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Boston has long been a powerhouse for innovation and entrepreneurship, making it a prime location for startups and venture capital. Renowned for its prestigious universities and research institutions, the city fosters a rich intellectual capital and cutting-edge technology environment. The startup scene in Boston is vibrant and diverse, supported by a strong network of venture capital firms that provide essential funding and mentorship. This thriving ecosystem offers founders access to a wealth of resources, including accelerators, incubators, and a collaborative community of entrepreneurs and investors, making Boston an ideal place for launching and growing new ventures. At Visible, we often compare a venture capital fundraise to a traditional B2B sales and marketing funnel. At the top of your funnel, you are looking for qualified investors. In the middle of your funnel, you are nurturing potential investors with pitch decks, meetings, and email updates. At the bottom of your funnel, you are hopefully closing new investors. Related Resource: The 12 Best VC Funds You Should Know About Just as a sales and marketing funnel starts by finding qualified leads, the same is true for a venture fundraise. For some, this might start by finding investors (or leads) that are in a certain geography. For founders located in Boston, check out a list of our favorite VC funds in Boston below: 1. General Catalyst Partners As put by the team at General Catalyst Partners, “We work with companies through their entire lifecycle—from the earliest stages through growth and beyond. Our team has expertise in all phases of company building and can add real value at every inflection point. No matter where they are in their journey, we always aspire to be a founder’s first call—connecting them to the relationships that matter most.” Focus and industry: General Catalyst invests across every sector. They specifically mention consumer, enterprise, fintech & crypto, and health assurance on their website. Funding stage: General Catalyst invests across every stage — “from creation to IPO.” General Catalyst is on of the biggest names in the venture industry. They’ve raised 15 funds dating back to 2001. The team invests in companies across every sector, in every stage, across the globe. A few of their most popular investments include: Stripe Warby Parker Hubspot Airbnb Location: Cambridge, MA – New York – London – San Francisco Related Resource: Exploring the Top 10 Venture Capital Firms in New York City Learn more about General Catalyst by checking out their Visible Connect profile → 2. Battery Ventures As put by the team at Battery Ventures, “We back founders and talented teams at all stages of growth, from startups to established market leaders. We are currently investing from our 14th flagship fund, Battery Ventures XIV, and companion fund Select Fund II, together capitalized at a combined $3.8 billion.” Focus and industry: Battery Ventures invests in many sectors but specifically mentions application software, infrastructure software, consumer, and industrial tech on their website. Funding stage: The team at Battery Ventures invests in companies across all stages Battery Ventures has been investing since 1983. Over their 40 years of investing, they’ve funded 450+ companies. Battery Ventures will invest in companies across all stages across the globe. Check out a few of their most popular investments below: Affirm Amplitude Invision Location: Boston – San Francisco – Menlo Park – Tel Aviv – London – New York City Related Resource: 15 Venture Capital Firms in London Fueling Startup Growth Learn more about Battery Ventures by checking out their Visible Connect profile → 3. Polaris Partners As put by the team at Polaris Partners, “Since 1996, Polaris has been guided by the fundamental beliefs that people come first and true partnerships make all the difference. Rooted in mutual respect and a shared passion for innovation, our relationships with outstanding visionaries principally in technology and healthcare have helped to change the world for the better.” Focus and industry: The team at Polaris is focused on healthcare and life science/biotechnology companies Related Resource: The Top VCs Investing in BioTech (plus the metrics they want to see) Funding stage: The team at Polaris Partners does not publicly stage their stage focus. Polaris Partners has been funding healthcare businesses for 20+ years. Polaris has raised 10 funds focused on funding companies in healthcare and technology. A few of their most popular investments include: Syros SimplyInsured Amunix Location: Boston – New York – San Francisco Learn more about Polaris Partners by checking out their Visible Connect profile → 4. Summit Partners As put by their team, “Summit Partners was founded in 1984 with a commitment to find and partner with exceptional entrepreneurs to help them accelerate their growth and achieve dramatic results. Since then, Summit has become the investment partner of choice for many of the best growth companies in the world. We’ve grown to a team of more than 115 investment professionals, led by Managing Directors and Partners whose tenures average more than 16 years with Summit. We have the capital and team to support your growth initiatives.” Focus and industry: Summit Partners is focused on technology, healthcare & life science, and growth products Funding stage: The team at Summit Partners is focused on growth-stage companies and typically writes checks between $10M and $500M As put by their team, “We invest around the world and have portfolio companies in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. Based from offices in North America and Europe, our team travels the globe in search of growing companies and the resources to support them.” A few of their most popular investments include: WebEx Uber Reverb Location: Boston, MA 5. .406 Ventures As put by the team at .406 Ventures, “We invest in opportunities where we understand the need and your company’s technology solution; where we have deep, relevant networks; and where we believe we can add disproportionate value as a partner, investor, and board member. Our initial investments are typically between $2 and $5 million with substantial additional capital reserved for follow-on investment.” Focus and industry: The team at .406 Ventures focuses on cybersecurity, digital health, and data & cloud companies. Funding stage: .406 Ventures is focused on early-stage companies and typically writes checks between $2M and $5M. As put by their team, “When we were building our own entrepreneurial companies, we found that it was often our independent board members, not the VC board members, who contributed the most value. Invariably, it was the independent board members who had the deep experience and strong operational networks—and who had been in our shoes. At .406, we aim to bring these qualities, in addition to capital, to every one of our portfolio companies. It is our goal to be the most valuable member on your board.” Some of their most popular investments include: Compass Nomad Health Randori Location: Boston, MA 6. OpenView According to their team, “OpenView, the expansion stage venture firm, helps build software companies into market leaders. Through our Expansion Platform, we help companies hire the best talent, acquire and retain the right customers and partner with industry leaders so they can dominate their markets. Our focus on the expansion stage makes us uniquely suited to provide truly tailored operational support to our portfolio companies.” Focus and industry: OpenView Partners is focused on companies that are “changing the future of work.” Related Resource: 15+ VCs Investing in the Future of Work Funding stage: OpenView Partners is focused on expansion-stage companies. OpenView is largely associated with “product-led growth” and has backed some of the most prolific and successful SaaS companies. With their focus on the future of work companies + expansion stage companies, OpenView offers resources to help companies tackle all aspects of expansion stage growth. A few of their most popular investments include: Calendly Lessonly Datadog Location: Boston, MA Learn more about OpenView Partners by checking out their Visible Connect profile → 7. 1414 Ventures As put by their team, “1414 Ventures is focused solely on the digital identity space which supports functions such as payments, cybersecurity, and data privacy & trust. Given the exponential surge in virtual and digital transactions/interactions over the last year combined with increased security, fraud prevention, and privacy needs, there is a huge opportunity for next-generation digital identity startups.” Focus and industry: 1414 Ventures invests in companies that are “focused on creating innovative digital identity solutions.” Funding stage: Pre-seed and seed-stage companies 1414 Ventures has an intense focus on companies that are developing the future of digital identity. Some of 1414 Ventures’ most popular investments are: SingularKey Tautuk SwiftConnect Location: Boston, MA 8. Mendoza Ventures As put by their team, “Mendoza Ventures is an early and growth stage Fintech, AI, and Cybersecurity venture fund that provides an actively managed approach to VC. We invest in areas where we have deep domain expertise, companies with early revenue, a clear value proposition, and use a proven due diligence model. We focus on diversity as playing an important role in our investment decisions, as roughly 75% of our portfolio consists of start-ups led by immigrants, people of color, and women.” Focus and industry: Mendoza is focused on Fintech, AI, and Cybersecurity companies. Funding stage: Mendoza Ventures is focused on early and growth-stage companies On their website, Mendoza further explains their background and foundation, “Based in Boston, Mendoza Ventures is women-owned and the first LatinX-owned venture fund on the East Coast. The firm is run by husband and wife Adrian and Senofer Mendoza, entrepreneurs and prior operators who are veterans of the Boston start-up ecosystem.” Some of their most popular investments include: Canvas Senso Daylight Location: Boston – San Francisco Learn more about Mendoza Ventures by checking out their Visible Connect profile → 9. HLM Venture Partners As put by their team, “HLM provides venture capital to early- to mid-stage health care information technology, health care services, and medical device companies. HLM has helped over 75 privately-held health care companies turn innovative ideas into market-leading businesses. The Company’s investment professionals have over 125 years of collective expertise in the health care industry, an accumulation of knowledge and experience that is invaluable to the leadership of its portfolio companies.” Focus and industry: HLM Venture Partners are focused on healthcare services and companies. Funding stage: HLM offers early to mid-stage capital. HLM Venture Partners has invested in 75+ companies. Some of their most popular investments are: Able To Blue Rabbit Tebra Location: Waltham, MA 10. Venrock As put by the team at Venrock, “Originally established as the venture capital arm of the Rockefeller family in 1969, Venrock partners with entrepreneurs to build some of the world’s most disruptive, successful companies. With a primary focus on technology and healthcare.” Focus and industry: The team at Venrock is focused on investing in technology and healthcare companies Funding stage: Venrock invests across all stages Venrock is an original player in the venture capital space. Over their history, they have invested in 700 companies and have raised 10 funds. They’ve invested in some of the most prolific companies such as: Apple Nest Zoominfo Location: New York – Palo Alto 11. Third Rock Ventures As put by the team at Third Rock Ventures, “To achieve what hadn’t been done before, we created a process that hadn’t been done before. By starting with big ideas and fostering collaboration among brilliant people with expertise in science, medicine, business, and strategy, we set out to do more than fund startups – we aim to build sustainable, innovative companies that can transform the lives of patients.” Focus and industry: Third Rock Ventures focuses on biotechnology companies Funding stage: Third Rock Ventures does not publicly list a specific stage or check size As put by their team, “We build our companies on a solid foundation, instilling core values and a commitment to a great culture. Our companies are based on bold ideas that meet at the intersection of science, business, medicine, and strategy – where transformational science meets operational rigor – providing the best opportunity to make a dramatic difference in patient’s lives.” Some of their most popular investments include: Celsius Faze Medicines Moma Location: Boston – San Francisco Learn more about Third Rock Ventures by checking out their Visible Connect profile → 12. Boston Seed Capital Boston Seed Capital is a well-established venture capital firm dedicated to investing in early-stage technology companies. With a focus on fostering innovation and growth, Boston Seed Capital provides not only financial support but also strategic guidance and resources to help startups thrive. Founders working with Boston Seed Capital benefit from the firm’s extensive network, expertise, and commitment to building successful businesses. Focus and industry: Boston Seed Capital primarily focuses on technology-driven industries. They invest in sectors such as software, digital media, e-commerce, and internet services. The firm is particularly interested in companies that leverage innovative technologies to disrupt traditional markets and create new opportunities. Funding stage: They typically invest in early-stage companies, including pre-seed and seed rounds. Their investment amounts generally range from $250,000 to $2.5 million in seed rounds. Location: Located in the heart of Boston on Atlantic Avenue. Learn more about Boston Seed Capital by checking out their Visible Connect profile here → 13. Boston Millenia Partners Boston Millenia Partners is a distinguished venture capital firm known for its strategic investments in innovative companies. With a strong track record of identifying and nurturing high-potential businesses, Boston Millenia Partners is dedicated to providing both financial support and strategic expertise. Founders partnering with this firm benefit from their deep industry knowledge, extensive network, and a collaborative approach to building successful enterprises. Focus and industry: Boston Millenia Partners primarily focuses on industries such as healthcare, life sciences, and technology. They are particularly interested in companies that are at the forefront of medical innovations, digital health solutions, and advanced technological developments. Funding stage: Boston Millenia Partners typically invests in later-stage companies, including growth and expansion stages but they also invest in seed rounds. They provide substantial financial backing, with investment amounts generally ranging from $1 million to $15 million. Location: Located in the bustling financial district of Boston on Federal Street. Learn more about Boston Millenia Partners by checking out their Visible Connect profile → 14. Beacon Angels Beacon Angels is a Boston-based angel investment group dedicated to supporting early-stage, fast-growing companies in New England. Founded in 2006, Beacon Angels brings together experienced investors who provide not only financial support but also strategic advice and mentorship to help startups succeed. The group is known for its collaborative approach, leveraging the collective expertise and networks of its members to foster innovation and growth in the companies they back. Focus and industry: Beacon Angels primarily focuses on a diverse range of industries, including technology, software, IT, health care, biotechnology, consumer goods Funding stage: Beacon Angels typically invests in early-stage companies, providing seed and early-round funding. Their investment amounts usually range from $50,000 to $400,000 per company. Location: Located in the heart of Boston, offering easy access to the city’s vibrant startup ecosystem, their office is situated on Federal Street. Learn more about Beacon Angels by checking out their Visible Connect profile → 15. Underscore VC Underscore VC is a Boston-based venture capital firm founded in 2015. The firm is committed to backing bold entrepreneurs at the early stages, particularly in the B2B software sector. With a focus on creating a supportive community, Underscore VC connects founders with experienced operators, executives, and entrepreneurs to provide strategic guidance and resources. Their approach is designed to help startups navigate the challenges of growth and scale effectively. Focus and industry: Underscore VC primarily focuses on B2B software companies. Their investment interests span various sectors, including SaaS, fintech, AI, cloud computing, and logistics. Companies in their portfolio often originate from top academic institutions such as Harvard and MIT, reflecting their strong ties to the academic and tech communities in Boston​​​​. Funding stage: Underscore VC invests in pre-seed, seed, Series A, Series B, and Series C companies. Their sweet spot check size is $4 million but will also invest up to $10 million. Their investment strategy is aimed at helping startups achieve key milestones, such as product development, market validation, and early customer acquisition, which are crucial for attracting further investment and scaling the business​​​​. Location: Underscore VC is headquartered in the historic Old City Hall on School Street. Learn more about Underscore VC by checking out their Visible Connect profile → 16. Volition Capital Volition Capital is a Boston-based growth equity firm that principally invests in high-growth, founder-owned companies across the software, Internet, and consumer sectors. Founded in 2010, Volition has over $1.1 billion in assets under management and has invested in over 30 companies in the United States and Canada. The firm selectively partners with founders to help them achieve their fullest aspirations for their businesses. Focus and industry: Volition Capital focuses on several high growth key industries, including software, internet services, and consumer sectors. The firm has a strong emphasis on technology-driven businesses, particularly those in SaaS , fintech, cybersecurity, digital health, and e-commerce. Funding stage: Volition Capital typically invests in growth-stage companies, providing capital in the range of $10 million to $20 million per investment. Their funding is aimed at accelerating growth, expanding market presence, and enabling shareholder liquidity. The firm seeks to take meaningful minority ownership stakes and often secures board positions to actively participate in the strategic direction of the companies they back​​​​. Location: Volition Capital is headquartered on Huntington Avenue, Boston. Learn more about Volition Capital by checking out their Visible Connect profile → Find investors in Boston with Visible As we previously mentioned, a venture fundraise oftentimes mirrors a traditional B2B sales and marketing funnel. Just as sales and marketing teams have dedicated tools to track their funnel, shouldn’t founders have dedicated tools to manage their most important asset – equity? With Visible, you can track and manage every part of your fundraising funnel. Find investors at the top of your funnel with Visible Connect, our free investor database Add them directly to your fundraising pipeline directly in Visible Share your pitch deck and data room with investors in your pipeline Send Updates to current and potential investors to keep them engaged with the progress of your business. Take your investor relations to the next level with Visible. Give Visible a free try for 14 days here.

