Top 14 Venture Capital Firms Investing in Manufacturing Startups

For founders in the manufacturing space, finding the right investor is a critical step. You need partners who understand the specific challenges of industrial tech, from robotics to advanced materials. Approaching the right firms from the start makes your fundraising process much more effective.

To help, our team has curated this overview of top venture capital firms that actively invest in manufacturing and supply chain startups. Use this guide to identify the investors most relevant to your business, whether you're at the seed stage or preparing for Series A.

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Which VC Firms in Manufacturing Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether you're an early-stage company or preparing for an exit, knowing who to talk to is key. This overview breaks down which manufacturing VC firms invest at each stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Manufacturing

This is the earliest stage of funding, where you're typically developing an initial product and finding your first customers. For deep tech or industrial automation startups, firms like Bee Partners and Ironspring are strong options, while Motivate Venture Capital also focuses on this critical first stage.

Early Stage VC Firms in Manufacturing

Early-stage venture capital, typically Series A and B, helps you scale once you have product-market fit and initial revenue. Industrial tech venture capital firms that focus here include Glasswing Ventures, which invests in AI applications, Schematic Ventures for supply chain technology, and corporate funds like HorizonX Ventures.

Late Stage VC Firms in Manufacturing

Late-stage funding supports mature companies as they scale aggressively, pursue acquisitions, or move toward an exit like an IPO. Investors in this space, such as Eclipse Ventures and the corporate venture arm Applied Ventures, provide capital for significant growth, while cleantech venture capital firms like Prelude Ventures also participate in later rounds.

It's also worth noting that many venture capital investment firms invest across multiple stages, from seed to growth.

Here is our overview of the top VC firms investing in the manufacturing sector, including key details on their investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes each a compelling partner for founders.

1. Eclipse Ventures

Based in Palo Alto, Eclipse Ventures invests in companies that are modernizing physical industries. They support businesses from the seed stage through to post-IPO, focusing on sectors like manufacturing and logistics.

Eclipse concentrates on what it calls the "new economy," backing founders who are digitizing essential sectors. Their portfolio includes notable companies like AI chip designer Tenstorrent and physical security platform Verkada.

This firm is a strong fit if you're building a company in a legacy industry and need a partner with deep operational experience. They are particularly interested in founders who are applying technology to solve real-world industrial problems.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage, Late Stage, Post-IPO
• Industries of focus: Manufacturing, Logistics, Transportation
• Geographical presence: Palo Alto, California
• Founded: 2015
• Notable portfolio companies: Verkada, Tenstorrent, Kindred AI
• Portfolio size: Over 180 investments
• Exits: 20 successful exits

You can refer to their website here.

2. Glasswing Ventures

Based in Boston, Glasswing Ventures invests in early-stage startups that apply AI and other frontier technologies. The firm focuses on companies building solutions for the enterprise and cybersecurity markets.

Glasswing concentrates on seed and early-stage rounds, with a clear theme of using AI to solve complex business problems. Their portfolio includes companies like Basetwo AI, which offers an AI copilot for manufacturing, and Black Kite, a platform for third-party cyber risk.

This firm is a strong match if you are an early-stage founder building an AI-first company for enterprise or security applications. They are a good partner for teams with deep technical expertise creating solutions for sectors like manufacturing and supply chain management.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: AI, Enterprise Software, Manufacturing, Security, Supply Chain Management
• Geographical presence: Boston, Massachusetts
• Founded: 2016
• Notable portfolio companies: Basetwo AI, Black Kite, Zylotech
• Portfolio size: 71 investments
• Exits: 9

You can refer to their website here.

3. Silent Ventures

Based in Dallas, Silent Ventures provides what it calls "stealth capital for elite operators." The firm invests from seed to early-stage venture, focusing on companies in industrial automation, national security, and AI.

The firm takes a contrarian approach, backing ambitious companies in the defense and industrial sectors. Its portfolio includes defense-tech leader Anduril Industries and AI-powered factory builder Hadrian, signaling a clear focus on re-industrializing critical supply chains.

