Top 11 Venture Capital Firms for Payments Startups

Understanding the venture capital scene for Payments is key when you're preparing to raise funds. Approaching investors who get your business—whether it's in B2B payments, FinTech, or another niche—saves time and leads to stronger partnerships.

To help you find the right match, our team curated this guide to the top financial technology venture capital firms. We cover investors across the early stages so you can quickly identify potential partners. Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

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

Key Takeaways

• Securing venture funding provides the capital to scale your product and team, and it also brings a strategic partner who understands the Payments industry.

• The Payments sector has active investors ranging from corporate venture arms to angel groups; notable backers of different startups include Ripple, Visa, Diverse Angels, and Elefund.

• Once you secure funding, Rho helps you manage and deploy your capital with fast business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay all in one place.

Which VC Firms in Payments 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 is a quick overview of venture capital firms that invest in the payments sector, organized by stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Payments

Pre-seed and seed rounds are the earliest stages of funding, intended to help you turn an idea into a viable product and gain initial traction. For founders in specialized areas like B2B payments, firms such as Diverse Angels, Elefund, and Mu Ventures focus on this critical first stage.

Early Stage VC Firms in Payments

Early-stage funding, which typically includes Series A and B rounds, provides capital for growth, market expansion, and scaling your team. Financial technology venture capital firms like Ripple, Elizabeth Street, and Pivot Investment Partners often invest at this stage to fuel growth.

Late Stage VC Firms in Payments

Late-stage venture capital is for established companies looking to scale aggressively, prepare for an IPO, or consider an acquisition. Investors in this category, such as Visa's corporate venture arm, Junipero, and EquityZen, are key partners for payment tech companies nearing an exit.

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 venture capital firms invest across multiple funding stages, from seed to late-stage rounds.

To help you find the right investor, here is a closer look at the top VC firms in the payments sector. For each firm, we cover their investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes them a compelling choice for founders.

1. Ripple

Based in San Francisco, Ripple is a venture capital firm founded in 2012. It primarily invests in early-stage companies across the FinTech, blockchain, and payments industries.

The firm shows a strong interest in B2B software and automation, with portfolio companies like ZenHub, a project management tool for developers, and Harmonize, which had a successful exit. This focus suggests they value businesses with clear product-market fit and tangible enterprise value.

Ripple could be a great partner if you are an early-stage founder building technology for businesses, especially in FinTech or Web3. Their portfolio indicates an appreciation for founders who are creating practical tools for specific industries.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture

• Industries of focus: Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, FinTech, Payments, Web3

• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California

• Founded year: 2012

• Notable portfolio companies: ZenHub, Rose Rocket, Wisedocs

• Portfolio size: 44 investments

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.

2. Visa

As a global financial services giant, Visa’s corporate venture arm invests strategically in the payments ecosystem. Based in Foster City, California, they use their massive industry presence to back companies that align with their long-term vision.

Their portfolio includes major players like Stripe, Marqeta, and Airwallex, showing a focus on companies that have already achieved significant scale. This strategy of backing established leaders suggests they prioritize businesses with proven market dominance and clear paths to an exit.

Visa is an ideal partner for late-stage founders whose companies are category leaders in payments, fintech, or related software. If you are preparing for aggressive scaling or a public offering, their strategic capital and brand association can be invaluable.

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: Late Stage Venture

• Industries of focus: Banking, Financial Services, Mobile Payments, Payments

• Geographical presence: Foster City, California

• Founded year: 1958

• Notable portfolio companies: Stripe, Marqeta, Grab Holdings, Airwallex

• Portfolio size: 124 investments

You can refer to their website here.

3. Diverse Angels

Based in Los Angeles, Diverse Angels is an angel group and venture capital firm founded in 2021. Their mission is to increase the representation of diverse investors in the startup ecosystem.

The firm invests broadly across sectors like software, e-commerce, and payments, with a focus on seed and early-stage rounds. Their portfolio includes the fintech unicorn Republic and Sounder, an AI audio platform that had a successful exit in 2024.

Diverse Angels is a compelling choice for early-stage founders, particularly those who value an investor base committed to diversity. Their wide-ranging industry interests make them a good fit for companies in payments, fintech, and beyond.

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, Seed

• Industries of focus: Payments, Software, E-Commerce, Health Care, Blockchain

• Geographical presence: Los Angeles, California

• 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 venture capital firm from Mountain View, California, that invests in early-stage technology companies. They focus on seed and early-stage rounds, providing initial capital to help founders build their businesses.