Utah has rapidly emerged as a thriving hub for startups and venture capital, offering a fertile ground for entrepreneurial innovation and investment. The state's robust tech ecosystem, often referred to as the "Silicon Slopes," is home to a dynamic community of founders and investors driving significant growth and innovation. Venture capital in Utah has seen remarkable expansion, with a growing number of VC firms providing critical funding and support to early-stage companies. This vibrant startup scene is supported by a strong network of accelerators, incubators, and resources that make Utah an attractive destination for entrepreneurs seeking to launch and scale their ventures . Venture Capital in Utah At Visible, we often compare venture capital fundraise to a traditional B2B sales and marketing funnel. At the top of your fundraising funnel, you are bringing in qualified investors via warm and cold outreach. In the middle of your fundraising funnel, you are nurturing potential investors with pitch decks, meetings, and email updates. At the bottom of your fundraising funnel, you are hopefully closing new investors (and delighting them with regular updates). Related Resource: How to Find Venture Capital to Fund Your Startup: 5 Methods Just as a sales and marketing funnel starts with qualified leads, so should a fundraising funnel. For some companies, this might mean looking for local investors — for founders in Utah, check out a list of venture capitalists in the area below: 1. Park City Angels As put by their team, “The Park City Angels are a group of 40+ accredited investors located in Park City, Utah. We look to invest in promising opportunities that can produce significant shareholder return. The active lifestyle of Park City has attracted many dynamic and successful business leaders that have deep experience in building world class businesses. We facilitate unique, high-caliber networking and development forums for angel investors and mentors involved in early-stage investment.” Focus and industry: The Park City Angels team lays out their focus directly on their website, “We are most interested in companies that have valuations from $4MM to $6MM, have a reasonable likelihood of reaching $30MM in sales within 5 years, and can get to cash flow break-even within the next year or two.” Funding stage: Park City Angels is focused on companies with valuations between $4M and $6M The team at Park City Angels generally focuses on companies in Utah but is open to investing in companies across the country. Some of their most popular investments include: Lula High West Distillery Allgood Provisions Related Resource: VCs Investing In Food & Bev Startups Location: Park City, UT 2. EPIC Ventures As put by their team, “EPIC Ventures is a premier early-stage software and Internet infrastructure venture firm whose mission is to back entrepreneurs and companies positioned to lead the information economy of tomorrow. We bring the collective operational and financial experience of our partnership, our world-class advisors, and our extensive network of technology industry contacts to engage and ensure our portfolio’s success.” Focus and industry: The team at EPIC Ventures does not state an industry focus. Funding stage: The team at EPIC Ventures is focused on early-stage investments. EPIC Ventures invests in companies in Utah and the greater northwest in the United States. EPIC Ventures has invested across four funds. Some of their most popular investments include: Ancestory Manscaped Zenefits Location: Salt Lake City, UT Learn more about EPIC Ventures by checking out their Visible Connect profile → Related Resource: A Quick Overview on VC Fund Structure 3. RenewableTech Ventures As put by their team, “RenewableTech Ventures is committed to creating exceptional returns for both the entrepreneurs we invest in and our fund investors. These exceptional returns are achieved by investing in early-stage innovations in energy, clean technology, green materials, and other clean technologies. Our investment activity is focused in Canada and the United States, with a specific focus on regions that are underserved by venture capital.” Focus and industry: The team at RenewableTech is focused on companies’ innovation in the energy, clean technology, and green technology space. Funding stage: RenewableTech Ventures is focused on early-stage investments. As put by their team, “​​RenewableTech Ventures provides capital, market intelligence, active board representation and an exceptional international network of industry contacts, technology leaders and co-investors.” They are focused on investing in the US/Canada, particularly in regions that are traditionally underserved by venture capital. Check out a few of their most popular investments below: Solid Carbon Products Consolidated Energy Systems Voila Mattress Location: Salt Lake City – Vancouver Learn more about RenewableTech Ventures by checking out their Visible Connect profile → 4. Kickstart Fund Kickstart Fund is a seed-stage venture capital firm based in Salt Lake City, UT. Kickstart’s mission is to fuel the best companies in the Mountain West by providing smart capital, a connected community, and expert guidance. Since raising its first fund in 2008, Kickstart has invested in more than 150 companies. Focus and industry: As put by their team, “We’re industry agnostic and have invested in SaaS, consumer, marketplace, and healthcare startups.” Funding stage: Kickstart is focused on seed investing The team at Kickstart has invested in 150+ companies and has become synonymous with seed investing in the western US. Kickstart traditionally writes checks between $250k and $2M. The team is largely focused on investing in companies located in Utah, Colorado, and the Mountain West. Check out a few of their most popular investments below: Stance CloudApp Cotopaxi Location: Cottonwood Heights, Utah Learn more about Kickstart Fund by checking out their Visible Connect Profile → 5. Banyan Ventures As put by their team, “Banyan Ventures partners with entrepreneurs to build businesses. Our methodology helps early-stage companies grow into valuable and sustainable enterprises. On the other end of the spectrum, we also help owners of established companies continue their legacies as they seek to transition out of a business.” Focus and industry: As put by their team, “Banyan Ventures primarily focuses on business opportunities with significant revenue traction in traditional industries like manufacturing, business services, construction, and other industrial sectors.” Funding stage: Banyan is focused on early-stage investments. The team at Banyan has launched 4 funds and led investments in 23 companies. Some of their most popular investments include: Intermountain Nutrition Belle Havens Restore Location: Holladay, UT 6. Pelion As put by their team, “Since 1986, Pelion Venture Partners has been helping entrepreneurs turn early-stage concepts into tomorrow’s industry-leading companies. The Pelion team has deep and diverse industry and investment experience. We are hands-on in our approach and work collaboratively on each portfolio company over the life of an investment.” Focus and industry: Pelion is agnostic in their investment focus Funding stage: Pelion is focused on early-stage investments The team at Pelion has been investing since 1986 so it is fair to say that they know their way around the Utah venture capital space. Some of their most popular investments include: BigPanda Owlet Divvy Location: Salt Lake City, UT Learn more about Pelion by checking out their Visible Connect profile → 7. Mercato As put by their team, “Mercato has built its success by providing entrepreneurs with the capital and resources they require to effectively scale their businesses. Over time, we have become expert growth investors with firsthand knowledge of what organizations really need to be successful.” Focus and industry: The team at Mercato invests across 4 funds — each with a different focus and stage as shown below: Funding stage: Mercato invests across many stages depending on the fund As mentioned above, Mercato has 4 specific funds. Each fund gives them the opportunity to invest in different stages or markets. For the sake of this post we will take a look at their “Prelude Venture Fund.” As they put it, ‘Prelude companies have demonstrated product-market-fit and have deep customer relations obtained through product leadership and nimble execution.” A few of Prelude’s most popular investments include: Cotopaxi Blip Bluematador Location: Cottonwood Heights, UT Learn more about Mercato by checking out their Visible Connect profile → 8. Zetta Venture Partners As put by their team, “At Zetta Venture Partners, it’s our mission to help technical founders turn machine learning models into market-leading companies. We were the first VC firm exclusively focused on identifying and supporting AI-driven, B2B businesses.” Focus and industry: Zetta Venture Partners is focused on AI-first startups Related Resource: How AI Can Support Startups & Investors + VCs Investing in AI Funding stage: The team at Zetta Venture Partners leads pre-seed and seed rounds. Zetta Venture Partners launched their first fund in 2015 and has been hyper-focused on AI startups since. Zetta believes that AI startups are different than traditional software companies and are well-suited to help technical founders in the space. Some of their most popular investments include: Clearbit Domo Tractable Location: New York – San Francisco – Utah Learn more about Zetta Venture Partners by checking out their Visible Connect profile → 9. Signal Peak Ventures As put by their team, “Signal Peak is a private equity and venture capital firm with more than $500 million of committed capital under management. The firm focuses on making equity investments in early-stage technology companies in emerging markets. Signal Peak is typically a SaaS investor targeting companies with differentiated and disruptive business models, exceptional management teams, and large addressable markets.” Focus and industry: Signal Peak typically targets SaaS companies Funding stage: Signal Peak is focused on early-stage companies Signal Peak is focused on investing in technology companies across the United States. Some of their most popular investments include: Degreed Slate Hivewire Location: Salt Lake City, UT Learn more about Signal Peak Ventures by checking out their Visible Connect profile → 10. Peterson Ventures As put by the team at Peterson Ventures, “We get it, building a business is hard. With us you get a dedicated partner you can trust, no matter what. And when you need it, we’re a counselor without a co-pay. We help you go from Seed to Series A by investing in your seed round, introducing you to our network of CEO’s and advisors, improving your metrics, focusing your strategy when the time is right, introducing you to some of the best investors around for your next round of funding.” Focus and industry: Peterson Ventures is focused on companies in digital commerce and SaaS Funding stage: Peterson Ventures is focused on seed and early-stage startups The team at Peterson invests in the people behind a business. They believe in building long-lasting relationships with their entrepreneurs. A few of their most popular investments include: Allbirds Bonobos Cotopaxi Location: Salt Lake City, UT Learn more about Peterson Ventures by checking out their Visible Connect profile → 11. Album VC Album VC, originally known as Peak Ventures, is a well-regarded venture capital firm based in Utah that focuses on investing in early-stage technology companies. Established by seasoned entrepreneurs John Mayfield and Curt Roberts, Album VC rebranded in 2019 to better reflect its mission of amplifying the stories of the companies they back. The firm is known for its founder-friendly approach, providing not only capital but also extensive mentorship and strategic support. Album VC has a strong track record of helping startups achieve significant growth and success, making it a valuable partner for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses. Focus and industry: The primarily focus is on early-stage investments across a wide range of industries. They have a particular interest in sectors such as software, consumer internet, and enterprise technology. Their portfolio includes companies that are pushing the boundaries of innovation and transforming their respective industries. Founders in these sectors can expect Album VC to bring not only capital but also strategic guidance and valuable industry connections. Funding stage: Album VC typically invests in Seed and Series A rounds, offering initial checks ranging from $500,000 to $5 million. They aim to support startups from their earliest stages of development, providing the necessary resources to scale and succeed. Album VC’s investment strategy is tailored to help companies navigate the critical phases of growth, ensuring they have the support needed to achieve their milestones. Location: Lehi, Utah Learn more about Album VC by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → 12. Tamarak Capital Tamarak Capital is a dynamic venture capital firm dedicated to nurturing early-stage startups with high growth potential. With a mission to accelerate the development of innovative companies, Tamarak Capital combines financial investment with strategic mentorship to help founders build successful businesses. The firm prides itself on its collaborative approach, working closely with entrepreneurs to provide the guidance and resources needed to achieve their goals. Focus and industry: Tamarak Capital primarily focuses on investing in technology-driven industries. Their areas of interest include software, hardware, consumer products, and healthcare technology. Funding stage: Tamarak typically invests in Seed and Series A rounds, with initial investments ranging from $500,000 to $2 million. Their goal is to support startups at the early stages of their development, providing the capital and expertise necessary to help them scale. Location: Springville, Utah Learn more about Tamarak by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → 13. StartStudio StartStudio is an innovative venture capital firm based in Utah, dedicated to transforming early-stage startups into successful, scalable businesses. With a unique approach that blends investment with hands-on incubation, StartStudio works closely with founders to develop their ideas and bring them to market. Their team of experienced entrepreneurs and investors provides comprehensive support, including mentorship, strategic guidance, and operational assistance, making StartStudio a valuable partner for ambitious startups looking to accelerate their growth. Focus and industry: StartStudio primarily focuses on technology-driven industries, with a strong emphasis on software, mobile applications, and digital platforms. Funding stage: StartStudio typically invests in pre-seed and seed-stage companies, with an initial investment of $100,000. Their investment strategy is designed to provide early-stage startups with the critical funding they need to develop their products, validate their business models, and prepare for subsequent funding rounds. Location: Provo, Utah Learn more about StartStudio by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → 14. Royal Street Ventures Royal Street Ventures' philosophy is centered on collaboration and long-term partnership. It offers both financial backing and strategic mentorship to early-stage companies. The team comprises seasoned investors and industry experts who work closely with founders to provide the resources and guidance necessary for scaling their businesses and achieving market success. Focus and industry: They invest in companies focused on creating scalable, tech-enabled solutions to real-world problems from the Midwest to the Pacific U.S. Funding stage: Typically, they invest in early-stage and seed rounds, with initial investments ranging from $250,000 to $2 million. Location: Park City, Utah Learn more about Royal Street Ventures by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → Find investors in Utah with Visible As we mentioned at the start of this post, we often compare a venture capital fundraise to a traditional sales and marketing funnel. Just as a sales and marketing team has dedicated tools, shouldn’t a founder manage their investors? With Visible you can manage every part of your fundraising funnel: Find investors with Visible Connect, our free investor database, at the top of your funnel Track your conversations with our Fundraising CRM Nurture them with our Pitch Deck sharing tool Work through due diligence with our Data Room tool Delight them with regular investor Updates Give Visible a free try for 14 days here →

New York City has firmly established itself as a premier destination for startups and venture capital, offering an unparalleled ecosystem of innovation and investment opportunities. The city's diverse and vibrant entrepreneurial landscape is bolstered by a wealth of resources, including a dense concentration of venture capital firms, accelerators, and incubators. As a global financial hub, New York provides startups with access to significant funding, strategic partnerships, and a rich talent pool, making it an ideal location for founders looking to launch and scale their businesses. This dynamic environment fosters continuous growth and innovation, positioning New York as a leader in the startup and venture capital scene. At Visible, we often compare a startup fundraising process to a traditional B2B sales and marketing funnel. At the top of your funnel, you are adding qualified investors. Nurturing them in the middle of the funnel with email, meetings, pitches, etc. And ideally closing them as a new investor at the bottom of a funnel. Related Resource: How to Find Venture Capital to Fund Your Startup: 5 Methods Just like a sales and marketing funnel, a fundraising funnel needs to start with the right investors for your business (e.g. qualified lead or qualified investor). One of the aspects founders will want to research is the geography of the investor and where they invest. Check out a few popular venture capital firms located in New York below: 1. Union Square Ventures According to their website, “Union Square Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on early-stage, growth-capital, late stage, and startup financing.” Learn more about Union Square Ventures by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → Investment Range Union Square Ventures invests in a large range of companies. Looking at their website and you’ll find that they invest in anywhere between Series A and Series D stages. Industries Union Square is self-described as a “thesis-driven” investor. They are currently investing off of their Thesis 3.0: “Enabling trusted brands that broaden access to knowledge, capital, and well-being by leveraging networks, platforms, and protocols.” Check out more about their Thesis 3.0, recent investments, and key ideas below: 2. Insight Partners According to the Insight Partners website, “Insight accelerates revenue and profit in software companies. Our obsession with software has produced a habit of success. We recognize industry patterns, emerging tech markets and software trends. We’ve accumulated the knowledge to understand the strategies needed to win.” Learn more about Insight Partners by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → Investment Range Insight Partners will invest across every stage but their bread and butter are “scale-up” companies. Insight will invest anywhere from pre-seed to series C and beyond stages — generally with a check size between $10M and $350M. Industries Insight is focused on software companies. However, they invest in a number of different sectors that you can find here (or below): 3. Scout Ventures According to the Scout Ventures website, “Scout Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in frontier and dual-use technologies built by veterans, intelligence leaders, and premier research labs. By leveraging our network of professional investors, operators, and experienced entrepreneurs, Scout can effectively execute every aspect of our investment thesis. We’re also paving the way for military veterans and intelligence professionals to access hundreds of millions in government grants and non-dilutive capital. The firm has three locations: Austin, New York City, Washington, DC.” Learn more about Scout Ventures by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → Investment Range Scout Ventures writes checks anywhere between $100,000 and $3M. According to their website, “We lead Seed rounds with $1-2M initial checks and reserve capital for follow-on investments up to Series B.” Industries According to the Scout website, “We focus on sectors aligned to our experience serving in defense and building multi-billion dollar companies: AI/ML, quantum computing, robotics, advanced materials science, security, space & aerospace, and advanced energy.” 4. Greycroft According to their website, “Greycroft is a venture capital firm that focuses on technology start-ups and investments in the Internet and mobile markets.” Learn more about Greycroft by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → Investment Range According to the team at Greycroft, “Greycroft typically makes initial investments from $500,000 at the seed stage to up to $30 million from the growth stage. We are an active Series A investor and typically invest between $1 million and $10 million. The growth fund targets investing $10 to $30 million on an initial basis and may reserve up to double that amount over time. The growth fund focuses on later-stage companies with proven unit economics, annual revenue growth in excess of 50%, and a management team that is prepared to scale.” Industries On the Greycroft website, you’ll find that they invest in a number of different industries — ”We invest across a broad range of Internet sectors. We currently group our portfolio into four verticals: Consumer Internet, Fintech, Healthcare, and Enterprise Software.” 5. RRE Ventures RRE Ventures has been funding software startups since the 90s. According to their website, “RRE Ventures is a New York-based venture capital firm that offers early-stage funding to software, internet, and communications companies.” Learn more about RRE Ventures by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → Investment Range The team at RRE invests in a variety of early-stage tech and software companies. According to their Visible Connect profile, they invest in Series A and B companies with an average check size between $4M and $15M. Industries According to their website, “RRE invests in early-stage, technology-enabled companies across all sectors and across the country. We back credible teams executing against incredible ideas to build category-defining businesses.” Check it out here or learn more below: 6. Lerer Hippeau According to their website, “Lerer Hippeau is an early-stage venture capital fund founded and operated in New York City. We invest in good people with great ideas who redefine categories — and create new ones entirely.” Learn more about Lerer Hippeau by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → Investment Range The team at Lerer Hippeau has 3 funds that invest in pre-seed to Series C and beyond companies. Industries The team at Lerer Hippeau is industry-agnostic and will invest in any company — including enterprise and consumer landscapes. 