Top 15 Venture Capital Firms Investing in Healthcare

When you're preparing to raise capital for your healthcare startup, knowing the key investors is essential. Whether you're in biotech, medtech, or digital health, identifying the right venture capital firms from the start can make all the difference in finding a true partner.

Our team at Rho created this guide to give you a direct overview of the top VC firms investing in the health space. Use it to quickly understand the investors most relevant to your business before or during your fundraise.

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

Key Takeaways

• Securing venture funding provides healthcare startups with the capital and strategic support needed to navigate regulatory pathways, conduct clinical trials, and bring new therapies or technologies to market.
• Top venture capital firms like Deerfield Management, Silversmith Capital Partners, New Enterprise Associates, and Vivo Capital are notable backers of startups across the healthcare industry.
• If you're raising or have just closed a round, Rho helps you manage your new capital with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

Which VC Firms in Healthcare Are Right for Your Stage?

Knowing which investors to approach is important at every point, from your first seed round to a potential exit. Below is a brief guide to healthcare VC firms, organized by the stages they invest in.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Healthcare

Pre-seed and seed funding is the initial capital you raise to validate your idea, build a minimum viable product, and achieve early traction. For founders at this stage, firms like Springbank Collective, 25madison, and Creative Ventures are often a great fit, focusing on incubating ideas and supporting companies from their inception.

Early Stage VC Firms in Healthcare

Early-stage funding, which includes Series A and B rounds, is meant to help you scale your operations, expand your team, and solidify your market position. Prominent early-stage healthcare venture capital firms like Third Rock Ventures, Maverick Ventures, and LRVHealth often partner with companies to navigate this growth phase. Once you've secured your round, Rho's integrated platform helps you manage your new capital with business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

Late Stage VC Firms in Healthcare

Late-stage venture capital is for established companies looking to accelerate growth, expand into new markets, or prepare for a major liquidity event like an M&A or an IPO. While investors like Deerfield Management and Vivo Capital provide equity funding, Rho Capital can also connect you with non-dilutive venture debt to complement your financing strategy.

It's also worth noting that many venture capital firms, including some of the largest names in the industry, invest across multiple stages from seed to exit.

To help you find the right partner, we've compiled an overview of leading VC firms in the healthcare space. You'll find information on their investment stages, where they invest, and what makes each firm a compelling choice for founders.

1. Deerfield Management

Deerfield Management is an investment firm dedicated to advancing healthcare through its work in investment, information, and philanthropy. Founded in 1994 and based in New York, the firm applies its deep industry knowledge across the healthcare spectrum.

The firm invests across all stages, from seed rounds to post-IPO companies, showing a commitment to supporting companies throughout their entire lifecycle. Their portfolio includes major players like the biotech company Nuvalent, which had a successful 2021 IPO, and the managed-care insurer Centene Corporation, a major holding for the firm.

Deerfield is likely a strong partner for healthcare founders who want an investor with a long-term perspective and a broad network. Their focus on philanthropy and information suggests they provide more than just capital, offering strategic support grounded in a mission to improve health.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Post-IPO
• Industries of focus: Health Care, Health Insurance, Information Services
• Geographical presence: New York, NY
• Founded: 1994
• Notable investments: Nuvalent, Viatris, Neurocrine Biosciences, Centene Corporation

You can refer to their website here.

2. Silversmith Capital Partners

Based in Boston, Silversmith Capital Partners is a growth equity firm that partners with entrepreneurs in the technology and healthcare sectors. Founded in 2015, the firm focuses on providing capital to profitable, growing companies.

Silversmith invests across multiple stages, from seed to private equity, with a clear focus on product-centric businesses that are capital-efficient. Their portfolio highlights include major technology successes like Webflow and SurveyMonkey, demonstrating a knack for backing companies with strong market adoption.

This firm is an excellent choice for founders of healthcare IT or SaaS companies who have already found product-market fit and are looking for a partner to help them scale. Their track record suggests a focus on helping strong businesses become market leaders.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity
• Industries of focus: Health Care, Information Technology, Information Services
• Geographical presence: Boston, MA
• Founded: 2015
• Notable investments: ActiveCampaign, Appfire, impact.com, Webflow, SurveyMonkey (Momentive)

You can refer to their website here.

3. New Enterprise Associates

New Enterprise Associates (NEA) is one of the most established venture capital firms, investing in both technology and healthcare companies since 1977. With roots in Menlo Park, they have a long history of backing transformative businesses across multiple industries.

NEA invests across the full company lifecycle, from early-stage rounds to post-IPO financing, demonstrating their capacity to be a long-term partner. Their extensive portfolio includes landmark companies like the networking pioneer 3Com and modern successes like Databricks, alongside major healthcare exits like the oncology company Tesaro.

