Top 12 Venture Capital Firms in Austin

For startup founders preparing to raise capital, understanding the local investment scene is essential. In Austin—an area often called Silicon Hills—knowing which investors are active can make a significant difference in your fundraising process.

To help you prepare, our team has curated this guide to the top venture capital firms in Austin. It’s a straightforward overview to help you quickly identify the most relevant investors for your company.

Actively raising? You can now access non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines through Rho Capital. Rho also provides access to business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay — built for startup teams moving fast.

Key Takeaways

• Seeking venture capital means finding the right partners who can provide capital and support for your company’s growth.
• Austin is home to many active investors, with firms like Scout Ventures, Sapphire Ventures, Silverton Partners, and Elsewhere Partners being some of the key investors.
• For founders raising or managing a new round, Rho offers a single platform to access and manage capital with alternative funding, fast business banking, corporate cards, and more.

Which Austin VC Firms Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether your company is in its early days or preparing for an exit, it’s helpful to know who to approach. This overview breaks down Austin's venture capital firms by the investment stages they target.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Austin

Pre-seed and seed funding is the initial capital you raise to validate your idea and build a minimum viable product. Austin has several active seed-stage venture capital firms, including the accelerator Capital Factory, as well as investors like GTM Fund and KdT Ventures.

Early Stage VC Firms in Austin

Early-stage venture capital typically covers Series A and Series B rounds, providing the capital for you to scale your team and achieve product-market fit. For founders seeking early-stage VC firms, investors like Silverton Partners and S3 Ventures focus on helping entrepreneurs build their companies, while a firm like ATX Venture Partners is a key player for B2B SaaS startups.

Late Stage VC Firms in Austin

Late-stage funding is for established companies looking to expand into new markets, make acquisitions, or prepare for an exit like an IPO. Some notable late-stage investors in Austin are Sapphire, which backs companies of consequence, Elsewhere Partners, a growth capital firm, and Bedrock Capital.

It's also worth noting that many venture capital firms invest across multiple startup funding stages.

Below is our guide to the top VC firms in Austin, Texas, with key information on their investment stages, sector focus, portfolio highlights, and what makes each firm a strong potential partner for your company.

1. Scout Ventures

Scout Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in technologies intended to make the world a better and safer place. They support companies building foundational, often complex, technological solutions.

The firm has a clear focus on frontier and dual-use technologies—innovations applicable to both commercial and government sectors. This thematic priority is reflected in their investments in areas like robotics, cybersecurity, and quantum computing.

If you are a founder working on deep tech or building a company with potential applications in both public and private markets, Scout Ventures could be a relevant partner. Their specialization suggests a good fit for entrepreneurs with a strong technical background.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Autonomous vehicles, cybersecurity, drones, IoT, quantum computing, robotics, and virtual reality
• Founded: 2010
• Portfolio size: Over 125 investments
• Track record: 28 exits

You can refer to their website here.

2. Sapphire Ventures

Sapphire is a venture capital firm that invests in software companies with the potential to become significant, market-defining businesses. They focus on backing what they call “companies of consequence.”

The firm invests across both early and late stages, showing a commitment to supporting companies throughout their growth journey. Their focus is clearly on enterprise software, particularly in sectors like finance and financial services.

If you are leading a software company that is already showing traction and has ambitions to become a major player in its industry, Sapphire could be a strong partner. They are geared toward founders who are ready to scale significantly.

• Investment stages: Early-stage, late-stage, and venture
• Industries of focus: Finance, financial services, and venture capital
• Founded: 1996
• Portfolio size: Over 350 investments
• Track record: 99 exits

You can refer to their website here.

3. Silverton Partners

Silverton Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm that partners with founders across software, tech-enabled services, and consumer brands. They have a long history in the Austin market, having been one of the most active investors in Texas for over a decade.

The firm often acts as the first institutional investor in a company, indicating a willingness to lead rounds and support founders from the very beginning. Their portfolio shows a broad interest, covering everything from enterprise software to consumer packaged goods.

If you are a founder at the seed or early stages looking for a hands-on partner to help build your company, Silverton is a strong potential fit. They are particularly relevant for entrepreneurs seeking their first institutional check.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Software, tech-enabled services, CPG, and financial services
• Founded: 2006
• Portfolio size: Over 200 investments
• Track record: 38 exits

You can refer to their website here.

