Top 13 Venture Capital Firms for Education Startups

For founders in the Education and EdTech sectors, understanding which investors are active in your space is a critical part of preparing to raise capital. Knowing who to approach helps you focus your efforts and connect with partners who appreciate your company's vision.

To help, our team at Rho curated this overview of top venture capital firms investing in Education. Use this guide to quickly identify relevant investors who can support your growth, whether you're raising a pre-seed, seed, or later round.

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 Education Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether your company is in its early stages or preparing for an exit, knowing the right investors to approach is key. This is a quick overview of which VC firms in the Education sector invest at each stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Education

Pre-seed and seed rounds are typically the first capital you'll raise to validate your idea and build an initial product. For education startups at this stage, seed stage venture capital firms like the Bay Area's Pear VC, Boston-based LearnLaunch Fund + Accelerator, and NYC's BBG Ventures are excellent potential partners.

Early Stage VC Firms in Education

Early-stage funding, which includes Series A and B rounds, helps you scale your team and accelerate customer acquisition once you have product-market fit. Prominent early-stage VC firms in the education sector include the well-known edtech investor GSV Ventures, along with TMV and Village Capital.

Late Stage VC Firms in Education

Late-stage venture capital is for established companies looking for growth capital to expand significantly, prepare for an IPO, or consider an acquisition. If you're approaching this phase, you might connect with growth stage venture capital firms such as ARK Invest or Acumen, which support companies through these later milestones.

It's also worth noting that some VC firms invest across all startup funding stages, from seed to exit.

Below, we've detailed some of the top VC firms that invest in education companies. You'll find information on their preferred investment stages, locations, and specific qualities that might make them a good fit for your startup.

1. Pear VC

Based in Menlo Park, Pear VC is an early-stage firm that partners with technology companies from their pre-seed and seed rounds. They have been investing since 2013, focusing on helping founders build their businesses from the ground up.

The firm has a strong record of backing companies that achieve major success, including DoorDash and Guardant Health. This history shows their ability to identify promising ideas early and support them through significant growth stages like IPOs and acquisitions.

Pear VC could be a strong partner if you are a founder at the earliest stages of building your company. Their focus on pre-seed and seed rounds suggests they are comfortable with the initial risks of a new venture and provide hands-on support.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, seed, and early-stage

• Industries of focus: Education, Financial Services, Technology

• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California

• Founded: 2013

• Notable portfolio companies: DoorDash, Guardant Health, Credible Labs

• Number of investments: Over 400

You can refer to their website here.

2. Village Capital

Based in Washington, D.C., Village Capital supports entrepreneurs who are building inclusive and sustainable businesses. Since 2009, they have focused on companies that create positive social and environmental impact.

The firm operates as a venture capital investor, accelerator, and entrepreneurship program, signaling a hands-on approach to support. Their portfolio includes promising companies like mPokket and MPOWER Financing, both on track to reach unicorn status.

Village Capital is a great fit for early-stage founders in sectors like EdTech and FinTech whose companies have a clear social mission. If you value community and operational guidance alongside funding, they could be an ideal partner.

• Investment stages: Seed, convertible note, debt, early-stage venture, private equity

• Industries of focus: Education, EdTech, FinTech, Financial Services, Agriculture

• Geographical presence: Washington, D.C.

• Founded: 2009

• Notable portfolio companies: mPokket, MPOWER Financing, Neighborly

• Number of investments: Over 360

• Number of exits: 28

You can refer to their website here.

3. J-Ventures

J-Ventures is a Palo Alto-based venture capital fund that has been active since 2016. The firm invests across a company's lifecycle, from seed rounds to early and late-stage venture funding.

The firm invests across a wide range of industries, including Education, FinTech, and Medical. Their portfolio includes several highly successful companies like Ramp and Ro, demonstrating a track record of backing businesses that reach unicorn status.

J-Ventures could be a good match if you are a founder in one of their focus industries seeking a partner for multiple funding stages. Their history with high-growth companies suggests they are well-suited for teams with significant scaling ambitions.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture

• Industries of focus: Education, FinTech, Medical, Construction, Marketing, Retail, Web Development

• Geographical presence: Palo Alto, California

• Founded: 2016

• Notable portfolio companies: Ramp, Ro, DataRobot, PlayStudios, Yotpo

• Number of investments: 56

• Number of exits: 7

You can refer to their website here.

4. TMV

TMV is a New York-based, early-stage investment firm founded in 2016. They concentrate on companies building for "the future of living well," supporting them from seed rounds onward.

The firm has a strong track record in backing mission-driven companies, with notable exits including the IPOs of Casper Sleep and FIGS. Their portfolio also includes ClassTag, a communication platform for schools that was successfully acquired.

TMV could be a great partner if your company has a clear purpose related to well-being, especially in sectors like EdTech or Health Care. Their founder-focused approach is well-suited for teams that value a mission-aligned investor.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Secondary Market

• Industries of focus: Education, FinTech, Health Care, Transportation

• Geographical presence: New York, New York

• Founded: 2016

• Notable portfolio companies: Cityblock Health, Casper Sleep, FIGS, ClassTag

• Number of investments: 66

• Number of exits: 8

You can refer to their website here.

