Top 14 Venture Capital Firms Investing in Machine Learning Startups
Seeking funding for your machine learning startup? We've identified 14 top VC firms. After you close your round, Rho helps you manage the capital.
Rho Editorial Team
For founders building in the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning space, understanding which venture capital firms are actively investing is a critical step when preparing to raise capital. Knowing the relevant investors—from pre-seed to late-stage VC firms—helps you focus your efforts and connect with partners who truly understand your business.
To help you get started, our team has curated this overview of top VC firms investing in Machine Learning. This guide is designed to give you a quick summary of active investors so you can spend less time researching and more time building.
Rho provides access to business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay — built for startup teams moving fast.
Key Takeaways
Securing venture funding provides Machine Learning startups with the capital to scale operations, develop technology, and grow their teams.
Firms like Wing Venture Capital, LDV Capital, Amino Capital, and Flying Fish Partners are notable backers of businesses in the Machine Learning space.
If you are raising or have just closed a round, Rho helps you manage your capital with fast business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay.
Which VC Firms in Machine Learning Are Right for Your Stage?
Whether you're an early-stage company or further along in your growth, knowing which investors to approach is crucial. Here is a quick overview of VC firms that invest in Machine Learning companies at different stages.
Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Machine Learning
Pre-seed and seed funding is the earliest capital you'll raise, designed to help you validate your idea and build an initial product. For founders in the AI space, some notable seed stage VC firms include Bee Partners, which writes first checks for deep tech, and Differential Ventures, a seed-stage fund for data-oriented solutions.
Early Stage VC Firms in Machine Learning
Early-stage funding, typically Series A and B, provides the capital to scale your team, achieve product-market fit, and accelerate growth. Among the many early-stage venture capital firms, Flying Fish Partners focuses on applied AI, while New York-based Bloomberg Beta is another active fund for AI-focused startups. You might also consider SignalRank, which uses algorithms to find high-potential Series B companies.
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 Machine Learning
Late-stage funding is for established companies looking to expand into new markets, make acquisitions, or prepare for an IPO. While many firms are multi-stage, some technology venture capital firms with a strong track record in later rounds include Wing Venture Capital and Amplify Partners.
Keep in mind that many venture capital firms invest across all startup funding stages, from seed to exit.
To help you identify the right partners, we've compiled an overview of leading VC firms in the Machine Learning space. The following list includes key details on their preferred investment stages, locations, and what makes each firm a potential fit for founders.
1. Wing Venture Capital
Based in Palo Alto, Wing Venture Capital is a firm that backs technology-driven businesses from their earliest stages. Founded in 2013, they have a history of investing in companies that go on to define new markets, with a particular focus on B2B technology.
The firm shows a clear interest in AI, Machine Learning, and financial services, and their portfolio highlights a pattern of building companies for long-term value. Notable exits include Opower (IPO) and acquisitions by major tech companies like Oracle, Miro, and Confluent.
Wing Venture Capital could be a strong partner for founders of early-stage B2B tech startups, especially those building foundational AI or data-centric platforms. Their track record suggests they are a good fit for teams with ambitions for a major exit through an IPO or acquisition.
Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
Industries of focus: Machine Learning, financial services, business development
Geographical presence: Palo Alto, California
Founded: 2013
Notable investments: Algorand, Opower (IPO), Palerra (acquired by Oracle), Noteable (acquired by Confluent)
Portfolio size: Over 190 investments
Exits: More than 25 successful exits
You can refer to their website here.
2. LDV Capital
Based in New York, LDV Capital invests in deep technical teams building businesses around the analysis of visual data. Since its founding in 2012, the firm has focused on companies that use computer vision, machine learning, and AI to create value.
The firm’s portfolio shows a clear preference for companies with strong technical foundations, such as the generative-AI video platform Synthesia. LDV Capital has a history of backing businesses that achieve high-profile exits, including Mapillary’s acquisition by Meta and Unsplash’s acquisition by Getty Images.
This firm is an ideal partner for founders with deep expertise in computer vision or AI who are building products that interpret visual information. If your startup is focused on solving problems through visual data analysis, LDV Capital’s specialized approach could be a great fit.
Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Logistics, Agriculture
Geographical presence: New York, New York
Founded: 2012
Notable investments: Synthesia, Clarifai, Ezra (acquired by Function Health), Mapillary (acquired by Meta)
Portfolio size: 55 investments
Exits: 10 successful exits
You can refer to their website here.
