Top 12 Venture Capital Firms for Marketplace Startups

For founders of marketplace startups, knowing which investors understand the unique dynamics of your business is a critical part of preparing to raise capital. Finding a partner who gets the complexities of two-sided platforms, from B2B to consumer models, can make all the difference.

To help you identify the right people, our team at Rho curated this overview of top venture capital firms that actively invest in the marketplace sector. This guide is designed to give you a quick summary of relevant marketplace investors, whether you're seeking seed funding or a Series A round.

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

Key Takeaways

• For marketplace startups, securing venture funding means finding a partner who understands the dynamics of two-sided platforms.
• VCs like Uncork Capital, Bling Capital, ATX Venture Partners, and Diverse Angels are notable backers of startups in the marketplace sector.
• If you're 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 Marketplace Are Right for Your Stage?

From the early stages of your company to a future exit, knowing who to talk to makes a significant difference. We've put together a brief overview of VC firms that focus on marketplace startups, broken down by their investment stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Marketplace

Pre-seed and seed funding is the earliest capital you'll raise, typically used to validate your idea and build an initial product. For marketplace startups at this stage, firms like Uncork Capital, Boston Seed Capital, and Gutter Capital are active investors with a history of backing companies from the ground up.

Early Stage VC Firms in Marketplace

Early-stage funding, which includes Series A and B rounds, is meant to help you scale operations and accelerate growth once you have clear market traction. Some early-stage venture capital firms with a focus on the marketplace sector include ATX Venture Partners and Bling Capital, both known for supporting companies as they expand.

Late Stage VC Firms in Marketplace

Late-stage capital is for established companies looking to expand into new markets, make strategic acquisitions, or prepare for an exit. While many early-stage investors participate in later rounds, firms such as 14W Ventures and Uncork Capital have a track record of backing marketplace companies through their growth and late stages.

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.

Keep in mind that some VC firms invest across multiple funding stages, from seed to exit.

To help with your search, we've compiled details on top VC firms that invest in marketplace startups. The following list covers their investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes each firm a noteworthy option for founders.

1. Uncork Capital

As one of Silicon Valley's most enduring seed-stage firms, Uncork Capital has been backing founders since 2004. They position themselves as a trusted guide for companies from the very beginning.

The firm invests across SaaS, consumer, financial services, and marketplace sectors, with a portfolio that includes major successes like Postmates and Eventbrite. Their emphasis on being a "founder's most trusted guide" points to a supportive, hands-on approach that goes beyond capital.

Uncork Capital is a strong potential partner for seed-stage founders who value an experienced investor with a history of building significant companies. Their willingness to invest across later stages also makes them a good fit for founders seeking a long-term relationship.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Marketplace, SaaS, Consumer, Financial Services
• Geographical presence: San Francisco
• Founded: 2004
• Notable portfolio companies: Postmates, Eventbrite, Fitbit, SendGrid
• Track record: Over 430 investments and 110 exits

You can refer to their website here.

2. Bling Capital

Founded in 2018, Bling Capital is a venture firm that invests across a wide range of technology sectors. Their focus includes marketplaces, fintech, SaaS, and consumer internet companies.

The firm has a strong portfolio with high-profile companies like Lyft, Palantir, and GitLab, signaling an eye for businesses with massive scale potential. They primarily invest at the seed and early stages, helping companies build from the ground up.

Bling Capital is a good match for founders of ambitious, tech-driven startups who are seeking early-stage capital. Their track record suggests they are looking for companies that can become category leaders.

• Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Marketplace, Fintech, SaaS, Consumer Tech, Data, Automation
• Geographical presence: San Jose, California
• Founded: 2018
• Notable portfolio companies: Lyft, Palantir, PagerDuty, Lime
• Track record: Over 140 investments

You can refer to their website here.

3. ATX Venture Partners

Based in Austin, Texas, ATX Venture Partners is an early-stage firm that invests in B2B software, APIs, frontier tech, and marketplace applications. They have been backing companies since 2014, with a clear focus on the Texas tech scene and beyond.

The firm’s portfolio highlights a preference for B2B companies with practical, high-growth solutions. Notable investments include business-formation platform ZenBusiness and emergency-communications provider AlertMedia, showing their interest in scalable businesses.

ATX Venture Partners is a good fit for founders building B2B or marketplace companies, especially those with ties to the Texas technology community. Their capacity to invest from seed to later stages also makes them a solid choice for founders looking for a long-term financial partner.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: B2B software, APIs, frontier tech, marketplaces
• Geographical presence: Austin, Texas
• Founded: 2014
• Notable portfolio companies: ZenBusiness, AlertMedia, GoCo, Slingshot Aerospace
• Track record: Over 109 investments and 10 exits

You can refer to their website here.

4. Diverse Angels

Founded in 2021, Diverse Angels is an angel group and venture capital firm with a clear mission: to increase the representation of diverse investors and founders in the startup ecosystem. Based in Los Angeles, the firm invests in seed and early-stage companies across a broad set of industries.