4. Elsewhere Partners

Elsewhere Partners is a growth capital firm that invests in B2B software companies. They concentrate on businesses located outside of traditional venture capital hubs.

A key part of their strategy is backing software companies in emerging tech ecosystems. Their investment scope, which includes early-stage to private equity, indicates they support companies through multiple growth phases.

If you are a founder building a B2B software company outside of a major tech center, Elsewhere Partners could be a good fit. They are well-suited for entrepreneurs who have established a product and are ready to scale.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, late-stage venture, and private equity
• Industries of focus: B2B software, internet, and information technology
• Geographical focus: Companies outside of traditional venture hubs
• Founded: 2017
• Portfolio size: 22 investments
• Track record: 3 exits

You can refer to their website here.

5. S3 Ventures

S3 Ventures is a venture capital firm that helps entrepreneurs build high-impact companies. They focus on partnering with founders to support their growth and development from the early stages onward.

The firm invests across multiple funding rounds, from seed to late-stage, signaling they can be a long-term financial partner. Their industry focus on business development and financial services suggests a team with direct experience in those sectors.

If you are a founder building a business or finance-related company, S3 Ventures could be a good match. Their approach is well-suited for entrepreneurs seeking a partner for multiple growth phases.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Business development, finance, and financial services
• Founded: 2005
• Portfolio size: Over 110 investments
• Track record: 22 exits

You can refer to their website here.

6. GTMfund

GTMfund is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies, primarily at the seed and early venture rounds. The firm also provides private equity and asset management services.

As its name suggests, the fund appears to have a strong focus on go-to-market strategy, helping founders build their commercial operations. Their industry interests lie in finance and venture capital, indicating a specialized network and knowledge base.

If you are a founder seeking a partner to help refine your sales and marketing approach, GTMfund could be a good match. They are geared toward entrepreneurs who value hands-on support in building a strong market presence.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Finance, financial services, and venture capital
• Founded: 2020
• Portfolio size: 123 investments
• Track record: 8 exits

You can refer to their website here.

7. Capital Factory

Capital Factory is a venture capital firm and accelerator that invests in companies from the seed stage through later rounds. Their model combines investment with co-working and incubator programs, making them a central hub for entrepreneurs in Austin.

A key aspect of Capital Factory is its hybrid approach, blending venture investment with accelerator programs and a physical co-working environment. This structure points to a strong emphasis on community and hands-on support, particularly for early-stage founders.

If you are an early-stage founder looking for more than just capital, Capital Factory could be an excellent choice. Their ecosystem is designed for entrepreneurs who value mentorship, community, and direct access to a network of other founders and investors.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Finance, financial services, and venture capital
• Model: Accelerator, co-working space, and venture capital
• Founded: 2009
• Portfolio size: 218 investments
• Track record: 32 exits

You can refer to their website here.

8. KdT Ventures

KdT Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in companies working at the intersection of data, engineering, and biology. They provide capital to founders building businesses on a foundation of scientific and technical innovation.

The firm’s clear focus on deep tech—specifically in life sciences and data—is a defining trait, suggesting a team with strong scientific and technical expertise. They concentrate on seed and early-stage investments, indicating they prefer to partner with companies from their earliest days.

If you are a founder with a background in science or engineering and are building a company in these niche sectors, KdT Ventures may be a relevant investor. Their model is built for entrepreneurs who are turning complex research into commercial products.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Data, engineering, and biology
• Founded: 2017
• Portfolio size: 79 investments
• Track record: 5 exits

You can refer to their website here.

9. Trust Ventures

Trust Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in startups challenging established, incumbent-heavy industries. They provide both capital and specialized knowledge to help new companies compete in these complex markets.

The firm's defining characteristic is its focus on regulated sectors, where they help founders overcome barriers to entry. Their investment range, from seed to private equity, shows they can be a long-term partner for companies at different growth points.

This firm is a strong potential partner if your startup operates in a traditional field like financial services. Founders who need support navigating complex regulations and competing with large, established players will find their expertise particularly valuable.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage venture, and private equity
• Industries of focus: Financial services and venture capital
• Founded: 2018
• Portfolio size: 51 investments
• Track record: 3 exits

You can refer to their website here.

