Top 15 Venture Capital Firms Investing in AI
Key takeaways
Securing venture funding is a significant validation for companies in the AI space, providing the capital required for product development, research, and hiring.
Many venture capital firms concentrate on AI, with top players like Amazon Alexa Fund, Obvious Ventures, Playground Global, and Glasswing Ventures being notable backers of startups.
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When you're building an AI or machine learning startup, finding the right investors is critical. You need partners who understand the technology and can support your specific growth path.To help you prepare for your fundraise, our team at Rho has put together this overview of top AI venture capital firms. This guide covers various investors, from early-stage VC firms to those focused on later rounds, so you can quickly identify who might be a good fit.
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Which VC Firms in AI Are Right for Your Stage?
Knowing the right investors to approach is crucial, whether you're at the earliest stages or preparing for an exit. To help, we've outlined some of the top VC firms in AI according to the investment stages they cover.
Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in AI
Pre-seed and seed funding are the earliest forms of capital, designed to help you transform an idea into a minimum viable product and achieve initial market validation. For founders building AI startups, some seed stage venture capital firms to consider are Bee Partners, which leads pre-seed deep tech investing, along with other technology-focused venture capital firms like Glasswing Ventures and Flying Fish.
Early Stage VC Firms in AI
Early-stage funding, which typically includes Series A and Series B rounds, is for companies that have a proven product and are ready to scale their team and customer base. If you're looking for early stage VC firms, our research identified several AI-focused venture capital firms like Playground, which backs technical founders, as well as SignalRank and Fuse.
Late Stage VC Firms in AI
Late-stage venture capital is for mature companies that are scaling rapidly, expanding into new markets, or preparing for an exit through an IPO or acquisition. Among the late stage venture capital firms investing in AI, you might look into GSR Ventures, Obvious Ventures, and SE Ventures, all of which have experience backing companies to public offerings and major acquisitions.
It's also worth noting that many venture capital firms invest across multiple stages, from seed to exit.
To help you identify the right investors, here is a more detailed look at top VC firms in the AI sector. We've outlined their investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes each a compelling partner for founders.
1. Amazon Alexa Fund
The Amazon Alexa Fund is a corporate venture arm with up to $200 million in capital dedicated to advancing voice technology and ambient computing. It operates as a strategic investor, backing companies that can push the boundaries of how we interact with technology.
As a corporate VC, the fund invests across all stages, from seed to late-stage rounds, with a focus on consumer hardware and software. Its portfolio includes major successes like Ring and Ecobee, which integrate into the smart home ecosystem, and deep tech plays like Osmo, which is developing scent recognition AI.
This fund is a strong match if you are building a company in voice AI, consumer electronics, or IoT, especially if your product could benefit from a strategic relationship with Amazon. Founders should be prepared for a partnership that goes beyond just capital.
Investment stages: Seed to late stage, including convertible notes and debt
Industries of focus: Voice technology, AI, consumer electronics, and hardware
Geographical presence: Based in Seattle, Washington
Founded: 2015
Notable portfolio companies: Ring, Ecobee, Greenlight
Investor type: Corporate Venture Capital
You can refer to their website here.
2. Obvious Ventures
Obvious Ventures is a San Francisco-based firm that backs entrepreneurs working on major global challenges. Their investment thesis is centered on supporting companies that can positively impact what they call "planetary, human, and economic health."
The firm invests across multiple stages, from seed to late-stage rounds, and has a track record of supporting companies to successful public offerings. Their portfolio includes well-known brands like Beyond Meat and the AI-driven drug discovery company, Recursion.
This firm is a great match if your startup has a strong purpose-driven mission to solve a large-scale problem. Founders in deep tech, biotech, and sustainability who are aiming for significant market impact will find their approach compelling.
Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity
Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Finance, Financial Services, Insurance
Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
Founded: 2014
Notable portfolio companies: Beyond Meat, Planet, Gusto, Proterra, Recursion
Portfolio size: 173 investments
You can refer to their website here.
3. Playground Global
Playground is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Palo Alto that specializes in deep tech. They focus on backing founders with strong technical and scientific backgrounds to build transformative companies.
The firm has a clear emphasis on early-stage companies in sectors like AI, robotics, and software. Their portfolio includes notable successes like Agility Robotics, the AI model-training platform MosaicML, and Nervana, which was acquired by Intel.
