Top 7 Venture Capital Firms in Bethesda

When you're preparing to raise capital, understanding the local venture capital scene is a crucial advantage. For founders in the Bethesda and Greater Washington area, knowing which investors are active locally can make all the difference. To help you get started, our team has curated this guide to the top VC firms in the region. It’s a straightforward overview to help you identify the right potential partners for your startup.

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

Key Takeaways

• Seeking venture capital funding means partnering with investors who provide capital for an equity stake in your business, usually to support significant growth.
• Bethesda, Maryland, has a strong venture capital presence, with firms like Lockheed Martin Ventures, Northpond Ventures, Core Ventures, and Epidarex Capital being key players in the area.
• If you're a startup leader raising or managing a recent round, Rho helps you manage your capital with fast business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay.

Which Bethesda VC Firms Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether your company is in its early days or getting ready for an exit, it helps to know which investors to approach. Here is a quick overview of Bethesda-area VC firms and the stages at which they typically invest.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Bethesda

Pre-seed and seed funding are the earliest forms of venture capital, designed to help you turn an idea into a viable business and find product-market fit. For founders at this stage, firms like Core Ventures and Epidarex Capital focus on seed and early-stage companies, including those in B2B and life sciences.

Early Stage VC Firms in Bethesda

Early-stage venture capital typically covers Series A and Series B rounds, providing the capital needed to scale your team and operations. In Bethesda, investors such as Lockheed Martin Ventures, which targets hardware and security startups, and BroadOak Capital Partners, with its focus on life sciences, are active at this stage.

Late Stage VC Firms in Bethesda

Late-stage funding is for established companies looking to expand significantly, prepare for an IPO, or consider an acquisition. You might connect with Novak Biddle Venture Partners for information technology investments or Northpond Ventures if you're a growing biotech company.

It's also worth noting that some VC firms invest across multiple startup funding stages.

Here is a closer look at the top VC firms in Bethesda, Maryland, including key details about their investment stages, sector focus, portfolio highlights, and what makes each firm a compelling option for founders.

1. Lockheed Martin Ventures

Lockheed Martin Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of the global aerospace and security company, Lockheed Martin. Established in 2007, the firm invests strategically in companies that align with its parent corporation's long-term goals.

The firm has a clear focus on early-stage companies developing technologies in sectors like aerospace, national security, and hardware. Their position as a corporate VC suggests they offer more than capital, providing portfolio companies with access to deep technical expertise and market channels.

This makes them a strong potential partner if you are a founder working on complex technical problems with defense or enterprise applications. Companies that can benefit from a strategic relationship with a global industry leader would be a particularly good match.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Aerospace, National Security, Security, Hardware, Space Travel
• Founded: 2007
• Investor type: Corporate Venture Capital
• Portfolio size: 91 investments

You can refer to their website here.

2. Northpond Ventures

Northpond Ventures is a venture capital and private equity firm that backs science and technology companies, with a strong concentration in the life sciences. They partner with businesses where deep scientific understanding is core to their mission.

The firm’s commitment to supporting companies across their entire lifecycle is a key part of their strategy, investing from seed rounds all the way to post-IPO. This indicates they are prepared to be a long-term partner, providing capital and support as a company scales.

Northpond Ventures is an excellent match for founders in the life sciences and biotech fields who are looking for more than just a check. Their multi-stage investment capability makes them a compelling option for companies with a long growth trajectory.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Post-IPO
• Industries of focus: Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Technology, Financial Services
• Founded: 2018
• Investor type: Venture Capital, Private Equity Firm
• Portfolio size: 122 investments
• Number of exits: 18

You can refer to their website here.

3. Core Ventures

Core Ventures invests in early-stage companies with advanced technological capabilities. The firm supports founders who are building businesses grounded in a strong technical advantage.

Their focus is clearly on seed and early-stage ventures, particularly within the B2B and finance sectors. This signals a preference for businesses with clear commercial applications from day one.

If you are a founder with a tech-heavy business model seeking initial funding, Core Ventures could be a suitable partner. Their specific industry interests suggest they are a good fit for startups in the B2B or finance space.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: B2B, B2C, Finance, Venture Capital
• Founded: 2012
• Investor type: Venture Capital
• Portfolio size: 29 investments
• Number of exits: 8

You can refer to their website here.

4. Epidarex Capital

Epidarex Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in high-growth life science and health technology companies. They specialize in building businesses from the ground up in markets that are often overlooked by other investors.

The firm's strategy centers on identifying opportunities in "under-ventured" markets, particularly in the UK and the US. Their investment scope is broad, covering seed, early-stage, and late-stage rounds, showing they can support a company's full growth cycle.

