Top 9 Venture Capital Firms Investing in Security Startups
We've identified the top VC firms investing in security. Find your funding partner, and let Rho help you manage the capital with our integrated platform.
Rho Editorial Team
For founders in the security space, preparing to raise capital means finding investors who truly understand your work. Whether you're in cybersecurity, defense tech, or AI, connecting with the right venture capital firm is critical for a successful partnership.
To help you identify the right partners, we've curated this guide to some of the top security-focused VC firms. This overview is designed to give you a quick summary of relevant investors before or during your fundraising process.
Rho provides access to business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay—built for startup teams moving fast. Once funding is secured, our integrated financial tools help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.
Key Takeaways
For startups in the security sector, securing venture funding is about finding a strategic partner who understands your specific technology and market.
Firms like Glasswing Ventures, LRVHealth, Okta Ventures, and Lockheed Martin Ventures are active investors backing businesses in the security industry.
Once you close a round, Rho helps you manage your capital with fast business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.
Which VC Firms in Security Are Right for Your Stage?
Whether your company is in its early stages or preparing for an exit, it helps to know which investors to approach. Here is a quick overview of which VC firms in the security sector invest at each stage.
Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Security
Pre-seed and seed funding is the earliest capital you'll raise, typically used to validate an idea, build a minimum viable product (MVP), and make initial key hires. For founders in the security industry, firms like Glasswing Ventures and Dreamit are active investors at this foundational stage.
Early Stage VC Firms in Security
Early-stage venture capital, which includes Series A and B rounds, is for companies that have achieved product-market fit and are ready to build out their go-to-market teams and scale operations. Security tech venture capital firms focusing on this phase, such as Lockheed Martin Ventures and Ascent, often look for businesses with demonstrated traction.
Late Stage VC Firms in Security
Late-stage funding supports mature startups as they pursue large-scale expansion, prepare for an initial public offering (IPO), or position themselves for an acquisition. Investors like J.P. Morgan and East Los Capital are examples of private equity and venture capital firms that participate in these later growth rounds.
Keep in mind that some VC firms invest across all startup funding stages, from seed to exit.
Below is a closer look at some of the top VC firms that focus on the security industry. We've included key details about their investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes each firm a compelling partner for founders.
1. Glasswing Ventures
Based in Boston, Glasswing Ventures invests in early-stage startups applying artificial intelligence and frontier technology to enterprise and cybersecurity markets. The firm was founded in 2016 and focuses on providing seed and early-stage venture funding.
The firm has a clear preference for businesses with deep technical foundations, backing companies like Black Kite, a leader in third-party cyber-risk monitoring. Their portfolio also includes Allure Security, which uses AI to stop brand impersonation scams, signaling a strong interest in security-focused applications.
Glasswing Ventures is a good match for founders with a strong technical background building AI-driven solutions for enterprise or security challenges. Their portfolio suggests they value product-centric teams creating new technological capabilities.
Once you secure a round with a partner like Glasswing, Rho’s integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—can help you manage and deploy that capital efficiently.
Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Enterprise, Security, Software
Geographical presence: Boston, Massachusetts
Founded: 2016
Notable portfolio companies: Black Kite, Allure Security, Zylotech
Portfolio size: 71 investments
You can refer to their website here.
2. LRVHealth
LRVHealth is a Boston-based venture capital firm that has been investing since 2000. They operate as an “Inside Healthcare” platform, bringing together a team of experienced investors, operators, and advisors from the healthcare industry.
The firm invests across seed, early, and late stages, with a clear focus on healthcare, medical devices, and enterprise software. Their portfolio includes notable exits like the patient-intake platform Phreesia, which went public, and Current Health, a remote patient-monitoring startup acquired by Best Buy.
LRVHealth is a strong potential partner for founders building companies within the healthcare ecosystem. Their hands-on approach is particularly suited for teams that can benefit from deep operational guidance and an established industry network.
Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
Industries of focus: Health Care, Medical Device, Enterprise, Security
Geographical presence: Boston, Massachusetts
Founded: 2000
Notable portfolio companies: Phreesia, Current Health, Carevive
Portfolio size: 88 investments
You can refer to their website here.
3. Okta Ventures
Okta Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of the identity company Okta. Based in San Jose, the firm invests in companies building the next generation of identity, privacy, and security solutions across various stages.