7. Starta According to their website, “​​Starta is a venture ecosystem to find, foster, and fund early-stage talent in tech. Our mission is to provide opportunities to: International startups who want to scale globally and raise capital Aspiring industry leaders, seeking professional training Investors who believe in long-term growth potential and a strong connection with the community Starta values inclusivity and diversity. Having worked with over 200 startups from all over the world, we intensively focus on bringing equal opportunities and support to the ecosystem.” Learn more about Starta by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → Investment Range Like many of the other firms on this list, Starta has multiple funds that invest in many stages. Starta operates both an accelerator and early-stage fund intended for seed and series A companies: Industries The Starta team has a focus on international startups that are looking to expand and scale their US presence. 8. FirstMark FirstMark is an early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in New York City. As put by their team, “We are proud to back the ambitious founders of the most iconic companies in the world.” Learn more about FirstMark by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → Investment Range According to their Visible Connect profile, the team at FirstMark writes checks anywhere between $500k and $15M. Industries The team at FirstMark invests in companies of a variety of industries and sectors. They have major focus areas of Enterprise, Consumer, and Frontier companies. 9. Hypothesis According to the Hypothesis website, “We build and fund companies. We’re a startup studio and seed fund that launches, funds, and scales exceptional companies.” Learn more about Hypothesis by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → Investment Range As a startup studio, Hypothesis focuses on finding successful founders and co-founders and helps them launch and scale businesses. In addition to capital, Hypothesis portfolio companies receive resources and help with sales and marketing, hiring, product development, follow-up funding, etc. Industries The team at Hypothesis will invest in companies across many industries and are focused on “mission-driven” companies and founders. 10. Interlace Ventures According to the team at Interlace Ventures, “Investing in early-stage commerce- and retail-technology companies gives us unparalleled access to the latest technological innovations and trends across commerce and retail. We leverage this access by partnering with global brands and retailers to support their innovation efforts. We do this through a variety of methods, all of with are tailored after each partner’s individual needs and priorities.” Learn more about Interlace Ventures by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → Investment Range The team at Interlace invests in pre-seed to series A-stage companies. According to their Visible Connect Profile, they will write checks anywhere between $150k and $600k. Industries Interlace has a focus on commerce and retail companies. 11. FJ Labs FJ Labs is a prominent venture capital firm based in New York City, renowned for its extensive network and hands-on approach to investing. Founded by experienced entrepreneurs Fabrice Grinda and Jose Marin, FJ Labs focuses on creating value for founders and investors. The firm leverages its deep industry expertise and global connections to support startups in achieving their growth potential. FJ Labs is particularly noted for its collaborative ethos, working closely with portfolio companies to navigate the complexities of scaling and market expansion. Learn more about FJ Labs by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → Investment Range FJ Labs typically invests in pre-seed to Series A rounds, with investment amounts ranging from $50,000 to $500,000. Focusing on early-stage investments, FJ Labs provides critical funding enabling startups to develop their products, gain market traction, and prepare for subsequent funding rounds. Their flexible investment strategy allows them to tailor their support to the unique needs of each startup, ensuring that founders receive the resources necessary to succeed. Industries FJ Labs has a diverse investment portfolio, strongly emphasizing marketplaces and network effects businesses. They are particularly interested in industries such as e-commerce, real estate tech, fintech, and mobility. FJ Labs seeks out startups that leverage technology to disrupt traditional markets and create new growth opportunities. Their broad industry focus enables them to identify innovative business models and support visionary entrepreneurs across various sectors. 12. VentureOut VentureOut is a unique venture capital firm and accelerator based dedicated to bridging the gap between international startups and the US market. With a focus on helping startups expand globally, VentureOut offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to support international entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses in the US. The firm combines investment with an accelerator program that provides mentorship, networking opportunities, and strategic guidance, making it an ideal partner for startups looking to make a significant impact in the American market. Investment Range VentureOut typically invests in early-stage companies, with investment amounts ranging from $50,000 to $250,000. Their funding is often coupled with participation in their accelerator programs, which offer startups additional resources to refine their business models, develop go-to-market strategies, and establish a presence in the US. This dual approach of investment and acceleration helps startups gain the momentum they need to succeed in a competitive market. Learn more about VentureOut by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → Industries VentureOut focuses on various industries, with a particular emphasis on technology-driven sectors. They are especially interested in software, fintech, health tech, and enterprise tech startups. By concentrating on these high-growth areas, VentureOut aims to support innovative companies that have the potential to transform industries and drive technological advancements. Their industry focus and international expertise position VentureOut as a valuable partner for startups seeking to expand their reach and impact in the US market. 13. FirstMark FirstMark is a distinguished venture capital firm known for its commitment to backing visionary entrepreneurs. With a track record of successful investments, FirstMark partners with startups that have the potential to revolutionize their industries. The firm is dedicated to providing not only capital but also strategic support and access to an extensive network of industry leaders. By fostering close relationships with their portfolio companies, FirstMark helps founders navigate the challenges of scaling their businesses and achieving long-term success. Learn more about FirstMark by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → Investment Range FirstMark typically invests in seed and early-stage companies, with investment amounts ranging from $500,000 to $10 million. This substantial range allows FirstMark to support startups at various stages of their development, from initial product launches to significant growth phases. Their flexible investment approach ensures that each startup receives the appropriate level of funding to meet its unique needs and objectives. Industries FirstMark has a broad investment focus with a strong emphasis on technology and innovation. They are particularly interested in sectors such as enterprise software, consumer technology, fintech, healthcare, and emerging technologies like AI and blockchain. FirstMark seeks out startups that are poised to disrupt traditional markets and create new growth opportunities. By investing in a diverse array of industries, FirstMark aims to support the next generation of transformative companies and help shape the future of technology and innovation. 14. New York Angels New York Angels is a prominent angel investment group based in New York City, dedicated to providing early-stage funding and mentorship to innovative startups. Comprising a diverse network of seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders, New York Angels offers a wealth of experience and strategic insight to help young companies grow and succeed. The organization is known for its collaborative approach, working closely with founders to refine their business models, develop market strategies, and connect with additional resources and expertise. Learn more about New York Angels by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → Investment Range New York Angels typically invests in seed and early-stage companies, with investment amounts ranging from $250,000 to $1 million. By focusing on the crucial early stages of a startup's development, New York Angels provides the necessary capital to help companies validate their business ideas, build their initial products, and gain market traction. Their investment approach is designed to offer startups the financial support they need to reach critical milestones and prepare for subsequent funding rounds. Industries New York Angels has a broad investment focus, with a particular interest in technology-driven sectors. They frequently invest in industries such as software, fintech, health tech, consumer products, and media. This diverse industry focus allows New York Angels to support a wide array of innovative startups, fostering growth and innovation across multiple sectors. By backing companies that leverage technology to create new solutions and disrupt existing markets, New York Angels aims to contribute to the advancement of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in New York City and beyond. 15. New York Venture Partners New York Venture Partners (NYVP) is a leading venture capital firm based in New York City, focused on supporting early-stage startups with a combination of capital, mentorship, and strategic resources. Known for its hands-on approach, NYVP aims to help founders build scalable businesses by providing more than just funding. The firm's extensive network and industry expertise enable it to offer valuable insights and connections, making NYVP a vital partner for startups looking to navigate the complexities of growth and market entry. Learn more about New York Venture Partners by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → Investment Range New York Venture Partners typically invests in seed and early-stage companies, with investment amounts ranging from $100,000 to $1 million. This investment range is designed to provide startups with the essential funding required to develop their products, refine their business models, and achieve early market traction. NYVP's focus on early-stage investments ensures that startups receive the support they need during the critical phases of their development. Industries NYVP has a diverse investment focus, particularly on technology and innovation-driven sectors. They are especially interested in industries such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital media, consumer internet, and enterprise software. By targeting these high-growth areas, New York Venture Partners aims to back startups that have the potential to disrupt traditional markets and introduce groundbreaking technologies. Their broad industry focus allows them to identify and support promising startups across a wide range of fields, fostering innovation and entrepreneurial success in the New York City area and beyond. 16. Primary Primary is a prominent venture capital firm based in New York. It is dedicated to investing in early-stage startups and helping them grow into market leaders. Known for its data-driven approach and hands-on involvement, Primary provides comprehensive support to its portfolio companies. The firm leverages its deep industry knowledge and extensive network to offer strategic guidance, operational expertise, and valuable resources. Primary's commitment to building long-term partnerships with founders makes it a trusted ally for startups navigating the challenges of scaling and achieving sustainable growth. Learn more about Primary by checking out their Visible Connect Profile here → Investment Range Primary typically invests in seed and Series A rounds, with investment amounts ranging from $1 million to $5 million. This substantial investment range allows Primary to provide the necessary capital for startups to develop their products, expand their teams, and accelerate their go-to-market strategies. By focusing on early-stage investments, Primary ensures that founders receive the financial support they need during the critical phases of their company's development. Industries Primary has a strong focus on technology-driven sectors, particularly those with the potential for significant market disruption. They are especially interested in industries such as SaaS, e-commerce, fintech, health tech, and proptech. Primary seeks out startups that leverage innovative technologies to solve complex problems and create new market opportunities. Their industry focus allows them to identify and support high-potential startups across various fields, fostering innovation and driving growth in the New York City startup ecosystem. Get Connected With Investors Today At Visible, we oftentimes compare a fundraise to a B2B sales and marketing funnel. At the top of your funnel, you are finding new investors. In the middle, you are nurturing and pitching potential investors. At the bottom of the funnel, you are working through diligence and ideally closing new investors. Related Resource: The 12 Best VC Funds You Should Know About With the introduction of data rooms, you can now manage every aspect of your fundraising funnel with Visible. Find investors at the top of your funnel with our free investor database, Visible Connect Track your conversations and move them through your funnel with our Fundraising CRM Share your pitch deck and monthly updates with potential investors Organize and share your most vital fundraising documents with data rooms Manage your fundraise from start to finish with Visible. Give it a free try for 14 days here. Related Read: Private Equity vs Venture Capital: Critical Differences Related Resource: 11 Top Venture Capital Firms in Boston

Cannabis Legal Landscape in 2024 Staying informed about legal developments is crucial for cannabis founders as they navigate the complex and rapidly changing landscape. Understanding the legal environment will help them make strategic decisions, ensure compliance, and capitalize on new opportunities as they arise. Current State of Cannabis Legalization in the U.S. As of 2024, the legal landscape for cannabis in the United States continues to evolve rapidly. Over 20 states have fully legalized cannabis for both medicinal and recreational use, reflecting a growing acceptance and normalization of cannabis across the country. Notably, states such as New York, Virginia, and Connecticut have recently implemented adult-use cannabis programs, adding to the momentum. Federal Status: Cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. However, there have been significant legislative efforts to change this. The MORE Act (Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act) and the SAFE Banking Act (Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act) have gained traction in Congress, aiming to decriminalize cannabis and provide a safer, more accessible financial environment for cannabis businesses. State-by-State Variation: Despite federal prohibition, individual states have continued to pass their own cannabis laws. This patchwork of regulations creates a complex legal environment for cannabis businesses operating across state lines. Entrepreneurs must navigate varying requirements for licensing, taxation, and compliance. Global Cannabis Legalization Internationally, the movement toward cannabis legalization is gaining significant ground. Several countries have either decriminalized cannabis or established legal frameworks for its medicinal and recreational use. Canada: As one of the first countries to legalize recreational cannabis nationwide in 2018, Canada continues to lead in both market development and regulatory structure. Europe: European countries like Germany and Luxembourg are in the process of implementing comprehensive cannabis legalization measures. Germany, in particular, is poised to become the largest legal cannabis market in Europe. Latin America: Countries such as Mexico and Colombia have made strides in legalizing and regulating cannabis, with Mexico expected to finalize its legalization framework soon. Asia: While most Asian countries maintain strict cannabis laws, Thailand has emerged as a regional pioneer by legalizing medical cannabis and considering broader reforms. Significant Changes and Expected Upcoming Legislation U.S. Federal Reform: The potential for federal cannabis reform in the U.S. remains a key area of focus. The passage of bills like the MORE Act and SAFE Banking Act could significantly alter the landscape, offering greater protections and opportunities for cannabis businesses. Interstate Commerce: As more states legalize cannabis, the conversation around interstate commerce is heating up. Allowing cannabis products to move freely between states could open up new markets and reduce costs, but it would require significant regulatory adjustments. Social Equity Programs: There is a growing emphasis on social equity in cannabis legislation. Many states are implementing or enhancing programs designed to ensure that communities disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs have access to opportunities in the legal cannabis market. Global Harmonization: On the global stage, there is an increasing push towards harmonizing cannabis regulations to facilitate international trade and research. This could lead to more consistent standards and practices across countries, benefiting businesses that operate internationally. Cannabis Market Growth and Projections The cannabis industry continues to experience rapid growth, driven by increasing legalization, evolving consumer preferences, and technological advancements. As of 2024, the global cannabis market is projected to reach significant milestones, with substantial growth expected in the coming years. Related Resources: 8 Cannabis Startups With High Growth Potential Market Size and Growth Projections Global Market: The global cannabis market was valued at approximately $43.72 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to $57.18 billion in 2023. By 2030, the market is projected to reach $444.34 billion, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.03%​​. U.S. Market: In the United States, the cannabis market is anticipated to grow from $13.2 billion in 2022 to around $40.1 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 14.2%​​. Retail cannabis sales in the U.S. could reach $53.5 billion by 2027​​. Key Trends Shaping the Industry Technological Advancements: Integrating blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to revolutionize supply chain management and compliance tracking in the cannabis industry​​. Additionally, personalized cannabis products are gaining traction as consumers seek tailored experiences and products that meet their specific needs. Product Innovation: The trend toward innovative and diverse cannabis products continues to grow. Products such as pre-rolls, edibles, oils, and topicals are becoming increasingly popular. The market for CBD-infused products, including beverages and skincare items, is also expanding rapidly​​​​. Price Compression: Competitive pricing among cannabis brands and retailers has led to significant price declines since 2021. This trend has forced brands to consolidate and adapt to maintain profitability in a highly competitive market​​. Consumer Demographics: Millennials are currently the largest demographic of cannabis consumers in the U.S., capturing nearly 46.2% of all cannabis sales. However, Gen Z is the fastest-growing group, indicating a shift in consumer dynamics and preferences​​. Medical and Recreational Use: The medical marijuana segment continues to dominate the market, accounting for a significant share of revenue due to its acceptance for treating chronic conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, and anxiety. The recreational cannabis segment is also growing rapidly, driven by increased legalization and consumer acceptance​​. Future Outlook The cannabis industry is poised for continued growth and evolution in the coming years. Key factors influencing this growth include: Legalization Trends: More U.S. states and countries worldwide are expected to legalize cannabis for both medical and recreational use, contributing to market expansion and increased consumer access​​. Social Equity Initiatives: There is a growing emphasis on social equity programs designed to support marginalized communities and promote diversity within the cannabis industry​​. Sustainability: Environmental sustainability is becoming a critical focus, with many cannabis companies adopting eco-friendly practices to meet consumer demand and regulatory requirements​​. Emerging Investment Trends in Cannabis As the cannabis industry continues to expand, several emerging investment trends are shaping its future. Investors are increasingly focusing on technological advancements that enhance efficiency and transparency, innovative health and wellness products that cater to growing consumer demand, and sustainable practices that ensure environmental responsibility. Tech Integration Technology is increasingly vital in the cannabis industry, driving advancements across various segments, including cultivation, processing, distribution, and retail. Cultivation: Advanced technologies such as precision agriculture, including sensors and drones, are optimizing cannabis cultivation. These technologies help monitor soil health, moisture levels, and plant growth, allowing for better crop management and higher yields​​. Processing: Innovations in extraction techniques, such as supercritical CO2 extraction, are enhancing the efficiency and quality of cannabinoid extraction processes. This results in purer products and reduces the use of harmful solvents​​. Distribution: Blockchain technology is being implemented to enhance transparency and traceability in the supply chain. Tracking each stage, from seed to sale​​​​, ensures product authenticity and safety. Retail: AI and machine learning are transforming the retail landscape by enabling personalized customer experiences. Predictive analytics help retailers stock the right products and offer personalized recommendations, enhancing customer satisfaction​​. Health and Wellness The health and wellness sector is witnessing a significant rise in the use of cannabis products, driven by growing consumer awareness and acceptance of their medicinal benefits. CBD Products: CBD, known for its non-psychoactive properties, is increasingly being used to treat conditions such as anxiety, epilepsy, and chronic pain. The FDA-approved drug Epidiolex, which contains CBD, is used to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome​​​​. THC and Other Cannabinoids: THC, although psychoactive, is recognized for its therapeutic benefits, including pain relief and appetite stimulation. The development of THC-based products, such as Sativex, is aimed at treating multiple sclerosis and other conditions​​​​. Wellness Products: The integration of cannabis into wellness products such as topicals, tinctures, and edibles is