Silent Ventures is a strong partner if you are a founder with an operator background building in deep tech or defense. The firm is particularly well-suited for teams creating solutions for military, national security, or industrial automation.

• Investment stages: Seed, Convertible Note, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Industrial Automation, Manufacturing, National Security, AI, Cyber Security, Drones
• Geographical presence: Dallas, Texas
• Founded: 2022
• Notable portfolio companies: Anduril Industries, Hadrian, Voyager Technologies
• Portfolio size: 25 investments

You can refer to their website here.

4. Bee Partners

Based in San Francisco, Bee Partners focuses on pre-seed deeptech, often writing the first check for founders. They specialize in companies building solutions in AI, robotics, and industrial automation.

The firm's approach is centered on backing founders at the earliest stage, particularly in complex technical fields. Their portfolio includes major exits like BuildingConnected, acquired by Autodesk, and TubeMogul, acquired by Adobe.

Bee Partners is a great fit if you're a founder in deep tech looking for a lead investor for your pre-seed round. They are well-suited for teams with strong technical backgrounds in areas like machine learning and robotics.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Deep Tech, AI, Robotics, Manufacturing, Industrial Automation
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2009
• Notable portfolio companies: BuildingConnected, TubeMogul, Rapid Robotics
• Portfolio size: 127 investments
• Exits: 17

You can refer to their website here.

5. Ironspring Ventures

Based in Austin, Texas, Ironspring Ventures invests in early-stage companies that are driving digital innovation in industrial sectors. They specialize in areas like construction, manufacturing, and logistics, leading and co-leading investment rounds.

The firm shows a clear commitment to modernizing foundational industries, backing companies that solve tangible problems. Their portfolio includes 3D-printed housing pioneer ICON and Wilya, a workforce management platform for manufacturing operators.

Ironspring is a strong partner if you are a founder building technology for legacy sectors and need a lead investor for your seed or early-stage round. They are a good fit for teams focused on industrial, construction, or supply chain solutions.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Construction, Manufacturing, Logistics, Clean Energy, Supply Chain Management
• Geographical presence: Austin, Texas
• Founded: 2019
• Notable portfolio companies: ICON, Solvento, Wilya
• Portfolio size: 32 investments
• Exits: 1

You can refer to their website here.

6. Schematic Ventures

Based in San Francisco, Schematic Ventures is an early-stage fund investing in industrial technology. The firm backs companies building solutions for supply chains, manufacturing, and logistics.

Schematic has a clear focus on technology that improves how goods are made, moved, and stored. Their portfolio signals this, with investments in logistics provider Flock Freight and autonomous yard-truck developer Outrider.

This firm is a strong match for early-stage founders building technology for the supply chain or industrial sectors. They are particularly interested in teams with deep industry knowledge creating practical solutions for logistics, warehousing, or manufacturing.

• Investment stages: Seed, Convertible Note, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing, Logistics, Warehouse Automation, Electronics
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2017
• Notable portfolio companies: Flock Freight, Outrider, Altana AI
• Portfolio size: 60 investments
• Exits: 1

You can refer to their website here.

7. Valhalla Ventures

Based in Los Angeles, Valhalla Ventures invests in seed and early-stage companies with the potential for strong, defensible advantages. The firm's philosophy centers on backing businesses that are building "enduring moats" in foundational industries.

Valhalla has a distinct focus on deep tech and hard-to-build sectors, from advanced materials to space travel. Their portfolio includes companies like K2 Space, which builds large satellite platforms, and Biofire, the developer of a biometric smart gun.

This firm is a good match if you are a founder in a highly technical field like biotech, advanced manufacturing, or space technology. They are well-suited for teams building companies with significant intellectual property or complex hardware.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Advanced Materials, Manufacturing, Space Travel, Biotechnology, Energy
• Geographical presence: Los Angeles, California
• Founded: 2020
• Notable portfolio companies: K2 Space, Biofire, Rain, Jaza
• Portfolio size: 23 investments

You can refer to their website here.

