Top 8 Venture Capital Firms for Developer Tools Startups

For founders in the Developer Tools space, preparing to raise capital means more than just a solid pitch deck. It’s about finding investors who truly understand your product and market. The right venture capital partner can provide not just funding, but also critical expertise and network access.

To help you identify the right partners, our team has curated this guide to the top VC firms investing in DevTools, SaaS, and API-first companies. We hope this overview helps you quickly find relevant investors for your fundraising process.

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

Key Takeaways

• Securing venture funding provides startups in the Developer Tools space with the capital, expertise, and network access required for growth.

• Many VCs are active in this industry, with firms like Tola Capital, boldstart ventures, MAGIC Fund, and 500 Emerging Europe as notable backers of various companies.

• If you are raising or have just closed a round, Rho helps you manage your capital with fast business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay.

Which VC Firms in Developer Tools Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether you're raising your first round or preparing for an exit, it helps to know which investors to approach. Here is a brief overview of VC firms that invest in Developer Tools, organized by stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Developer Tools

Pre-seed and seed funding is the earliest capital you'll raise, typically used to build your initial product and find early customers. For founders in the developer tools space, seed stage VC firms like boldstart ventures and MAGIC Fund are great places to start, while AI-focused venture capital firms such as Vela Partners also invest at this stage.

Early Stage VC Firms in Developer Tools

Early-stage funding, which includes Series A and B rounds, is for startups with proven traction that need capital to scale their team and accelerate growth. Some early-stage venture capital firms that invest in SaaS and enterprise software include Tola Capital and the venture studio Expa. Once you’ve secured your Series A or B, Rho’s integrated platform helps you manage your new capital with business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

Late Stage VC Firms in Developer Tools

Late-stage rounds provide significant capital to established companies for market expansion, acquisitions, or as a final bridge before an IPO or M&A event. Technology VC firms like Graph Ventures and Trajectory Ventures are active at this stage, often backing companies with strong revenue and market leadership. For companies at this stage, Rho Capital can also connect you to non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines to extend your runway without giving up more equity.

It's also worth noting that many VC firms, including some New York and Silicon Valley VC firms, invest across multiple stages from seed to exit.

Here is a closer look at some of the top VC firms that focus on the Developer Tools sector, including key details about their investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes each firm a compelling partner for founders.

1. Tola Capital

Tola Capital is a venture firm that invests globally in enterprise software companies from its base in Seattle. Since its founding in 2010, the firm has focused on partnering with businesses that are building the next generation of software infrastructure.

The firm shows a strong preference for B2B software, with a portfolio that includes leaders in cloud security, developer tools, and data governance. Their track record features notable companies like the infrastructure-as-code platform Pulumi and the data-privacy unicorn OneTrust.

Tola Capital is a strong potential partner if you are a founder building enterprise-grade software and looking for an investor with deep operational experience. Once you secure funding from a partner like Tola, our platform at Rho can help you manage your new capital with integrated banking, corporate cards, and spend management tools.

• Investment stages: Seed to late-stage venture and private equity

• Industries of focus: Enterprise Software, Developer Tools, Cloud Security, Financial Services

• Geographical presence: Based in Seattle with a global investment focus

• Founded: 2010

• Notable portfolio companies: Pulumi, OneTrust, Clipchamp, Glia

• Portfolio size: 76 investments

You can refer to their website here.

2. boldstart ventures

Based in Miami, boldstart ventures is a micro-VC that partners with founders from inception. The firm concentrates on seed-stage companies, especially those creating tools for developers, infrastructure, and SaaS markets.

Their approach is built on a "developer-first" belief, backing technical founders in enterprise software and cloud infrastructure. The firm's portfolio includes well-known companies like the data-privacy platform BigID and the popular email client Superhuman.

If you are a technical founder at the seed stage with a developer-focused or enterprise SaaS product, boldstart ventures may be an ideal partner. Once you secure that seed round, our team at Rho can help you manage your new capital with integrated banking and corporate cards.

