Top 11 Venture Capital Firms for Payments Startups

For founders in the Payments space, knowing which investors truly understand financial technology is critical when raising capital. Approaching the right venture capital firms—those with deep expertise in FinTech—means you spend less time explaining the basics and more time discussing your vision.

To help with your research, our team has curated this guide to the top VC firms investing in Payments. Use it to quickly identify potential partners who are active in the sector and can support your growth.

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Which VC Firms in Payments Are Right for Your Stage?

It helps to know which investors to approach at every stage, from your initial seed round to a potential exit. This overview highlights key VC firms in the payments sector and the stages at which they typically invest.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Payments

Pre-seed and seed funding is the earliest capital you'll raise, designed to help you validate your idea and build your initial product. For founders in the payments space, firms like Diverse Angels, Elizabeth Street Ventures, and Mu Ventures are known for backing companies at this foundational stage.

Early Stage VC Firms in Payments

Early-stage funding, which typically includes Series A and B rounds, is for startups with proven traction that need capital to scale their team and accelerate growth. Financial technology venture capital firms focusing on this phase, such as Ripple and Pivot Investment Partners, look for strong product-market fit and a clear path to expansion.

Late Stage VC Firms in Payments

Late-stage venture capital is for mature companies preparing for a major expansion, acquisition, or an initial public offering (IPO). Investors in this category, including the corporate venture arms of companies like Visa or specialists such as Junipero and EquityZen, provide significant capital to help established businesses solidify their market position.

It's also worth noting that some VC firms, including Fernbrook and Advanced Technology Ventures, invest across multiple startup funding stages.

To help you find the right investment partner, we've compiled information on the top VC firms in the payments sector. You'll find details on their investment stages, geographic focus, and specific strengths that could benefit your startup.

1. Ripple

Ripple operates as a technology company focused on solutions for cross-border payments, cryptocurrency liquidity, and central bank digital currencies. They are an active venture capital investor in the financial technology sector, particularly within blockchain and Web3.

The firm invests across a range of modern technology sectors, including AI, blockchain, and enterprise software. Their portfolio includes companies like Voiceflow, which builds AI agents, and Rose Rocket, a transportation management system.

Ripple could be a good partner for founders building in the Web3 and payments space, as well as those creating enterprise software with a strong technical foundation. Their portfolio suggests an interest in companies that apply advanced technology to solve industry-specific problems.

• Investment stages: Early stage
• Industries of focus: FinTech, Payments, Blockchain, Web3, Cryptocurrency
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, CA
• Founded year: 2012
• Notable portfolio companies: Voiceflow, Rose Rocket, ZenHub, Wisedocs
• Portfolio size: 44 investments

You can refer to their website here.

2. Visa

As a multinational financial services company, Visa facilitates electronic payments across the globe. Its corporate venture arm strategically invests in companies that are advancing the future of commerce and financial technology.

Visa’s portfolio includes industry-defining companies like Stripe, Marqeta, and Airwallex, signaling a focus on backing established, high-growth businesses. Their investments often align with their core payments ecosystem, supporting companies that have already achieved significant scale.

This firm is a strong match for founders of late-stage companies that are market leaders and preparing for a major expansion, acquisition, or IPO. If your startup has proven traction in the payments space, Visa’s deep industry expertise and global network can be a powerful asset.

• Investment stages: Late stage
• Industries of focus: Payments, FinTech, Financial Services, Mobile Payments
• Geographical presence: Foster City, CA
• Founded year: 1958
• Notable portfolio companies: Stripe, Marqeta, Grab Holdings, Airwallex, DocuSign
• Portfolio size: 124 investments

You can refer to their website here.

3. Diverse Angels

Diverse Angels is an angel group and venture capital firm committed to increasing representation within the investment community. They focus on backing companies at their earliest stages.

The firm invests across a wide range of sectors, including payments, blockchain, and health care, with a clear focus on seed and early-stage rounds. Their portfolio includes notable companies like the fintech unicorn Republic and the AI audio platform Sounder, which provided the firm with a successful exit.

This firm could be a great partner if you are an early-stage founder building in one of their focus industries and value working with a diverse investor group. Their broad portfolio suggests an openness to various business models, from marketplaces to software platforms.

• Investment stages: Early stage, Seed
• Industries of focus: Payments, Blockchain, E-Commerce, Health Care, Software, Virtual Reality
• Geographical presence: Los Angeles, CA
• Founded year: 2021
• Notable portfolio companies: Republic, Sounder, Pariti, Ash Wellness
• Portfolio size: 53 investments

You can refer to their website here.

