Top 7 Venture Capital Firms Investing in Generative AI Startups

For founders in Generative AI, knowing which investors are writing checks is a key part of preparing to raise capital. It helps you focus your efforts on the venture capital firms that truly understand what you're building.

To help with your search, our team has curated this overview of the top VC firms investing in the artificial intelligence space. Think of it as a starting point to find the right partners for your company's growth.

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 gives your Generative AI startup the capital for heavy computational needs and top talent, along with the expert guidance to scale your operations.
• Venture firms like Maverick Ventures, Amino Capital, Illuminate Ventures, and Propel are actively funding companies in the Generative AI sector.
• Whether you're actively raising or have just closed a round, Rho helps you manage your capital with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

Which VC Firms in Generative AI Are Right for Your Stage?

From early-stage rounds to exit strategies, it's important to connect with the right investors. We've created this overview to show which venture capital firms invest in Generative AI startups based on their stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Generative AI

Pre-seed and seed funding is the initial capital used to turn an idea into a business, often covering product development and early market validation. For founders in this phase, firms like Amino Capital, Dreamit, and Illuminate Ventures are known for backing AI-focused startups from the beginning.

If you're seeking capital but aren't ready for the venture route, Rho Capital can connect you to non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines. Our guided matching process helps you access financing tailored to your stage without chasing lenders.

Early Stage VC Firms in Generative AI

Early-stage funding, such as Series A and B, is for companies with proven traction that need capital to scale their team and accelerate growth. Early-stage venture capital firms like Maverick Ventures and Angel Collective support companies ready for significant expansion.

Once funding is secured, managing your new capital is the next step. Rho’s platform helps with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, giving you clear visibility and control over your finances.

Late Stage VC Firms in Generative AI

Late-stage rounds provide growth capital to established companies to expand into new markets, make acquisitions, or prepare for an IPO. Venture capital firms such as Ventioneers and Propel often invest in these more mature companies, including those in the deep tech and AI sectors.

It's also worth noting that many venture capital firms invest across multiple startup funding stages, from seed to late-stage rounds.

To help you find the right investment partner, we've put together an overview of top VC firms that focus on the Generative AI sector. Below, you'll find key details about their investment stages, geographic focus, and what makes each firm a strong potential partner for founders.

1. Maverick Ventures

Maverick Ventures is the investment arm of Maverick Capital, focusing on early-stage technology and healthcare companies. They back businesses that are using innovation to drive significant change in their respective industries.

The firm has a strong track record of guiding companies to major exits, including Coupang's multi-billion dollar IPO and One Medical's acquisition by Amazon. This history signals their ability to support founders aiming for large-scale growth and market leadership.

Maverick Ventures is a good fit for founders in tech and healthcare who have a clear vision for achieving a significant exit. Their investment flexibility from seed to late-stage means they can be a long-term partner as you scale.

Once you secure funding from a firm like Maverick, our integrated financial platform helps you manage and deploy that capital efficiently. Rho provides the business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay you need to stay in control of your finances.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Generative AI, Health Care, Cyber Security
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2015
• Notable portfolio companies: Coupang, One Medical, Hims & Hers Health, Cityblock Health
• Portfolio size: 199 investments and 39 exits

You can refer to their website here.

2. Amino Capital

Amino Capital is a Palo Alto-based venture firm that invests in data-driven companies, with a strong focus on the AI sector. They have been recognized as a top seed investor and a key trendsetter in artificial intelligence.

The firm backs founders from the seed stage onward, specializing in AI, SaaS, and enterprise software. Their portfolio includes several notable unicorns like Chime, Webflow, and Rippling, which shows their ability to support companies through significant growth milestones.

Amino Capital is a strong match for early-stage founders building data-intensive businesses, particularly in AI and enterprise software. Their technical focus and track record make them a valuable partner for scaling a product-led company.

After securing a round with a firm like Amino Capital, our platform helps you manage your new funds. Rho offers integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated payments to give you full control over your capital.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Enterprise Software, Generative AI, SaaS
• Geographical presence: Palo Alto, California
• Founded: 2012
• Notable portfolio companies: Chime, Webflow, Rippling, GRAIL, Replit
• Portfolio size: 164 investments and 21 exits

You can refer to their website here.

3. Illuminate Ventures

Illuminate Ventures invests in B2B and enterprise software companies that are in the later seed stage. The firm prioritizes businesses whose solutions can provide customers with a rapid and measurable return on investment.

With a focus on enterprise technology, Illuminate supports companies from seed funding through late-stage venture rounds. Their portfolio highlights include guiding Coupang to a multi-billion-dollar IPO and the successful acquisition of Xactly, demonstrating their experience with major market exits.

This firm is a strong fit for founders of B2B software companies who have moved beyond the initial idea phase and can show clear product value. If your goal is a significant acquisition or IPO, their track record makes them a compelling partner.

Once you secure funding from a firm like Illuminate, our platform helps you manage and deploy that capital efficiently. Rho provides the business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay you need to stay in control of your finances.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Enterprise Software, Generative AI, SaaS
• Geographical presence: Oakland, California
• Founded: 2010
• Notable portfolio companies: Coupang, Xactly, Opsmatic, Red Aril, WildPockets
• Portfolio size: 65 investments and 11 exits

You can refer to their website here.

4. Propel

Propel invests in companies building the future of the financial economy. They focus on technology that is reshaping financial services, insurance, and commerce.

The firm has a clear focus on FinTech and InsurTech, backing companies from seed to late-stage rounds. Their portfolio includes major successes like Coinbase and DocuSign, which are among the companies Propel highlights as generating over $100 million in annual revenue, signaling a focus on businesses with a clear path to significant scale.