5. GSV Ventures

GSV Ventures is a San Francisco-based firm that invests exclusively in the global education technology sector. Founded in 2016, they support companies across all funding stages, from seed to late-stage venture rounds.

The firm has a clear track record of backing market-defining companies that achieve significant scale, including the online learning platform Coursera and the global talent marketplace Andela. Their portfolio also features several unicorns like Apna and Physics Wallah, signaling a focus on high-growth businesses.

GSV Ventures is a strong potential partner if you are an EdTech founder with global ambitions and a highly scalable business model. Their deep industry focus makes them well-suited for companies aiming to become leaders in digital learning or workforce development.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture

• Industries of focus: EdTech, Education, Big Data, STEM Education

• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California

• Founded: 2016

• Notable portfolio companies: Coursera, Andela, Apna, Nearpod, Physics Wallah

• Number of investments: 148

• Number of exits: 25

You can refer to their website here.

6. devlabs

Based in Oakland, devlabs is a venture capital firm that has been backing early-stage companies since 2013. They focus on teams tackling major challenges in large markets, including education, finance, and health care.

The firm supports companies from their earliest stages, including seed and convertible note rounds. Their portfolio features notable successes like the fintech unicorn Kushki, showing their ability to back companies through significant growth, particularly in Latin America.

devlabs could be a good fit if you are an early-stage founder in sectors like EdTech or FinTech with a focus on solving large-scale problems. Their experience in markets like Latin America makes them a particularly relevant partner for companies with similar geographic ambitions.

• Investment stages: Seed, convertible note, early-stage venture

• Industries of focus: Education, Finance, Agriculture, Health Care, Tourism

• Geographical presence: Oakland, California

• Founded: 2013

• Notable portfolio companies: Kushki, Colektia, Radar Treasury

• Number of investments: 34

• Number of exits: 2

You can refer to their website here.

7. ARK Investment Management

ARK Investment Management is a New York-based firm that has been investing since 2014, operating as both a venture capital and private equity investor. They are known for a thematic investment strategy that focuses on specific areas of technological innovation.

The firm invests across the entire company lifecycle, from seed rounds to post-IPO, with a focus on sectors like Education and FinTech. Their portfolio includes major private and public tech companies like SpaceX, OpenAI, and Coinbase, showing a focus on high-growth, market-defining businesses.

ARK could be a strong partner if your company is built around a significant technological innovation with the potential for massive scale. Founders who value a research-heavy, long-term perspective on market trends may find their approach to be a good fit.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, late-stage, and post-IPO

• Industries of focus: Education, Finance, FinTech, Impact Investing

• Geographical presence: New York, New York

• Founded: 2014

• Notable portfolio companies: SpaceX, OpenAI, Anthropic, Epic Games, Coinbase

• Number of investments: 34

• Number of exits: 17

You can refer to their website here.

8. Acumen

Acumen is a New York-based non-profit venture fund that has been investing since 2001. They take an entrepreneurial approach to address the challenges of global poverty across multiple sectors.

The firm focuses on companies creating social impact, with notable investments in financial inclusion like Esusu and EarnUp. Their portfolio shows a clear commitment to backing businesses that serve low-income communities.

Acumen is an excellent match for founders whose core mission is to solve problems related to poverty. If your company operates in sectors like education or financial services with a focus on underserved populations, their model offers aligned support.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture

• Industries of focus: Education, Financial Services, Agriculture, Clean Energy, Non Profit

• Geographical presence: New York, New York

• Founded: 2001

• Notable portfolio companies: Esusu, EarnUp, Ema, Level

• Number of investments: 142

• Number of exits: 4

You can refer to their website here.

9. 7wire Ventures

Based in Chicago, 7wire Ventures is a venture capital firm that has been active since 2011. They support companies from seed to late-stage venture rounds, with a clear focus on the digital health sector.

The firm concentrates on companies improving healthcare through technology, particularly in digital and mobile health. Their portfolio includes major successes like Livongo, which had a landmark exit, and Transcarent, a platform they helped build.

7wire Ventures is a strong fit for founders building technology-driven solutions in health care, especially those with a digital or mobile component. Their track record with high-growth companies suggests they are well-equipped to support teams aiming for significant market impact.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture

• Industries of focus: Health Care, mHealth, Education

• Geographical presence: Chicago, Illinois

• Founded: 2011

• Notable portfolio companies: Livongo, Transcarent, PayZen

• Number of investments: 72

• Number of exits: 6

You can refer to their website here.

10. BBG Ventures

BBG Ventures is a New York-based, early-stage fund that has been investing since 2014. They focus on backing female founders with ambitious ideas that aim to reshape daily life.

The firm's clear commitment to backing women-led companies is a defining feature of their investment strategy. Their portfolio includes major consumer brands like the mental health unicorn Spring Health and the education company KiwiCo.