growing. These products are marketed for their potential to provide relief from muscle soreness, inflammation, and stress, contributing to overall wellness​​​​. Sustainability Sustainability is becoming a critical focus in the cannabis industry as companies and consumers prioritize environmentally friendly practices. Eco-Friendly Cultivation: Sustainable cultivation practices include organic growing methods, water recycling systems, and energy-efficient lighting. These practices reduce the environmental impact of cannabis farming​​. Packaging Innovations: There is a growing trend towards sustainable packaging solutions to reduce waste. Companies are adopting biodegradable and recyclable packaging materials to minimize their carbon footprint​​. Corporate Responsibility: Many cannabis companies are implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives focusing on sustainability. These initiatives include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting local communities, and promoting social equity in the industry​​​​. Venture Capital Firms Making Cannabis Investments When fundraising, it is crucial that founders spend time communicating with and pitching the right investors. To help founders get a start with finding cannabis investors, we used our free investor database, Visible Connect, to find 12+ investors below: KEY Investment Partners KEY is a Denver-based capital venture firm positioned in the most established market of US cannabis. In addition to their +38 years of investing experience, KEY Investment Partners also produces a cannabis-focused blog (found HERE), which gives insight into current events impacting the legal cannabis industry. To learn more about KEY Investment Partners check out their Visible Connect profile HERE. Base Ventures Base Ventures is a Berkeley, CA-based venture fund led by Erik Moore. Base Ventures is a seed-stage fund that invests across all verticals of tech companies — with a % of those being in cannabis companies. Erik and his team have made over 100 venture investments with the most recent cannabis investment being in late 2019. To learn more about Base Ventures check out their Visible Connect profile HERE. Entourage Effect Capital Entourage Effect is one of the largest players in the cannabis industry. They have allocated over $200M into 65+ companies since 2014. Their three managing partners, Matt Hawkins, Andy Sturner, and Dov Szapiro, have a combined 65+ years of venture experience and are not planning on slowing down anytime soon. To learn more about Entourage Effect Capital check out their Visible Connect profile HERE. HALLEY Venture Partners HALLEY Venture Partners has been focused on the cannabis sector for the past five years. The San Francisco-based firm is led by Steve Schuman, who has over 17 years of private and public equity experience, ranging across agriculture, technology, and manufacturing. HALLEY is heavily geared toward the technology sector of cannabis and is looking to build highly-scalable businesses. To learn more about Base Ventures check out their Visible Connect profile HERE. Related Resource: 14 Venture Capital Firms in Silicon Valley Driving Startup Growth Green Lion Partners Green Lion Partners looks to invest in early-stage ventures throughout the entire cannabis industry. The Denver-based business, founded by Jeffrey Zucker and Michael Bologna, looks to “elevate public perception of the cannabis industry.” To learn more about Green Lion Partners check out their Visible Connect profile HERE. Salveo Capital Salveo Capital is focused on creating long term cannabis companies and focuses on empowering the entrepreneurs in charge. Michael Gruber (managing partner) has been involved in the early stage investing environment for 25 years, focusing on tech, finance, and agriculture. Jeffrey Howard (managing partner) has spent 21 years on Wall Street and has become both an advisor and investor of cannabis-based firms. To learn more about Salveo Capital check out their Visible Connect profile HERE. Phyto Psyche Phyto Partners invests in a plethora of different cannabis-based businesses, including SaaS, Data, Biotech, Advertising, and more. The investing firm is led by Larry Schnurmacher, who has invested in 25 private, cannabis businesses over the past five years. Phyto invests more than just capital into the 30+ businesses they have lent help to. To learn more about Phyto Partners check out their Visible Connect profile HERE. McGovern Capital McGovern Capital LLC, based in New York City and Boca Raton, Florida, is a leading private investment firm and Intellectual Property Rights Strategist that originates, funds, structures and implements capital formation, joint ventures and business alliances. Mcgovem Capital LLC invests early-stage capital and provides facilitative services to its investment companies. They provide access to a network of Angel investors comprised of high net-worth individuals, approximately 50% of which are located in the metropolitan New York area, with the rest ranging from the West Coast of the US to several overseas countries. To learn more about McGovern Capital check out their Visible Connect profile HERE. Altitude Investment Management About: Altitude is a New York-based venture capital fund manager focused on the global cannabis industry. The manager's strategy is to invest in a range of early-to-growth stage companies in North America and Europe that support this rapidly growing industry. Our principals have spent their careers launching and managing alternative investment funds, including distressed debt and leveraged credit strategies. We have been involved in highly-regulated industries for decades, and this experience makes our leadership team uniquely qualified to face the regulatory and funding challenges within the cannabis industry. Having invested in the cannabis industry for more than three years, Altitude has deep relationships with legal and regulatory professionals, CEOs of cannabis companies, industry organizations, and consultants. To learn more about Altitude Investment Management, check out their Visible Connect profile HERE. Tuatara Tuatara is a sector-focused private equity firm dedicated to helping great companies realize their vision in the burgeoning cannabis industry. To learn more about Tuatara, check out their Visible Connect profile HERE. Arcview Capital The Arcview Group is a vertically integrated company servicing the cannabis and hemp industry, built with social justice and responsibility at its core. Arcview has been a trusted global leader for over ten years and nexus for investors, companies, entrepreneurs, and community, providing a broad spectrum of programs and services. To learn more about Arcview Capital, check out their Visible Connect profile HERE. Casa Verde Capital Casa Verde was one of the first funds established to focus on the cannabis industry. We believe this industry represents one of the most compelling investment opportunities of our generation. Since 2015, we’ve evaluated thousands of opportunities and invested in a select few. Our goal is to leverage our robust relationships to assist portfolio companies in solving complex issues facing this nascent market. Casa Verde can participate in all stages of the financing cycle, with a focus on investing in scalable, capital-efficient businesses, led by world-class entrepreneurs. Given the natural overlap across the value chain, our portfolio companies frequently work together to help solve operational issues and also create significant value for the businesses involved. To learn more about Casa Verde Capital, check out their Visible Connect profile HERE. Poseidon Poseidon is one of the oldest and most active private equity firms in the cannabis space. They invest in both private and public cannabis companies across various sectors, including technology, cultivation, and ancillary services. To learn more about Poseidon, check out their Visible Connect profile HERE. Other Funding Strategies and Resources Securing funding is a critical step for cannabis startups aiming to scale their operations and succeed in a competitive market. In addition to traditional venture capital, there are various alternative funding options, grant opportunities, and support programs that can provide valuable resources to cannabis entrepreneurs. Alternative Funding Options Crowdfunding: Crowdfunding platforms have become popular for cannabis startups to raise capital from many small investors. Sites like SeedInvest and StartEngine allow cannabis businesses to reach a broad audience and secure funding without relying solely on venture capitalists​​​​. These platforms allow startups to validate their business ideas and build a community of supporters. Private Equity: Private equity firms are increasingly interested in the cannabis sector, recognizing the long-term growth potential. These firms provide substantial capital investments in exchange for equity stakes, often taking an active role in the company's strategic direction​​. Private equity can benefit established cannabis businesses looking to expand rapidly. Strategic Partnerships: Forming strategic partnerships with established companies in related industries can provide funding and valuable resources. These partnerships can include joint ventures, co-branding opportunities, and supply chain collaborations. Such alliances can help cannabis startups leverage their partners' expertise and networks to accelerate growth​​​​. Grant Opportunities While federal grants for cannabis businesses are limited due to its classification as a Schedule I substance, several states and private organizations offer grants to support cannabis research and business development. State Grants: Some states with legalized cannabis markets, like California and Colorado, offer grants to support cannabis research, social equity programs, and business development initiatives​​​​. For example, the California Cannabis Equity Grants Program provides funding to help individuals from communities disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs to enter the cannabis industry. Examples: California Cannabis Equity Grants Program Overview: Administered by the Department of Cannabis Control and the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), this program provides funding to support local jurisdictions in promoting social equity in the cannabis industry. Eligibility: Designed to assist individuals from communities disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs. Details: Grants can be used for technical assistance, loans, grants, and regulatory compliance support. Colorado Cannabis Business Grant Overview: This program provides grants to support innovative cannabis business models, focusing on social equity applicants. Eligibility: Social equity licensees in Colorado, particularly those who demonstrate a commitment to creating jobs and supporting community development. Details: Grants can be used for business development, regulatory compliance, and operational support. Massachusetts Social Equity Program Overview: The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission offers grants to help entrepreneurs from communities disproportionately impacted by previous marijuana prohibition. Eligibility: Applicants must meet specific social equity criteria outlined by the state. Details: Funding is available for business training, technical assistance, and startup capital. Private Grants: Organizations like the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) and private foundations also offer grants to support diversity and inclusion within the cannabis industry. These grants aim to reduce barriers to entry and provide resources to underrepresented groups​​. Example: Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) Grants Overview: MCBA provides grants to minority-owned cannabis businesses to promote diversity and inclusion within the industry. Eligibility: Minority-owned cannabis businesses with a focus on social equity. Details: Grants can be used for business development, marketing, and operational expenses. What Do Cannabis Investors Want to See in a Potential Investment? Finding the right investors to pitch to is a small part, yet crucial, part of a fundraise. Before building a list of potential investors, founders need to understand what potential investors are looking for in an investment. Check out a few of the most common attributes cannabis VCs look for below: ROI Potential A VC fund’s job is to generate returns for its investors (LPs). In order to do this, they need to build a portfolio that has the ability to generate outsized returns. This means that VCs are looking for portfolio companies that have huge ROI potential and can return the fund to their investors. Related Resource: A Quick Overview on VC Fund Structure Scalability Going hand in hand with ROI potential is the potential for scalability. By having a clear vision for scalability and growth, startups can stand out in the eyes of investors. The potential for growth is a signal to investors that they have the ability to generate huge returns. High Barriers to Entry Another aspect potential investors look for in a potential investment are barriers to entry. In competitive spaces, like the cannabis industry, investors want to see portfolio companies that have built high barriers to compete and take their market share. Branding and Vision Investors will also want to see strong branding and vision from a cannabis startup. This is relevant for any startup but especially important for consumer-facing cannabis startups. Related Resources: Private Equity vs Venture Capital: Critical Differences Find Cannabis Venture Capital Investors with Visible As we mentioned above, finding the right investors to pitch to for a fundraise is crucial to success. Founders need to make sure they are spending their time on the right investors. In order to best help founders filter and find the right investors for their business we built Visible Connect, our free investor database. Give Visible Connect a try here. View here a filtered list of cannabis-based VCs or check out over 18,000 other global VCs at Visible Connect. Related Resources: 10 Angel Investors to Know in Los Angeles The Understandable Guide to Startup Funding Stages

The cannabis industry is experiencing explosive growth following legalization across various regions. Startups are redefining how cannabis businesses operate by introducing innovative solutions to streamline supply chains, improve retail management, and enhance consumer products. Companies like LeafLink have revolutionized B2B cannabis commerce, while firms like Dutchie, Pax Labs, and others bring advanced e-commerce and retail management platforms to the fore. With robust investor backing and increasing acceptance, these startups are spearheading a new era of cannabis entrepreneurship, creating opportunities for founders, cultivators, and investors alike​​​​. Related resource: 12+ Cannabis Venture Capital Investors to Know in 2024 1) LeafLink LeafLink is a pioneering startup in the cannabis industry, providing a wholesale marketplace that connects retailers with over 1,800 cannabis brands and distributors. This platform facilitates streamlined business operations, making it easier for companies to manage orders and grow their businesses efficiently​​​​. Headquarters Location: LeafLink is based in New York City, with additional regional hubs in Los Angeles and Austin. As a remote-first company, it also boasts a broad presence across the United States, ensuring accessibility and connectivity in various cannabis markets​​. Current Funding: LeafLink has raised substantial funding to fuel its growth, including a $40 million Series C round led by Founders Fund, reflecting significant investor confidence. Overall, the company has secured a total of $479M in funding over 9 rounds. Their latest funding was raised on Feb 1, 2023 from a Series D round. Years in Operation: LeafLink was founded in 2015, during which it has significantly impacted the cannabis supply chain and B2B commerce​​. Founders: Ryan G. Smith serves as the CEO, and Zach Silverman is the Co-Founder and Senior Advisor of LeafLink. They founded the company with the vision of simplifying the cannabis supply chain, leveraging their backgrounds in technology and e-commerce to pioneer new standards in the industry​​. 2) Dutchie Dutchie is a prominent player in the cannabis industry, providing an integrated technology platform that powers online ordering for cannabis dispensaries. It helps dispensaries create and manage their websites, process orders, and ensure efficient operations through its suite of e-commerce and point of sale solutions​​​​. Headquarters Location: Dutchie is headquartered in Bend, Oregon, which is also where it was founded. This location supports its operations across the United States and Canada​​​​. Current Funding: Dutchie has raised significant funding, totaling $603 million. This includes a substantial $350 million in a Series D round that valued the company at $3.75 billion, highlighting the strong investor confidence in its business model and growth potential​​​​. Years in Operation: Founded in 201, Dutchie has quickly become a leader in its field, experiencing rapid growth and expansion​​​​. Founders: Founded by brothers Ross Lipson and Zach Lipson. Both no longer run the company. 3) Pax Labs, Inc Pax, originally known as Ploom, is a leader in the vaporization industry, specializing in the development and manufacturing of premium vaporizers for cannabis and nicotine. These devices are known for their sleek design and smart technology, allowing connectivity with mobile devices for enhanced user experience. Headquarters Location: Pax Labs is based in San Francisco, California. Current Funding: The company has raised significant funds, notably securing $492.2 million in funding over 4 rounds, reflecting a strong investor confidence in its technology and market approach​​. Years in Operation: Pax Labs was founded in 2007 and has been operational for over a decade, evolving its product line and expanding its market reach during this time. Founders: The company was founded by James Monsees and Adam Bowen, who aimed to innovate and improve the personal vaporization market. Neither is still with the company. 4) Green Thumb Industries Green Thumb Industries (GTI) operates as a national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and retailer. The company is known for manufacturing and distributing a diverse portfolio of branded cannabis products such as &Shine, Beboe, Dogwalkers, Doctor Solomon’s, Good Green, incredibles, and RYTHM. Additionally, GTI owns and operates a rapidly growing chain of national retail cannabis stores named RISE​​​​. Headquarters Location: Green Thumb Industries is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois​​​​. Current Funding: Green Thumb Industries has raised a total of $79.2M in funding over 4 rounds. Their latest funding was raised on Apr 30, 2021 from a Post-IPO Equity round. Years in Operation: Green Thumb Industries was founded in 2014 and has since grown into a significant player in the cannabis industry in the United States​​​​. Founders: The company was founded by Ben Kovler who serves as the CEO, Chairman, and key visionary behind the company's growth and strategic direction​​. 5) FlowHub Flowhub is a Denver-based cannabis technology company that specializes in compliance, inventory management, and point-of-sale (POS) software solutions designed specifically for the cannabis industry. Their platform aims to streamline dispensary operations, making regulatory compliance easier and improving the overall efficiency of cannabis retail management​​​​. Headquarters Location: Flowhub is headquartered in Denver, Colorado​​. Current Funding: Flowhub has raised significant funding over the years totalling $45.8M over 4 rounds. Years in Operation: Founded in 2015, Flowhub has been operational for several years, focusing on providing technological solutions to cannabis dispensaries to help them navigate the complex regulatory environment​​. Founders: Kyle Sherman is the founder of Flowhub. He started the company with the vision to create a more efficient and compliant cannabis retail environment through innovative technology​​. 6) Tokyo Smoke Tokyo Smoke is a lifestyle brand and cannabis retailer focused on creating an immersive experience centered around cannabis, coffee, and clothing. Their vision aims to shape a sophisticated and inclusive brand that transcends typical cannabis culture. Headquarters: Located in Toronto, Canada. Founding Year: Established in 2015. Founders: Founder and Chairman Lorne Gertner and Co-founder and CEO Alan Gertner. Funding: Raised $7.7 million over 2 rounds, the last closing in October, 2017 in a series B round. Ownership: Acquired by OEG Retail Cannabis in 2023, which expanded the brand's reach and capabilities​​. 7) Jushi Holdings Jushi Holdings Inc. is a multi-state cannabis operator involved in the retail, cultivation, manufacturing, and processing of cannabis products in both medical and adult-use markets. The company is dedicated to building a diverse portfolio through strategic acquisitions and investments in the cannabis sector. Headquarters Location: Boca Raton, Florida, USA. Current Funding: Jushi has raised a total of $490.5M in funding over 12 rounds. Their latest funding was raised on Apr 6, 2023 from a Post-IPO Debt round. Years in Operation: Founded in 2007. Founders: Erich Mauff, Jim Cacioppo, and Jon Barack. 8) Cannabist Company The Cannabist Company, previously known as Columbia Care,stands out as a leading cultivator, manufacturer, and retailer of cannabis products and services in the United States. As one of the initial medical cannabis providers in the country, it established a patient-focused operation that has successfully transitioned into a dominant player in the adult-use market. Their product portfolio includes various forms such as flower, oils, edibles, and tablets. Notably, they are the producers behind popular brands like Classix, Seed & Strain, and Hedy. Headquarters Location: The company is based in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Current Funding: They have raised a total of $530.6M in funding over 9 rounds. Their latest funding was raised in Marxh, 2024 from a Post-IPO Debt round. Years in Operation: The Cannabist Company has been operational since 2012. Founders: The company was co-founded by Nicholas Vita and Michael Abbott. Connect With Cannabis Investors Today In the rapidly evolving cannabis industry, startups are leveraging technology to streamline operations and expand their reach. Companies like the ones we covered, among others, are pioneering new standards in retail management, supply chain efficiency, and customer experience. As these innovative companies continue to grow, investment opportunities in the cannabis sector have become increasingly attractive to venture capitalists. To effectively manage your fundraise from start to finish, showcase your business's value, track progress, and manage relationships with Visible. Give it a free try for 14 days here. Find investors at the top of your funnel with our free investor database, Visible Connect, also check out our pre-filtered list of cannabis VCs here. Some Cannabis VCs from our database include KEY Investment Partners, Entourage Effect Capital, and HALLEY Venture Partners. Track your conversations and move them through your funnel with our Fundraising CRM. Share your pitch deck and monthly updates with potential investors. Organize and share your most vital fundraising documents with data rooms.