As a corporate venture fund, Okta Ventures makes strategic investments that align with its core business. The firm has a strong record of backing security startups that achieve successful exits, including Dig Security (acquired by Palo Alto Networks) and Adaptive Shield (acquired by CrowdStrike).
This firm is a good match for founders developing solutions in identity management, data privacy, and enterprise security. Teams that can benefit from a strategic alignment with Okta and are building toward a potential acquisition will find them to be a compelling partner.
Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
Industries of focus: Identity, Privacy, Security, Finance, Financial Services
Geographical presence: San Jose, California
Founded: 2009
Notable portfolio companies: Trusted Key, Tessian, Dig Security, Adaptive Shield, Openpath
Portfolio size: 45 investments
You can refer to their website here.
4. Lockheed Martin Ventures
Lockheed Martin Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Lockheed Martin Corporation, founded in 2007. Based in Bethesda, Maryland, the firm makes strategic investments in early-stage companies with technologies relevant to its core business.
The firm focuses on businesses with applications in aerospace, national security, and space travel, backing companies with deep technical foundations. Its portfolio includes hardware and software innovators like Ayar Labs, which develops optical I/O chips, and DUST Identity, which secures hardware with diamond-dust signatures.
This firm is an excellent match for founders developing technologies with clear relevance to the defense and aerospace sectors. Teams seeking a strategic partner with deep industry expertise and a path to significant scale will find them to be a strong ally.
Once you secure a round with a partner like Lockheed Martin Ventures, our integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—can help you manage and deploy that capital efficiently.
Investment stages: Early Stage Venture
Industries of focus: Aerospace, National Security, Security, Hardware, Space Travel
Geographical presence: Bethesda, Maryland
Founded: 2007
Notable portfolio companies: Terran Orbital, Ayar Labs, DUST Identity, Mythic
Portfolio size: 91 investments
You can refer to their website here.
5. Ascent Venture Partners
Ascent Venture Partners is a Boston-based firm that has been backing early-stage B2B technology companies since 1985. They focus on emerging businesses and have supported over 100 companies throughout their long history.
The firm has a strong record in enterprise software, with notable exits like the security startup CloudLock, which was acquired by Cisco. This history signals a focus on B2B companies with clear paths to acquisition or public markets.
Ascent is a good fit for founders building B2B technology companies, particularly in the security and data analytics sectors. Their experience suggests they are a strong partner for teams aiming for a significant exit.
Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
Industries of focus: Analytics, Security, B2B Technology
Geographical presence: Boston, Massachusetts
Founded: 1985
Notable portfolio companies: ZoomInfo, CloudLock, PerspecSys
Portfolio size: Over 100 investments
You can refer to their website here.
6. MassVentures
MassVentures is a venture capital firm that has been supporting Massachusetts-based startups since 1978. The firm invests across multiple stages and also provides grants, with a clear mission to help local technology companies succeed.
A key characteristic is their flexible funding approach, which includes grants alongside traditional seed, early, and late-stage venture investments. Their portfolio shows a history of successful exits, including the crowd-testing platform Applause and retail-media company OwnerIQ.
This firm is an ideal partner for Massachusetts-based founders building technology companies, especially those who value a local investor with a long track record. Their history of guiding companies to successful acquisitions makes them a compelling choice for teams with a clear exit strategy.
Once you secure funding with a partner like MassVentures, our integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—can help you manage and deploy that capital efficiently.
Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Grant
Industries of focus: Information Technology, Media and Entertainment, Security
Geographical presence: Boston, Massachusetts
Founded: 1978
Notable portfolio companies: MachineMetrics, Applause, OwnerIQ, lifeIMAGE
Portfolio size: 437 investments
You can refer to their website here.
7. Dreamit Ventures
Dreamit Ventures is a Philadelphia-based firm that has been operating since 2007. They concentrate on startups that have already secured pilots or initial revenue and are prepared to scale their operations.
The firm has a clear focus on various security sectors, from fraud detection to identity management. They have a history of guiding companies to successful exits, including the acquisitions of LevelUp and TrendKite, and have also backed well-known consumer brands like SeatGeek and Houseparty.
Dreamit is a strong match for founders who have moved beyond the idea stage and can demonstrate market traction. Their deep focus on security makes them a particularly relevant partner for companies building solutions in that space.
Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Convertible Note, Non Equity Assistance
Industries of focus: Security, Privacy, Generative AI, Fraud Detection
Geographical presence: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Founded: 2007
Notable portfolio companies: SeatGeek, Houseparty, LevelUp, TrendKite
Portfolio size: 403 investments
You can refer to their website here.