The firm is a great fit for founders in tech and healthcare who are seeking an investor with deep industry experience and significant capital resources. If you're building a company with the potential for large-scale impact, NEA's track record suggests they have the network and expertise to support that journey.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Post-IPO, and more
• Industries of focus: Health Care, Technology, Consumer, Finance
• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, CA
• Founded: 1977
• Notable investments: Databricks, 3Com, Tesaro, Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Adaptimmune

You can refer to their website here.

4. Vivo Capital

Vivo Capital is a global investment firm dedicated to the healthcare industry, with approximately $5.8 billion in assets under management. Founded in 1996, the Palo Alto-based firm has a long history of backing companies across various stages of growth.

A key characteristic of Vivo is its focus on companies navigating late-stage clinical development and commercialization. Their portfolio includes businesses like Avadel Pharmaceuticals, which gained FDA approval for its narcolepsy treatment, and Soleno Therapeutics, which is advancing a therapy for a rare genetic disorder.

This firm is an excellent fit for founders in the life sciences and biopharma sectors who have promising clinical assets and are approaching key regulatory milestones. Once you secure funding, our platform at Rho helps you manage that new capital with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity, Post-IPO
• Industries of focus: Health Care, Life Sciences
• Geographical presence: Palo Alto, CA
• Founded: 1996
• Notable investments: Soleno Therapeutics, Verona Pharma, Geron Corporation, Avadel Pharmaceuticals

You can refer to their website here.

5. Maverick Ventures

Maverick Ventures is the venture capital arm of Maverick Capital, investing from its San Francisco office in early-stage healthcare and technology businesses. Since its start in 2015, the firm has backed companies across both sectors.

The firm has a strong record in both consumer technology and healthcare, backing companies with clear paths to scale. Their portfolio includes major exits like the primary-care provider One Medical and the telemedicine brand Hims & Hers Health, which went public via a SPAC.

Maverick is a good match for founders building technology-driven healthcare companies, especially those with a direct-to-consumer or enterprise model. If you're looking for an investor with a history of guiding companies to high-profile exits, they are a compelling choice.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Health Care, Technology, Cyber Security
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, CA
• Founded: 2015
• Notable investments: One Medical, Hims & Hers Health, Coupang, Cityblock Health, BioCatch

You can refer to their website here.

6. SV Health Investors

SV Health Investors is a Boston-based firm that has been investing in the healthcare and biotechnology industries since 1993. They support companies across the entire lifecycle, from seed funding to post-IPO, with a clear focus on life sciences and medical devices.

Their portfolio highlights a track record of backing companies to major exits, including telehealth leader Amwell, device maker Insulet Corporation, and Achillion Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired for nearly $1 billion. This makes the firm a strong choice for founders in biotech or medtech who are looking for a partner with deep industry experience and a history of guiding companies toward significant acquisitions or IPOs.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Post-IPO, Private Equity, Debt
• Industries of focus: Biotechnology, Health Care, Life Science, Medical Device
• Geographical presence: Boston, MA
• Founded: 1993
• Notable investments: American Well (Amwell), Insulet Corporation, Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Sutro Biopharma

You can refer to their website here.

7. Versant Ventures

Versant Ventures is a healthcare investment firm that has been backing companies since 1999. Based in Menlo Park, they invest across multiple stages, from early venture rounds to post-IPO financing.

The firm has a strong record of building companies on the back of breakthrough science, particularly in biopharma and medical devices. Their portfolio includes major exits like gene-editing pioneer CRISPR Therapeutics and Audentes Therapeutics, which was acquired for approximately $3 billion.

Versant is a great match for founders in the life sciences who are developing novel therapies or medical technologies. If you need a partner with deep scientific expertise and a history of guiding companies to major liquidity events, they are a compelling choice.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Post-IPO, Private Equity, Debt
• Industries of focus: Health Care, Life Science, Biotechnology
• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, CA
• Founded: 1999
• Notable investments: CRISPR Therapeutics, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inari Medical, Audentes Therapeutics

You can refer to their website here.

8. Pfizer

Pfizer is a global biopharmaceutical company with a corporate venture capital arm that invests in promising healthcare startups. Founded in 1849 and headquartered in New York, Pfizer Ventures leverages the parent company's deep industry resources to support its portfolio companies.

The firm focuses on companies developing breakthrough science, with a portfolio that includes pioneers in RNA-targeted drugs like Arrakis Therapeutics and DNA-damage-response oncology. They support companies from venture stages through to successful public exits, as seen with Rhythm Pharmaceuticals.

