Welcome to your complete startup founder guide for the San Francisco Bay Area Venture Capital firms and investors

 

Venture Capital & Angel Investors

 

Incubators, Accelerators, Seed Stage

AlchemistAccelerator A seed-stage accelerator focused on early-stage tech startups, providing mentorship, funding, and network access.

 

AngelPad A global startup accelerator that provides seed funding, mentorship, and resources to early-stage companies.

 

Aspect Ventures A venture capital firm investing in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on enterprise software, consumer internet, and mobile.

 

Berkeley SkyDeck  A university-affiliated startup accelerator at the University of California, Berkeley, offering mentorship, funding, and workspace to early-stage companies.

 

Cardinal Ventures A venture capital firm focused on investing in early-stage technology companies, with a particular interest in healthcare, fintech, and enterprise software.

 

Cleantech Open A global nonprofit competition and accelerator focused on supporting early-stage clean technology startups.

 

Contrary A seed-stage venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on disruptive innovation and emerging technologies.

 

Fast Forward A nonprofit accelerator that provides mentorship, funding, and resources to early-stage social impact startups.

 

Freestyle Capital A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies across various sectors, including enterprise software, consumer internet, and mobile.

 

First Round Capital A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on seed and Series A rounds.

 

Highway1  A hardware accelerator focused on supporting early-stage hardware startups, providing mentorship, funding, and access to manufacturing resources.

 

Illumina A genomics company that invests in early-stage companies developing innovative technologies in the life sciences and healthcare sectors.

 

Launch A university-affiliated startup accelerator at the University of California, Berkeley, offering mentorship, funding, and workspace to early-stage 

 

Launchpad Digital Health A digital health accelerator program at the University of California, San Francisco, focused on supporting early-stage startups in the healthcare technology sector.

 

Lemnos A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on enterprise software, consumer internet, and mobile.

 

MongoDB MongoDB for Startups offers free MongoDB Atlas credits, one-on-one technical advice, co-marketing opportunities, and access to their partner network.

 

Rock Health A healthcare accelerator that provides mentorship, funding, and resources to early-stage startups in the healthcare technology sector.

 

Spain Tech Center A technology incubator and accelerator located in Spain, supporting early-stage startups in the region.

 

Startup Bootcamp A global startup accelerator program with locations in various cities around the world, offering mentorship, funding, and resources to early-stage companies.

 

StartX For Stanford alumni, staff, and graduates. A university-affiliated startup accelerator at Stanford University, offering mentorship, funding, and workspace to early-stage companies founded by Stanford alumni, staff, and graduates.

 

Tandem A university-affiliated startup accelerator at the University of California, Berkeley, offering mentorship, funding, and workspace to early-stage companies.

 

Techstars A global startup accelerator network that invests in early-stage companies across various sectors, including healthcare, fintech, web3, and cleantech.

 

TechWadi A technology incubator and accelerator located in the Middle East, supporting early-stage startups in the region.

 

Y Combinator A well-known startup accelerator that invests in early-stage companies from around the world, providing mentorship, funding, and resources.

 

500 Global A global venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on emerging markets and disruptive innovation.

 

Venture Capital

 

Accel A leading venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies across various sectors.

 

Acme VC A venture capital firm focused on investing in early-stage technology companies, with a particular interest in enterprise software and consumer internet.

 

Andreessen Horowitz A prominent venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies across various sectors, including software, hardware, and biotechnology.

 

Bessemer A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies, with a focus on enterprise software, consumer internet, and mobile.

 

Canaan A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies across various sectors, including enterprise software, consumer internet, and healthcare.

 

Circle Up A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage consumer brands, providing funding, mentorship, and access to retail channels.

 

Contrary Capital A seed-stage venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on disruptive innovation and emerging technologies.

 

CoreVC A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies across various sectors, with a focus on enterprise software, consumer internet, and mobile.

 

DJF A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies, with a focus on enterprise software, consumer internet, and healthcare.

 

First Round A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on seed and Series A rounds.

 

5am Ventures A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on enterprise software, consumer internet, and mobile.

 

Founders Fund A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies, with a focus on disruptive innovation and emerging technologies.

 

FundersClub An online investment platform that allows individuals to invest in early-stage technology companies through a variety of funding options.

 

GreyLock A leading venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies across various sectors, including software, hardware, and biotechnology.

 

GV (Google Ventures) A venture capital firm backed by Google, investing in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies with a focus on innovation and disruption.