8. mHUB

Based in Chicago, mHUB is a hardtech innovation center that also operates as a micro-VC fund and accelerator. They support early-stage companies in sectors like manufacturing, electronics, and the Internet of Things.

mHUB combines capital with hands-on support, acting as both an incubator and an investor for physical product startups. Their portfolio includes notable companies like Hyivy Health, a CES Innovation Award winner, and NovaXS, a YC graduate.

This firm is a great fit if you are an early-stage founder building a physical product or hardware company. Their model is ideal for teams that can benefit from an accelerator environment with deep resources in product design and manufacturing.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Hardtech, Manufacturing, IoT, Electronics, Product Design
• Geographical presence: Chicago, Illinois
• Founded: 2017
• Notable portfolio companies: Hyivy Health, NovaXS, Aerospec
• Portfolio size: 45 investments

You can refer to their website here.

9. Motivate Venture Capital

Based in Chicago, Motivate Venture Capital invests in pre-seed and seed-stage companies across the U.S. and Canada. The firm focuses on startups in financial services, manufacturing, and SaaS.

The firm has a track record of backing high-growth companies, with unicorns like digital bank Chime and trading platform TradingView in its portfolio. Their history also includes a major exit with the meal-kit company Home Chef.

Motivate is a strong match for founders at the earliest stages who are building in fintech, SaaS, or manufacturing. The firm is well-suited for teams seeking an investor with a demonstrated ability to identify and support future market leaders.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Financial Services, Manufacturing, SaaS
• Geographical presence: Chicago, Illinois (invests across the US and Canada)
• Founded: 2019
• Notable portfolio companies: Chime, TradingView, Home Chef
• Portfolio size: 70 investments
• Exits: 3

You can refer to their website here.

10. Contrarian Thinking Capital

Based in Austin, Contrarian Thinking Capital is a venture firm that invests in seed and early-stage companies. The firm focuses on foundational, often unglamorous, industries like manufacturing and small business services.

As its name suggests, the firm takes a contrarian approach, backing founders in sectors that are critical but may be overlooked by other investors. Its portfolio includes newsletter platform Beehiiv and Pave Robotics, which develops autonomous road maintenance equipment.

This firm is a strong partner if you are an early-stage founder building a business that serves industrial or small-to-medium business markets. They are a good fit for teams with practical solutions for real-world problems.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Industrial, Manufacturing, Small and Medium Businesses
• Geographical presence: Austin, Texas
• Founded: 2022
• Notable portfolio companies: Beehiiv, Percent, Pave Robotics
• Portfolio size: 29 investments
• Exits: 1

You can refer to their website here.

11. Applied Ventures

Based in Santa Clara, Applied Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Applied Materials, a global leader in nanomanufacturing technology. The firm invests in companies that are pushing the boundaries of deep tech and advanced manufacturing.

As a corporate fund, Applied Ventures offers deep technical expertise and strategic value, particularly in semiconductors and advanced materials. Its portfolio includes high-profile companies like photonic AI-chip developer Lightmatter and Rescale, a cloud computing platform.

This firm is an excellent match if you are a founder in a capital-intensive, deep-tech field that aligns with Applied Materials' core business. They are an ideal partner for teams that can benefit from strategic corporate resources and industry connections.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Advanced Materials, Manufacturing, Nanotechnology, Semiconductors
• Geographical presence: Santa Clara, California
• Founded: 2006
• Notable portfolio companies: Lightmatter, Rescale, Inpria, Kateeva
• Portfolio size: 97 investments
• Exits: 19

You can refer to their website here.

12. Ventioneers

Based in Houston, Ventioneers invests in companies across deep tech, SaaS, energy, and AI. The firm aims to back successful entrepreneurs building foundational technologies.

Their flexible model includes venture capital, syndicates, and secondary market purchases, giving them access to iconic companies. The portfolio includes high-profile names like SpaceX, Stripe, and Anthropic, often accessed via syndicate deals.