3. Amino Capital
Based in Palo Alto, Amino Capital is a venture firm founded in 2012 that backs companies from the seed and early stages. The firm has been recognized by Forbes as a Midas Seed Lister and a top AI trendsetter, signaling its influence in the early-stage ecosystem.
Amino Capital shows a clear focus on AI, enterprise software, and SaaS, with a portfolio that includes unicorns like Chime, Webflow, and Rippling. This pattern of backing highly successful companies suggests they look for businesses with the potential for significant growth and market leadership.
This firm could be a strong partner for founders building data-centric businesses, especially in AI and enterprise software. If you are an early-stage team with a clear path to scaling, Amino Capital’s experience with high-growth companies may be a good fit.
Investment stages: Early-stage venture, seed
Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise Software, Generative AI, Machine Learning, SaaS
Geographical presence: Palo Alto, California
Founded: 2012
Notable investments: Chime, Webflow, Rippling, GRAIL, Replit
Portfolio size: 164 investments
Exits: 21
You can refer to their website here.
4. Flying Fish Partners
Based in Seattle, Flying Fish Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in startups building applied AI and Machine Learning solutions. They back companies creating both AI/ML-powered products and the underlying tools and infrastructure that support them.
The firm's portfolio shows a clear pattern of backing companies that are acquired by large, established tech players. Exits like the acquisition of Streem by Frontdoor and Reclaim.ai by Dropbox highlight their success in building businesses for strategic acquisitions.
Flying Fish could be a great match if you are an early-stage founder building an applied AI company with a clear path to a strategic acquisition. Their focus on supporting tools and infrastructure also makes them a good fit for teams creating foundational technologies for the AI ecosystem.
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.
Investment stages: Seed, early-stage venture, convertible note
Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning
Geographical presence: Seattle, Washington
Founded: 2016
Notable investments: Streem (acquired by Frontdoor), Reclaim.ai (acquired by Dropbox), Picnic Works
Portfolio size: 62 investments
Exits: 5
You can refer to their website here.
5. FUSE
FUSE is a Seattle-based venture capital firm that backs early-stage software companies. Founded in 2020, the firm invests from seed to early-stage rounds with a focus on businesses in AI and Machine Learning.
The firm’s strength lies in its network of experienced founders and operators from major tech successes like Auth0 (acquired by Okta) and Apptio (acquired by IBM). This community-driven approach suggests a focus on providing practical guidance from people who have built and scaled companies before.
FUSE could be an excellent partner for early-stage software founders, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, who are looking for more than just capital. If you value guidance from a team with a proven track record of building billion-dollar companies, their operator-led model is a clear advantage.
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.
Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Software
Geographical presence: Seattle, Washington
Founded: 2020
Notable investments: Carbon Robotics, Icertis, Auth0, Apptio, Smartsheet
Portfolio size: 47 investments
Exits: 1
You can refer to their website here.
6. SignalRank
SignalRank is a Palo Alto-based firm founded in 2021 with a distinct, data-driven investment model. They use proprietary algorithms to index early-stage companies and identify the most promising opportunities for Series B rounds.
Their approach is centered on quantitative analysis rather than traditional sourcing, allowing them to find high-potential companies based on performance metrics. This is reflected in their portfolio, which includes major successes like UiPath and the acquired collaboration tool, Around.
This firm is a good match for founders whose companies are already showing strong, measurable traction and are approaching the Series B stage. If your business has clear signals of high growth, you are likely the type of company their algorithms are designed to find.
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.
Investment stages: Early-stage venture
Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, FinTech, Software
Geographical presence: Palo Alto, California
Founded: 2021
Notable investments: UiPath (IPO), InFarm, Around (acquired by Miro), Miles
Portfolio size: 22 investments
You can refer to their website here.
7. Heavybit
Heavybit is a San Francisco-based venture firm that has been investing since 2013. They are known as a leading investor for "dev-first" companies, focusing on startups that build tools and platforms for software developers.
The firm’s approach is centered on helping technical founders build breakout companies. Their portfolio highlights this focus, featuring developer-centric unicorns like Snyk, LaunchDarkly, and PagerDuty, which underscores their track record in the space.
Heavybit is an ideal partner for founders with deep technical backgrounds who are creating products for other developers. If you're building developer APIs, cloud infrastructure, or other foundational software, their specialized program and community are a significant advantage.
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.
Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
Industries of focus: Developer APIs, Cloud Infrastructure, AI/ML, Enterprise Software
Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
Founded: 2013
Notable investments: PagerDuty (IPO), Snyk, LaunchDarkly, CircleCI, Netlify
Portfolio size: 96 investments
Exits: 21
You can refer to their website here.
8. Bee Partners
Based in San Francisco, Bee Partners has been writing first checks for pre-seed deeptech companies since 2009. They focus on founders building in AI, robotics, and industrial automation.
The firm is known for leading pre-seed rounds and backing founders at the very beginning of their journey. Their portfolio includes major exits like BuildingConnected (acquired by Autodesk), signaling their ability to spot high-potential companies early.
Bee Partners is a strong match for technical founders with a deeptech vision who need a lead investor for their pre-seed round. If you're building a business in robotics or applied AI, their specialized expertise is a clear advantage.
Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
Industries of focus: AI, Machine Learning, Robotics, Automation, Manufacturing
Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
Founded: 2009
Notable investments: BuildingConnected (acquired by Autodesk), TubeMogul (acquired by Adobe), Indiegogo
Portfolio size: 127 investments
Exits: 17
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. ff Venture Capital
Based in New York, ff Venture Capital is a technology venture firm that has been investing since 2008. They back companies across a range of sectors, including AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and cloud software.
The firm invests across multiple stages, from seed to late-stage rounds, and has built a large portfolio of over 370 companies. Their track record includes high-profile exits like the acquisition of CyberX by Microsoft and the IPO of Owlet, showing their ability to support companies toward major outcomes.
This firm is a strong potential partner for founders building in AI, cybersecurity, or enterprise software, particularly those on the East Coast. Because they invest across the full company lifecycle, they can be a fit for teams at the earliest stages as well as those raising later growth rounds.
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.
Investment stages: Seed, early-stage venture, late-stage venture, debt
Industries of focus: AI, Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Cloud Software
Geographical presence: New York, New York
Founded: 2008
Notable investments: Socure, Owlet (IPO), Plated (acquired by Albertsons), CyberX (acquired by Microsoft)
Portfolio size: Over 370 investments
Exits: 36
You can refer to their website here.
10. Bloomberg Beta
Backed by Bloomberg, Bloomberg Beta is an early-stage venture fund based in San Francisco. The firm invests in startups focused on machine learning and shaping the future of work.
The firm has a clear focus on the future of work and has backed several unicorn companies, including developer-tools leaders Netlify and Replit. Their connection to Bloomberg provides a unique advantage for portfolio companies.
Bloomberg Beta is a great potential partner for early-stage founders building companies centered on machine learning or the future of work. Teams creating developer-focused tools or platforms may find their experience particularly relevant.
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.
Investment stages: Seed, early-stage venture
Industries of focus: Machine Learning, future of work, financial services
Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
Founded: 2013
Notable investments: Netlify, Replit, MasterClass, Chef Robotics, Enveil
Portfolio size: 306 investments
Exits: 43
You can refer to their website here.
11. Walden Catalyst
Walden Catalyst is a San Francisco-based firm that provides early-stage capital to companies in deep tech, AI, and data. They combine investment with operational expertise, focusing on technically complex businesses from the seed stage onward.
The firm has a history of backing foundational technology companies that achieve significant outcomes, including an early investment in Zoom and backing Nuvia, which had a successful exit through its acquisition by Qualcomm. This pattern highlights a focus on businesses with the potential for major acquisitions or IPOs, particularly in the semiconductor and AI infrastructure spaces.
Walden Catalyst is a strong fit for founders with deep technical expertise building businesses in AI, data, or digital biology. If you are building a company with a clear path to becoming a market-defining platform and are aiming for a large-scale exit, their experience could be highly valuable.
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.
Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
Industries of focus: Deep tech, AI, data, cloud, digital biology
Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
Founded: 2021
Notable investments: Zoom, Nuvia (acquired by Qualcomm), Habana Labs (acquired by Intel), IonQ (IPO), AI21 Labs
Portfolio size: 24 investments
You can refer to their website here.
12. 2048 Ventures
Based in New York, 2048 Ventures is a thesis-driven firm that backs early-stage companies. Founded in 2019, they focus on pre-seed and seed stage startups in sectors like AI, robotics, and B2B software.
The firm shows a clear preference for backing founders building technically complex businesses. Their portfolio includes the drone startup Aerodome, which was acquired by Flock Safety for over $300 million, and other companies like GlossGenius and Nomic Bio that have raised significant follow-on funding.