4. Elefund

Elefund is a thesis-driven micro-VC firm that invests in early-stage technology companies. They focus on providing foundational capital to startups with ambitious goals.

The firm has a strong track record of backing companies that become household names, including fintech giants Robinhood and Carta. This history of identifying future unicorns at the seed stage shows their skill in spotting high-potential businesses.

Elefund is an ideal partner for founders at the seed or early stages, especially in fintech and insurtech. If you have a clear vision for a product that can achieve massive consumer or enterprise adoption, their experience could be invaluable.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Convertible Note
• Industries of focus: FinTech, Payments, Financial Services, InsurTech, Mobile Apps
• Geographical presence: Mountain View, CA
• Founded year: 2015
• Notable portfolio companies: Robinhood, Calm, Carta, Hotel Engine, Branch Insurance
• Portfolio size: 57 investments

You can refer to their website here.

5. EquityZen

EquityZen operates a marketplace for pre-IPO equity, connecting shareholders of private companies with accredited investors. This model provides liquidity for employees and early backers before a company goes public or is acquired.

The firm’s focus is on late-stage, venture-backed technology companies. Their portfolio highlights successful investments in well-known names like Lyft and Glassdoor, showing a strategy of engaging with companies that have already achieved significant scale and are nearing a major liquidity event.

EquityZen is not a traditional source of primary capital for a startup's treasury. It is an excellent resource if you are a founder of a mature, private company looking to offer liquidity options to your team and early investors without waiting for an IPO or acquisition.

• Investment stages: Late stage, Pre-IPO
• Industries of focus: FinTech, Payments, Financial Services, Trading Platform
• Geographical presence: New York, NY
• Founded year: 2013
• Notable portfolio companies: 23andMe, Lyft, Glassdoor, Dataminr, Cloudera
• Portfolio size: 37 investments

You can refer to their website here.

6. Junipero Capital

Junipero Capital is a private investment firm that operates across a family of funds. They focus on late-stage venture capital and secondary market investments, providing capital to established companies.

The firm's portfolio features some of the most recognizable names in technology, including payments leader Stripe and UiPath, which had one of the largest software IPOs ever. This shows a clear strategy of backing market-leading companies that are on a path to a public offering or are already highly valued private entities.

Junipero is a good fit for founders of mature, high-growth companies that have already achieved significant scale. If your business is a leader in its category and approaching a major liquidity event, their experience with pre-IPO companies could be valuable.

• Investment stages: Late Stage Venture, Secondary Market
• Industries of focus: FinTech, Payments, SaaS, AI, Cyber Security, IaaS, Logistics
• Geographical presence: Miami, FL
• Founded year: 2017
• Notable portfolio companies: Stripe, UiPath, SpaceX, Coinbase, Airbnb
• Portfolio size: 26 investments

You can refer to their website here.

7. Fernbrook Capital Management LLC

Fernbrook Capital Management is a venture firm that invests in technology-enabled companies with a strong consumer focus. They provide capital across multiple funding stages, from seed rounds to late-stage venture.

The firm's portfolio shows a clear preference for direct-to-consumer brands and consumer-facing software. Their investments include smart-mug maker Ember Technologies and the clean-beauty brand Beautycounter, which provided the firm with a successful exit.

Fernbrook is a great potential partner if you are a founder building a consumer-focused business, whether in retail, e-commerce, or fintech. Their experience with brands that achieve global recognition could be a significant asset.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Convertible Note
• Industries of focus: Consumer Goods, E-Commerce, FinTech, Payments, Software, Retail
• Geographical presence: New York, NY
• Founded year: 2016
• Notable portfolio companies: Beautycounter, Ember Technologies, BrewBird, Knotch
• Portfolio size: 34 investments

You can refer to their website here.

8. Elizabeth Street Ventures

Elizabeth Street Ventures is an early-stage investment firm that backs companies focused on the digital consumer. They prioritize businesses that show an obsessive attention to the customer experience.

The firm’s portfolio shows a strong focus on consumer-facing brands across fintech, e-commerce, and consumer goods. Their investments include the mobile banking unicorn Current and several companies that achieved successful exits, such as the sustainable skincare brand Costa Brazil and the retail data platform Banyan.

This firm is a strong choice if you are an early-stage founder building a direct-to-consumer business. They are a good fit for companies where an exceptional customer experience is central to the product and strategy.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Seed
• Industries of focus: FinTech, Payments, Consumer Goods, Wellness, Internet
• Geographical presence: New York, NY
• Founded year: 2018
• Notable portfolio companies: Current, Costa Brazil, Banyan, Pixlee, RISE Brewing Co.
• Portfolio size: 38 investments

You can refer to their website here.