• Investment stages: Seed

• Industries of focus: Developer Tools, SaaS, AI, Cloud Infrastructure, Cyber Security, Enterprise Software

• Geographical presence: Based in Miami, Florida

• Founded: 2010

• Notable portfolio companies: BigID, Superhuman, Blockdaemon, Hypernative

• Portfolio size: 203 investments

You can refer to their website here.

3. MAGIC Fund

MAGIC Fund is an early-stage venture capital firm built by founders, for founders. Based in Los Angeles, they provide seed and early-stage capital to new companies across a wide range of global markets.

The firm’s approach is founder-centric, investing across industries like Developer Tools, FinTech, and SaaS. Their portfolio includes successful companies like the internal-tools builder Retool and the small business digital bank Novo.

If you are an early-stage founder in sectors like developer tools or fintech, MAGIC Fund could be a good fit. Their experience as founders themselves provides a valuable perspective for new companies.

After you secure funding from a partner like MAGIC Fund, our integrated platform at Rho can help you manage your capital with business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Seed

• Industries of focus: Developer Tools, SaaS, FinTech, E-Commerce, Emerging Markets, Health Care

• Geographical presence: Based in Los Angeles, California

• Founded: 2017

• Notable portfolio companies: Retool, Bank Novo, Payfazz, Frubana

• Portfolio size: 171 investments

• Team background: Built by founders

You can refer to their website here.

4. 500 Emerging Europe

500 Emerging Europe is a venture capital firm that helps founders from emerging European markets take their companies global. While based in San Francisco, their core mission is to back and support companies originating in Europe.

The firm focuses on early-stage and seed investments in technology sectors, including enterprise software, AI, and companies building developer tools. A key part of their model is providing a bridge to global markets, and their portfolio includes the unicorn health-tech company Carbon Health.

This firm is a strong choice for early-stage founders in Central and Eastern Europe who are building for a global audience from day one. Once you've secured your funding, Rho’s integrated platform can help you manage your new capital with business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Seed

• Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Developer Tools, Enterprise Software, Gaming, Machine Learning, SaaS

• Geographical presence: Based in San Francisco with a focus on Emerging Europe

• Founded: 2016

• Notable portfolio companies: Carbon Health, Averon, Newoldstamp

• Portfolio size: 61 investments

You can refer to their website here.

5. Vela Partners

Based in San Francisco, Vela Partners is a venture capital firm that uses a quantitative, AI-driven approach to investing, describing its method as turning the "art" of venture capital into a science.

The firm concentrates on seed and early-stage companies in B2B, AI, machine learning, and developer tools. Their portfolio shows a track record of successful exits, including the data-security platform LeakSignal and the no-code prototyping tool Protopie.

Vela Partners is a great match for founders building highly technical products who appreciate a data-informed investment process. Once you secure funding, our team at Rho can help you manage your new capital with integrated banking and corporate cards.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Seed

• Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), B2B, Developer Tools, Machine Learning

• Geographical presence: Based in San Francisco, California

• Founded: 2017

• Notable portfolio companies: Cartken, Phaidra, LeakSignal, Protopie

• Portfolio size: 41 investments

You can refer to their website here.

6. Expa

Expa is a venture studio and fund that supports early-stage startups with capital, expertise, and network access from its base in San Francisco. The firm was founded in 2013 to help entrepreneurs build and launch new companies.

As a venture studio, Expa takes a hands-on role in company building, often working with founders from the very beginning. Their portfolio includes well-known companies like the digital freight network Convoy and the open-source business intelligence tool Metabase.

Expa is a great fit for founders who are looking for an active partner to help build their company, not just fund it. Once you secure your initial funding, our team at Rho can help you manage that capital with integrated banking and corporate cards.

• Investment stages: Seed, Convertible Note, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture

• Industries of focus: Consumer Software, Developer Tools, E-Commerce Platforms, Enterprise Software, FinTech

• Geographical presence: Based in San Francisco, California

• Founded: 2013

• Notable portfolio companies: Convoy, Current, Metabase, Wingcopter

• Portfolio size: 127 investments

• Investor type: Venture studio, accelerator, and incubator

You can refer to their website here.