 

Haystack VC A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on enterprise software, consumer internet, and mobile.

 

Highland Capital Partners (HCP) A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies across various sectors, including software, hardware, and biotechnology.

 

Initialized Capital A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on seed and Series A rounds.

 

Index Ventures A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies across various sectors, with a focus on enterprise software, consumer internet, and mobile.

 

Intel Capital A venture capital arm of Intel Corporation, investing in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies that align with Intel’s strategic objectives.

 

InterWest Partners A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies across various sectors, including software, hardware, and biotechnology.

 

IVP A venture capital firm that invests in high-growth technology companies, with a focus on later-stage investments and buyouts.

 

Khoslaw Ventures A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies, with a focus on disruptive innovation and emerging technologies.

 

Kleiner Perkins A leading venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies across various sectors, including software, hardware, and biotechnology.

 

Lightspeed A leading venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies across various sectors, including software, hardware, and biotechnology.

 

New Enterprise Associates A prominent venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies across various sectors, with a focus on enterprise software, consumer internet, and healthcare.

 

Norwest Venture Partners A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies across various sectors, including software, hardware, and biotechnology.

 

Notable A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on seed and Series A rounds.

 

Portfolia A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on women-led and diverse-founded startups.

 

RedPoint A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies across various sectors, including software, hardware, and biotechnology.

 

Ribbit Capital A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage financial technology companies.

 

Roble Ventures A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on enterprise software, consumer internet, and mobile.

 

Scale Venture Partners A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies, with a focus on enterprise software, consumer internet, and mobile.

 

Sequoia Capital A leading venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies across various sectors, including software, hardware, and biotechnology.

 

Silicon Valley Bank A bank that provides financial services to the technology industry, including venture debt, loans, and other banking products.

 

Sofinnova A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage life sciences and healthcare companies.

 

SV Angel An angel investment firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, providing seed funding and mentorship.

 

The Venture Collective: An early-stage venture capital firm that invests in technology companies, with a focus on seed and Series A rounds.

 

Tuesday Capital A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on enterprise software and consumer internet.

 

Vectors Angels An angel investment group that invests in early-stage technology companies, providing seed funding and mentorship.

 

Venrock A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology companies across various sectors, including software, hardware, and biotechnology.

 

Weekend Fund A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on seed and Series A rounds.

 

Women-focused funders

 

How Women Invest: A community and platform dedicated to empowering women investors and entrepreneurs. They offer resources, education, and networking opportunities to help women navigate the world of finance and investing.

 

Portfolia: A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on women-led health and diverse-founded startups.

 

79 Studios: Startup studio creating a new playing field.

 

2045 Ventures: Backing diverse, mission-driven founders. US-based technology companies. in pre-seed rounds of under $1 million.

 

Access to Capital Directory for Women Entrepreneurs: A database designed to help women entrepreneurs learn about sources of funding, including equity, loans and grants.

 

Amboy Street Ventures: Focused on women’s health & sexual health startups. 

 

Amplifica Capital: Spanish-speaking investing in women in early-stage technologically innovative companies.

 

Amplifyher Ventures: Venture Capital firm that invests in diverse leadership teams.

 

The Artemis Fund: Champion of women Artemis leads seed rounds for diverse tech founders in fintech, commerce, and care.

 

Astia: Invest, advise, and partner to level the investment playing field with women at the top.

 

Authentic Ventures: Seeks out diverse teams about one-third of investments have been in fintech or software companies serving financial institutions.

 

AV Women’s Venture Fund: Launched a community around women: fund managers, investors, experts, and more.

 

Avestria Ventures: Invests in women’s health and female-led life science ventures. 

 

Backstage Capital: Focused on underrepresented – Women, People of Color, and LGBT founders.

 

BBG Ventures: An early-stage angel fund focused on building great companies in underserved capital markets across the USA. 

 

Belle Capital USA: Invests in female founders related to health, build wealth, and living in a cleaner, safer world.

 

Beta Boom: Investing in people rather than diplomas, privileges, or connections.

 

Brava Investments: Investing in broad-based economic impact for women.

 

Bumble Fund: Invests in early-stage and focusing primarily on businesses founded and led by women of color and those from underrepresented groups. 

 

Capita3: Early stage venture capital fund investing in women startup founders.

 

Chingona Ventures: Pre-seed focused on massively changing industries and founders with overlooked backgrounds in financial technology, female technology, food technology, health/wellness, and future of learning.

