Top 5 Venture Capital Firms in Arlington

For founders preparing to raise capital, understanding the venture capital scene in Arlington and the broader Northern Virginia area is a critical first step. Finding the right investment partner can make all the difference. To help you identify relevant investors, our team at Rho curated this guide to the top early-stage VC firms in the region, giving you a quick overview as you prepare your fundraising process.

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

Key Takeaways

• Seeking venture capital is more than just securing funds; it’s about finding a strategic partner who offers valuable guidance and connections to support your company’s growth.
• Arlington and the Northern Virginia area are home to notable investors, including firms like Sands Capital Ventures, SineWave Ventures, DARPA, and StoneMill Ventures.
• After you close a round, Rho helps you manage your capital with an all-in-one platform for business banking, corporate cards, and payments.

Which Arlington VC Firms Are Right for Your Stage?

Knowing which investors to talk to depends on your company's current stage, from early funding rounds to a potential exit. Below is a brief overview of Arlington VC firms and where they typically invest.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Arlington

Pre-seed and seed funding is the earliest capital a startup raises, often used to validate an idea and build an initial product. For founders in this phase, especially in cybersecurity, StoneMill Ventures is a key local investor, while Sands Capital also participates in seed rounds.

Early Stage VC Firms in Arlington

Early-stage funding, which includes Series A and B, helps you scale operations and grow your customer base once you have a proven product. Arlington firms that focus on this stage include SineWave Ventures and RTX Ventures, along with Sands Capital, which invests in technology and life sciences companies.

Late Stage VC Firms in Arlington

Late-stage rounds provide capital to mature companies as they expand significantly or prepare for an exit, such as an IPO or acquisition. Investors in this category include Sands Capital, which supports companies through to public listing, and SineWave Ventures, which also provides late-stage venture funding.

Keep in mind that some VC firms invest across multiple startup funding stages, offering support from a company's inception to its exit.

To help with your search, we've outlined the top VC firms in Arlington, Virginia below, including details on their investment stages, sector focus, portfolio highlights, and what makes each a distinct choice for founders.

1. Sands Capital Ventures

Sands Capital is an investment firm that supports businesses in the technology and life sciences sectors. They are known for partnering with companies from their early stages all the way through to becoming public entities.

A key part of their strategy is a long-term investment horizon, providing capital across multiple funding rounds. Their focus is on identifying innovative and enduring businesses, particularly in enterprise software, financial services, and biotechnology.

This firm could be a great fit if you're a founder in one of their core industries and are looking for a capital partner for the long run. They are well-suited for companies with ambitions to grow from an early stage to a mature, public company.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, late-stage, and post-IPO
• Industries of focus: Technology, life sciences, enterprise software, and financial services
• Founded: 1992
• Portfolio size: Over 180 investments
• Notable exits: 44

You can refer to their website here.

2. SineWave Ventures

SineWave Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in technology companies. They provide capital to businesses serving both commercial and public sector clients.

A key aspect of their approach is a focus on companies that operate at the intersection of the commercial and government markets. Their portfolio includes businesses in enterprise software, IT, and infrastructure.

This firm is a strong potential partner if your company has applications in both the private and public sectors. Founders building technology for enterprise or government infrastructure will find their expertise relevant.

• Investment stages: Early- and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Enterprise software, financial services, information technology, and infrastructure
• Founded: 2015
• Portfolio size: 44 investments
• Notable exits: 5

You can refer to their website here.

3. DARPA

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is the central research and development organization for the U.S. Department of Defense. It operates differently from a traditional VC firm, focusing on funding breakthrough technologies for national security.

The agency’s approach is to sponsor high-risk, high-reward research that has the potential to provide the U.S. with a significant technological advantage. Their priorities are driven by national security needs, with a focus on developing entirely new capabilities.

DARPA is a unique funding source for founders developing deep-tech or dual-use technologies with clear defense applications. If your company is working on advanced projects in areas like AI, robotics, or materials science, DARPA could be a valuable partner.