10. Bedrock

Bedrock is a venture capital firm that finances companies it considers to be truly unique. They focus on backing businesses with a strong narrative and a clear, differentiated market position.

The firm invests across multiple funding rounds, from seed to late-stage, signaling they can be a long-term partner. Their focus on finance, financial services, and fintech points to a team with deep expertise in that sector.

If you are a founder building a company with a distinct story, particularly in the fintech space, Bedrock could be a good match. They are geared toward entrepreneurs who are creating what they believe is a one-of-a-kind business.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Finance, financial services, and FinTech
• Founded: 2017
• Portfolio size: 65 investments
• Track record: 3 exits

You can refer to their website here.

11. Ironspring Ventures

Ironspring Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in companies digitizing traditional industrial sectors. They lead and co-lead rounds for startups in areas like construction, manufacturing, and logistics.

The firm’s clear focus is on digital industrial innovation, backing founders who are bringing technology to legacy industries. This specialization suggests they have deep operational knowledge and a network tailored to these markets.

If you are a founder building technology for sectors like manufacturing, construction, or supply chain management, Ironspring could be a strong fit. They are particularly relevant for entrepreneurs seeking a lead investor for their seed or early-stage round.

• Investment stages: Seed and early-stage venture
• Industries of focus: Construction, manufacturing, transport & logistics, and alternative energy
• Founded: 2019
• Portfolio size: 32 investments
• Track record: 1 exit

You can refer to their website here.

12. ATX Venture Partners

ATX Venture Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in B2B software, APIs, and other technology companies. They focus on businesses building foundational products for the modern economy.

The firm invests across multiple stages, from seed to late-stage, signaling they can be a long-term partner for companies. Their focus on B2B software and APIs indicates a team with specialized knowledge in enterprise technology.

If you are a founder building a B2B software company and are looking for a financial partner to support you through several funding rounds, ATX Venture Partners could be a strong match. Their multi-stage approach is well-suited for entrepreneurs with a long-term growth plan.

• Investment stages: Seed, early-stage, and late-stage venture
• Industries of focus: B2B software, APIs, frontier tech, and marketplaces
• Founded: 2014
• Portfolio size: Over 100 investments
• Track record: 10 exits

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About Austin's VC Scene

This overview of Austin's top investors shows a well-balanced market for founders. There is significant support for early-stage companies, with numerous firms focused on seed and Series A rounds. Many of these investors also continue to fund companies through later growth stages, offering the potential for long-term partnerships.

While there is a strong concentration of firms interested in B2B software and financial technology, the market also shows considerable diversity. You will find specialist investors for industrial tech, deep tech, and consumer products. This variety suggests that founders across many sectors can find relevant capital and expertise in Austin.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Having a focused list of investors is important when your time and energy are limited during a fundraise. We hope this guide helps you direct your efforts toward the most relevant conversations.

If you’re seeking funding, Rho Capital connects you to non-dilutive options like venture debt and credit lines. Our team provides a fast, guided process to help you access the working capital you need.

Once your capital is secured, Rho provides integrated tools to help you manage and deploy funds efficiently. You get access to business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay to support your growth.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms in Austin

Are there Austin VCs for consumer and CPG startups?

Yes, some Austin firms invest in consumer brands. Silverton Partners, for example, has a track record with CPG companies, showing there is capital available for founders in this space beyond just enterprise software and B2B tech.

What is the difference between venture capital and private equity in Austin?

Venture capital firms typically fund early-stage, high-growth companies for a minority stake. Private equity firms often acquire majority control of more mature businesses. Some Austin firms, like Elsewhere Partners, operate across both stages.

Which Austin VCs focus on deep tech or life sciences?

Austin has a growing deep tech scene. Firms like KdT Ventures specialize in companies at the intersection of biology and data, while Scout Ventures backs frontier tech, offering specialized support for technically complex businesses.

How should I prepare to approach venture capital firms in Austin?

Research each firm’s portfolio and investment thesis to ensure alignment. Prepare a concise pitch deck outlining your business model, traction, and team. Warm introductions through your network are generally the most effective way to start a conversation.

How can Rho help my startup after securing venture capital?

Once you've raised capital, our platform helps you manage it effectively. Rho provides integrated business banking, corporate cards, and AP automation, giving you the financial tools to scale your company efficiently.