Top 7 Venture Capital Firms Investing in Fashion Startups

When you're preparing to raise capital for your fashion or consumer brand, knowing which investors to approach is critical. The venture capital world can be complex, and finding a partner who truly understands the apparel, beauty, or retail tech space can make all the difference for your company's growth.

To help you find the right fit, our team at Rho curated this overview of the top venture capital firms active in the fashion and ecommerce sectors. Use this guide to quickly identify potential investors who align with your vision.

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 Fashion Are Right for Your Stage?

From your first seed round to a future acquisition, connecting with the right investors is crucial. We've put together a quick guide to VC firms in the fashion space, organized by their investment stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Fashion

This is the earliest funding stage, intended to help you transform an idea into a minimum viable product and gain initial traction. For founders seeking seed venture capital, firms like Bullish and Sputnik ATX focus on consumer brands, while women-led venture capital firms such as The Helm also invest at this stage.

Early Stage VC Firms in Fashion

Early-stage funding, including Series A and B, supports companies that have achieved product-market fit and are ready to scale their team and customer base. Among the many early-stage venture capital firms, our list includes consumer product specialists like M3 Ventures and Fab Co-Creation Studio Ventures.

Late Stage VC Firms in Fashion

Late-stage capital is for established companies with significant revenue, helping them prepare for large-scale growth, a potential IPO, or an acquisition. While less common for niche fashion VCs, some growth-stage firms like Founders Circle Capital invest in proven market leaders across various sectors.

It's also worth noting that some VC firms invest across all startup funding stages.

To help you find the right match, here is our breakdown of top VC firms in the fashion industry. We've included key details on their investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes each firm a strong potential partner for founders.

1. Bullish

Based in New York, Bullish is an investment firm that supports early-stage consumer brands. The firm operates as both a venture capital investor and a strategy-led brand agency.

Bullish has a clear focus on consumer-facing companies and has backed some of the most recognizable direct-to-consumer brands. Their portfolio includes Peloton, Warby Parker, and Casper, indicating a strong track record with companies that reshape traditional retail.

If you are a founder building a direct-to-consumer brand and need a partner that provides hands-on strategic guidance, Bullish could be a strong fit for your seed or early-stage round.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Consumer, Fashion, Wellness
• Geographical presence: New York, NY
• Founded year: 2010
• Notable portfolio companies: Peloton, Casper, Warby Parker, Harry’s, Birchbox

You can refer to their website here.

2. The Venture Reality Fund/VRF

Based in California, The Venture Reality Fund (VRF) invests in companies working on AI and spatial computing. Their focus is on technologies that shape our digital interactions and experiences.

VRF concentrates on early-stage and seed rounds, particularly in sectors like AI, AR/VR, and gaming. Their portfolio includes companies like Owlchemy Labs, which was acquired by Google, and Strivr, an enterprise VR training platform, as noted by Waveup.

This firm is a good match if your company is building foundational technology in immersive fields like virtual reality or AI. Founders seeking a partner with deep technical expertise in spatial computing will find VRF's approach valuable.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality, Fashion, Gaming, Virtual Reality
• Geographical presence: Burlingame, CA
• Founded year: 2016
• Notable portfolio companies: Baobab Studios, Strivr, Owlchemy Labs, Phiar Technologies
• Portfolio size: 64 investments
• Number of exits: 9

You can refer to their website here.

3. The Helm

The Helm is a New York-based venture firm that invests in early-stage companies founded by women. They operate with a clear mission to support female leadership through their fund and an active investor membership community.

The firm’s portfolio shows a broad interest in ambitious companies across sectors, from health tech to consumer brands. Notable successes include the women's razor company Billie, which was acquired for approximately $310 million, and the fast-growing women's health clinic, Tia.

If you are a woman founder building a high-growth company and seeking seed or early-stage funding, The Helm is a strong potential partner. Their focus on backing visionary founders makes them a compelling choice for those who value a community-driven approach.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Communities, Fashion, Finance, Financial Services, Lifestyle
• Geographical presence: New York, NY
• Founded year: 2016
• Notable portfolio companies: Tia, Billie, Venus Aerospace, Rebellyous Foods
• Portfolio size: 31 investments
• Number of exits: 1

You can refer to their website here.

4. M3 Ventures

M3 Ventures is a New York-based firm that serves as a strategic partner for founders in the fashion, lifestyle, and wellness industries. They invest across seed, early-stage, and private equity rounds, providing both capital and hands-on support.

The firm has a strong record of backing high-growth consumer companies, including the tech-enabled health clinic Forward and soonicorns like Cotopaxi. Their portfolio also includes successful exits such as the maternity fashion brand HATCH Collection, as noted by Tracxn.

If you are a founder building a consumer brand and looking for an active partner for your seed or early-stage round, M3 Ventures may be a good fit. Their portfolio indicates a focus on companies with strong brand identity and significant growth potential.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Private Equity
• Industries of focus: Fashion, Lifestyle, Wellness
• Geographical presence: New York, NY
• Founded year: 2015
• Notable portfolio companies: Forward, Cotopaxi, Foxtrot, HATCH Collection
• Portfolio size: 39 investments
• Number of exits: 6

You can refer to their website here.