• Industries of focus: Government, information technology, and national security
• Founded: 1958
• Portfolio size: 44 investments
• Notable exits: 9

You can refer to their website here.

4. StoneMill Ventures

StoneMill Ventures is a venture capital firm that concentrates on cybersecurity companies. They focus their investments on businesses in the earliest phases of development.

A defining feature of StoneMill Ventures is its dedicated focus on seed-stage cybersecurity startups. This specialization suggests they bring deep industry knowledge and a network built for the cybersecurity space.

This firm is an ideal partner if you are a founder building a cybersecurity company and seeking your first round of institutional capital. Their clear focus means they can provide relevant guidance from the start.

• Investment stages: Seed
• Industries of focus: Cybersecurity
• Founded: 2018
• Portfolio size: 41 investments
• Notable exits: 9

You can refer to their website here.

5. RTX Ventures

RTX Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Raytheon, investing in growing companies within the aerospace and defense sectors. They focus on startups developing technologies that are strategically important to their parent company.

A key characteristic is their position as a corporate investor, which means they often look for technologies that complement Raytheon's own business. They invest across both early and late stages, showing a willingness to support companies throughout their growth journey.

This firm is a strong match if you are a founder in the aerospace or defense industry seeking a strategic partner. An investment from RTX Ventures can provide not only capital but also access to deep industry expertise and potential collaboration opportunities.

• Investment stages: Early- and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Aerospace and defense
• Founded: 2022
• Portfolio size: 21 investments
• Notable exits: 1
• Investor type: Corporate Venture Capital

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About Arlington's VC Scene

The Arlington investor scene offers support for companies at multiple points in their growth. You'll find firms that focus on the earliest seed rounds, like StoneMill Ventures, as well as investors such as Sands Capital and SineWave Ventures that provide capital through later stages. This suggests a market that can support a company from its initial idea to significant expansion, which is a positive sign for founders planning long-term growth in the area.

A clear pattern is the strong presence of investors focused on technology with government, defense, and cybersecurity applications. With firms like RTX Ventures, DARPA, and StoneMill, Arlington is a particularly good place for founders in these sectors. If your business falls outside these categories, there are still generalist investors, but it's a key characteristic of the local market to consider as you prepare your fundraising strategy.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Fundraising requires your full attention, and your time is limited. A focused list of relevant investors helps you direct your energy where it matters most.

Once you've successfully closed your round, the next step is managing your new capital. If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes.

Our platform is built to help you manage your new funds with confidence. We provide business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, all in one place for growing startups.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms in Arlington

Which are the main cybersecurity venture capital firms in Arlington?

StoneMill Ventures is a key local investor focusing specifically on seed-stage cybersecurity startups. Other firms like SineWave Ventures and DARPA also fund companies with security applications, particularly those serving government or enterprise clients.

What are the top early-stage VC firms in Arlington?

For early-stage funding, key firms include SineWave Ventures and RTX Ventures. Sands Capital also invests in early-stage technology and life sciences companies, supporting them as they scale operations and grow their customer base.

Are there Arlington VCs for fintech or biotech startups?

Yes. Sands Capital is a major investor in both financial services and life sciences, including biotechnology. SineWave Ventures also has a focus on financial services, making Arlington a viable location for founders in these sectors.

Where can I find seed funding venture capital firms in Arlington?

StoneMill Ventures is a primary option, as they specialize in seed-stage cybersecurity companies. Sands Capital also participates in seed rounds for technology and life sciences businesses, providing capital to help validate your initial product.

Are there corporate venture capital firms in Arlington?

Yes, RTX Ventures is the corporate venture arm of Raytheon. They invest in aerospace and defense startups with technologies that are strategically important to their parent company, offering both capital and potential industry collaboration.

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

Once you secure funding, our platform helps you manage it effectively. We offer business banking, corporate cards, and automated payments in one place, so you can focus on growing your company. Get started with Rho today.