 

Chloe Capital:Invest in women-led, seed-stage, tech and tech-enabled companies with a product in the market validated through early revenue and/or strategic partnerships. 

 

Claritas Capital: Focused on women founders solving gaps with technology, services, and products.

 

Coralus: Focused on women and non-binary, Coralus pools community resources and the wisdom of the collective to generate support that goes well beyond providing interest-free funding.

 

Coyote Ventures: Seed-stage, backs founders solving problems that disproportionately affect overlooked populations. 

 

DigitalDX: A majority woman-owned impact fund investing in early-stage health technology companies that use artificial intelligence (AI) to better diagnose + treat illness. 

 

digitalundivided: Focused on providing access for Latina and Black women founders. 

 

DivInc: Mission to generate social and economic equity through entrepreneurship. 

 

Dorm Room Fund: Helps student founders get all the help they need to take their companies to the next level and focuses on Black, Indigenous, LatinX, female, LGBTQ+, non-binary, and/or underrepresented.

 

Elevate Capital: Venture capital fund that specifically targets investments in underserved entrepreneurs—such as women and ethnic minorities, or those with limited access regionally to capital and opportunities. 

 

Emmeline Ventures: Invests in female founders building game-changing businesses which empower women.

 

Fearless Fund: Invests in women of color-led businesses seeking pre-seed, seed level or series A financing. 

 

Female Founders Fund: Focuses on female founders raising seed capital.

 

GingerBread Capital: Invests in women founders and entrepreneurs leading high-growth businesses. 

 

Global Invest Her: Global platform for women entrepreneurs.

 

Golden Seeds: Early-stage investment focused on women-led businesses.

 

Graham and Walker Venture Fund: Focuses on early stage woman-founded tech companies in North America,especially in the areas of health, work and caretaking. 

 

Harlem Capital: On a mission to change the face of entrepreneurship by investing in 1,000 diverse founders over 20 years.

 

Halogen Ventures: Early-stage consumer technology & strategic B2B software companies with a female in the founding team.

 

HearstLab: Focuses on women-led companies. 

 

The Helm: New York-based early-stage venture firm investing in women. 

 

How Women Invest: Invests across two funds that leverages its professional network of 14,000 women to identify high-potential female founders and provide the starter fuel and access to propel founders to success.

 

Hypatia Capital: Asset management investing in women in leadership. 

 

Intel Capital Diversity Fund: Invests $125 million in technology companies led by women and underrepresented populations, which include Black, Latinx, and Native Americans.

 

January Ventures: Pre-seed startups accelerating digital transformation in work, health, and climate with equal opportunity.

 

JumpStart Focus Fund: Seed capital in tech-based companies led by female entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs of color throughout Ohio – as well as those willing to move to the state.

 

LDR Ventures: Female led and California-based, consults and invests primarily in female and underserved entrepreneurs at the Seed & Series A Stages. 

 

March of Dimes Innovation Fund: A venture philanthropy initiative that will use donated funds to invest in early-stage companies to address the most pressing maternal and infant health challenges. 

 

Mendoza Ventures: Diversity focused, the firm invests in Fintech, AI, and Cybersecurity—90% of their portfolio consists of startups led by immigrants, people of color, and women. 

 

Mergelane: Invests in high-potential startups and venture capital funds with at least one female leader. 

 

Merian Ventures: Invests in women founded and co-founded innovation in cyber, blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and consumer-facing companies. 

 

Mindshift Capital: Focuses on post-seed early-stage companies in the U.S., Europe and Middle East with a gender lens, ensuring diversity of thought while narrowing the funding gap for female-led ventures. 

 

Moderne Ventures: Invests in early stage companies in real estate, insurance, finance, hospitality and home services industries -especially those that challenge the status quo, fill the gaps and build value into its key marketplaces.

 

Morgan Stanley Multicultural Innovation Lab: With a mission to create a more inclusive investment landscape for underrepresented founders, they offer a unique opportunity for disruptive startups to access capital, accelerate their business and increase their visibility. 

 

New Voices Fund: Redefining the future of investment in the consumer sector by focusing on founders who lead brands serving the New General Market. This market is defined as an amalgamation of cultures, ethnicities, and demographics, united by shared need states, lifestyles, and commonalities.

 

Next Act Fund: Invests in early-stage, women-owned/led companies, thereby positively impacting women, the region, and the nation.

 

Next Wave Impact: With a goal to increase diversity, inclusion, and impact in early-stage investing via an entrepreneurial ecosystem through our innovative learning-by-doing progressive fund model. 