This firm is a strong choice if you are a life science or health tech founder, especially if your company is based outside of traditional venture hubs. Their multi-stage approach makes them a good partner for founders seeking long-term capital support.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Life Science, Health Technology, Angel Investment
• Founded: 2010
• Investor type: Venture Capital
• Portfolio size: 48 investments
• Number of exits: 4

You can refer to their website here.

5. BroadOak Capital Partners

BroadOak Capital Partners is a privately held investment bank with a dedicated focus on the life sciences industry. They function as both a venture capital investor and a financial advisor, offering a distinct combination of services.

The firm's structure as an investment bank suggests they provide strategic financial guidance beyond typical venture funding. Their investment activity spans from early-stage venture rounds to post-IPO support, showing they can partner with companies for the long term.

BroadOak is a good fit for founders in the life sciences sector who need a partner with deep financial expertise. If your company could benefit from strategic advice on matters like mergers, acquisitions, or guidance on public markets, their model is particularly compelling.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Post-IPO, Venture
• Industries of focus: Life Science, Banking, Finance
• Founded: 2006
• Investor type: Investment Bank, Venture Capital
• Portfolio size: 27 investments
• Number of exits: 7

You can refer to their website here.

6. Novak Biddle Venture Partners

Novak Biddle Venture Partners provides equity financing and strategic assistance to young information technology companies. They focus on partnering with management teams to help them build and scale their businesses.

The firm’s investment strategy covers a wide range of funding stages, from seed rounds to private equity, signaling their ability to be a long-term partner. With a high number of investments and exits, they have considerable experience in the IT sector.

This firm is a strong match for founders in the information technology space who are looking for a financial partner to support them through multiple growth phases. Their capacity to fund a company from its inception to maturity is a significant benefit.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity
• Industries of focus: Information Technology, Finance, Financial Services
• Founded: 1997
• Investor type: Venture Capital
• Portfolio size: 117 investments
• Number of exits: 42

You can refer to their website here.

7. Columbia Partners Private Capital

Columbia Partners Private Capital is a multi-strategy investment firm that provides direct debt and equity financing. They also operate as a fund of funds manager and co-investor, giving them a broad perspective on the investment market.

The firm’s flexible approach is a key characteristic, as they combine venture capital with private equity and debt options. This hybrid model allows them to structure financing that aligns with a company's specific growth stage and capital needs.

This firm is a strong potential partner for founders of more mature companies looking for late-stage or private equity funding. If your business could benefit from a partner with deep expertise in financial structuring, their model is worth considering.

• Investment stages: Debt, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity, Venture
• Industries of focus: Finance, Venture Capital
• Founded: 2004
• Investor type: Fund Of Funds, Private Equity Firm, Venture Capital, Venture Debt
• Portfolio size: 30 investments
• Number of exits: 13

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About Bethesda's VC Scene

This list of firms suggests that Bethesda’s investment market is well-balanced across different startup stages. You’ll find investors focused specifically on early-stage rounds as well as multi-stage firms prepared to support companies through their entire growth cycle. This provides opportunities for founders at nearly every point in their company’s development.

From a sector perspective, there is a clear concentration in life sciences and information technology, reflecting the region's economic strengths. However, the variety of investor types—from corporate venture arms to private equity firms—indicates that capital is available for a range of industries. For founders, this means that successfully finding a partner is a matter of aligning your company's stage and sector with the right investor.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Fundraising requires significant time and focus, so approaching the right investors from the start is essential. We hope this list helps you target the firms that best align with your company’s stage and sector.

Once you've secured your funding, the next step is managing it effectively. Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes, letting you put your new capital to work immediately.

Our platform provides integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay. These tools are designed to give you clear visibility and control over your company's finances from a single account.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms in Bethesda

What are the top life sciences venture capital firms in Bethesda?

Bethesda is a major hub for life sciences. Key firms include Northpond Ventures, Epidarex Capital, and BroadOak Capital Partners. They support companies at various growth points, from early research to commercial scaling.

Are there cybersecurity or SaaS venture capital firms in Bethesda?

Yes, investors here support these sectors. Lockheed Martin Ventures targets security and hardware, while firms like Core Ventures and Novak Biddle Venture Partners back B2B and IT companies, which often include SaaS models.

How do I find pre-seed venture capital firms in Bethesda?

Start by researching firms with a stated seed focus, like Core Ventures and Epidarex Capital. Attending local industry events and building your network are also effective ways to connect with early-stage investors in the area.

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

Venture capital usually funds high-growth startups for minority equity. Private equity firms, such as Columbia Partners Private Capital, often invest in mature companies, sometimes using debt or acquiring majority control to improve operations.

How can Rho help after I receive venture capital financing?

Once funded, our platform helps you manage that capital effectively. Rho provides integrated banking, corporate cards, and AP automation, giving you clear financial control from a single account.