5. Founders Circle Capital

Founders Circle Capital is a San Francisco-based firm that provides growth-stage capital to technology companies. With a philosophy centered on "investing in people," they partner with founders of established businesses to help them scale.

The firm has a strong track record of backing market-leading companies that have achieved significant scale, including DoorDash, Robinhood, and VMware. Their portfolio highlights a focus on proven businesses that are preparing for major outcomes like an IPO or a large acquisition.

This firm is an excellent match for founders of well-established companies with substantial revenue and market traction. If you are leading a late-stage company and seeking capital to fuel large-scale growth, Founders Circle Capital has the experience to support that journey.

• Investment stages: Late Stage Venture, Seed, Venture
• Industries of focus: Education, Fashion, Finance, Financial Services, Venture Capital
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, CA
• Founded year: 2012
• Notable portfolio companies: DoorDash, Robinhood, VMware, Ethos, MaintainX
• Portfolio size: 53 investments
• Number of exits: 28

You can refer to their website here.

6. Sputnik ATX

Sputnik ATX is an Austin-based venture capital fund and startup accelerator. They focus on funding "maker-founders"—entrepreneurs who are actively building their products.

The firm combines capital with a hands-on accelerator program, supporting companies across a wide range of industries, including fashion, beauty, and enterprise tech. Their portfolio includes the vegan cosmetics brand LAMIK and the AI-powered freight platform Kargoplex.

Sputnik ATX is a great fit if you are an early-stage founder who builds things and would benefit from a structured accelerator environment. Their broad industry focus makes them accessible to many types of startups.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Beauty, Fashion, Retail, Enterprise, Social, Gaming
• Geographical presence: Austin, TX
• Founded year: 2017
• Notable portfolio companies: LAMIK, Kargoplex, Cognitive View, Lodgeur
• Portfolio size: 116 investments
• Number of exits: 2

You can refer to their website here.

7. Fab Co-Creation Studio Ventures

Fab Co-Creation Studio Ventures is a Los Angeles-based firm that invests in conscious beauty and fashion brands. They also support companies building new commerce platforms and retail technology.

The firm’s "co-creation" model points to a hands-on, collaborative approach with founders. Their portfolio shows a clear focus on sustainability and innovation, backing companies like Kintra Fibers, a bio-based polyester alternative, and SuperCircle, a textile-recycling platform.

This firm is a strong potential partner if you are an early-stage founder in the conscious consumer goods space. They are a good match for entrepreneurs who value a collaborative investor relationship and are building a sustainable or tech-forward brand.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Venture
• Industries of focus: Beauty, Fashion, Retail Technology, Impact Investing
• Geographical presence: Los Angeles, CA
• Founded year: 2020
• Notable portfolio companies: Kintra Fibers, SuperCircle, DAMDAM Tokyo, Trendio
• Portfolio size: 25 investments

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for Fashion Companies

Our list shows that investor interest in fashion and consumer brands is particularly strong at the seed and early stages. This indicates a healthy environment for new companies seeking their first institutional capital. For founders, this means there are numerous potential partners ready to back a compelling vision and help build a company from the ground up.

The firms also show significant variety. While major hubs like New York and California are well-represented, investors are also active in other regions like Texas. You'll find everything from consumer-focused specialists and tech-centric funds to accelerators and mission-driven firms. This diversity gives you more options to find a partner whose expertise and approach truly align with your company's goals.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Fundraising requires significant time and focus, making a targeted list of investors invaluable. Our guide is designed to help you connect with the right partners for your fashion or consumer brand more efficiently.

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 provides the essential tools for growth, from business banking to corporate cards and automated bill pay. We give you the financial infrastructure to manage your new capital with confidence.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Fashion

What are the top fashion venture capital firms in London?

London is a key hub for fashion investment. Firms like Felix Capital and Balderton Capital are active in the consumer and fashion sectors, often backing brands with a strong European presence and global potential.

What are some top fashion tech venture capital firms?

Firms specializing in fashion tech focus on innovations in retail, materials, and ecommerce. Look for investors like The Venture Reality Fund or Fab Co-Creation Studio Ventures, who back companies building new technologies for the industry.

How do I find seed venture capital firms for my apparel brand?

Start by researching firms that explicitly list "consumer" or "apparel" in their investment thesis. Industry databases, networking events, and introductions from founders who have previously raised seed rounds are all effective approaches.

What defines a boutique venture capital firm in the consumer space?

Boutique VCs are smaller, specialized firms offering deep industry expertise and a hands-on approach. They often focus on a specific niche, like sustainable fashion or beauty, providing more targeted support than larger, generalist funds.

Which US cities are hubs for consumer product venture capital firms?

Key hubs for consumer VCs include New York City, for its connection to retail and media, and Los Angeles, known for lifestyle and wellness brands. San Francisco and Austin also have strong, growing consumer investment communities.

How can Rho help after I secure funding?

Once your round closes, Rho helps you manage your new capital. Our platform provides integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated payments, giving you the financial tools to scale your company with confidence.