Pfizer Ventures is a strong match for founders in biopharma and precision medicine whose work aligns with Pfizer's strategic interests. While they provide equity funding, Rho Capital can also connect you with non-dilutive options like venture debt to complement your financing strategy.

• Investment stages: Private Equity, Venture
• Industries of focus: Biotechnology, Health Care, Medical, Pharmaceutical, Precision Medicine
• Geographical presence: New York, NY
• Founded: 1849
• Notable investments: Arrakis Therapeutics, Artios Pharma, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Medtronic

You can refer to their website here.

9. Redmile Group

Redmile Group is a San Francisco-based investment firm that has been active in the healthcare sector since 2007. The firm makes venture, growth, and crossover investments, supporting companies across both private and public markets.

A key feature of Redmile is its track record of backing companies to successful public market debuts, including BioNTech, the pioneer behind the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and digital health provider Virta Health. This demonstrates their ability to support high-growth companies in both biopharma and health technology.

Redmile is likely a strong partner for founders whose companies have strong clinical results or market traction and are on a path toward an IPO or other major exit. Once you secure a large round, our platform at Rho can help you manage your new capital with integrated banking, cards, and spend controls.

• Investment stages: Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Post-IPO, Private Equity
• Industries of focus: Health Care
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, CA
• Founded: 2007
• Notable investments: BioNTech, Virta Health, Science 37, ADC Therapeutics, RAPT Therapeutics

You can refer to their website here.

10. 25madison

25madison is a New York-based venture platform that operates as both an incubator and an early-stage investor. Since its founding in 2018, the firm has focused on building companies from the ground up and backing them through their initial growth phases.

The firm's hybrid model of incubating ideas while also making direct investments is a key part of its strategy. Their portfolio is diverse, including the public-safety app Citizen and avatar-technology company Genies, showing a broad interest across different sectors.

Founders at the earliest stages, including those with just an idea, are a strong match for 25madison's hands-on, incubation-style support. Once you secure that initial funding, our platform at Rho can help you manage and deploy your capital with integrated banking, cards, and spend controls.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Health Care, FinTech, Consumer Applications
• Geographical presence: New York, NY
• Founded: 2018
• Notable investments: Citizen, Genies, Hut 8, TMRW Sports Group

You can refer to their website here.

11. LRVHealth

LRVHealth is a Boston-based venture capital firm founded in 2000, describing itself as an “Inside Healthcare” platform. Its team is composed of experienced healthcare investors, operators, and advisors.

The firm's focus is on enterprise health and medical device companies, with a portfolio that includes patient-intake platform Phreesia, which went public, and the oncology-focused Carevive. Their track record shows a clear ability to guide companies toward major exits, including the acquisition of Current Health by Best Buy.

LRVHealth is a strong choice for founders in health-tech who need a partner with deep operational experience within the industry. Once you secure funding, our platform at Rho helps you manage that new capital with integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Enterprise, Health Care, Medical Devices, Security
• Geographical presence: Boston, MA
• Founded: 2000
• Notable investments: Phreesia, Current Health, Carevive, Diameter Health, GetWellNetwork

You can refer to their website here.

12. Third Rock Ventures

Third Rock Ventures is a Boston-based firm that has been backing life science companies since 2007. They focus on building businesses that have the potential to make a significant impact on patient health.

The firm is known for its active role in company creation, having incubated pioneers like the gene-editing company Editas Medicine. Their portfolio shows a clear pattern of guiding companies to major exits, including the IPO of Sage Therapeutics and the acquisition of Global Blood Therapeutics by Pfizer.

Third Rock is an ideal partner for founders in the life sciences who are working on breakthrough science and need an investor with deep company-building experience. Once you secure a partner like Third Rock, our platform at Rho can help you manage your new capital with integrated banking, cards, and spend controls.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Post-IPO
• Industries of focus: Biotechnology, Health Care, Medical Device
• Geographical presence: Boston, MA
• Founded: 2007
• Notable investments: Sage Therapeutics, Editas Medicine, bluebird bio, Global Blood Therapeutics

You can refer to their website here.

13. Springbank Collective

Springbank Collective is an early-stage investment firm that focuses on the infrastructure supporting women and working families. Based in New York, the firm backs companies from their initial seed and early venture rounds.

The firm has a clear thematic priority, investing in foundational companies that address needs in care, work, and finance. Their portfolio includes the unicorn Chief, a private network for women executives, and Wellthy, a digital caregiving platform for employees.