The firm is known for backing several high-profile unicorns, including the commission-free trading platform Robinhood and the equity management tool Carta. This track record in consumer and fintech suggests a focus on businesses with the potential for massive scale and brand recognition.

Elefund could be a great partner if you are an early-stage founder in consumer technology or fintech with a product that has unicorn potential. Their portfolio shows they are adept at identifying companies that can achieve widespread adoption and market leadership.

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, Seed, Convertible Note

• Industries of focus: FinTech, Payments, InsurTech, Wellness, Mobile Apps

• Geographical presence: Mountain View, California

• Founded year: 2015

• Notable portfolio companies: Robinhood, Calm, Carta, Branch Insurance

• Portfolio size: 57 investments

You can refer to their website here.

5. EquityZen

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

The firm's portfolio highlights a clear focus on established, late-stage companies, including well-known names like Lyft and Glassdoor, which had successful exits. Their involvement with companies on the verge of an IPO or acquisition shows a strategy centered on providing pre-exit liquidity rather than early growth capital.

EquityZen is a valuable resource for founders of mature, venture-backed companies who need to provide liquidity options for their teams and early backers. If your company is approaching a major financial event like an IPO, their platform can help manage shareholder needs.

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: Late Stage Venture, Secondary Market

• Industries of focus: Finance, Financial Services, FinTech, Payments, Trading Platform

• Geographical presence: New York, New York

• Founded year: 2013

• Notable portfolio companies: 23andMe, Lyft, Glassdoor, Dataminr, Cloudera

• Portfolio size: 37 investments

• Number of exits: 31

You can refer to their website here.

6. Junipero Capital

Based in Miami, Junipero Capital is a private investment firm that manages assets across a family of funds. They invest in both primary venture rounds and secondary markets, providing capital and liquidity.

The firm’s portfolio is filled with category-defining companies like Stripe, SpaceX, and UiPath, which had one of the largest software IPOs ever. This focus on proven, late-stage leaders signals a strategy of backing businesses with significant market traction.

Junipero is a good match for founders of mature companies with strong growth and clear market leadership. Their expertise in late-stage and secondary investments is ideal for companies nearing a major liquidity event.

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: Late Stage Venture, Secondary Market, Venture

• Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Security, FinTech, IaaS, Logistics, Payments, SaaS

• Geographical presence: Miami, Florida

• Founded year: 2017

• Notable portfolio companies: UiPath, Stripe, SpaceX, Coinbase, Airbnb

• Portfolio size: 26 investments

• Number of exits: 13

You can refer to their website here.

7. Fernbrook Capital Management LLC

Fernbrook Capital Management is a New York-based firm that invests in early-stage, tech-enabled companies with a consumer focus. They provide capital across multiple funding stages, from seed to late-stage rounds.

The firm's portfolio shows a strong preference for brands with direct consumer appeal, such as the smart-mug maker Ember Technologies and the clean-beauty unicorn Beautycounter. This focus on tangible products and recognizable brands suggests they value businesses that can build a loyal customer base.

Fernbrook is a strong potential partner for founders building consumer-facing businesses in sectors like e-commerce, retail, and fintech. Their experience with successful direct-to-consumer exits indicates they can support companies with ambitious brand-building goals.

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, Convertible Note

• Industries of focus: Consumer Goods, E-Commerce, FinTech, Payments, Retail, Software

• Geographical presence: New York, New York

• Founded year: 2016

• Notable portfolio companies: Beautycounter, Ember Technologies, BrewBird, Knotch

• Portfolio size: 34 investments

• Number of exits: 5

You can refer to their website here.

8. Elizabeth Street Ventures

Elizabeth Street Ventures is a New York-based firm that invests in early-stage companies. They focus on the digital consumer and businesses that are obsessive about the customer experience.

The firm has a strong track record in consumer and fintech, backing the mobile bank unicorn Current and achieving successful exits with brands like Costa Brazil. This signals a focus on companies with strong brand identity and a clear path to market leadership.

Founders building consumer-facing businesses in fintech, e-commerce, or wellness may find a strong partner in Elizabeth Street Ventures. If your company is built around a superior customer experience, their philosophy will likely resonate.

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, Seed

• Industries of focus: Consumer Goods, FinTech, Payments, Wellness, Gaming

• Geographical presence: New York, New York

• Founded year: 2018

• Notable portfolio companies: Current, Costa Brazil, Banyan, RISE Brewing Co.

• Portfolio size: 38 investments

• Number of exits: 3

You can refer to their website here.