The firm’s portfolio shows a wide appetite, with investments in marketplaces, e-commerce, health tech, and software. Notable companies include the investment marketplace Republic, which reached a $1 billion valuation, and the AI audio platform Sounder, which gave the firm a successful exit in 2024.

Diverse Angels is a great fit for early-stage founders, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, who are looking for a partner that offers both capital and a strong community. Their focus on a variety of high-growth sectors makes them a compelling option for many tech-driven startups.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early-Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Marketplace, E-Commerce, Health Care, Software, Gaming, Payments
• Geographical presence: Los Angeles, California
• Founded: 2021
• Notable portfolio companies: Republic, Sounder, Pariti, Ash Wellness
• Track record: Over 53 investments and 3 exits

You can refer to their website here.

5. Gutter Capital

Gutter Capital is a New York-based firm that invests in companies focused on affordability, economic mobility, and sustainability. Since 2017, they have backed founders whose ideas aim to improve core aspects of American life.

The firm concentrates on seed and early-stage investments, particularly in SaaS, marketplaces, and tech for small businesses. Their portfolio includes the ag-tech unicorn Bowery Farming and several successful exits like prop-tech firm Ribbon Home.

Gutter Capital is a compelling choice for founders building mission-driven companies in sectors like EdTech, GovTech, and marketplaces. If your startup is at the seed or early stage and aligns with their focus on economic mobility, they could be a strong partner.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early-Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Marketplace, SaaS, EdTech, GovTech, Small and Medium Businesses
• Geographical presence: New York
• Founded: 2017
• Notable portfolio companies: Bowery Farming, Ribbon Home, Lane, 2ndKitchen
• Track record: 47 investments and 4 exits

You can refer to their website here.

6. H20 Capital

Based in Miami, H20 Capital is a venture firm that backs entrepreneurs building large, enduring companies from the earliest stages. Since 2018, they have focused on seed and early-stage investments in sectors like FinTech, SaaS, and businesses with a marketplace model.

The firm shows a clear pattern of investing in high-growth companies across Latin America. Their portfolio includes the B2B construction marketplace Tul, which raised a $181 million Series B, and the remote-hiring platform OnTop, which was valued at $150 million.

H20 Capital is a strong choice for founders building for the Latin American market, particularly in their key industries. Their track record suggests a preference for ambitious business models with the potential for significant scale.

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: FinTech, Marketplace, SaaS
• Geographical presence: Miami, Florida (with a strong focus on Latin America)
• Founded: 2018
• Notable portfolio companies: OnTop, Tul, Jüsto, Flat.mx
• Track record: Over 50 investments

You can refer to their website here.

7. Boston Seed Capital

A key player in Boston's tech scene since 2010, Boston Seed Capital provides seed funding for internet-enabled businesses. They focus on the earliest stages of a company's life, helping founders get their ideas off the ground with initial capital.

The firm is notable for backing companies that achieve massive scale, with high-profile public exits like DraftKings and Flywire in its portfolio. Their focus on SaaS, FinTech, e-commerce, and marketplace businesses signals a clear preference for scalable, tech-driven models.

Boston Seed Capital is an ideal partner for seed-stage founders in their target industries, especially those building companies with the potential for a major exit. Their track record suggests a strong ability to identify and support businesses on a path to going public or a significant acquisition.

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: E-Commerce, FinTech, Marketplace, SaaS
• Geographical presence: Boston, Massachusetts
• Founded: 2010
• Notable portfolio companies: DraftKings, Flywire, Clypd, CloudBees
• Track record: Over 113 investments and 28 exits

You can refer to their website here.

8. Tech Square Ventures

Based in Atlanta, Tech Square Ventures has been an active seed and early-stage investor since 2014. The firm primarily backs companies building enterprise software, platform technologies, and marketplace applications.

The firm’s portfolio indicates a focus on companies that gain traction with large-scale enterprise and government clients. Notable investments include Moth + Flame, a VR training platform adopted by the U.S. Air Force, and Coros, whose technology was used to monitor COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

This firm is a good match for early-stage founders building enterprise, platform, or marketplace companies. Given their Atlanta base, they are a particularly relevant partner for founders in the Southeast tech community.

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: Enterprise, Marketplace, Platform Tech, Logistics, IoT
• Geographical presence: Atlanta, Georgia
• Founded: 2014
• Notable portfolio companies: Saleo, Coros, Moth + Flame, Cloverly
• Track record: 126 investments and 7 exits

You can refer to their website here.

9. Fab Co-Creation Studio Ventures

Fab Co-Creation Studio Ventures is a Los Angeles-based firm founded in 2020 that invests in early-stage companies. They concentrate on conscious beauty and fashion, new commerce models, and retail technology.

The firm’s portfolio shows a clear commitment to sustainability and impact, backing companies like Kintra Fibers, which creates biodegradable textiles, and SuperCircle, a platform for apparel recycling. Their name suggests a hands-on, collaborative approach to building companies alongside founders.