Ventioneers is a good match for founders across various stages, from seed to late-stage growth. Their activity in secondary markets also makes them a potential partner for teams at category-defining companies.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage, Late Stage, Secondary Market
• Industries of focus: Deep Tech, SaaS, Energy, AI, Manufacturing
• Geographical presence: Houston, Texas
• Founded: 2023
• Notable portfolio companies: SpaceX, ByteDance (TikTok), Stripe, Neuralink, Anthropic
• Portfolio size: 20 investments
• Exits: 1

You can refer to their website here.

13. Prelude Ventures

Based in San Francisco, Prelude Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in companies addressing climate change. The firm supports businesses across multiple funding stages, from seed rounds to late-stage growth.

The firm's clear focus is on climate tech, with a portfolio that includes companies in clean energy, agtech, and sustainable manufacturing. Their track record includes high-profile successes like the e-scooter operator Lime and an IPO exit with satellite-imaging firm Planet.

Prelude is a strong partner if you are a founder building a business with a direct climate impact. They are well-suited for teams in sectors like advanced materials, food and beverage, or clean energy that need a long-term financial partner.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: CleanTech, Manufacturing, AgTech, Automotive, Clean Energy
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2013
• Notable portfolio companies: Lime, Planet, Fervo Energy, Benson Hill
• Portfolio size: 150 investments
• Exits: 14

You can refer to their website here.

14. Boeing HorizonX Ventures

Based in Chicago, HorizonX Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Boeing. The firm invests from late seed through growth stages, backing companies with technologies that are strategic to the future of aerospace.

As a corporate fund, HorizonX provides more than just capital, offering deep industry expertise and market access. Their portfolio includes companies like AI software firm SparkCognition and Reaction Engines, which develops hypersonic flight technology, showing a clear focus on advanced manufacturing and AI.

This firm is an ideal partner if you're a founder in a field like advanced materials, AI, or space travel. Teams that can benefit from a strategic relationship with an aerospace leader will find HorizonX particularly compelling.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Convertible Note
• Industries of focus: Advanced Materials, AI, Manufacturing, Space Travel, Logistics
• Geographical presence: Chicago, Illinois
• Founded: 2017
• Notable portfolio companies: SparkCognition, Reaction Engines, Gamma Alloys
• Portfolio size: 38 investments
• Exits: 5

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for Manufacturing Companies

This overview shows a healthy and active investment community for manufacturing startups, with a notable focus on early-stage companies. The majority of firms on our list are prepared to write the first check or lead a Series A round. This is a positive signal if you're a founder with an early-stage company, as it indicates that capital is available for getting new ideas off the ground and into production.

Geographically, investors are not confined to one region. While there are strong clusters in California and Texas, you'll find key players in cities like Chicago and Boston. The variety of investors, from traditional VCs to corporate funds like Boeing's and Applied Materials', also means you can find partners who offer different types of strategic support beyond just capital.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Fundraising requires significant time and energy, so approaching the right investors from the start is key. This list is designed to help you focus your efforts on the firms most aligned with your goals.

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 gives you the tools to manage your new funding with confidence. We offer integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, all built for growing startups.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Manufacturing

What do industrial tech venture capital firms look for in a founding team?

They often seek founders with deep industry experience or strong technical backgrounds. A clear understanding of the market problem you're solving and a practical plan for execution are critical for gaining their confidence and securing investment.

Are there many manufacturing VC firms outside of the Bay Area?

Yes, while Silicon Valley is a major hub, strong industrial and manufacturing VC firms are also clustered in Texas, Chicago, and Boston. Many firms also invest nationally, so your location is not necessarily a barrier to funding.

How is due diligence different with hardware venture capital firms?

Hardware investors conduct extensive technical diligence. Expect them to closely examine your bill of materials, supply chain plans, and manufacturing scalability. A working prototype and a clear path to production are essential for these conversations.

What should I expect from a Series A manufacturing investor?

At Series A, investors expect to see clear product-market fit and initial revenue traction. They will focus on your go-to-market strategy, sales pipeline, and ability to scale operations efficiently to meet growing customer demand.

How can Rho help manage my new venture capital funding?

Once your round is closed, our platform helps you manage the funds effectively. We provide integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated payments, all designed to give you clear financial control. Get started with Rho.