Top 5 Venture Capital Firms in Berkeley

For founders in Berkeley and the greater East Bay, understanding the local venture capital scene is a critical first step when preparing to fundraise. To help you identify the right investors for your startup, our team at Rho has curated this overview of the top VC firms operating in the area. This guide is designed to give you a clear picture of potential partners before you begin your outreach.

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

Key Takeaways

• Seeking venture capital funding is about more than just money; it’s about finding a strategic partner who will contribute expertise and connections to support your company’s growth.
• The Berkeley area has a strong venture community, with key firms like z21 Ventures, The House Fund, Base Ventures, and Berkeley SkyDeck Fund actively investing in local startups.
• For leaders who are fundraising or have recently closed a round, Rho provides the tools to manage that capital, including business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay.

Which Berkeley VC Firms Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether you are raising your first round or preparing for an exit, it is important to know which investors to talk to. Here is a quick overview of Berkeley-area VC firms and the specific stages they support.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Berkeley

This is typically the first money a startup raises, designed to help you validate your idea and build an initial product. In Berkeley, firms like The House Fund, Base Ventures, and Berkeley SkyDeck Fund are known for backing companies at this nascent stage.

Early Stage VC Firms in Berkeley

Early-stage funding, which includes Series A and Series B rounds, is for companies with product-market fit that are ready to scale. If you're looking for venture capital financing for your startup's growth phase, you might connect with investors like z21 Ventures and The House Fund.

Late Stage VC Firms in Berkeley

Late-stage rounds provide growth capital to established companies preparing for a major expansion, acquisition, or an IPO. For more mature companies, Roda Group is one of the local investors that participates in these later rounds.

Keep in mind that some VC firms invest across the full spectrum of startup funding stages.

To help you find the right partner, here is our overview of top VC firms in Berkeley, with key details on their investment stages, sector focus, portfolio highlights, and what makes each firm a distinct choice for founders.

1. z21 Ventures

z21 Ventures is an operator-led venture capital fund that invests in early-stage technology startups. The firm concentrates on companies that operate within the US-India corridor, providing a bridge between the two markets.

The firm’s operator-led approach means its partners have direct experience building and scaling companies. This background often translates into practical, hands-on guidance for the founders they support, particularly in navigating cross-border business challenges.

z21 Ventures could be a strong partner if you are an early-stage founder building a tech company with connections to both US and Indian markets. Their community focus also suggests a good fit for teams looking for a collaborative investor relationship.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Technology
• Geographical presence: US-India corridor
• Founded: 2022
• Team background: Operator-led
• Portfolio size: 38 investments

You can refer to their website here.

2. The House Fund

The House Fund is a pre-seed and early-stage venture capital firm that concentrates on startups emerging from the Berkeley community. They aim to be the first check for ambitious founders with strong ties to the university ecosystem.

The firm’s primary characteristic is its exclusive focus on Berkeley, functioning as both an accelerator and a micro-VC. This approach signals a commitment to providing hands-on support and deep community integration for companies at their earliest stages.

This fund is a great match for founders within the Berkeley network who are raising a pre-seed or seed round. Their model is designed for teams looking for a deeply engaged local partner to help them get their idea off the ground.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Geographical focus: Berkeley
• Founded: 2015
• Portfolio size: 96 investments
• Exits: 14
• Firm type: Accelerator, Micro VC

You can refer to their website here.

3. Base Ventures

Base Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in seed-stage technology companies. They concentrate on providing the initial capital to help founders turn their early ideas into viable businesses.

With over 100 investments and 24 exits, the firm has a broad portfolio that signals deep experience in the tech sector. This extensive track record suggests a firm that is comfortable backing a wide variety of early-stage business models.

Base Ventures is a good match for founders of technology companies who are raising their first institutional round. Their clear focus on the seed stage means they are structured to support companies from their very beginning.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Technology
• Founded: 2012
• Portfolio size: 107 investments
• Exits: 24

You can refer to their website here.

4. Berkeley SkyDeck Fund

Berkeley SkyDeck Fund operates as the investment arm for the UC Berkeley SkyDeck Accelerator. The fund provides capital to startups emerging from the university's ecosystem, acting as a direct pipeline for academic and student-led innovation.

The fund’s defining feature is its integration with a top-tier university accelerator program. This structure indicates a focus on seed-stage companies and an approach that pairs investment with structured, hands-on support.

If you are a founder with ties to the UC Berkeley community, this fund is a natural fit. It is particularly well-suited for teams seeking the programmatic guidance and deep resources that an accelerator provides at the earliest stages.

• Investment stages: Seed
• Industries of focus: Finance, Financial Services, Venture Capital
• Founded: 2017
• Firm type: Accelerator, University Program, Venture Capital
• Portfolio size: 133 investments
• Exits: 4

You can refer to their website here.

5. The Roda Group

The Roda Group is a venture development company that invests in technology companies, often taking a hands-on role in building its portfolio businesses.

Founded in 1997, the firm has deep experience investing through various economic cycles. Their investment strategy is notably flexible, covering the full spectrum from seed and early-stage rounds to late-stage and debt financing.

This firm could be a strong partner for founders seeking a long-term investor who can provide capital and support across multiple growth phases, from initial funding to later expansion.

• Investment stages: Debt, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Seed
• Industries of focus: Finance, Financial Services, Venture Capital
• Founded: 1997
• Portfolio size: 31 investments
• Exits: 8

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About Berkeley's VC Scene

This overview of Berkeley's venture capital firms reveals a market with a strong concentration on early-stage companies. If you are raising a pre-seed or seed round, you will find a significant number of investors prepared to provide initial funding, especially if your startup has connections to the UC Berkeley community.

While the emphasis is clearly on the earliest stages, the presence of multi-stage investors shows that capital is also available for later growth phases. This indicates a market that can support a company through its full development. As you prepare your fundraising strategy, this information should help you target the right investors based on your company's stage and background.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Building a focused list of investors is one of the most productive things you can do before fundraising. When your time is limited, knowing exactly who to talk to gives you a significant advantage.

Once you have capital in the bank, the focus shifts to managing it well. If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes.

Our platform provides the tools you need to manage your new funding with confidence. We offer integrated business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay to help you operate efficiently.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms in Berkeley

Are there SaaS venture capital firms in Berkeley?

Many Berkeley VCs, including Base Ventures and The House Fund, invest in technology companies, which frequently includes SaaS models. Your pitch should focus on your product's value and market fit, as most tech investors are open to strong SaaS businesses.

What are the most active investment sectors for Berkeley VCs?

While many local firms are tech-focused, there is significant activity in AI, life sciences, and fintech. Firms like Berkeley SkyDeck Fund have a broad interest, so it is important to research each firm’s specific portfolio and investment thesis.

How important is a UC Berkeley connection for funding?

A UC Berkeley affiliation is a strong advantage, as firms like The House Fund and Berkeley SkyDeck Fund focus on this ecosystem. However, it is not a strict requirement for all local investors if your team and business model are compelling.

Are there many pre-seed VC firms in Berkeley?

Yes, Berkeley has a strong community of pre-seed and seed investors. Firms like The House Fund and Berkeley SkyDeck Fund specialize in providing the very first check to help founders validate their ideas and build their initial product.

How can Rho help after I secure venture capital financing for my startup?

Once you receive funding, our platform helps you manage it effectively. We provide integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay to support your company’s operations and growth. You can get started with Rho today.