Fab is a good match for founders at the seed or early stages who are building mission-driven brands in consumer goods or retail tech. Their model is well-suited for teams that value a close partnership beyond just capital.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early-Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Conscious Beauty & Fashion, Retail Technology, E-Commerce, Marketplaces, Impact Investing
• Geographical presence: Los Angeles, California
• Founded: 2020
• Notable portfolio companies: Kintra Fibers, SuperCircle, Function Health, Trendio
• Track record: Over 25 investments and 2 exits

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. Avalanche VC

Avalanche VC is a New York-based firm that invests in technology companies aiming to transform how people learn, earn, and own. Founded in 2020, they focus on seed and early-stage ventures with a clear mission.

The firm's thesis is evident in its portfolio, which includes the VR-based STEM learning system Prisms of Reality and the conversational-AI recruiting platform Humanly. This signals a focus on EdTech, the future of work, and decentralized platforms.

Avalanche VC is a solid choice for early-stage founders whose companies focus on education, work, or ownership models. If your startup has a clear mission to improve how people access knowledge or economic opportunities, their thematic approach could make them a great partner.

• Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Marketplace, Enterprise Software, EdTech, Cryptocurrency, Virtual Workforce
• Geographical presence: New York
• Founded: 2020
• Notable portfolio companies: Bluesky, Humanly, Prisms of Reality
• Track record: Over 40 investments and 1 exit

You can refer to their website here.

11. Community Investment Management

Community Investment Management (CIM) is an impact investment firm that has been focused on marketplace lending since its founding in 2012. Based in San Francisco, it provides capital to companies in the financial services and FinTech sectors.

The firm is distinct for its focus on debt financing, providing structured credit to companies that promote financial inclusion. This is clear from its portfolio, which includes a $100 million facility for neobank Zolve and a $75 million credit line for the trade-finance platform Finkargo.

CIM is a good partner for founders of more established FinTech or marketplace companies seeking non-dilutive debt to scale operations. Their track record indicates a strong interest in businesses serving underserved communities or small businesses, particularly in the U.S. and Latin America.

• Investment stages: Debt
• Industries of focus: Marketplace, FinTech, Financial Services
• Geographical presence: San Francisco (with a focus on the U.S. and Latin America)
• Founded: 2012
• Notable portfolio companies: Zolve, Finkargo, Xepelin, Stori
• Track record: 28 investments and 3 exits

You can refer to their website here.

12. 14W

Based in New York, 14W is a venture capital firm that invests in companies building a more accessible, efficient, and connected future. Since 2010, they have backed founders across both early and late stages.

The firm has a clear focus on consumer-facing platforms and marketplaces that are poised for significant growth. Their portfolio includes major successes like the food-delivery service Deliveroo and the luxury resale marketplace The RealReal, both of which had high-profile public offerings.

14W is a strong potential partner for founders of consumer and marketplace companies with ambitions for massive scale. Their experience guiding companies toward major exits makes them a valuable choice for startups on a path to an IPO or large acquisition.

• Investment stages: Early and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Marketplace, Consumer Tech, Financial Services
• Geographical presence: New York
• Founded: 2010
• Notable portfolio companies: Deliveroo, The RealReal, Maven Clinic, Spotahome
• Track record: 85 investments and 17 exits

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for Marketplace Companies

This overview of venture capital firms shows a healthy and active funding environment for marketplace companies, with a notable concentration of investors at the seed and early stages. This is a positive signal for founders who are just starting out and looking to secure their first rounds of capital.

The geographic diversity is also clear. While major tech hubs like New York and San Francisco are well-represented, there are active marketplace investors in cities like Austin, Atlanta, and Miami. This suggests that you can find strong financial partners across the country who understand the specific needs of two-sided business models.

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

Raising capital requires significant time and effort. A focused list of investors who understand marketplace businesses helps you direct your energy where it matters most.

When you close your round, 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 deploy your new funding with confidence. We offer integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, all built for startups.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Marketplace

Which venture capital firms in Europe focus on marketplace startups?

Europe has a strong ecosystem of VCs that invest in marketplace companies. Firms in hubs like London, Berlin, and Paris actively seek out two-sided platforms, with many focusing on seed and Series A rounds for regional and global expansion.

Do VCs prefer B2B or B2C marketplace startups?

Investor appetite varies. Some firms specialize in B2B marketplaces for their high-value transactions and stickiness, while others prefer the rapid scale of B2C models. The key is demonstrating a strong, defensible model, regardless of the customer type.

What metrics matter to early-stage marketplace investors?

For early-stage marketplace startups, investors prioritize signs of product-market fit. Key metrics include consistent growth in Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV), strong user retention on both sides of the platform, and a clear path to positive unit economics.

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.

How do I find the right marketplace investor for my startup?

Research is critical. Look at a firm’s portfolio to confirm they invest in marketplace models similar to yours. Also, check their typical investment stage and check size to ensure they are a good fit for your current funding round.

What should I do after closing a funding round?

After closing your round, efficient capital management is crucial. Rho helps you set up your financial stack in minutes, with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay designed for growing startups.