8. J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
J.P. Morgan Securities is the investment banking and venture capital division of the global financial giant. Based in New York, the firm has been an active investor since 1985, participating in deals across a company's full lifecycle.
A key feature is its broad investment mandate, funding companies from early stages through to post-IPO. Their portfolio, tracked by Unicorn Nest, highlights a history of backing companies toward major exits, including the in-flight Wi-Fi provider Gogo and Hollywood studio Legendary Entertainment.
This firm is a good fit for founders of mature companies seeking a partner for significant growth, a public offering, or a large-scale acquisition. Their deep financial resources and market presence are best suited for businesses with established traction and ambitious goals.
Once you secure a round with a partner like J.P. Morgan, our integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—can help you manage and deploy that capital efficiently.
Investment stages: Debt, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Post-IPO, Private Equity, Secondary Market
Industries of focus: Security
Geographical presence: New York, New York
Founded: 1985
Notable portfolio companies: LivingSocial, Legendary Entertainment, Gogo
Portfolio size: 59 investments with 36 exits
You can refer to their website here.
9. East Los Capital
East Los Capital is a Los Angeles-based private equity and venture capital firm founded in 2018. They invest in tech-enabled companies across software, internet, healthcare, and media in the lower middle market.
The firm operates across both venture and private equity stages, backing tech-enabled businesses with high growth potential. Their portfolio includes successful exits like cloud-services partner Caylent and pet-genomics company Basepaws, showing a focus on companies with strong market traction.
East Los Capital is a good match for founders of established, tech-enabled businesses in sectors like software, cloud security, and healthcare. Their focus on the lower middle market makes them a strong partner for companies ready to scale with growth capital.
Once you secure a round with a partner like East Los Capital, our integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—can help you manage and deploy that capital efficiently.
Investment stages: Private Equity, Venture
Industries of focus: Cloud Security, Cyber Security, Health Care, Software, Media
Geographical presence: Los Angeles, California
Founded: 2018
Notable portfolio companies: Caylent, Basepaws, Finix, FLYR Labs, TRM Labs
Portfolio size: 22 investments with 7 exits
You can refer to their website here.
What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for Security Companies
This list of investors shows a well-balanced funding environment for companies in the security sector. You can find active partners across all stages, from early seed rounds to late-stage private equity. This means that whether you are just starting out or preparing for a major expansion, there are specialized firms ready to invest.
While there is a notable concentration of investors in Boston, capital is also available from major hubs in California, New York, and the Mid-Atlantic. The variety of investor types—from corporate venture arms to traditional VCs—also gives you more options for finding a partnership that aligns with your long-term goals.
Once funding is secured, our integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.
Raise Confidently with Rho
Fundraising requires your full attention, and having a focused list of relevant investors saves valuable time and energy. It allows you to concentrate on building relationships with partners who truly understand your business.
Once 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 manage your new funding with confidence and control. We offer integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay built for growing startups.
FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Security
What are the top security VC firms in Boston?
Boston is a major hub for security-focused VC firms. Beyond the firms in our list, investors like .406 Ventures and Accomplice are active in the city, backing early-stage companies in cybersecurity, enterprise IT, and data analytics.
What are deep tech venture capital firms?
Deep tech venture capital firms invest in companies built on significant scientific or engineering innovation. They back startups with defensible intellectual property in fields like AI, robotics, and advanced materials, often requiring longer development timelines.
Are there security-focused VC firms in Europe?
Yes, Europe has a growing number of security-focused VC firms. Investors like Paladin Capital Group and eCAPITAL have a strong presence, backing cybersecurity and deep tech startups across the continent from early to growth stages.
What is the difference between boutique and major venture capital firms?
Major VC firms manage large funds and make many investments, while boutique firms are smaller and more specialized. Boutique VCs often provide more focused support, which can be valuable for founders in niche security sectors.
Do blockchain venture capital firms also invest in security?
Yes, many blockchain VC firms invest heavily in security, as it is fundamental to the technology. They fund projects focused on smart contract auditing, wallet security, and decentralized identity to protect assets and user data on-chain.
How can Rho help after I raise from a security VC firm?
Once you secure funding, Rho helps you manage it. Our platform offers integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, giving you the financial tools to deploy your new capital with control and confidence.