9. Advanced Technology Ventures

Advanced Technology Ventures is a long-established venture capital firm with a history of investing across multiple sectors. Their focus includes information and communications technology (ICT), infrastructure, consumer tech, and life sciences.

With roots dating back to 1979, the firm has a deep history of backing foundational companies. Their portfolio includes pioneers like Akamai Technologies and Cepheid, both of which grew to become major public or acquired companies.

ATV is a good match for founders at nearly any stage, from seed to late-stage, given their flexible investment approach. They are particularly well-suited for companies building deeply technical products in sectors like IT, security, and health tech.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Debt
• Industries of focus: ICT, Infrastructure, Consumer Technology, Bio-pharmaceuticals, Medical, Finance, Payments
• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, CA
• Founded year: 1979
• Notable portfolio companies: Akamai Technologies, Cepheid, Tripwire, Fuze, Cedexis
• Portfolio size: 250 investments

You can refer to their website here.

10. Pivot Investment Partners

Pivot Investment Partners is an operator-led firm based in New York, focusing on early-growth B2B companies in the financial technology sector. Their hands-on approach is a key feature, as the partners have direct experience building companies themselves.

The firm’s portfolio includes well-known names like HR software provider Gusto and the small-business insurance exchange BoldPenguin, which had a successful exit. This track record in both fintech and insurtech highlights their sector-specific expertise.

Pivot is a great match for founders building B2B fintech or insurtech products who are looking for investors with operational expertise. They typically partner with companies that have found initial traction and are ready to scale.

• Investment stages: Early and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: FinTech, InsurTech, Payments, AI, Wealth Management
• Geographical presence: New York, NY
• Founded year: 2014
• Notable portfolio companies: iCapital Network, Gusto, Cowbell Cyber, Snapsheet
• Team background: Operator-led
• Portfolio size: 62 investments

You can refer to their website here.

11. Mu Ventures

Mu Ventures is a New York-based firm investing in pre-seed and seed stage companies. They specialize in commerce enablement, backing startups that build tools for e-commerce and retail.

Their portfolio highlights a focus on B2B software, including payments platform Balance and automation tool Alloy Automation. The firm has also seen a successful exit with the merger of Qonsent, a data-privacy company.

This firm is a strong match if you are an early-stage founder building B2B SaaS or infrastructure. Their focus is ideal for startups in payments, retail tech, and supply chain management.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: E-Commerce, Payments, Retail Technology, SaaS, Software
• Geographical presence: New York, NY
• Founded year: 2022
• Notable portfolio companies: Balance, Alloy Automation, Qonsent
• Portfolio size: 20 investments

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for Payments Companies

This list shows that the investment community for payments companies is well-developed. You’ll find dedicated investors for every stage, from pre-seed firms like Mu Ventures to late-stage specialists like Visa and Junipero. This balance indicates a healthy sector with opportunities for funding whether you are just starting out or are scaling a mature business.

Geographically, investors are concentrated in major US tech hubs, particularly New York and California. The variety of investor types is also notable—from operator-led firms like Pivot to corporate arms and consumer-focused funds. This gives you options to find a partner whose expertise aligns with your specific business model and growth plans.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Fundraising requires significant time and energy, so a focused list of relevant investors is invaluable. It helps you connect directly with partners who understand the payments sector and are ready to support your vision.

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 integrated business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay. These tools are built to help you manage your new funding efficiently as you scale your company.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Payments

Are there many payments venture capital firms outside the US?

Yes, while US hubs like New York and the Bay Area are prominent, cities like London and Singapore have strong fintech ecosystems. Many global venture capital firms have offices in these regions and actively invest in local payments companies.

What do B2B payments venture capital firms look for?

These firms focus on startups solving specific business challenges, such as accounts payable automation or cross-border transactions. They look for a deep understanding of your target industry, a clear go-to-market strategy, and a scalable technology platform.

How do I prepare for Series A venture capital firms?

For a Series A round, you need to show clear product-market fit and a repeatable sales model. Investors will expect strong metrics on user growth, revenue, and customer retention, demonstrating that your business is ready to scale effectively.

What is the best way to approach fintech VC firms?

A warm introduction from a trusted contact in their network is most effective. If that isn't possible, a concise and personalized email that clearly explains your value proposition and why your company aligns with their investment thesis can work.

What do crypto venture capital firms focus on?

Crypto VCs look for strong technical teams and clear use cases for blockchain technology. They often invest in infrastructure projects, decentralized finance protocols, and platforms that bridge traditional finance with the digital asset economy.

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

Once your round is closed, our platform helps you manage your new capital. We provide integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, giving you the financial tools you need to scale your company. Sign up with Rho today.