Springbank is an ideal partner for founders at the earliest stages who are building businesses to solve systemic challenges for women and families. Once you secure that initial funding, our platform at Rho can help you manage and deploy your capital with integrated banking, cards, and spend controls.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Consumer, Financial Services, Health Care, Women's
• Geographical presence: New York, NY
• Founded: 2019
• Notable investments: Chief, Wellthy, Promise, Copper

You can refer to their website here.

14. TMV

TMV is an early-stage venture firm based in New York that invests in companies shaping "the future of living well." Since its founding in 2016, the firm has focused on backing purpose-driven founders from the seed stage onward.

The firm's strategy is defined by its broad, thematic approach, backing companies across health, finance, and logistics that improve everyday life. Their portfolio includes major successes like the primary-care provider Cityblock Health and the medical apparel brand FIGS, which became one of the first female-founded healthcare apparel unicorns.

TMV is a great fit for early-stage founders building businesses with a clear mission to solve meaningful problems for consumers or enterprises. If you're raising a seed or Series A round, Rho Capital can also connect you with non-dilutive funding options to complement your equity financing.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture, Secondary Market
• Industries of focus: Health Care, FinTech, Education, Logistics, Transportation
• Geographical presence: New York, NY
• Founded: 2016
• Notable investments: Cityblock Health, FIGS, Casper Sleep, ClassTag, Clockwise

You can refer to their website here.

15. Creative Ventures

Creative Ventures is a deep tech venture firm that backs early-stage companies solving what it calls "humanity's most critical crises." Founded in 2016 and based in Oakland, the firm invests in founders using science and engineering to address major global challenges.

The firm's focus on deep tech is evident in its portfolio, which spans industries like advanced materials, robotics, and biotechnology. They have a track record of backing companies to successful exits, including the AI-powered retail cart maker Caper, acquired by Instacart, and lidar company Sense Photonics, which was bought by Ouster.

Creative Ventures is a strong fit for founders with deep technical expertise who are building solutions for complex problems in areas like climate, health, or construction. Once you secure funding from a partner like this, our platform at Rho helps you manage that new capital with integrated banking, cards, and spend controls.

• Investment stages: Seed, Early Stage Venture
• Industries of focus: Advanced Materials, Biotechnology, Clean Energy, Health Care, Robotics
• Geographical presence: Oakland, CA
• Founded: 2016
• Notable investments: Caper, Sense Photonics, IOTAS, Bleximo, ALICE

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About The VC Scene for Healthcare Companies

This list shows that the investment community for healthcare is both deep and varied. You'll find firms that support companies across all stages, from early-stage incubators to large investors that provide capital through to an IPO. The mix of specialized life science funds and generalist tech investors means there are many different paths to securing capital.

Geographically, these firms are concentrated in major hubs like the Bay Area, Boston, and New York, which can help focus your networking efforts. This variety gives you the flexibility to find a partner that aligns with your company's specific needs and long-term goals.

As you plan your next steps, remember that equity isn't the only path. Our team at Rho Capital can also connect you with non-dilutive funding options like venture debt, helping you access financing tailored to your business model.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Having a focused list of relevant investors is invaluable when your time and energy are limited during a fundraise. We created this guide to help you identify the right partners for your healthcare company from the start.

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 model without giving up equity.

Once your capital is secured, our integrated platform helps you manage and deploy it efficiently. Rho provides the business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay that growing startups need to operate with confidence.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms Focused on Healthcare

What are the leading healthcare VC firms in the Bay Area?

The Bay Area is a key center for healthcare investment. Firms like New Enterprise Associates, Versant Ventures, and Redmile Group are prominent backers of both health-tech and life science companies in the region, supporting them across multiple growth stages.

Which are the top biotech venture capital firms in Boston?

Boston is a major hub for biotech innovation. Firms like Third Rock Ventures and SV Health Investors are leaders in the area, often building and funding companies with breakthrough science from the earliest stages of development.

What do early-stage healthcare venture capital firms look for?

Early-stage VCs look for a strong team, a clear product-market fit, and initial traction. For healthcare, this often includes promising preclinical data or a validated technology with a clear path to regulatory approval.

Are there major healthcare venture capital firms in Europe?

Yes, Europe has a growing healthcare investment community. Firms across London, Switzerland, and Germany actively fund biotech, medtech, and digital health startups, providing capital for companies to expand in the region and globally.

What should medical device startups know when seeking VC funding?

Medical device startups should have a clear regulatory strategy and strong intellectual property. VCs look for innovations that address significant unmet clinical needs and have a defined path to market approval and commercialization.

How can I get funding for my startup without giving up equity?

Our team at Rho Capital connects you with non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines. You can access financing tailored to your business model through a fast, guided process. Get started with Rho.