9. Advanced Technology Ventures

Advanced Technology Ventures (ATV) is a long-standing firm from Menlo Park, California, with roots going back to 1979. They invest broadly in technology and life sciences, including ICT, infrastructure, and payments.

The firm has a history of backing foundational companies that went on to have major exits, like Akamai Technologies and Tripwire. This track record signals a focus on deep technology and businesses building critical enterprise infrastructure.

ATV is a compelling partner for founders building complex, capital-intensive technology in sectors like cybersecurity, infrastructure, or bio-pharma. Their ability to invest across all stages makes them a stable, long-term partner for growth.

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: ICT, Infrastructure, Consumer Technology, Bio-pharmaceuticals, Medical, Finance, Payments

• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California

• Founded year: 1979

• Notable portfolio companies: Akamai Technologies, Cepheid, Tripwire, Fuze

• Portfolio size: 250 investments

• Number of exits: 74

You can refer to their website here.

10. Pivot Investment Partners

Pivot Investment Partners is a New York-based, operator-led firm focused on B2B FinTech. They primarily invest in early-growth stage companies, providing capital and strategic support.

The firm’s operator-led model means its partners bring direct industry experience, not just funding. Their portfolio highlights a focus on high-growth B2B leaders, including the payroll platform Gusto and the insurance exchange BoldPenguin, which had a successful exit.

Pivot is a strong match for founders in B2B FinTech or InsurTech who are seeking investors with deep operational expertise. If you value hands-on guidance from a team that has built and scaled companies, they are worth considering.

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, Late Stage Venture, Venture

• Industries of focus: B2B FinTech, InsurTech, Payments, AI, Wealth Management

• Geographical presence: New York, New York

• Founded year: 2014

• Notable portfolio companies: Gusto, iCapital Network, Cowbell Cyber, BoldPenguin

• Portfolio size: 62 investments

• Number of exits: 12

• Team background: Operator-led

You can refer to their website here.

11. Mu Ventures

Mu Ventures is a New York-based firm that invests in pre-seed and seed-stage companies. Their focus is on "commerce enablement," meaning they back startups building the infrastructure for online business.

The firm's portfolio shows a clear focus on B2B software, backing companies like Balance, a payments platform for B2B e-commerce, and Alloy Automation. Their recent exit with the data-privacy platform Qonsent, which was acquired in 2024, highlights their ability to support companies toward a successful outcome.

Mu Ventures is a strong choice for early-stage founders building tools for e-commerce and retail. If your company specializes in B2B payments, SaaS, or supply chain technology, their specific focus makes them a relevant investor.

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: Pre-seed, Seed, Early Stage Venture

• Industries of focus: Commerce Enablement, E-Commerce, Payments, SaaS, Retail Technology

• Geographical presence: New York, New York

• 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 investor community for payments companies is well-developed and diverse. You’ll find capital available across all funding stages, from pre-seed firms focused on getting new ideas off the ground to late-stage partners who specialize in scaling for an exit. This balance means that whether you are just starting out or are an established leader, there are investors who understand your specific needs.

Geographically, investors are concentrated in major US hubs like New York and California, which can inform your fundraising strategy. The variety of investor types—from corporate venture arms to operator-led funds—also gives you options for finding a partner whose strategic value goes beyond just capital. 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 focus. This guide is designed to help you connect with the right investors for your payments company, so you can spend your energy on building strong relationships.

Once your round is closed, the work of managing that capital begins. Our platform is built to support founders at this critical moment, helping you put your new funds to work responsibly.

If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes. We provide business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, all integrated to help you manage your cash flow efficiently.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Payments

Which US cities are hubs for fintech VC firms?

Major hubs for fintech venture capital firms include New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area. Other active cities like Boston and Miami are also growing their presence, offering strong networks for founders in the payments industry.

What do early-stage VC firms look for in payments startups?

Early-stage VC firms typically look for a strong founding team with relevant experience, a clear problem you are solving, and initial signs of product-market fit. A large addressable market in a specific payments niche is also important.

Are there VCs that focus on B2B payments?

Yes, many financial technology venture capital firms specialize in B2B payments. Firms like Pivot Investment Partners and Mu Ventures focus on this area, seeking companies that improve financial operations and commerce for other businesses.

Are there many European venture capital firms for fintech?

The European fintech scene is very active, with prominent venture capital firms in London, Berlin, and Amsterdam. These investors often focus on open banking, cross-border payments, and regulatory technology, presenting great opportunities for founders in the region.

How can Rho help after I secure funding?

Once your round is closed, Rho helps you manage and deploy capital with an integrated platform. We offer business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay to support your company’s financial operations and growth.