture capital.

Jefferies is a strong potential partner for founders of mature companies exploring debt financing or preparing for a major transaction like an M&A event or an IPO. Their investment banking expertise is a significant asset for companies at this scale.

• Investment Stages: Debt
• Industries of Focus: Banking, Financial Services, Wealth Management
• Primary Location: New York, New York
• Founded: 1962
• Investor Type: Investment Bank, Venture Capital
• Notable Investments: Apple Inc., Alphabet Inc., AT&T Inc.

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

You can refer to their website here.

14. Volvo Cars Tech Fund

Volvo Cars Tech Fund is the corporate venture capital arm of Volvo Cars, making strategic investments in technology startups. The fund focuses on providing capital and global market access to innovative companies transforming the automotive industry.

A key attribute of the fund is its tight focus on technologies that can directly impact the future of the automotive sector. Their portfolio includes companies like StoreDot, a pioneer in fast-charging EV batteries, and Zūm, a platform modernizing school transportation.

This fund is an ideal partner if you are a founder developing technology with clear applications in the automotive or mobility industries. Companies that can benefit from a strategic relationship with a global car manufacturer will find their industry expertise and market access especially valuable.

• Industries of Focus: Automotive, Information Technology, Logistics, Financial Services
• Primary Location: Mountain View, California
• Founded: 1927
• Investor Type: Corporate Venture Capital
• Number of Investments: 36
• Notable Investments: StoreDot, Carwow, Varjo, Spectralics, Zūm

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for Banking Companies

This review of venture capital firms highlights a well-balanced funding environment for banking and FinTech companies. Capital is available across all stages, from firms focused on initial seed rounds to major investment banks and private equity players that can support a company through to an IPO.

The list also includes a mix of traditional venture capital, corporate venture arms, and investment banks, primarily concentrated in major US hubs like New York and San Francisco. This variety means you can find partners who offer not just capital, but also specific industry connections or strategic guidance for an exit, giving you flexibility in finding an investor that aligns with your long-term goals.

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Building a focused list of investors is one of the most effective ways to use your time during a fundraise. We hope this guide gives you a clear starting point for your outreach.

Once your round is closed, the work of managing that capital begins. If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes.

Our platform offers integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay. These tools are designed to help you deploy your new funding with confidence and control.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Banking

Which UK venture capital firms invest in FinTech?

Many UK firms, like Seedcamp and Balderton Capital, actively fund FinTech startups. They often look for companies with strong technical teams and a clear path to disrupting traditional financial services in the UK and European markets.

Are there European venture capital firms focused on banking?

Yes, firms like Atomico and Northzone are prominent European investors in the banking and FinTech sectors. They seek companies with scalable business models that can address financial challenges across different countries and regulatory environments.

What is the difference between early-stage and late-stage VC firms?

Early-stage VCs fund companies with an initial product and traction, helping them scale. Late-stage VCs provide significant capital to mature businesses for global expansion, acquisitions, or preparing for an IPO, focusing on proven market leaders.

What do FinTech-focused venture capital firms look for?

These firms prioritize startups with a strong technological advantage, a clear revenue model, and a deep understanding of financial regulations. They want to see how your solution solves a specific pain point for customers in the market.

How does corporate venture capital differ from traditional VC for FinTech startups?

Corporate VCs, like the funds from Visa or Volvo, offer strategic value, such as industry expertise and distribution channels. Traditional VCs are primarily financially motivated, though they also provide guidance and network access to their portfolio companies.

How can Rho help after I secure funding?

Once your round closes, our platform helps you manage and deploy capital with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay. Get started with Rho to organize your finances from day one.