2048 Ventures is a strong fit for early-stage founders with a clear, thesis-driven approach to solving hard problems. If you are building a company in AI, health care, or robotics and are looking for a partner from the very beginning, their model could be a good match.
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.
Investment stages: Seed, early-stage venture
Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), B2B, Biotechnology, Health Care, Machine Learning, Robotics, SaaS
Geographical presence: New York, New York
Founded: 2019
Notable investments: Aerodome (acquired by Flock Safety), GlossGenius, Soona, Nomic Bio, Vitally
Portfolio size: 136 investments
Exits: 2
You can refer to their website here.
13. Differential Ventures
Based in New York, Differential Ventures is a seed-stage fund that invests in B2B companies building data-oriented technology solutions. Since its founding in 2017, the firm has focused on businesses in AI, big data, and cybersecurity.
The firm’s portfolio highlights a pattern of backing companies that achieve high-profile exits, such as the acquisition of data analytics startup Seek AI by IBM. Another notable exit, the purchase of DeepSurface by AttackIQ, reinforces their focus on building for strategic value.
Differential Ventures is a strong match for early-stage founders with deep technical expertise in data science or AI. If you are building a B2B solution with a clear path to a strategic acquisition, their seed-stage focus could be a great fit.
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.
Investment stages: Seed, early-stage venture, grant
Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Cyber Security, FinTech, Machine Learning
Geographical presence: New York, New York
Founded: 2017
Notable investments: Seek AI (acquired by IBM), DeepSurface (acquired by AttackIQ), Agnostiq (acquired)
Portfolio size: 41 investments
Exits: 5
You can refer to their website here.
14. Amplify Partners
Amplify Partners is a Menlo Park-based firm that has been backing technical founders since 2012. They focus on early-stage companies building foundational technology in areas like developer tools, AI, and Machine Learning.
The firm has a strong track record of investing in infrastructure and developer-focused companies that achieve major exits. Their early investment in Datadog grew into a major public company, while other portfolio companies like Buddybuild were acquired by Apple.
Amplify Partners is an excellent fit for technical founders creating tools and platforms for other developers. If you are building a business with the potential to become a core part of the technology stack, their expertise is highly relevant.
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.
Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, late-stage venture, post-IPO
Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, developer tools
Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
Founded: 2012
Notable investments: Datadog (IPO), Buddybuild (acquired by Apple), Cask Data (acquired by Google)
Portfolio size: 228 investments
Exits: 34
You can refer to their website here.
What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for Machine Learning Companies
This overview shows that the venture capital support for Machine Learning companies is both broad and deep. There is a healthy mix of investors funding across all stages, but with a notable concentration of firms focused on pre-seed, seed, and early-stage rounds. This is a positive signal for founders seeking their first institutional capital.
Geographically, investors are clustered in major technology centers like the San Francisco Bay Area and New York. While not a requirement, this suggests that building a presence or network in these areas can be beneficial when you begin fundraising. Many firms also have a specific focus, from developer tools to visual data analysis, so finding an investor whose expertise aligns with your market is a key consideration.
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
Having a focused list of relevant investors is a significant advantage when fundraising. It allows you to direct your limited time and energy toward the partners most likely to understand your company.
If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes. Our platform provides integrated business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay to help you manage your new capital efficiently.
FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Machine Learning
Are there European venture capital firms investing in AI?
Yes, Europe has a growing number of VCs focused on AI. Firms in hubs like London, Berlin, and Paris are actively funding machine learning startups, often looking for deep tech innovation and strong technical teams across the continent.
Which Asian VC firms specialize in AI?
Many Asian VCs are investing heavily in AI. Look to firms in Singapore, India, and China, which are backing companies in areas from enterprise software to robotics. These investors often seek businesses with strong regional market potential.
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.
What do pre-seed VC firms look for in a machine learning startup?
At the pre-seed stage, investors focus heavily on the founding team's technical expertise and vision. A clear problem, a unique approach to solving it with machine learning, and an understanding of the potential market are key.
How do you get an introduction to a top VC firm?
A warm introduction from a trusted contact in the VC's network is most effective. This could be another founder, a lawyer, or an advisor. Cold outreach can work but requires a highly compelling and concise pitch to succeed.
How can I manage my funding after a successful raise?
After closing your round, it's important to manage your capital well. Our platform at Rho provides integrated business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay to help you deploy your new funds efficiently and with confidence.