Playground is a strong potential partner if you are a technical founder building a company in a complex, capital-intensive industry. Their track record suggests a focus on product-centric businesses with the potential for significant acquisitions.
Investment stages: Early Stage Venture
Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Information Technology, Robotics, Software
Geographical presence: Palo Alto, California
Founded: 2015
Notable portfolio companies: Agility Robotics, MosaicML, Nervana, Ayar Labs
Portfolio size: 120 investments
You can refer to their website here.
4. Glasswing Ventures
Glasswing Ventures is a Boston-based firm that invests in early-stage startups applying AI and other advanced technologies to the enterprise and cybersecurity markets.
The firm has a clear concentration on B2B applications, backing companies that solve specific business problems. Their portfolio includes successes like Zylotech, a customer-data platform acquired by Terminus, and Black Kite, a cyber-risk monitoring platform.
This firm is a strong potential partner if you are an early-stage founder building an AI company for enterprise or security customers. Their focused industry knowledge could be a significant asset for your growth.
Investment stages: Seed and Early Stage Venture
Industries of focus: Enterprise software, AI, cybersecurity, and supply chain management
Geographical presence: Boston, Massachusetts
Founded: 2016
Notable portfolio companies: Black Kite, ChaosSearch, Allure Security, Basetwo AI
Portfolio size: 71 investments
You can refer to their website here.
5. Silent Ventures
Silent Ventures is a Dallas-based firm that provides "stealth capital for elite operators." Founded in 2022, it focuses on backing founders in critical technology sectors like defense and industrial automation.
The firm has a clear concentration on national security, backing companies like Anduril Industries and the autonomous maritime firm Saronic Technologies. Their portfolio also includes companies re-industrializing America’s supply chain, such as Hadrian, which is building AI-powered factories.
This firm is a compelling partner if you are a founder with deep expertise in the defense or industrial sectors. Their focus on "elite operators" suggests they value founders with significant operational or technical experience.
Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Convertible Note
Industries of focus: National security, defense tech, industrial automation, and AI
Geographical presence: Dallas, Texas
Founded: 2022
Notable portfolio companies: Anduril Industries, Hadrian, Saronic Technologies, Voyager Technologies
Portfolio size: 25 investments
You can refer to their website here.
6. LDV Capital
LDV Capital is a New York-based firm that invests in deep technical teams building businesses around visual data. Since 2012, they have focused on companies using computer vision, machine learning, and AI to analyze visual information.
The firm’s clear specialization in visual technologies is a defining characteristic, and they back companies from seed to later stages. Their portfolio highlights this focus with successful exits like Mapillary, a street-level imagery platform acquired by Meta, and the generative-AI video unicorn, Synthesia.
LDV Capital is a strong fit if you are a founder with a highly technical background in computer vision or AI. If your startup is built to analyze visual data for industries like agriculture, logistics, or healthcare, their specialized expertise could be invaluable.
Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
Industries of focus: Computer vision, AI for visual data, agriculture, logistics, software
Geographical presence: New York, New York
Founded: 2012
Notable portfolio companies: Synthesia, Clarifai, Mapillary, Ezra, Unsplash
Portfolio size: 55 investments
You can refer to their website here.
7. Amino Capital
Amino Capital is a Palo Alto-based venture firm that invests in early-stage, data-driven companies. They have been recognized by Forbes as a top seed investor and a key trendsetter in the AI space.
The firm backs companies from seed to early-stage venture rounds, with a clear focus on AI, enterprise software, and SaaS. Their portfolio is notable for including several high-valuation unicorns, such as the neobank Chime, no-code platform Webflow, and HR software provider Rippling.
Amino Capital is a compelling choice if you are an early-stage founder building a data-intensive business. Their track record suggests a strong fit for companies in fintech, SaaS, and developer tools that have the potential for massive scale.
Investment stages: Seed and Early Stage Venture
Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, Enterprise Software, SaaS
Geographical presence: Palo Alto, California
Founded: 2012
Notable portfolio companies: Chime, Webflow, Rippling, GRAIL, Replit
Portfolio size: 164 investments
Investor type: Accelerator and Venture Capital
You can refer to their website here.
8. Flying Fish Partners
Flying Fish Partners is a Seattle-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies building applied AI and machine learning products. They support startups creating both core AI/ML applications and the infrastructure that enables them.