At Visible, we oftentimes compare a venture fundraise to a traditional B2B sales and marketing funnel. At the top of the funnel, you are finding potential investors via cold outreach and warm introductions. In the middle of the funnel, you are nurturing potential investors with meetings, pitch decks, updates, and other communications. At the bottom of the funnel, you are working through due diligence and hopefully closing new investors. Related Resource: The Understandable Guide to Startup Funding Stages Just like sales, a solid fundraising process starts by finding the right investors. If you’re a founder located in Europe looking to find the right investors for your business, check out our list of VCs funding companies in Europe below: 1. Global Founders Capital Global Founders Capital is a fund that invests worldwide across any sector and stage. As put by their team, “Global Founders Capital is a globally oriented, stage agnostic venture capital firm that empowers gifted entrepreneurs worldwide. Global. We support founders in all geographies. Stage agnostic. We back companies across all stages and throughout the lifecycle. Operational. Our platform offers founders all the support they need to scale.” Location Global Founders Capital is located in Berlin but they invests in companies across the globe. Portfolio Highlights Global Founders Capital has invested in 900+ companies. Over their course of investing, they’ve backed popular companies such as: Canva Delivery Hero Slack Brex Funding Stage Global Founders Capital invests across all stages and business lifecycles. Learn more about Global Founders Capital by checking out their Visible Connect profile → 2. Hiventures As put by their team, “Hiventures is the biggest and most active capital investment partner of the development of Hungarian enterprises. Our mission is to provide resources for the growth and innovation of Hungarian enterprises by offering unique capital financing solutions. Our investment programmes are available from the idea phase to large enterprises, which allows us to cover the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem and thus improve its competitiveness. We are a reliable and flexible investment partner of our portfolio companies in terms of development and crisis management as well.” Related Resource: Private Equity vs Venture Capital: Critical Differences Location Hiventures is located in Hungary and funds companies that are located in Hungary. Portfolio Highlights Some of Hiventure's most popular investments include: Likespace Neonectar Unreal Industries Funding Stage Hiventures has multiple funds that invest in stages from pre-seed to seed and growth stage. Learn more about Hiventures by checking out their Visible Connect profile → 3. High-Tech Grunderfonds As put by their team, “HTGF is a venture capital investor for innovative technologies and business models. We successfully support the best founders whose ideas can revolutionize entire industries and improve people’s lives – from seed to exit. As a seed investor, we have financed 700 start-ups in the industrial tech, digital tech, life sciences, and chemicals sectors. We have overseen more than 160 exits, including IPOs. When founding your company together with us, you benefit from an experienced partner at your side.” Location HTGF has offices in both Bonn and Berlin and invests in companies with headquarters in Germany. Portfolio Highlights Some of High-Tech Grunderfonds most popular investments include: Instagrid Taxdoo Orbex Funding Stage HTGF is focused on seed-stage companies that have been around for less than 3 years. As put by their team, “We flexibly invest up to 1 million euros in the seed round – as lead investor, but also gladly together with partners. You can bring this with you or we will contact suitable investors from our network for you. In total, we can invest 4 million euros across all financing rounds and we open doors.” 4. Seedcamp As put by their team, “We invest early in world-class founders attacking large, global markets and solving real problems using technology. We are first-cheque investors, backing founders with ticket sizes between £300K-500K. We have led first rounds in unicorn businesses like TransferWise, Revolut, and Hopin along with the likes of Pleo and Sorare. You may have already raised a small amount of capital from friends and family but this is most likely your first round of institutional investment. It doesn’t matter where in your product development you are; if you think the Seedcamp Network — the most powerful, collaborative, connected, and experienced network you’ll find — can help supercharge your idea, you’ve come to the right place.” Learn more about Seedcamp by checking out their Visible Connect profile → Location Seedcamp is located in London. Portfolio Highlights Seedcamp has invested in 460+ companies. Some of their most popular investments include: Wefox Primer UiPath Funding Stage Seedcamp tries to be the first check in a company. They typically write checks between £300K and 500K. 5. Par Equity As put by the team at Par Equity, “Founded in 2008, our investment model is designed to identify and back the most innovative, high growth technology companies in the North of the UK. We’re based in Edinburgh and we’re investing across Northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Key to our success is our distinctive hybrid investment model, combining our discretionary managed funds with the skills, expertise and contacts of the Par Investor Network – a large and engaged pool of investors and mentors with a track record of founding, growing and selling companies, who can add value throughout the investment life cycle. This investment strategy, fusing the experience of angel investors with the professionalism and rigour of an experienced venture capital fund manager, is a force multiplier for Par Equity, delivering better outcomes for the investors and the entrepreneurs.” Learn more about Par Equity by checking out their Visible Connect profile → Location Par Equity is located in Edinburgh and invests in companies across Northern England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Portfolio Highlights Some of Par Equity’s most popular investments include: Aveni Cumulus Kibosh Funding Stage Par Equity looks to invest in companies with more than £20k of monthly revenue and are seeking to raise between £0.5m to £10m. 6. Partech As put by their team, “Partech is a global investment platform for tech and digital companies, led by ex-entrepreneurs and operators of the industry spread across offices in San Francisco, Paris, Berlin and Dakar. We invest from €200K to €75M in a broad range of technologies and businesses for enterprises and consumers, from software, digital brands and services to hardware and deep tech, across all major industries.” Learn more about Partech by checking out their Visible Connect profile → Location Partech has offices in San Francisco, Paris, Berlin, and Dakar and invests in companies across the globe. Portfolio Highlights Some of Partech’s most popular investments include: Alan OneFocus Bolt Funding Stage Partech has multiple funds and invests in companies from seed to growth stages. Related Resource: Breaking Ground: Exploring the World of Venture Capital in France 7. Speedinvest As put by the team at Speedinvest, “We refuse to be just another investor who sends you money and shows up at board meetings to provide “advice.” Our mission is to empower you throughout your journey with actionable, aligned and game-changing support. From day one, you have full access to our experienced investors, Platform+ operational experts and global networks of industry partners. Whatever you need to succeed, we do everything in our power to help make it happen.” Learn more about Speedinvest by checking out their Visible Connect profile → Location Speedinvest has offices in Berlin, London, Munich, Paris, and Vienna and funds companies that are located in Europe. Portfolio Highlights Some of Speedinvest’s most popular investments include: Wefox Bitpanda Primer Funding Stage As put by their team, “We are early-stage investors with a strong focus on pre-seed and seed rounds. But to be honest, some of our best investments were stretching the limits of how “seed” is defined, so we grant ourselves some flexibility here.” 8. Octopus Ventures As put by their team, “Octopus Ventures is one of the largest and most active venture capital investors in Europe. Our mission is simple – to invest in the people, ideas and industries that will change the world. For the last few years, we’ve focused our efforts, and our investments, on three areas where we think we can make the biggest impact. We focus on building a more sustainable planet, empowering people and revitalizing healthcare.” Learn more about Octopus Ventures by checking out their Visible Connect profile → Location Octopus Ventures has offices in London, Manchester, and New York. Portfolio Highlights Octopus has funded over 180 companies. Some of their most popular investments include: Graze Elliptic Lollipop Funding Stage Octopus Ventures invests in companies from pre-seed to series B. Learn more about how their process changes depending on stage here. Related Resource: A Quick Overview on VC Fund Structure 9. Hoxton Ventures We take risks on brilliant people and products. We work with founders on a mission to change the one thing they think is fundamentally broken in the world. We welcome young or first-time founders who are technical or domain experts in their field. Our focus is finding Europe’s best early stage tech startups and building them into large revenue, category-defining companies. We believe great companies are built by great teams, not by venture capitalists. Some might call our approach old-school. We lead pre-seed or seed rounds. We invest at fair terms and reserve capital to continue investing through a company’s journey. We typically invest between $500k to $5 million, although we have gone as low as $250,000 and as high as $10 million. We like to aim for an ownership position between 10% to 20%. When we believe in your vision, market and team, we get conviction quickly. We often write the first large check a company receives. We aren’t afraid of being the only investor, but are happy to invest alongside others. We work hard behind the scenes to maximize value. We provide introductions, help make key hires, provide market intel, ink strategic partnerships and handle difficult operational issues. Sometimes we might even spark crazy acquisition offers. Often, our work is providing a sage perspective that comes from living through multiple market cycles, and having the forthrightness to hold honest conversations others shy away from. Having spent most of our working lives in Silicon Valley, we aim to replicate in Europe what we saw work in California. We dream big and are unashamedly ambitious for our companies. Learn more about Hoxton Ventures by checking out their Visible Connect profile → Location London, England, United Kingdom Portfolio Highlights Hoxton Ventures has made 105 investments. Cogna Fluent Baseimmune Inoviv Fabrica AI Funding Stage We lead pre-seed or seed rounds. 10. 83North 3North is a global venture capital firm with more than $2B under management that invests in European and Israeli entrepreneurs creating global businesses. Our philosophy remains the same since we started operating 17 years ago and is centered around the belief that venture is not a scalable business. We are four equal partners; we have worked together for many years and our operation is lean. Our small size ensures a very high level of trust in the partnership. This translates into transparent and quick processes which are critical for entrepreneurs. Despite our focused approach, we invest globally (US, Europe, Israel) and operate across many segments. We can do this because we rely mainly on word of mouth and referrals from our own entrepreneurs and executives. Learn more about 83North by checking out their Visible Connect profile → Location London, England, United Kingdom Portfolio Highlights 83North has made 224 investments. Snappy Vertice Orbem Lendbuzz floLIVE Funding Stage Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D, Growth 11. Kima Ventures Kima Ventures promotes the growth of startups, supporting them in the fastest and most effective ways. We fund ambitious, cohesive teams with stellar learning and execution curves. Investing in 2 to 3 startups per week, all over the world. Learn more about Kima Ventures by checking out their Visible Connect profile → Location Paris, Ile-de-France, France Portfolio Highlights Kima Ventures has made 774 investments. Zenly TransferWise PayFit Carta Sqreen Front Funding Stage Early Stage Venture, Seed 12. Atomico Atomico is a risk capital group. They are entrepreneurs with global perspectives who invest their own capital in passionate entrepreneurs with powerful ideas. Through their experience building Skype, Joost and Kazaa, they understand the value of game-changing business models and have created a worldwide ecosystem to help accelerate the growth of the companies in which they invest. Learn more about Atomico by checking out their Visible Connect profile → Location London, England, United Kingdom Portfolio Highlights Atomico has made 227 investments. Klarna Lilium HingeHealth MessageBird Funding Stage Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth Looking for Investors? Try Visible Today! As we mentioned at the beginning of this post, a venture fundraise often mirrors a traditional B2B sales and marketing funnel. Just as a sales and marketing team has dedicated tools, shouldn’t a founder that is managing their investors and fundraising efforts? Use Visible to manage every part of your fundraising funnel with investor updates, fundraising pipelines, pitch deck sharing, and data rooms. Raise capital, update investors, and engage your team from a single platform. Try Visible free for 14 days.

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, a new wave of startups is making significant impacts on how we connect, share, and do business online. This article explores the top 9 social media startups, each bringing innovative solutions and fresh perspectives to the digital table. From empowering local entrepreneurs to reshaping global networking, these companies are not just riding the digital wave—they're making the waves. Join us as we unveil these game-changers, their groundbreaking approaches, and how they're sculpting the future of social interaction. Related resource: The Ultimate Guide to Startup Funding Stages 1) Meesho Meesho is a pioneering social commerce platform based in India that revolutionizes the traditional e-commerce model by integrating social media channels into the buying and selling process. This startup empowers individuals, particularly women, to start their own businesses with zero capital by facilitating their role as resellers to end customers via social platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. Headquarters Location: The company is headquartered in Bangalore, India. Known as the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore offers a vibrant ecosystem that supports startups and technological innovation, making it an ideal base for Meesho. Current Funding: Meesho has successfully raised approximately $1.1 billion in funding through several rounds, with major investors including Fidelity, Softbank, and Meta. Their latest funding was raised on Oct 13, 2023. Years in Operation: Meesho has been operational for over eight years, during which it has significantly impacted the social commerce market in India. Founders: Founded in 2015 by Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal, both alumni of IIT Delhi, co-founded Meesho. They started with the insight that many small merchants and individuals in India were already using WhatsApp informally to sell products and saw an opportunity to streamline and scale this process. Their vision was to make e-commerce accessible to everyone, especially those without the means to invest in inventory or setup traditional online stores​​​​. 2) ShareChat ShareChat is a dynamic social media platform based in India that caters exclusively to the Indian audience by offering its services in several regional languages. It is designed to enable users to share content, such as videos, photos, and messages, fostering community and cultural connections in a language they are most comfortable with. The platform is especially popular among users in smaller cities and towns. ShareChat has grown to incorporate various features tailored to its audience, including AI-driven content feeds that help users discover content without needing to follow others. This model is particularly effective for ShareChat's diverse and expansive user base​​. Headquarters Location: ShareChat is headquartered in Bangalore, India. This location positions the company in a major hub for technology and startups, providing access to resources and talent in the country's Silicon Valley. Current Funding: ShareChat has experienced robust growth in funding, having raised a total of $1.7 billion across 16 rounds. Their latest funding was raised on Mar 27, 2024 from a Debt Financing round. Years in Operation: Founded in 2015, ShareChat has been operational for about eight years, during which it has significantly expanded its user base and service offerings. Founders: ShareChat was founded by three Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur alumni: Ankush Sachdeva, Bhanu Pratap Singh, and Farid Ahsan. The trio started the company with the vision of creating a social platform that supports India's vernacular languages, thus making digital content accessible to a broader segment of the population​​​​. 3) Hinge Hinge brands itself as a relationship-oriented dating app that emphasizes long-term connections over casual encounters. It is popularly known as "the dating app designed to be deleted," aiming to facilitate meaningful matches that lead to lasting relationships. Hinge distinguishes itself with a user interface that prompts users to engage with specific content on other profiles, which helps initiate more thoughtful interactions. Hinge's approach to dating is tailored to foster relationships rather than endless browsing, which has helped it carve out a unique niche in a crowded market. This focus on quality matches and encouraging users to get off the app has resonated well with a user base looking for more than just a casual dating experience​​​​​​​​. Headquarters Location: Hinge is based in New York, USA, placing it in one of the country's main hubs for technological innovation and business, which supports its growth and operational capabilities. Current Funding: Hinge is owned by Match Group, which also owns several other major dating platforms. This acquisition has provided Hinge with substantial backing, supporting its continuous growth and feature development. Prior to being fully acquired by Match Group in 2019, Hinge had attracted significant investments to fuel its expansion and technological advancements. Years in Operation: Founded in 2012, Hinge has been operational for over a decade. It has undergone significant transformations since its inception, notably pivoting from a "swipe culture" towards more substantive engagements between users. Founders: Justin McLeod is the founder of Hinge. His personal experiences and challenges in finding meaningful relationships inspired him to create a platform that facilitates deeper connections, countering the superficial interactions typical of the dating app landscape at the time. 4) Fishbowl Fishbowl is a unique professional social network that facilitates semi-anonymous interactions among professionals across various industries. Unlike traditional professional networks that focus on curated profiles and formal interactions, Fishbowl offers a platform for candid, often anonymous discussions, allowing professionals to seek advice, share experiences, and discuss industry-related topics freely without the pressure of maintaining a polished image. Fishbowl's unique approach to professional networking continues to fill a niche for those seeking more honest and direct communication about workplace and industry dynamics, distinguishing it from more polished and curated networking sites​​​​​​​​. Headquarters Location: Originally based in San Francisco, California, Fishbowl has since moved its headquarters to New York, New York. This location places it in one of the major hubs for both tech innovation and business in the United States. Current Funding: Fishbowl has raised a total of $7.4M in funding over 2 rounds. Their latest funding was raised on Jan 22, 2019 from a Seed round. This includes investments from notable firms like GGV Capital, Plug and Play Tech Center, and Binary Capital. Years in Operation: Fishbowl was founded in 2016, and it has been providing a platform for professional networking for over seven years. Founders: The platform was co-founded by Matt Sunbulli and Loren Appin. Sunbulli serves as the CEO, while Appin is the COO. Their vision was to create a space where professionals could interact more openly and authentically than on traditional platforms like LinkedIn. 5) Public App Public App is a hyperlocal social media platform from India that connects individuals with their local communities. It allows users to receive and share real-time updates from local businesses, media, politicians, and other entities, catering primarily to non-English speaking users. The platform has been particularly effective as a space for citizen journalists to post videos and updates about local events and issues, contributing to its rapid growth in user engagement. Public App continues to thrive by providing a unique service that taps into the need for localized content, making it a critical tool for community engagement and information dissemination in India. Headquarters Location: Public App is based in Noida, India. This location serves as a strategic point for the app, given its focus on hyperlocal content and the significant user base in and around the region. Current Funding: Public App has successfully raised significant funding to fuel its growth. The app has accumulated $41.3 million in a funding round led by A91 Partners. Years in Operation: Public App was launched in 2019. In just a few years, it has become one of the leading hyperlocal social networking platforms in India, with plans to expand further into global markets. Founders: The founder of Public App, Azhar Iqubal, who is also the co-founder and CEO of the news aggregator service Inshorts, envisioned the Public App as a platform to keep the local population informed and engaged with their immediate surroundings. His leadership has steered the platform to impressive growth, leveraging the infrastructure and success of Inshorts to build a robust social networking service​​. 