Top 5 Venture Capital Firms for E-Commerce Platform Startups

Finding the right investors for your e-commerce platform is a critical part of fundraising. The best partners bring more than capital; they offer expertise in consumer tech and retail. Knowing which venture capital firms focus on your space helps you target your outreach effectively.

To help you get started, our team at Rho curated this guide to the top VC firms investing in e-commerce startups. Use it to quickly identify investors who understand your business, whether you're actively raising or just planning ahead.

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

Key Takeaways

• Securing venture funding provides e-commerce startups with not just capital, but also the critical industry expertise needed for growth.

• Top firms like Act One Ventures, Expa, Trajectory Ventures, and Fab Co-Creation Studio Ventures are notable backers of startups building e-commerce platforms.

• Once you close a round, Rho helps you manage your new capital with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay.

Which VC Firms in E-Commerce Platforms Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether your company is in its early stages or preparing for an exit, knowing the right investors to talk to is key. This is a quick overview of which VC firms invest in e-commerce platforms at each stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms for E-Commerce Platforms

This initial stage is for founders who are just starting out, often with an idea or early prototype, and need capital to build their product and find initial customers. For founders in this phase, key investors include Mu Ventures and Act One Ventures, while Fab Co-Creation Studio Ventures is another firm that focuses on this stage for consumer brands.

Early Stage VC Firms for E-Commerce Platforms

Early-stage funding, typically Series A or B, is for companies with proven product-market fit that need capital to scale operations and accelerate growth. Among the early-stage venture capital firms that invest in e-commerce platforms are Expa, which supports startups with expertise and funding, and Act One Ventures, which leads rounds in business software.

Late Stage VC Firms for E-Commerce Platforms

Late-stage rounds are designed for mature companies preparing for a major event like an acquisition or an initial public offering (IPO). While many tech VC firms focus on earlier rounds, investors like Expa and Trajectory Ventures also participate in late-stage venture deals.

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

It's also worth noting that some venture capital firms, including New York-based Trajectory Ventures, invest across all startup funding stages.

To help you find the right fit, here is a closer look at the top VC firms that invest in e-commerce platform startups. We've outlined their preferred investment stages, locations, and what makes each firm a strong potential partner.

1. Act One Ventures

Based in Los Angeles, Act One Ventures is a venture capital firm that focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage startups. They primarily lead rounds for companies building business software.

The firm has a clear focus on B2B software and has backed several successful companies in the e-commerce space, including Repeat and Storepath. Their track record of exits, such as AuditBoard's acquisition, signals their ability to support companies toward significant outcomes.

Founders building business software, especially in SaaS or e-commerce enablement, may find Act One Ventures to be a strong partner. Their willingness to lead early rounds makes them a good fit for founders seeking a committed lead investor from the start.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed and Seed
• Industries of focus: Business software, SaaS, FinTech, E-commerce platforms
• Location: Los Angeles, California
• Founded: 2016
• Notable exits: AuditBoard, Storepath, and Repeat
• Investment approach: Leads rounds in business software
• Portfolio size: 71 investments

You can refer to their website here.

2. Expa

Expa operates as both a venture studio and a VC fund, providing early-stage startups with funding, expertise, and access to its network. Based in San Francisco, the firm actively helps build and support companies from the ground up.

A key aspect of Expa's model is its hands-on approach as a company builder, not just an investor, across seed, early, and late stages. Their portfolio includes high-profile companies like the digital freight network Convoy and the mobile-first neobank Current.

This makes Expa a great match for founders looking for a partner who provides deep operational involvement alongside capital. Their broad focus, from developer tools to e-commerce platforms, suits entrepreneurs who value hands-on guidance.

• Investment stages: Seed, Convertible Note, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: E-commerce platforms, FinTech, Consumer Software, Developer Tools, Enterprise Software
• Location: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2013
• Notable investments: Convoy, Current, Wingcopter
• Portfolio size: 127 investments

You can refer to their website here.

3. Trajectory Ventures

Based in New York, Trajectory Ventures is a venture capital firm that backs companies driving significant technological change across the globe. They invest in a wide range of industries, from startups building e-commerce platforms to those in aerospace and machine learning.

What’s notable is their broad investment mandate, participating in rounds from seed and convertible notes all the way to late-stage venture and private equity. Their portfolio includes high-profile technology companies like AI-chip maker Groq and the AI-powered market intelligence platform AlphaSense.

Trajectory Ventures is a strong potential partner for founders at any stage who are building technology-centric businesses. Their ability to invest from a company's inception through its growth phases makes them a good fit for entrepreneurs seeking a long-term financial partner.