The firm has a clear focus on generating strategic exits, with a portfolio that includes several successful acquisitions by major public companies. Their investments, such as Reclaim.ai (acquired by Dropbox) and Streem (acquired by Frontdoor), show a pattern of backing companies that solve specific problems for larger enterprises.
Flying Fish could be a good partner if you are an early-stage founder building a focused AI or ML application with a clear path to acquisition. Their track record suggests they are well-suited for founders who can benefit from a strategic exit.
Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, and Convertible Note
Industries of focus: Applied Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Geographical presence: Seattle, Washington
Founded: 2016
Notable portfolio companies: Reclaim.ai, Streem, Picnic, Finn.ai
Portfolio size: 62 investments
You can refer to their website here.
9. FUSE
FUSE is a Seattle-based venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage software companies. Founded in 2020, it invests in businesses building AI and machine learning applications.
The firm highlights its deep network of founders and operators from major tech successes like Auth0 and Smartsheet, positioning itself as more than just a source of capital. This community-driven approach suggests they provide significant operational and strategic guidance for B2B software companies.
FUSE is a strong choice for early-stage founders in the B2B software space, especially those based in the Pacific Northwest. If you value hands-on support from a network of seasoned operators who have built and scaled major companies, their model could be a great fit.
Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Software
Geographical presence: Seattle, Washington
Founded: 2020
Notable portfolio companies: Carbon Robotics, Icertis, Auth0, Apptio, Smartsheet
Portfolio size: 47 investments
You can refer to their website here.
10. SE Ventures
SE Ventures is a global venture capital fund with over $1 billion in capital, backed by the industrial technology company Schneider Electric. This strategic relationship gives them a unique position to support companies in capital-intensive sectors.
The firm invests in companies driving sustainability and industrial efficiency, with a clear focus on sectors like energy, cleantech, and industrial automation. Their portfolio includes major successes like the AI energy platform AutoGrid and the industrial cybersecurity unicorn Claroty.
SE Ventures is a compelling partner if you are building a company in climate tech, industrial automation, or energy management. Founders seeking a strategic investor with deep industry connections and a clear path to scale will find their model attractive.
Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
Industries of focus: Industrial automation, sustainability, energy, and cleantech
Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
Founded: 2017
Notable portfolio companies: AutoGrid, Scandit, Proterra, Claroty
Portfolio size: 45 investments
You can refer to their website here.
11. SignalRank
SignalRank is a Palo Alto-based firm that takes a quantitative approach to venture capital. They use proprietary algorithms to analyze and index early-stage companies, aiming to identify the highest-potential Series B investment opportunities.
Their data-driven methodology is a key differentiator, focusing on objective signals of success rather than traditional sourcing methods. This is reflected in a portfolio that includes major successes like the robotic process automation leader UiPath and the vertical-farming unicorn InFarm.
This firm is a compelling partner if you are leading an early-stage company with strong, measurable traction. Founders who appreciate a data-first investment thesis and are preparing for a Series B round will find their model particularly interesting.
Investment stages: Early Stage Venture
Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence, fintech, and software
Geographical presence: Palo Alto, California
Founded: 2021
Notable portfolio companies: UiPath, InFarm, Around, Miles
Portfolio size: 22 investments
You can refer to their website here.
12. Illuminate Ventures
Illuminate Ventures is an Oakland-based firm that invests in early-stage B2B and enterprise software companies. They look for startups that can deliver a rapid and measurable return on investment for their customers.
The firm concentrates on "further along" seed-stage companies and has a history of guiding them to significant exits. Their portfolio includes major successes like the e-commerce giant Coupang and the sales-performance SaaS provider Xactly, which had a successful IPO.
This firm is a strong match if you are a founder of a B2B software company with a clear value proposition. Founders at the later seed stage seeking a partner with experience in achieving both public offerings and strategic acquisitions will find their approach attractive.
Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
Industries of focus: Enterprise software, SaaS, AI, Big Data, and cloud computing
Geographical presence: Oakland, California
Founded: 2010
Notable portfolio companies: Coupang, Xactly, Opsmatic, Red Aril
Portfolio size: 65 investments
You can refer to their website here.
13. Heavybit
Heavybit is a venture capital firm that specializes in backing developer-first companies. They have a strong track record of helping technical founders build highly successful businesses from the ground up.