Propel is a good match for founders building technology in the financial sector who are aiming for a large market outcome. Their ability to invest across stages makes them a potential long-term partner for growth.

After you secure funding from a firm like Propel, our platform helps you manage your new capital. Rho offers integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated payments to give you full control over your finances.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: FinTech, InsurTech, Enterprise Software, Generative AI, Web3
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2016
• Notable portfolio companies: Coinbase, DocuSign, Hippo, Groww, Neon
• Portfolio size: 62 investments and 12 exits

You can refer to their website here.

5. Dreamit Ventures

Dreamit Ventures is a venture fund that focuses on startups ready to scale, typically those with existing pilots or revenue. They have a strong emphasis on companies in the security sector, along with other technology verticals.

The firm targets companies that have already demonstrated market validation and are poised for growth. Their portfolio includes significant exits like LevelUp's $390 million acquisition by Grubhub and Houseparty's sale to Epic Games.

Dreamit is a good match for founders who have a working product and early revenue, especially in the security and enterprise tech sectors. Once you secure funding from a firm like Dreamit, our platform helps you manage your new capital with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated payments.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Convertible Note
• Industries of focus: Security, Generative AI, Enterprise Tech
• Geographical presence: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Founded: 2007
• Notable portfolio companies: SeatGeek, Houseparty, LevelUp, TrendKite
• Portfolio size: 403 investments and 53 exits

You can refer to their website here.

6. Ventioneers

Ventioneers is a venture capital firm that invests in entrepreneurs building companies in deep tech, SaaS, and AI. They support businesses across a wide range of stages, from seed rounds to late-stage growth.

The firm's portfolio is notable for including some of the world's most valuable private companies, such as SpaceX, ByteDance, and Anthropic. Their investment in SpaceX, which was valued at around $350 billion during a recent secondary share sale, highlights their focus on backing established market leaders through syndicate investments.

Ventioneers is a good fit for founders building ambitious companies in deep tech and AI who are looking for a partner with access to major industry players. Once you secure funding, our platform helps you manage your new capital with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated payments.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Secondary Market
• Industries of focus: Deep Tech, SaaS, Energy, Generative AI, Machine Learning
• Geographical presence: Houston, Texas
• Founded: 2023
• Notable portfolio companies: SpaceX, ByteDance (TikTok), Stripe, Neuralink, Anthropic
• Portfolio size: 20 investments and 1 exit

You can refer to their website here.

7. Angel Collective Opportunity Fund

Angel Collective Opportunity Fund operates as a platform for emerging venture capital managers, investing in companies across AI, B2B, and FinTech. They support businesses from seed funding through late-stage rounds.

A key part of their strategy is backing companies with unicorn potential, including the Generative AI platform Jasper and FinTechs like Mercury and TaxBit. This focus on high-growth businesses signals their ability to support founders aiming for significant scale.

The firm is a good match for founders in their core industries who are building companies with a clear path to a large market outcome. Once you secure funding, our platform helps you manage your new capital with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated payments.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), B2B, FinTech, Generative AI, Industrial
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Founded: 2020
• Notable portfolio companies: Mercury, Jasper, TaxBit, Boom Supersonic
• Portfolio size: 77 investments and 2 exits

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for Generative AI Companies

This overview of venture capital firms shows that investor interest in the Generative AI sector is strong across multiple growth phases. Many firms on this list support companies from seed through late-stage rounds, which points to a stable funding environment where you can find long-term partners rather than just early-stage backers.

Geographically, there is a clear concentration of investors in the San Francisco Bay Area. However, the presence of firms in cities like Philadelphia and Houston shows that opportunities are not limited to one region. This suggests a broadening interest in AI innovation across the country.

As you plan your next steps, remember that managing your capital is just as important as raising it. Once funding is secured, our integrated platform helps you deploy it efficiently with business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay. If you're exploring other financing routes, Rho Capital can also connect you to non-dilutive options tailored to your business needs.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Knowing which investors to approach saves you valuable time and energy during a fundraise. We hope this overview helps you focus your efforts on the right partners for your company.

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. Once capital is secured, our integrated tools—business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay—help you manage and deploy your funds efficiently.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Generative AI

Are there active Generative AI venture capital firms outside the US?

Yes, many international firms invest in AI. London, Tel Aviv, and Singapore are major hubs with active investors. These firms often look for companies with global potential and can provide access to different markets and talent pools.

What do early-stage VC firms look for in a Generative AI startup?

Early-stage investors focus on your team's technical expertise, a clear product vision, and early signs of market validation. They want to see a unique approach to a significant problem and a plan for acquiring initial customers.

How is a deep tech VC firm different from a generalist one?

Deep tech firms have specialized expertise in complex technologies like AI and often have longer investment timelines. They understand the research and development needs, while generalist firms may focus more on business model innovation across various industries.

What is the best way to approach a venture capital firm?

A warm introduction through a mutual connection is most effective. If that's not possible, a concise and personalized email to a relevant partner, clearly stating your value proposition and traction, can also open doors for your startup.

How can I find non-dilutive funding if I'm not ready for venture capital?

If you're not ready for venture capital, non-dilutive options like venture debt or credit lines can provide capital without giving up equity. Our Rho Capital service connects you to financing tailored to your stage through a guided process.

How can Rho help me manage my capital after a fundraise?

Once you secure funding, our integrated platform helps you manage it effectively. We provide business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay to give you clear visibility and control over your company's finances. Get started with Rho.