6) Yubo Yubo is a social media platform designed primarily for Generation Z, focusing on creating a virtual space for young people to meet, interact, and form friendships through live streaming and social discovery. Unlike typical social networks, Yubo does not feature a 'like' system or a following mechanism, aiming instead to foster genuine social interactions among its users. Yubo stands out for its commitment to safety and inclusivity, implementing rigorous measures such as real-time content moderation and age verification to protect its users. This focus on creating a secure and welcoming environment has helped it become a favored platform among young people worldwide. Headquarters Location: Yubo is headquartered in Paris, France. This location places the company in a vibrant cultural and technological hub, facilitating creative and innovative developments for the platform. Current Funding: Yubo has raised significant funding to support its growth and development. Most notably, it completed a Series C funding round where it raised $47.5 million in November, 2020. This round included contributions from existing investors such as Idinvest Partners, Iris Capital, Alven, and Sweet Capital, with new investors like Gaia Capital Partners also joining​​. Years in Operation: Founded in 2015, Yubo has been active for over eight years, during which it has grown to serve a large global user base. Founders: The platform was co-founded by Sacha Lazimi, Arthur Patora, and Jérémie Aouate. These founders aimed to create a social space that diverged from traditional social media dynamics, emphasizing interactions that are more reflective of real-life socializing​​​​. 7) Reddit Reddit is a vast network of communities that are created, run, and populated by its users. Each community, known as a "subreddit," revolves around a specific interest, topic, or theme. Users can share news articles, post original content, and engage in discussions. It's often described as "the front page of the internet" due to its user-generated content that spans countless topics and areas of interest. Reddit has grown to be a platform where millions of users worldwide converge to discuss a myriad range of topics, making it one of the most popular websites globally. Its structure allows for a unique blend of content and discussion, which is moderated by community-selected moderators, ensuring that the vast variety of content is largely self-regulated. Headquarters Location: Reddit is headquartered in San Francisco, California, which positions it in the heart of the tech industry alongside many other leading technology companies. Current Funding: Over the years, Reddit has raised significant amounts of funding, with a total of $1.3B in funding over 9 rounds. As of their latest round, Aug 12, 2021 from a Series F round, Reddit has been valued in the billions. Years in Operation: Reddit was founded in 2005, which means it has been operational for over 18 years, evolving significantly in that time from a simple news link sharing site to a complex aggregation of forums. Founders: Reddit was founded by Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian. They created the site as part of a startup accelerator, Y Combinator. The site was envisioned as a place where people could find and discuss anything they found interesting on the internet, which has fundamentally remained the core of what Reddit is today. 8) Exolyt Exolyt is a Finnish startup that offers a B2B SaaS platform specializing in TikTok analytics and insights. It provides tools for brands, media agencies, record labels, and creators to understand and optimize their engagement on TikTok. The platform offers data-driven performance monitoring, social listening, and intuitive insights to help users navigate the fast-paced environment of TikTok and develop effective social media strategies. Exolyt's platform is designed to cater to the needs of modern digital marketers and content creators who require real-time analytics to stay competitive in the dynamic social media landscape. Headquarters Location: Exolyt is based in Helsinki, Finland. This location places the company in one of Europe's active hubs for technology startups, providing a conducive environment for innovation and growth. Current Funding: Exolyt has raised a total of €450K in funding over 2 rounds. Their latest being on Mar 7, 2023 from a Pre-Seed round. Years in Operation: Founded in 2020, Exolyt has been operational for over three years, during which it has focused on developing and refining its TikTok analytics capabilities. Founders: The startup was founded by Henri Malkki, Jonne Bovellán, and Mauri Karlin. These serial entrepreneurs aimed to create a platform that could provide substantial insights into TikTok data, helping businesses leverage the popular social media platform more effectively​​. 9) BitClout BitClout started as a decentralized social media platform built on its own blockchain, allowing users to buy and sell "creator coins" tied to the profiles of public figures and influencers. These coins represent a form of social currency that fluctuates in value based on the popularity of the individual it represents. It aimed to decentralize social media much like how Bitcoin decentralizes finance, by giving users direct control over their content and interactions. Now BitClout redirects their user to the Diamond App, a decentralized and open-source web3 Twitter app for creators & communities. Headquarters Location: BitClout does not operate from a traditional physical headquarters due to its decentralized nature. Current Funding: BitClout has raised a total of $200M in funding over 2 rounds, the latest raised on Sep 21, 2021 from a Initial Coin Offering round. Other prominent investors include Andreessen Horowitz and the Winklevoss twins. Years in Operation: BitClout was launched in March 2021 and has been operational for over two years. Founders: The platform was initiated by an anonymous figure known as "Diamondhands." The true identity of Diamondhands was later revealed to be Nader Al-Naji, who previously founded the cryptocurrency project Basis. Get Your Social Media Startup Funded With Visibles Help Each of the nine companies brings its unique twist to the digital landscape, proving that social media continues to be a fertile ground for technological and entrepreneurial innovation. For founders inspired to bring their own visions to life in this dynamic sector, securing the right funding and guidance is crucial. To manage and enhance investor relations with ease and efficiency, try Visible. By using Visible, you can streamline investor communications, track important metrics, and report progress efficiently, keeping your investors engaged and informed. Ready to take your investor relations to the next level? Try Visible free for 14 days and start strengthening your investor connections. Related resource: How To Find Private Investors For Startups Related resource: How to Hire Your First 10 Startup Employees

As a femtech founder navigating the ever-evolving landscape of women-specific health solutions, I find it crucial to understand the industry's breadth and the opportunities it presents. As the market continues to expand, driven by innovation and a more profound societal recognition of these needs, understanding the current trends, market size, and potential gaps is essential for anyone looking to make a significant impact in this space. Understanding the Femtech Landscape Femtech encompasses a broad spectrum of software, diagnostics, products, and services designed specifically to address women’s health issues. This sector includes solutions for female-specific health concerns such as fertility, birth control, menstruation and period care, menopause, chronic conditions and hormonal disorders, pelvic health, pregnancy and post-pregnancy care, breastfeeding, and sexual wellness. Moreover, femtech also extends into emerging health spaces that recognize gender-specific healthcare needs, encompassing wellness and mental health areas such as osteoporosis, breast cancer, autoimmune conditions, stroke, thyroid issues, chronic fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Beyond physical and mental health, femtech products increasingly empower women in areas traditionally underserved by technology, including personal finance and education. Evolution of the Industry The femtech industry began to gain prominence in the early 2010s as entrepreneurs and investors realized the significant underserved market in women's health technology. Initially focusing on reproductive health and period-tracking apps, the sector has since expanded into a wide range of health categories and now includes sophisticated diagnostic tools, telehealth services, and personalized wellness products. This evolution reflects a broader societal shift towards more open conversations about women's health issues and a growing recognition of the economic potential of addressing these needs. Current Market Size and Projected Growth The femtech industry has seen explosive growth over the past decade. As of recent estimates, the global femtech market is valued at several billion dollars and is projected to grow substantially as the demand for women-specific health solutions continues to increase. This growth is driven by technological advancements, increasing female healthcare consumerism, and a rising number of women in STEM fields who are poised to innovate and lead in this space. Key Areas of Innovation Reproductive Health and Fertility: Innovations include apps and devices that improve fertility tracking, in vitro fertilization (IVF) technologies, and non-invasive pregnancy monitoring tools. Menstrual Health: Advanced menstrual products that go beyond traditional offerings, smart menstrual cups, and wearable technologies are transforming menstrual health management. Menopause Solutions: With an aging population, digital therapeutics, hormone replacement therapies, and lifestyle management apps specifically for menopause are increasing. Chronic Conditions and Hormonal Disorders: Technologies aimed at managing conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis through better diagnostics and personalized treatments. Mental Health: Platforms focusing on mental health issues prevalent in women, such as postpartum depression, anxiety, and the psychological aspects of chronic health issues. Femtech Industry Trends and Opportunities The femtech sector has been characterized by several prominent trends highlighting the current momentum and the industry's future potential. A growing focus on personalized healthcare has propelled the development of bespoke femtech solutions that cater to individual health needs. There is also an increasing crossover between wellness and healthcare, where apps and devices integrate preventive care with daily wellness routines, reflecting a holistic approach to women's health. Expanding community-based platforms has also fostered a supportive network where users share experiences and advice, enhancing user engagement and retention. Emerging Technologies and Their Potential Impact Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is revolutionizing femtech by enabling more accurate diagnostics and predictive analytics. AI-driven platforms can analyze vast amounts of data to predict health trends, personalize healthcare recommendations, and optimize treatment plans. Telehealth: The pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth in femtech. This technology provides women with remote access to healthcare professionals for a variety of issues, from fertility consultations to mental health support. It is crucial to make healthcare more accessible, especially in underserved areas. Wearable Devices: Wearables have evolved from fitness tracking to sophisticated health monitoring tools. In femtech, wearable devices now track menstrual cycles, monitor pregnancy, and even detect early signs of breast cancer, offering continuous, real-time health monitoring. Examples of Successful Femtech Companies Clue: A leading menstrual health app that uses data to predict menstrual cycles and offer insights into reproductive health. Clue has set a high standard for privacy and scientific accuracy, making it a trusted tool for millions of women globally. Elvie: Known for its innovative breast pumps and pelvic floor trainers, Elvie combines sleek, discreet designs with powerful, smart technology, significantly improving women's lives post-pregnancy and beyond. Tia: This company offers a holistic healthcare approach for women by integrating virtual and in-person care, focusing on everything from gynecology to mental health, embodying the integrated care model that is becoming a trend in femtech. Potential Gaps in the Market and Opportunities for Innovation Despite the advancements, several areas within femtech still lack adequate solutions, presenting opportunities for innovation: Menopause Management: There is a noticeable gap in products addressing the full spectrum of menopause symptoms. Innovations in hormone replacement therapy delivery or non-hormonal symptom management can meet significant demand. Health Issues in Aging Women: Conditions like osteoporosis and cardiovascular health in post-menopausal women are underrepresented in current femtech products. Mental Health: While some platforms address postpartum depression, broader mental health issues linked to hormonal changes throughout a woman's life cycle are still underserved. Global Accessibility: Many femtech products are not readily available or affordable globally, especially in developing countries. Creating scalable solutions that are both accessible and culturally sensitive could expand the reach of femtech significantly. Fundraising Strategies for Femtech Startups Fundraising in the femtech sector has evolved significantly over the past decade, with more investors recognizing the potential of women-centric health solutions. Increasing awareness and successful exits are driving more interest from venture capitalists, angel investors, and strategic partners. Notably, the unique nature of femtech, which combines technology, healthcare, and direct-to-consumer elements, appeals to a diverse group of investors looking to impact women's health globally. What Investors are Looking for in Femtech Startups Investors interested in femtech are particularly keen on startups that: Address a Clear Unmet Need: Products that solve a real and significant problem in women’s health are more likely to attract attention. Have a Scalable Business Model: Investors look for companies with the potential to grow quickly and sustainably. Show Strong Founder Expertise: Teams with backgrounds in healthcare, technology, and business, or with personal experiences that motivate their vision, are often more compelling. Demonstrate Technological Innovation: Startups that leverage new technologies to improve outcomes, efficiency, or user experiences stand out in the fundraising process. Provide Evidence-Based Solutions: Given the health-focused nature of femtech, products backed by scientific research and data are more likely to gain investor confidence. Related resource: The Rise of Women-Led VC Firms (+ a List to Keep an Eye on) Crafting a Compelling Pitch Articulate the Problem and Your Unique Solution: Clearly define the specific women's health issue your product addresses and how your solution is different from or better than existing offerings. Highlight the Market Potential: Use data to demonstrate the size of the market and your target demographic. Show how your product fits into the broader health and wellness industry trends. Showcase Your Team’s Expertise: Emphasize the qualifications and experiences of your team that make you the right people to execute this vision. Provide Proof of Concept: Whether through initial sales data, user testimonials, or clinical trials, show that there is a demand for your product and that it works. Discuss Your Business Model: Explain how you will generate revenue, your pricing strategy, and your marketing approach. Be clear about how you intend to scale. Outline the Use of Funds: Be specific about how much money you need and how you plan to use it to grow your business. Related resource: 10+ VCs & Accelerators Investing in Underrepresented Founders VCs and Accelerators Investing in Femtech Startups 2024 FemTech Lab Location: London, England About: Unlocking Women's health and wellness for a fairer, better World. Join the movement! FemTech Lab is a global ecosystem of 20,000+ founders, investors, corporate partners, biotech and research, hospitals, pharmaceuticals, government, and retail leaders innovating across all women's health and wellness subsectors. The FemTech Lab Accelerator program has supported 70+ inspiring startups in women's health. If you are interested in applying, check out the timing of the next cohort on our website and sign up for the next open webinar. Goddess Gaia Ventures Location: London, GB About: A female founded pre series A fund (in building mode) investing in 360 solutions in female health, wellness and Femtech in a + $1 Trillion TAM which has to date been under-served, under-researched and under-funded . Mission Statement: To grow the next generation of Women’s healthcare unicorns We invest in: UK, Europe, Greater Europe and Israel and scaling these companies into the US We partner with: Founders (male and female) seeking to invent new market categories or who are seeking to disrupt incumbent healthcare markets Exponential Sector Growth: Increase of women in STEM and Finance; innovating for themselves Special Interest: Solutions that cater to the health of women of colour and that create healthcare parity Thesis: Goddess Gaia Ventures (GGV) is capitalising on the $1.1 trillion women’s healthcare market by investing in five core pillars - women's fertility; women's cancer; women's wellness; women's lifestyle diseases and Femtech products and services. Amboy Street Ventures Location: Los Angeles, California, United States About: The world’s first venture capital fund focused on Sexual Health & Women’s Health Technology startups. Amboy Street Ventures is an active investor and adds value above and beyond capital. Its dedicated Value Enhancement Team supports portfolio companies with marketing & branding, sales & distribution, product development & scientific innovation and public education resources through its position within the Healthy Pleasure Group, an ecosystem dedicated to solving the problems that startups face in the Sexual Health and Women’s Health Tech market. Thesis: Amboy Street Ventures invests in the Seed and Series A rounds of Sexual Health & Women’s Health Technology startups that are progressing the industry in America and Europe. Astarte Ventures Location: New Jersey, United States About: Astarte Ventures is an innovation and investment consulting firm, with expertise in women's health, pediatrics, health equity, AI, and gut health. Thesis: Investing to improve the health and wellbeing of women and children. Avestria Ventures Location: San Francisco, California About: Avestria Ventures is an investment firm that focuses on women's health and female-led life science and healthcare companies. Thesis: We invest in women’s health and life science; it’s what we know best. Everywhere Ventures Location: New York, United States About: Global pre-seed fund backed by 500 founders and operators. Thesis: We invest $50-250k into pre-seed companies looking to raise between $500-$2M. We are happy to lead or partner with other investors. We are generalists at heart, but lean into three core areas: money, health, and work. We embrace first-time founders, and founders who may lack traction but have a distinct vision for a world that may not exist…yet. Emmeline Ventures Location: Los Angeles, CA About: Emmeline Ventures is a female-founded early-stage fund investing in ambitious female founders building businesses that are helping women, in particular, manage their health, build their wealth, and live in a cleaner, safer world. Thesis: We invest across women's health, financial services, and sustainability specifically where breakout technology and innovaton is helping women live & thrive. Resources for Femtech Founders Deloitte’s Femtech: Poised for growth List of 150+ VC Funds Investing in Women's Health and Femtech Crunchbase’s The femtech market map Crunchbase’s The Next Frontier Of Femtech Connect Investor Database list of VCs investing in Femtech Start Your Next Round with Visible We believe great outcomes happen when founders forge relationships with investors and potential investors. We created our Connect Investor Database to help you in the first step of this journey. Instead of wasting time trying to figure out investor fit and profile for their given stage and industry, we created filters allowing you to find VC’s and accelerators who are looking to invest in companies like you. Check out all our investors here and filter as needed. After learning more about them with the profile information and resources given you can reach out to them with a tailored email. To help craft that first email check out 5 Strategies for Cold Emailing Potential Investors and How to Cold Email Investors: A Video by Michael Seibel of YC. After finding the right Investor you can create a personalized investor database with Visible. Combine qualified investors from Visible Connect with your own investor lists to share targeted Updates, decks, and dashboards. Start your free trial here.