The firm's focus on developer-centric businesses is its defining feature, with a portfolio full of market leaders like PagerDuty, Netlify, and Snyk. This specialization indicates a deep understanding of how to build and scale companies that sell to technical audiences.
Heavybit is an excellent match if you are a technical founder building a product for developers. If your company is creating developer platforms, APIs, or infrastructure tools, their focused expertise could be a significant advantage.
Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
Industries of focus: Developer tools, cloud infrastructure, AI, and enterprise software
Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
Founded: 2013
Notable portfolio companies: PagerDuty, CircleCI, Netlify, LaunchDarkly, Snyk
Portfolio size: 96 investments
You can refer to their website here.
14. Bee Partners
Bee Partners is a San Francisco-based firm that leads pre-seed investments in deep tech. They specialize in writing the first check for founders building companies in AI, robotics, and industrial automation.
The firm’s focus on being the first institutional capital for technical founders is a key part of their strategy. Their portfolio includes major exits like BuildingConnected (acquired by Autodesk) and TubeMogul (acquired by Adobe), showing a track record of backing companies to significant outcomes.
Bee Partners is a strong fit if you are a founder at the pre-seed stage working on a complex technical problem. Their model is designed to support founders who need a lead investor with deep tech expertise from the very beginning.
Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, and Early Stage Venture
Industries of focus: Deep tech, AI, machine learning, robotics, and industrial automation
Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
Founded: 2009
Notable portfolio companies: BuildingConnected (acquired by Autodesk), TubeMogul (acquired by Adobe), Indiegogo
Portfolio size: 127 investments
You can refer to their website here.
15. GSR Ventures
GSR Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on AI-enabled software and services. Based in Menlo Park, they have a history of backing companies from their initial stages through to significant growth and public offerings.
The firm has a strong track record with major exits like Didi Chuxing and Ele.me, showing experience in both U.S. and international markets. Their portfolio highlights a clear focus on high-growth sectors, including fintech and AI-powered platforms like the autonomous drone maker, Skydio.
GSR Ventures is a compelling partner if you are an early-stage founder building a company with the potential for massive scale, particularly in fintech or AI. Their experience with major IPOs and acquisitions suggests they are well-equipped to support founders with global ambitions.
Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, and Private Equity
Industries of focus: AI, fintech, and financial services
Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
Founded: 2004
Notable portfolio companies: Didi Chuxing, Ele.me, Skydio, Xiaohongshu (RED)
Portfolio size: 437 investments
You can refer to their website here.
What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for AI Companies
Our review of these top AI investors shows a healthy and varied funding environment for founders. You'll find firms that specialize in every stage, from pre-seed specialists to late-stage backers. Many firms also invest across multiple rounds, providing consistent support as a company grows.
While California remains a major center for AI investment, with numerous firms in Palo Alto and San Francisco, there are strong partners in other tech hubs like Seattle, Boston, and New York. This geographic variety gives you more options when building your company. The main point is that the investor base for AI is well-developed, offering a range of choices to fit your startup's specific needs.
Raise Confidently with Rho
Fundraising requires significant time and energy, so approaching the right investors from the start is key. A focused list helps you direct your efforts where they will have the most impact.
Once your round is closed, getting your finances organized is the next critical step. Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes.
Our platform provides the tools you need to manage your new capital with confidence. We offer integrated business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay designed for growing startups.
FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on AI
What do AI-focused VC firms look for in a startup?
AI investors typically look for a strong technical team, a unique dataset or proprietary model, and a clear application for your technology. Demonstrating early customer traction and a large addressable market will also make your company more attractive.
Which are the top AI venture capital firms in Europe?
While many top AI investors are in the US, Europe has a strong and growing ecosystem. You can find active AI-focused venture capital firms in major hubs like London, Berlin, and Paris, supporting startups from seed to later stages.
Are there AI venture capital firms in Asia?
Yes, Asia has a vibrant venture capital scene for AI startups. Key hubs like Singapore, India, and China host numerous firms that invest in everything from enterprise software to deep tech, supporting both local and international founders.
What makes an AI venture capital firm founder-friendly?
A founder-friendly firm offers more than just capital. They provide fair valuation terms, respect founder control, and offer genuine operational support. These investors act as true partners, committed to helping you build a successful, long-term business.
How can Rho help my startup after I raise funding?
Once your round is closed, our platform helps you manage your new capital. We provide integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, all designed for fast-growing startups. You can get started with Rho in minutes.