BBG Ventures is an ideal partner for female founders, particularly those building companies in consumer-facing sectors like education, health, and e-commerce. If you are seeking an investor who is deeply committed to supporting women-led ventures, they are a great fit.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture

• Industries of focus: Education, Health Care, Consumer, Women-focused businesses

• Geographical presence: New York, New York

• Founded: 2014

• Notable portfolio companies: Spring Health, Zola, The Mom Project, KiwiCo

• Number of investments: 117

• Number of exits: 14

You can refer to their website here.

11. LearnLaunch Fund + Accelerator

Based in Boston, LearnLaunch Fund + Accelerator has supported entrepreneurs working to transform education since 2013. The firm operates as both a venture capital investor and an accelerator, signaling a hands-on approach to building companies.

A key characteristic is their exclusive focus on the education market, from early childhood platforms like Kaymbu to workforce training providers like Stack Education. Their accelerator model provides founders with structured mentorship and resources beyond just capital.

LearnLaunch is a strong match for early-stage founders building EdTech solutions who value intensive support alongside their funding. If your company has a mission to improve learning and could benefit from an accelerator, they are an excellent potential partner.

• Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture

• Industries of focus: EdTech, E-Learning, Corporate Training, Higher & Secondary Education

• Geographical presence: Boston, Massachusetts

• Founded: 2013

• Notable portfolio companies: Kaymbu, Entri, Robo Wunderkind, Stack Education

• Number of investments: 90

• Number of exits: 12

You can refer to their website here.

12. VilCap Investments

VilCap Investments is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm founded in 2014. It provides critical risk capital to early-stage companies that are peer-selected from Village Capital's accelerator programs.

A key feature of their model is this peer-selection process, which signals a strong belief in founder communities. The firm has a track record of successful exits, including the acquisitions of financial wellness platform Vault and warranty provider Upsie Technology, demonstrating their ability to guide companies toward successful outcomes.

VilCap Investments is a great fit for founders in sectors like Education and FinTech who have graduated from a Village Capital accelerator. Their approach is well-suited for teams who value a community-driven endorsement and seek a partner with a history of guiding companies to acquisition.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Private Equity, Debt

• Industries of focus: Education, Finance, Health Care, Agriculture, Clean Energy

• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California

• Founded: 2014

• Notable portfolio companies: Vault, Upsie Technology, Billpocket, Kuli Kuli

• Number of investments: 85

• Number of exits: 17

You can refer to their website here.

13. TechRise Chicago

TechRise Chicago is a venture capital firm and startup competition that has been operating since 2021. It functions as a multi-stakeholder initiative with a clear mission to provide capital and resources to underserved entrepreneurs.

The firm's defining characteristic is its dedicated support for Black and Latinx tech founders. By offering grants alongside seed and early-stage venture funding, TechRise provides flexible capital to help new companies get established.

TechRise is an ideal partner for Black or Latinx founders building companies across a wide range of industries, including education and finance. Their model is well-suited for entrepreneurs who value a strong community and support system in addition to funding.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Grant

• Industries of focus: Education, Finance, Medical, Construction, and more

• Geographical presence: Chicago, Illinois

• Founded: 2021

• Founder focus: Black and Latinx tech founders

• Number of investments: 139

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for Education Companies

This overview of venture capital firms shows a healthy and varied funding picture for companies in the education sector. A clear trend is the strong support available at the early stages. Many firms on our list focus on pre-seed and seed rounds, which is good news if you are just starting to build your company and seek initial capital.

Geographically, investors are concentrated in major US tech hubs like the Bay Area, New York, and Chicago. You'll also find a mix of investor types, from dedicated EdTech specialists to impact-focused funds and generalist VCs. This variety gives you multiple avenues to explore when seeking a partner whose goals align with your own.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Having a focused list of relevant investors is a major advantage when fundraising. It allows you to direct your limited time and energy toward the firms most likely to understand your vision.

Once you've secured your funding, the next step is managing it well. Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes.

Our platform assists in managing newly raised capital efficiently. We offer solutions like business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay, all built for startups.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Education

Are there many edtech venture capital firms in the UK and Europe?

Yes, the UK and Europe have a growing ecosystem of investors focused on education technology. Many firms specialize in backing early-stage EdTech companies, providing capital and support for founders looking to expand in the region and beyond.

Which seed stage venture capital firms invest in education?

Our list includes Pear VC, LearnLaunch, and BBG Ventures, who are active seed stage investors. To find others, research which VCs backed education companies you admire at their earliest stages, as this often reveals their investment focus.

What do education technology investors look for?

Investors typically seek a strong founding team with relevant experience, a large addressable market, and a scalable business model. Evidence of early traction, such as initial revenue or strong user engagement, is also very important for them.

How are private equity and venture capital firms different?

Venture capital firms invest in early-stage, high-growth startups for minority stakes. Private equity firms usually acquire majority control of more mature companies, often using debt and focusing on operational improvements to increase value before an exit.

What should I look for in Bay Area venture capital firms?

When evaluating Bay Area firms, look beyond capital. Consider their network, specific experience in the education sector, and their track record with companies at your stage. The right partner provides valuable guidance and connections for growth.

How can Rho help after I raise from a venture capital firm?

Once you secure funding, our platform helps you manage it. With Rho, you get banking, corporate cards, and AP automation in one place, designed for founders to scale their business efficiently and with confidence.