Navigating the financial intricacies of your startup can be as crucial as your next big idea. Among these, understanding capital calls is fundamental. This article will delve into what a capital call is, its triggers, benefits, and the challenges it may pose. Whether you're preparing for your first round of funding or looking to refine your financial strategies, our insights will help you manage capital calls effectively, ensuring that your venture remains well-funded and resilient in the face of evolving business demands. Get ready to equip yourself with the knowledge every founder needs to handle financial commitments confidently. What is a Capital Call? A capital call, also known as a "drawdown," is a legal mechanism investment funds use to secure investment commitments from their partners or investors, particularly in private equity or real estate. When investors commit to a fund, they do not typically transfer all their committed funds upfront. Instead, these funds are "called" or requested as needed over the life of the investment. This process allows the fund to request funds from investors as they identify appropriate investment opportunities or need to cover expenses. For startup founders, understanding this concept is vital as it directly affects your business's cash flow and financial planning. By adhering to the stipulations of a capital call, you ensure that your business can access necessary funds quickly, maintaining liquidity and operational stability as opportunities or challenges arise. The Importance of a Capital Call As we explore the dynamic landscape of startup financing, the role of capital calls becomes increasingly significant. Understanding their strategic importance can transform how you manage and leverage investor commitments to fuel your business's growth. Capital calls are crucial for maintaining your startup's financial health and operational momentum. They provide a structured way to incrementally secure funding, which can be particularly beneficial in managing cash flow and ensuring that funds are available when needed. For startups, this means being able to react swiftly to market opportunities or unexpected challenges without the pressure of having full investor funds on hand at all times. Additionally, capital calls demonstrate to investors your commitment to prudent financial management and project execution. Funds are used judiciously and only drawn down as required to achieve business objectives. This method of funding not only helps smooth financial operations but also builds trust with investors, showing that their capital is being managed responsibly. Related resource: A Quick Overview on VC Fund Structure What Triggers a Capital Call? Capital calls are not arbitrary; they are triggered by specific needs within the fund's operation or investment strategy. Typically, these needs arise from investment opportunities aligning with the fund’s objectives or operational expenses requiring immediate funding. For example, a capital call may be issued when a fund has agreed to invest in a promising startup or is part of a consortium buying a significant asset, like real estate or another company. The timing is crucial—funds are requested to seize these opportunities swiftly and effectively. Operational costs, such as development projects, marketing initiatives, or expansion plans, can also trigger a capital call, ensuring the fund has the liquidity to support these activities. Real-Life Example: A notable instance of a capital call occurred with the SoftBank Vision Fund. In 2019, amidst various large-scale investments in technology companies, SoftBank reportedly made frequent capital calls to its investors, such as Apple and Foxconn, to provide the necessary funding to support its ambitious investment strategy. This was crucial for maintaining the pace of investment and ensuring that the fund could capitalize on strategic opportunities as they arose. Such instances highlight the importance of capital calls in maintaining investment momentum and fulfilling the fund's strategic objectives. Key Benefits of a Capital Call Understanding the benefits of capital calls can significantly enhance your strategic approach to funding and investor relations. These benefits optimize financial operations and build robust pathways for sustainable growth and investor confidence. Here are some key benefits of capital calls for startups: Flexibility in Fund Utilization: Capital calls allow startups to request funds as needed rather than holding large amounts of cash on hand. This flexibility helps manage cash flow efficiently and reduces the cost of capital. Timely Access to Funds: Capital calls provide quick access to committed funds when opportunities or needs arise. This ensures startups can act swiftly on business opportunities or cover unexpected expenses without delay. Enhanced Credibility with Investors: Regular and strategic use of capital calls demonstrates to investors that their capital is being managed responsibly. It shows that funds are being deployed in a way that is aligned with the business’s growth strategy and not lying idle. Strategic Growth Opportunities: With access to capital as needed, startups can strategically pursue growth opportunities that require immediate investment. This can be crucial for staying competitive and scaling operations in a timely manner. Challenges of a Capital Call While capital calls are vital tools for managing funding within a startup, they also come with their own set of challenges. Founders should recognize these potential hurdles to better prepare and navigate them effectively. Here are some of the key challenges associated with capital calls: Potential for Investor Dissatisfaction: If capital calls are made too frequently or perceived as unplanned, they can lead to investor dissatisfaction. Investors might feel their funds are not being managed efficiently, which can impact their trust and future willingness to invest. Timing and Cash Flow Issues: There can be a mismatch between the timing of a capital call and the availability of funds from investors. This can create cash flow challenges, particularly if the capital is needed urgently for project continuation or to seize a market opportunity. Complexity in Administration: Managing and administering capital calls involves significant logistical coordination, especially with a large group of investors. This can increase startup administrative burdens and costs, diverting attention from core business activities. Legal and Compliance Risks: Each capital call must adhere to the terms outlined in the investment agreement. Failure to comply with these terms can lead to legal challenges or breaches of contract, posing substantial risks to the business. Update Your Investors Easily With Visible This article explored the complexities and strategic importance of capital calls within a startup's financial landscape. From understanding what triggers a capital call to recognizing its benefits and challenges, it's clear that managing investor relations and funding efficiently is crucial for sustainable growth. Effective communication with investors is key to navigating these challenges. To streamline your investor updates and manage capital calls smoothly, consider using Visible, a tool designed to help you communicate effectively with your financial stakeholders. Enhance your financial operations and maintain strong investor relations by signing up today. Create your account on Visible and start managing your investor communications more efficiently. Related resource: How To Write the Perfect Investor Update (Tips and Templates)

Navigating the complexities of investor agreements is crucial for startup founders aiming to secure crucial funding while protecting their interests. This article will guide you through the essentials of crafting a solid investor agreement, highlighting key components like investment terms, company valuation, and exit strategies. You'll learn not only what makes up an investor agreement but also how to tailor one to fit your startup's unique needs, ensuring a clear path to successful investor relationships. What Is an Investor Agreement? An investor agreement is a legal contract between an investor and a company that outlines the terms of the investment. It specifies the roles, expectations, and obligations of both parties, ensuring that the investor's financial contributions are protected and that the company uses the funds as agreed upon. There are several types of investor agreements commonly used in business, each tailored to different investment scenarios: Stock Purchase Agreement: This type of agreement is used when investors purchase shares directly from the company, giving them ownership according to the percentage of stock acquired. Convertible Note Agreement: Often used in early-stage startups, this agreement allows the investment to initially be a loan that converts into equity, usually after a subsequent financing round or under certain conditions outlined in the agreement. Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE): Popular among startups for its simplicity and flexibility, a SAFE grants investors the right to convert their investment into equity at a later date, typically during a future funding round. Restricted Stock Agreement: This agreement governs the issuance of shares that are subject to certain restrictions, typically vesting over time and providing that shares must be sold back to the company under certain conditions. Debt Agreement: When startups prefer not to give up equity, they might opt for debt agreements where the investor lends money to the business, to be repaid with interest by a specified date. Each type of agreement has its nuances and must be chosen carefully based on the company’s specific needs and the investor's expectations. It’s crucial for founders to understand these distinctions to choose the most appropriate form of agreement for their circumstances​​​​. Key Components of an Investor Agreement Template When structuring an investor agreement, it's essential to include comprehensive and detailed sections that address every aspect of the investment relationship. This clarity not only safeguards both parties' interests but also ensures smooth cooperation throughout the duration of the agreement. Below, we delve into the key components that should be part of any investor agreement template, each playing a crucial role in fostering a transparent and effective partnership. Related resource: A Complete Guide on Founders Agreements 1. Preliminary Information The foundation of any investor agreement begins with the preliminary information, which includes all the basic and identifying details such as the names, addresses, and legal statuses of the parties involved, as well as the date of the agreement. This section sets the legal context for the agreement and acts as a reference point for all parties involved, ensuring there is no ambiguity about who is bound by the terms of the document. 2. Investment Details Specifying the investment details is critical. This includes the amount of investment, the form it will take (whether cash, assets, or services), and any conditions or milestones that must be met before the investment is realized. Clear articulation of these details prevents misunderstandings and sets clear expectations for the deployment of the investment, which is vital for both parties’ financial planning and accountability. 3. Company Valuation and Capital Structure It's important to clearly outline how the company is valued and how its capital structure will be affected post-investment. This information sets the stage for determining ownership percentages and the distribution of equity. Transparency in this area reassures investors about the basis of their investment valuation and aligns all parties’ expectations regarding their stakes. 4. Roles and Responsibilities Defining the specific roles and responsibilities of both the investor and the startup is crucial for maintaining clear expectations and accountability. This section should detail the commitments of each party, including any operational roles the investor might assume, and their involvement in decision-making processes. Clarity here ensures smooth day-to-day operations and helps prevent conflicts. 5. Terms of Investment The terms of investment outline the specifics of the financial relationship, such as the rights to dividends, conversion rights, and voting rights. This section is fundamental as it delineates how profits and losses are distributed, how and when investments might be converted into equity, and how investors can influence company decisions through their votes. 6. Governance and Voting Rights Governance structures and voting rights are essential for outlining how decisions are made within the company, who gets to vote, and what issues require a vote. This framework is key to maintaining order and clarity in the company's decision-making processes, particularly in scenarios involving multiple investors with varying stakes. 7. Exit Strategies Planning for future changes in ownership or the potential exit from the company is crucial. This part of the agreement might include buyback rights, rights of first refusal in case of sale, and other mechanisms that allow for a smooth transition or exit. Having these strategies predefined helps manage expectations and reduces potential conflicts during critical transitions. 8. Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure To protect the sensitive information of both the startup and the investor, confidentiality and non-disclosure clauses are critical. These provisions help build trust, protect trade secrets, and ensure that strategic information does not fall into competitors' hands. 9. Dispute Resolution Finally, having a predetermined method for resolving disputes is crucial for handling disagreements efficiently and fairly. This section should specify whether disputes will be handled through mediation, arbitration, or court proceedings, and outline the steps each party should follow in the event of a disagreement. Related resource: What Should be in a Startup’s Data Room? How Do You Write an Investor Agreement? Drafting an investor agreement is a critical step for any startup engaging with investors. This document not only formalizes the relationship between a company and its investors but also ensures that both parties are clear on the terms of the investment. Below, we detail the essential steps involved in creating a robust investor agreement that secures interests and fosters a positive business relationship. Gathering Information and Structuring the Agreement The first step in drafting an investor agreement is to collect all necessary information about the investment and the parties involved. This includes details about the investment amount, the structure of the investment (e.g., equity, debt), and the specific roles and obligations of each party. Accurate and comprehensive information is crucial as it forms the basis of the agreement, ensuring that all terms are based on a clear understanding of the investment and the expectations of both parties. This foundational step prevents future misunderstandings and lays the groundwork for a solid legal agreement. Involving the Right Parties It is essential to identify and involve all relevant parties in the agreement process. This includes not only the investors and company founders but also may include lawyers, accountants, and other stakeholders who have a vested interest in the transaction. Ensuring that all parties are appropriately represented and that their roles and expectations are clearly defined from the outset is crucial. This clarity helps in avoiding conflicts later and ensures that the agreement reflects the interests and responsibilities of everyone involved. Drafting Key Clauses The heart of the investor agreement lies in its clauses, which detail the terms of the investment, rights, and obligations of the involved parties. Key clauses include those related to the amount and structure of the investment, conditions for funding, management and use of the investment, investor rights, and any specific covenants related to company governance. Each clause must be drafted with clarity and precision to avoid ambiguity and ensure that the terms are enforceable. Legal expertise is often required in this phase to ensure that the clauses are legally sound and adequately reflect the agreed-upon terms. Negotiation and Finalization Once a draft of the investor agreement is prepared, the negotiation phase begins. During this stage, both parties review the draft, suggest modifications, and discuss any concerns they might have with the proposed terms. This phase is crucial as it allows both sides to refine the agreement to better meet their needs and to ensure mutual understanding and satisfaction with the terms. After negotiations are completed, the final agreement is prepared for signing. It is advisable for both parties to have legal counsel review the final document to ensure that it is comprehensive and legally binding. Related resource: The Startup's Handbook to SAFE: Simplifying Future Equity Agreements Build Strong Investor Connections with Visible Crafting a solid investor agreement is key to protecting the interests of both the startup and its investors. Establishing clear terms and open lines of communication from the outset can significantly enhance these critical business relationships. To manage and enhance investor relations with ease and efficiency, try Visible. By using Visible, you can streamline investor communications, track important metrics, and report progress efficiently, keeping your investors engaged and informed. Ready to take your investor relations to the next level? Try Visible free for 14 days and start strengthening your investor connections.

Crowdfunding has revolutionized the way startups and social initiatives gather the necessary funds to bring their ideas to life. This article will explore the intricacies of crowdfunding, delving into its various types and the unique benefits and challenges they present. Whether you're a founder looking to kickstart your project or simply curious about how crowdfunding could play a role in your financial strategy, read on to discover the ins and outs of this dynamic funding mechanism. What Is Crowdfunding, and Why Is It Important? Crowdfunding is a method of raising capital through the collective effort of friends, family, customers, and individual investors. This approach taps into the collective efforts of a large pool of individuals—primarily online via social media and crowdfunding platforms—and leverages their networks for greater reach and exposure. Crowdfunding is vital not only as a tool for gathering financial resources but also for validating a product or service in the market, engaging with customers, and building community support​​​​. Three of the most popular crowdfunding platforms include: Kickstarter- The platform operates on an all-or-nothing funding model, which means that project creators only receive funds if their campaign reaches its predetermined funding goal. This model encourages creators and founders to set realistic goals and actively promote their projects to ensure success. Indiegogo- Known for its flexibility, it supports a wide range of campaigns from tech innovations to artistic endeavors. The platform is distinct for allowing both fixed and flexible funding goals, making it a versatile choice for project creators who may still benefit from partial funding if they do not meet their full target. Patreon- Patreon stands out among crowdfunding platforms because it caters to creators seeking continuous funding rather than one-time project support. This makes it particularly popular with individuals involved in ongoing creative endeavors such as musicians, YouTubers, podcasters, and filmmakers. Related resource: How to Raise Crowdfunding with Cheryl Campos of Republic The Pros and Cons of Crowdfunding Crowdfunding offers unique opportunities and benefits for startups and projects, but it also comes with its set of challenges. In the next section, we will delve into the pros and cons of crowdfunding, providing a balanced perspective that will help founders understand what to expect and how to prepare for a successful campaign. Pros of Crowdfunding Pre-Launch Interest and Momentum: Crowdfunding allows founders to generate buzz and interest in a product or service before it officially launches. This pre-launch momentum can be crucial in establishing a brand and ensuring a successful market entry​​. Market Validation: Crowdfunding campaigns allow investors to gauge customer interest and validate the market demand for a product or service before it fully hits the market. This can reduce the financial risks associated with launching new and untested products​​. Risk Reduction through Pre-Sales: By using crowdfunding platforms to pre-sell products, founders can reduce financial risks associated with production and inventory. This approach ensures that there is a market demand before significant investments are made​​. Marketing and Publicity: Crowdfunding campaigns can serve as powerful marketing tools, providing significant media exposure and public attention that can continue to benefit the project long after the campaign has ended​​. Direct Customer Feedback: Crowdfunding offers a unique opportunity for founders to receive direct feedback from early adopters. This feedback can be invaluable for making adjustments to the product or service before it hits the broader market​​. Building a Loyal Community: Crowdfunding not only raises funds but also helps in building a community of supporters who are emotionally and financially invested in the success of the project. This community can become a vital asset for future promotions and continued business growth​​​​. Access to Capital: Crowdfunding provides a platform to raise significant amounts of money without the need for traditional financial intermediaries such as banks or venture capital firms. This can be especially useful for startups and small businesses that may not have access to traditional funding sources​​. Cons of Crowdfunding High Competition: The popularity of crowdfunding platforms means that numerous projects are vying for the same pool of potential backers. Standing out among the crowd requires a compelling story and effective marketing strategies, which can be challenging and resource-intensive​​. Fulfillment Pressures: Successfully funded projects face the pressure of fulfilling backers' rewards and expectations. This can be particularly challenging if the campaign goes viral and the number of backers exceeds initial forecasts, complicating logistics and potentially increasing costs​​. All-or-nothing Funding Models: Many crowdfunding platforms operate on an all-or-nothing funding model, where you must reach your funding goal to receive any money. Falling short means no funding at all, which can be a significant risk if you've already invested in campaign marketing and product development​​. Public Exposure of Ideas: When you pitch a project on a crowdfunding platform, you expose your business idea or concept to the public, which includes potential competitors. This can lead to issues if the intellectual property is not fully protected or if the concept is easily replicable​​. The 4 Different Types of Crowdfunding As you explore the world of crowdfunding, it's essential to understand the different types that are available. Each type offers unique advantages and fits different kinds of projects and goals. Below, we delve into the four primary types of crowdfunding: donation-based, equity-based, rewards-based, and debt-based. Choosing the right one can be critical to your campaign’s success. Related resource: 6 Types of Investors Startup Founders Need to Know About 1) Donation-Based Crowdfunding Donation-based crowdfunding is exactly what it sounds like – backers donate money without expecting anything in return. This model is primarily used for charitable causes or community projects where the reward is the satisfaction of contributing to a good cause. When to Use This Method of Crowdfunding This method is ideal for non-profit organizations, social causes, or community projects where monetary return isn't an expectation. It's particularly effective when the audience is motivated by philanthropy rather than a tangible return​​. 2) Equity-Based Crowdfunding Equity-based crowdfunding involves offering a stake in your company in exchange for capital. This means investors receive shares of your business and become partial owners. It’s a way to raise significant funds while distributing the financial risk among a group of investors. When to Use This Method of Crowdfunding Use equity-based crowdfunding when you need substantial capital and are comfortable sharing ownership of your company with investors. It is suitable for startups that expect to grow and generate significant revenue, making the equity stake potentially valuable​​. 3) Rewards-Based Crowdfunding Rewards-based crowdfunding allows backers to contribute in exchange for tangible rewards, which can vary from the product itself to other unique perks. This type is popular among creative projects and startups that wish to offer their product as a pre-sale. When to Use This Method of Crowdfunding This method works best for consumer-focused projects where you can offer your product as a reward to backers. It's suitable for validating product demand before mass production and engaging with your customers directly​​. 4) Debt-Based Crowdfunding Also known as peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, debt-based crowdfunding allows individuals to lend money to a project or business with the expectation of getting their money back with interest. It mirrors traditional loans but from multiple lenders at potentially more favorable terms. When to Use This Method of Crowdfunding Debt-based crowdfunding is appropriate for founders who need traditional loan conditions but prefer a broader base of lenders to minimize risk. It is also beneficial when founders can ensure a steady revenue stream to manage repayments​​. Crowdfunding vs Traditional Fundraising: What are the Differences? Crowdfunding and traditional fundraising serve the same primary purpose—raising money—but differ significantly in their approach and execution. Traditional fundraising typically involves seeking substantial sums from a few donors, such as angel investors, venture capitalists, or banks, and often requires a detailed business plan, credit checks, or proven business history. It can be a lengthy process with a lot of personal interaction and persuasion. In contrast, crowdfunding is usually conducted online and aims to gather smaller amounts of money from a large number of people. This method leverages the power of social networks and is accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Crowdfunding campaigns provide immediate feedback and market validation, as they allow the entrepreneur to gauge interest in a product or concept before fully committing to production or scaling. Moreover, crowdfunding can offer more than just financial benefits; it can also provide publicity, community engagement, and customer feedback​​​​. These fundamental differences make each method suitable for different types of projects and funding needs, with crowdfunding often being more accessible and engaging, while traditional fundraising can offer more significant amounts of capital and potentially fewer stakeholders to manage. Related resource: How to Secure Financing With a Bulletproof Startup Fundraising Strategy Fundraise the Right Way With the Help of Visible Crowdfunding not only helps raise the necessary funds for your venture but also connects you with a community that can offer support and feedback. If you are also interested in finding traditional investors and accelerators check out our Connect Investor Database. Instead of wasting time trying to figure out investor fit and profile for their given stage and industry, we created filters allowing you to find VCs and accelerators who are looking to invest in companies like you. Check out all our investors here and filter as needed. As you embark on your fundraising journey, consider leveraging platforms like Visible to streamline your efforts. After finding the right Investor you can create a personalized investor database with Visible. Combine qualified investors from Visible Connect with your own investor lists to share targeted Updates, decks, and dashboards. Start your free trial here.