• Investment stages: Seed, Convertible Note, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity, Secondary Market
• Industries of focus: E-Commerce Platforms, Machine Learning, Developer Tools, Aerospace, Electric Vehicle
• Location: New York, New York
• Founded: 2012
• Notable investments: Groq, Stoke Space, AlphaSense, Monarch Tractor
• Portfolio size: 115 investments

You can refer to their website here.

4. Fab Co-Creation Studio Ventures

Fab Co-Creation Studio Ventures is a Los Angeles-based firm that invests in direct-to-consumer brands and new commerce technologies. They specifically back companies in conscious beauty and fashion, along with retail tech platforms.

The firm shows a clear commitment to sustainability, with investments in companies like Kintra Fibers, which creates biodegradable materials, and SuperCircle, a textile-recycling platform. Their portfolio also includes innovative retail models like Trendio, a live shoppable video app.

Fab is a strong match for founders at the seed or early venture stage who are building consumer brands with an ethical or environmental focus. Entrepreneurs in beauty, fashion, and retail technology will find their investment thesis highly aligned.

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Conscious beauty and fashion, Retail technology, Impact investing
• Location: Los Angeles, California
• Founded: 2020
• Notable investments: Kintra Fibers, SuperCircle, Trendio, Function Health
• Portfolio size: 25 investments

You can refer to their website here.

5. Mu Ventures

Mu Ventures is a New York-based firm investing in commerce enablement startups at the pre-seed and seed stages. They concentrate on the foundational technology that powers online retail and supply chains.

The firm's portfolio highlights a clear focus on the "picks and shovels" of e-commerce, backing companies like B2B payments platform Balance, which raised a $56M Series B. They also backed Alloy Automation, a no-code platform that secured a Series A led by Andreessen Horowitz, and saw an exit when Qonsent merged with Precise.ai.

Mu Ventures is an ideal partner for founders building B2B software, particularly in payments, SaaS, or supply chain management for the e-commerce industry. If you're at the earliest stages and building infrastructure for online commerce, their focused expertise is a strong fit.

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed and Seed
• Industries of focus: Commerce enablement, SaaS, FinTech, Supply Chain Management
• Location: New York, New York
• Founded: 2022
• Notable investments: Balance, Alloy Automation
• Portfolio size: 20 investments

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for E-Commerce Platforms Companies

This list shows a healthy funding environment for companies building e-commerce platforms, with a notable concentration of investors at the pre-seed and seed stages. Firms like Mu Ventures and Act One Ventures are actively seeking opportunities to back founders from the very beginning, which is encouraging if you are in the early phases of building your company.

At the same time, the presence of multi-stage investors like Expa and Trajectory Ventures shows that capital is available for companies as they scale. While our list highlights firms in major tech hubs like New York and Los Angeles, it reflects a balanced set of options for founders, from specialist funds to generalist partners who can support you through later rounds.

Once funding is secured, Rho’s integrated financial tools — including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay — help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Fundraising requires significant time and energy, so a focused list of relevant investors is one of your most valuable assets. It helps you direct your efforts where they will have the most impact.

Once you close your round, the work of managing that capital begins. If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes.

Our integrated financial tools—including business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—help startups manage and deploy capital efficiently. We give you the foundation to put your new funding to work with confidence.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on E-Commerce Platforms

What do seed funding venture capital firms look for in e-commerce startups?

Seed-stage VCs prioritize your team's expertise, the market opportunity, and early signs of product-market fit. They want to see a compelling vision and evidence that you are solving a real problem for a specific customer segment.

Are there many consumer venture capital firms in NYC?

Yes, New York is a major hub for consumer and e-commerce investment. Firms like Mu Ventures and Trajectory Ventures are based there and actively fund startups building commerce technology, from pre-seed through later growth stages.

How are SaaS VC firms different from other tech investors?

SaaS VCs specialize in software-as-a-service business models. They deeply understand metrics like ARR and churn and often provide specific guidance on scaling sales and marketing engines, which is valuable for e-commerce enablement platforms.

Which Bay Area venture capital firms focus on e-commerce?

The Bay Area is home to many VCs funding e-commerce. Expa, based in San Francisco, is a notable example that acts as both a studio and fund, supporting companies from seed to late stage with operational involvement.

How can Rho help after I raise from a VC firm?

After your fundraise, Rho provides the financial tools to manage your new capital. Our platform integrates business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay to help you deploy funds efficiently and with full control.