7. Graph Ventures

Graph Ventures is a Palo Alto-based investment group composed of founders and operators with experience scaling technology companies. They invest globally and have backed over 167 companies since their start in 2007.

The firm invests across a wide range of stages, from seed to late-stage, with a portfolio that includes B2B, consumer, and companies building developer tools. Their track record features well-known exits like the dating app Hinge and the meal-kit service Blue Apron.

Given their background as operators, Graph Ventures is a good match for founders who value hands-on guidance from experienced builders. Once you’ve secured funding from a partner like Graph Ventures, our team at Rho can help you manage that capital with integrated banking and corporate cards.

• Investment stages: Seed, Convertible Note, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture

• Industries of focus: Apps, B2B, Blockchain, Consumer, Developer Tools, Education, FinTech

• Geographical presence: Based in Palo Alto, California

• Founded: 2007

• Notable portfolio companies: Hinge, Blue Apron, Houseparty, BigBox VR

• Team background: Composed of founders and operators

• Portfolio size: 167 investments

You can refer to their website here.

8. Trajectory Ventures

Based in New York, Trajectory Ventures invests in companies creating foundational shifts in technology. The firm supports founders whose work contributes to major changes in how industries operate globally.

Their investment thesis is broad, covering everything from developer tools and AI to aerospace and electric vehicles. Notable companies in their portfolio, like AI-chip maker Groq and space-tech company Stoke Space, show a clear interest in backing ambitious, technically-driven ventures.

Trajectory Ventures is a good fit for founders working on deep-tech or category-defining products, regardless of the specific industry. After securing funding, Rho’s integrated platform helps you manage and deploy capital efficiently with business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity

• Industries of focus: Developer Tools, Developer APIs, Machine Learning, Aerospace, E-Commerce Platforms

• Geographical presence: Based in New York, New York

• Founded: 2012

• Notable portfolio companies: Groq, Stoke Space, AlphaSense, Monarch Tractor

• Portfolio size: 115 investments

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for Developer Tools Companies

The venture capital interest in companies building developer tools is both broad and deep. Our list shows a significant number of firms focused on pre-seed and seed rounds, which is a positive signal for founders seeking their first institutional check. At the same time, several investors support companies across all stages, providing a clear path for continued growth.

You'll also find a variety of investor types, from founder-led funds to hands-on venture studios, located in major US tech hubs but often investing globally. This diversity means you can find a partner whose model and experience align with your specific needs and long-term vision.

As you prepare your fundraising strategy, remember that equity isn't the only option. For founders looking to extend their runway without dilution, our team at Rho Capital can connect you to non-dilutive financing like venture debt, tailored to your business model.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Raising capital requires significant time and focus, making a targeted list of investors essential. This guide is designed to help you direct your energy toward the partners who are most aligned with your goals.

If you’re seeking funding, Rho Capital connects you to non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines through a fast, guided process. We help you access financing tailored to your business without chasing lenders or signing legacy terms.

Once capital is secured, our integrated tools help you manage and deploy funds efficiently. We provide business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay to support your company’s growth.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Developer Tools

Which Silicon Valley VC firms invest in developer tools?

Many Bay Area firms are active. Graph Ventures and Expa, mentioned in our guide, are based there. It's a major hub for technology VC firms, so you'll find many potential partners with deep industry knowledge and network access.

Are there New York VC firms focused on API-first companies?

Yes, New York has a strong ecosystem for enterprise software. Trajectory Ventures is a notable New York VC firm backing companies building developer APIs. For non-dilutive options, our team at Rho Capital can also connect you to financing.

What are the top European venture capital firms for developer tools?

Firms like 500 Emerging Europe specialize in helping European founders go global. Many London venture capital firms and others across the continent also actively invest in SaaS, AI, and developer-focused startups at various stages.

How do AI-focused venture capital firms view developer tools?

Many AI-focused VCs see developer tools as critical infrastructure for the AI ecosystem. Firms like Vela Partners specifically target companies at the intersection of AI, machine learning, and developer tools, recognizing their foundational importance.

How can Rho help my startup after fundraising?

Once you secure capital, our integrated platform helps you manage it. Rho provides business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, giving you full control over your company's finances from day one.