 

The Perkins Fund: Focuses on high technology companies that fill an unmet market need that can only be solved through a combination of technology, marketing savvy and hard work. While the Perkins Fund does not only invest in women, over 50% of the Perkins Fund founders are women compared to a venture capital industry average of less than 15%. 

 

Pipeline Angels: Funding for trans women, cis women, nonbinary, two-spirit, agender, and gender-nonconforming founders.

 

Plum Alley: Invests in advanced technology and healthcare companies at the Series A and B that will improve  lives and the planet. Portfolio companies must have at least one woman in the founding team.

 

Portfolia: A powerful network of women investing in companies needed in the world for returns and impact, in areas such as women’s health, active aging and longevity, sustainability and climate change and backing people of color and marginalized communities.

 

Reign Ventures: Invests in seed-stage consumer technology and software startups from business development to raising Series A.

 

Renew Ventures: Invests in profitable, scaled Impact, and back founders who have been shut out of venture funding because of what they look like and not what they are building – women and historically excluded founders.

 

Rethink Impact: Invests in female and non-binary leaders using technology to solve the world’s biggest problems. 

 

RH Capital: Invests in early-stage startups promising to revolutionize women’s health and improve health equity in the US. 

 

Rhia Ventures: Focused on impact investment to stimulate innovation and equity in women’s health.

 

Rivet Ventures: Invests in companies in women-led markets where female usage, decision-making, and purchasing are crucial to company growth backing founders of any gender.

 

Rogue Women’s Fund: An early seed stage fund investing in the best women-led tech startups across the US. 

 

Sandpiper Ventures: A platform where women investors and founders can radically disrupt the venture capital environment. Sandpiper Ventures unlocks capital and innovation through greater diversity of investors and strong connections to global markets.

 

Serena Ventures: Serena William empowers founders to change the world and focuses on the underrepresented.

 

Sofia Fund: Investing in women-led growth.

 

SoGal Ventures: SoGal Ventures is the first women-led, next-gen venture capital firm investing in next-gen billion-dollar businesses that unapologetically benefit people, society, and the planet.

 

Springboard Enterprises: A 501c3 not-for-profit organization with the mission to accelerate the growth of entrepreneurial companies led by women through access to essential resources and a global community of experts.

 

SteelSky Ventures: Invests in companies that improve access, care and outcomes in women’s health.

 

Suttona Capital: Female-led and female-focused growth equity investors backing consumer brands. 

 

Texas Women Ventures: Managed by TWV Capital and has grown to over $25 million in capital and more than 100 investors/advisors. TWV Capital offers innovative capital solutions for women-owned and women-led companies with revenues between $10 million and $100 million.

 

The 51: Investors use The51 Financial Feminist™ platform to educate themselves and put their capital (financial and human) to work in impact funds for women-led and gender-diverse businesses.

 

True Wealth Ventures: Invests in smart female entrepreneurs, from consumer health innovators to sustainable product pioneers. 

 

TruStage Ventures Discovery Fund: Was created to address inequities in the financial sector by supporting and investing in underrepresented entrepreneurs focused on building solutions for financial inclusion.The fund will invest $5 million annually in early-stage fintech companies led by BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and woman founders.

 

Valor Ventures: Leads seed rounds for AI / B2B startups in the South. Valor has selectively partnered with limited partners (LPs) who lead organizations committed to creating better opportunities for all.

 

VCsForRepro: A coalition of venture capital firms that frames abortion as an economic and innovation imperative. 

 

Visible Ventures: Invests in early-stage companies building superior consumer experiences and the technologies that power them across commerce, care, and consumer tech. Champion of overlooked entrepreneurs addressing unmet needs within the consumer and technology industries. 

 

The W Fund: A singular focus on fueling the startup ecosystem, aggregating capital, and deploying funds to women and diverse-led tech startups solving the biggest problems and driving the future of tech. At least 70% of investments will be in women-led startups. Of that 70%, at least half will go to women who also come from another group traditionally underrepresented in the tech startup space.

 

WOCstar Fund:  Early-stage investment fund focused on tech innovation being brought to market by inclusive teams and women of color, Wocstars. 

 

Women’s Venture Capital Fund: Early stage (A/B), revenue-generating, high-growth companies led by management teams inclusive of women.

 

WXR Fund: Invests in two of the greatest opportunities of our time: spatial computing + female entrepreneurs.

 

XFactors Ventures: Pre-Seed and seed stage capital for companies founded by women.