Venturing into the startup ecosystem can be as thrilling as it is daunting, especially when securing venture capital funding. One critical element in this journey is mastering the art of crafting an effective investor agreement. Whether new to being an entrepreneur or gearing up for your next funding round, understanding the nuances of investor agreements can significantly impact your business's future. In this guide, we'll walk you through investor agreements, their types, what they should include, and how to negotiate them to best protect and leverage your interests. Get ready to empower yourself with the knowledge to secure funding while safeguarding your visionary endeavors. What Is an Investor Agreement? An investor agreement is a foundational document that outlines the terms, conditions, and mutual commitments between a startup and its investors. In the realm of startups and venture capital, this agreement serves as a formal contract that specifies the amount of investment provided, equity stakes, responsibilities of each party, and the protective clauses for both investors and the company. It ensures both parties are clear about the expectations and the structure of the investment, making it essential for maintaining harmony and clear communication as the business grows. This document governs the financial relationship and often addresses operational roles, providing a framework for decision-making and future financial interactions. Related resource: A Complete Guide on Founders Agreements Is an Investor Agreement the Same as a Shareholder Agreement? While both investor agreements and shareholder agreements are pivotal in business operations, they are not the same and serve distinct purposes. An investor agreement is specifically designed for scenarios involving new investments, focusing on the terms that govern a particular investment round. It typically includes details about the investment amount, equity distribution, investor rights, and specific conditions tied to the funding. On the other hand, a shareholder agreement is a broader document that encompasses the overall relationship among all shareholders of a company. This agreement is intended to manage the interactions among shareholders and outline the general operations of the company. It often covers voting rights, transfer of shares, dispute resolution, and the management of daily operations and future sales of the company. Thus, while there may be overlap, such as provisions concerning equity and voting rights, the investor agreement is transaction-specific, focusing on the terms related to a particular investment. While, the shareholder agreement is a comprehensive guideline that applies to all shareholders, setting the stage for the company’s governance and shareholder relations over time. Related resource: The Startup's Handbook to SAFE: Simplifying Future Equity Agreements Common Types of Investor Agreements Navigating the landscape of venture capital requires a sound understanding of the various types of investor agreements that shape the financial and operational structure of a startup. These agreements are pivotal in defining the terms of partnership between investors and the company, each tailored to address specific aspects of the investment and company governance. Below, we outline some of the most common types of investor agreements, providing clarity on their purpose and implications. Term Sheet: Often the first formal document presented in the investment process, the term sheet outlines the basic terms and conditions under which an investor will invest in a startup. It is not typically legally binding (except for specific provisions like confidentiality and exclusivity) but serves as a foundation for more detailed legal documents that follow. Key elements include the amount to be invested, the valuation of the company, and the rights assigned to the investor. Shareholders Agreement: This document goes beyond the basic investment terms to detail the relationship among all shareholders and the company's management. It includes provisions on the transfer of shares, voting rights, and how decisions are made within the company. It protects the rights of all shareholders, large and small, and ensures that everyone operates under the same set of expectations. Conversion Rights: These rights are particularly relevant in agreements involving convertible notes or preferred shares. Conversion rights specify when and how these securities can be converted into common stock, usually during specified events such as a subsequent funding round or a public offering. This clause is crucial for investors seeking to capitalize on the company's growth by eventually converting their initial investment into equity. Vesting Schedules: Common in both investor agreements and employment contracts within startups, vesting schedules determine how and when stock options or shares allocated to the founders and employees become fully owned (vested). They are designed to incentivize longevity and commitment, typically requiring individuals to remain with the company for a certain period before gaining full equity ownership. What Should an Investor Agreement Include? Crafting an investor agreement involves meticulous attention to detail across several key components that safeguard the interests of the startup and its investors. This document is not just a financial agreement but a strategic blueprint that guides the relationship and expectations on both sides. From investment specifics to governance, financial terms, exit strategies, and legal protections, each aspect of the agreement must be carefully defined to ensure clarity and avoid potential disputes. Here’s what to consider including in an investor agreement to lay a solid foundation for the future. Investment Terms The investment terms are the cornerstone of any investor agreement, establishing the financial relationship between the startup and its investors. It's crucial to clearly define: Investment Amount: Specify the total amount of money the investor will provide. This impacts the company's capital structure and operational capabilities. Valuation Methods: How the company's value is assessed affects the equity given to investors. Different valuation methods can yield different results, so choosing and agreeing on the correct method is vital. Dilution Terms: These terms outline how an investor's percentage ownership might decrease due to the issuance of new shares in future funding rounds. Clarity here helps manage expectations regarding the investor's stake over time. Governance Governance in investor agreements addresses the oversight and strategic direction of the startup, emphasizing the roles and powers of the board, the investors, and the founders: Board Composition: Define who gets a seat at the table and the balance of power between founders and investors. This can significantly influence company decisions. Voting Rights: Specify the voting mechanisms and rights attached to different classes of shares. This is essential for making critical decisions that affect the company’s future. Founder Roles: Clearly outlining the roles and responsibilities of the founders ensures they have defined duties and a voice in major company decisions. Financial Terms Financial terms in an investor agreement dictate how profits and losses are distributed and how financial operations are handled: Dividend Rights: These rights determine if and when dividends will be paid out to shareholders, which can influence investor interest and satisfaction. Liquidation Preferences: In the event of a sale or dissolution of the company, these preferences outline who gets paid first and how much, prioritizing certain investors over others. Anti-Dilution Provisions: These provisions protect investors from losing value in their investments in case of future equity raises at a lower valuation than what was initially agreed. Exit Strategies Exit strategies are vital for planning the possible conclusions of the investment relationship: Buyback Clauses: Allow the company to repurchase shares from the investors, giving control over when and how investors can exit. Tag-Along and Drag-Along Rights: Ensure that minority shareholders have the right to join in (tag-along) or compel others to join (drag-along) a sale of the company, protecting their interests during major transactions. Legal Protections Legal protections in an investor agreement safeguard against various risks and ensure compliance with applicable laws: Warranties: Assurances given by the company regarding its status and the veracity of information provided to investors. Indemnities: Protect investors from financial losses resulting from specific legal issues connected to the company. Conditions Precedent: Terms that must be met before the investment is fully activated, ensuring that certain benchmarks or conditions are satisfied. How to Draft an Investor Agreement Step-by-Step Drafting an investor agreement is a critical process that requires careful consideration and detailed planning. This document not only formalizes the investment but also sets the stage for the relationship between the startup and its investors. By following a systematic approach, founders can ensure that the agreement comprehensively covers all necessary aspects, thereby safeguarding both parties' interests and laying a firm foundation for future growth. Let’s walk through the steps to draft an investor agreement effectively. 1. Preliminary Considerations The initial stage of drafting an investor agreement involves understanding its purpose and scope. It's essential to clearly identify: Purpose of the Agreement: Define what you want to achieve with the investment. Is it for scaling operations, product development, or entering new markets? Parties Involved: List all entities and individuals involved in this agreement, including the startup, any co-founders, and all investors. Type of Investment: Determine whether the investment will be in the form of equity, a convertible note, or another structure. Each type has different implications for both parties. This groundwork is crucial as it shapes the rest of the agreement and ensures that all participants are clear about the basics before moving forward. 2. Define the Terms of the Investment These elements define the financial engagement and ensure both parties are aligned on the terms of the financial involvement. Specifying the terms of the investment involves detailing the following: Investment Amount: State the total amount of money the investors will contribute. Structure of the Investment: Outline whether the investment will be made in one lump sum or in tranches based on milestones. Valuation of the Company: Agree on how the company is valued, which will influence the equity offered to investors. Intended Use of Funds: Describe how the investment will be used, which helps in aligning investor expectations with company plans. 3. Outline Rights and Obligations Clarifying these points prevents misunderstandings and establishes a transparent operational relationship. It is vital to articulate clearly the rights and obligations of each party: Investor Rights: These include voting rights, inspection rights, and the right to participate in future funding rounds. Company Obligations: Detail the company's obligations to investors, such as regular financial reporting, adherence to agreed-upon business strategies, and maintaining certain performance metrics. 4. Include Key Provisions Including key provisions is essential for defining the operational and governance framework of the agreement. These provisions safeguard interests and provide a guideline for managing the company and the investment: Governance Structures: Set up the composition and powers of the board of directors. Dividend Policies: Outline if and when dividends will be issued to shareholders. Exit Strategies: Define the conditions under which the company can be sold, and the investors can exit. Confidentiality Terms: Ensure both parties agree on what information remains confidential and how it is handled. 5. Draft Protective Clauses for Both Parties Protective clauses are critical for minimizing risk and protecting the interests of both parties. These clauses ensure that all parties have legal recourse and that the investment is protected against unforeseen issues: Representations and Warranties: Ensure that all parties are accurately representing their status and the state of their businesses. Conditions Precedent: Specify any conditions that must be met before the investment is finalized. Dispute Resolution Mechanisms: Establish how disputes will be resolved, selecting arbitration or litigation preferences and applicable law. 6. Finalize the Agreement Ensuring thorough review and legal oversight helps prevent future legal complications, making this step critical to the successful conclusion of the drafting process. Review and Revision: Have all parties review the draft and make necessary revisions. This may involve several rounds of negotiation. Legal Oversight: Engage legal professionals to ensure that the agreement complies with all relevant laws and regulations. Signing and Execution: Once finalized, have all parties sign the agreement, and execute it to make it legally binding. Tips for Negotiating an Investor Agreement Negotiating an investor agreement is a critical skill for startup founders. It requires a deep understanding of both your company's needs and the dynamics of the investment market. This negotiation process is not just about securing funds but also about setting up a partnership that supports the company's long-term success. Here are some practical tips to help you negotiate effectively, ensuring that the terms meet your business goals and align with investor expectations. Have a Clear Understanding of Your Startup's Valuation Knowing your startup's current market value is crucial in negotiations. A well-supported valuation gives you the leverage to discuss equity stakes and investment terms with confidence. Understand different valuation methods, such as discounted cash flows or comparables from your industry, to justify your company's worth. This knowledge prevents undervaluation and helps you articulate your business's potential effectively, ensuring that investment terms are fair and reflective of your startup's true value. Research Industry Standards Familiarity with common terms and conditions in your sector is invaluable. This knowledge helps set realistic expectations and provides benchmarks against which you can measure offers. Research what similar companies in your industry have agreed to in terms of equity, dividends, and other key contract terms. Being informed about industry standards not only strengthens your negotiating position but also helps ensure that the terms you agree to are competitive and equitable. Seek Legal and Financial Advice Never underestimate the importance of professional advisors in the negotiation process. Legal and financial experts can clarify the implications of the terms being negotiated and help you navigate the complexities of investor agreements. They ensure that the agreement complies with relevant laws and protect your interests by identifying potential risks in proposed terms. This professional input is crucial for making informed decisions and securing an agreement that supports your company’s interests. Consider the Long-Term Implications of Each Term Each term in an investor agreement can significantly impact your company's future trajectory. Carefully evaluate how terms related to governance, exit strategies, and financial commitments could affect your business's growth and operational freedom. Consider scenarios like future funding rounds, potential acquisition offers, and changes in the management structure. This foresight will help you negotiate terms that support your long-term business strategy and provide flexibility as your company evolves. Leverage Competing Offers If you have multiple investment offers, use them to your advantage. Competing offers can significantly strengthen your negotiating position, potentially leading to better terms. Transparently communicating the interest from various investors can create a sense of urgency and competition among potential investors, often resulting in more favorable terms for your startup. Focus on Building Relationships View negotiations as the beginning of a long-term relationship with your investors. Establishing a positive rapport can lead to ongoing support and additional opportunities beyond the financial transaction. Investors who feel valued and see potential in the relationship beyond the immediate transaction are more likely to be flexible and supportive. Prioritize open communication, transparency, and mutual respect during negotiations to build a strong foundation for future collaboration. Strengthen Your Investor Connections with Visible Effective management and communication with investors are crucial for maintaining these relationships. This is where Visible can optimize your experience. By using Visible, you can streamline investor communications, track important metrics, and report progress efficiently, keeping your investors engaged and informed. Ready to take your investor relations to the next level? Try Visible free for 14 days and start strengthening your investor connections. Related resource: What Should be in a Startup’s Data Room?

At Visible, we often compare a venture capital fundraise to a traditional B2B sales and marketing funnel. At the top of your funnel, you add qualified investors to your pipeline (via cold and warm outreach). In the middle of the funnel, you nurture and pitch potential investors with emails, updates, pitches, meetings, etc. At the bottom of the funnel, you are hopefully closing your new investors. Related Resource: How to Find Venture Capital to Fund Your Startup: 5 Methods In order to best help you fill the top of your “fundraising funnel,” we’ve put together a list of a few popular VC firms located in Miami. Check them out below: 1. Ocean Azul Partners As the team at Ocean Azul Partners put on their website, “We are an early-stage venture capital firm passionate about helping entrepreneurs bring innovative technology solutions to market. We’re operators who are determined to use our successes and lessons learned to provide significant value to the teams with which we work. We are proud to support entrepreneurs building unique solutions that will shape the futures of their industries.” Investment Range As put on their website, “We write initial checks of size $200K-$2M, with a portion of our fund reserved for follow-on. We play an active role in all of our investments and have board seats on most of them.” Industries The team at Ocean Azul primarily focuses on B2B software. Learn more about Ocean Azul Partners by checking out their Visible Connect Profile. Related Resources: The 12 Best VC Funds You Should Know About 2. Guild Capital As the team put on their website, “Guild Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm. Founded in 2009, we have been dedicated to venture further than conventional Silicon Valley-based VC patterns to look for growth-stage teams who can evolve into great companies.” Investment Range The team at Guild does not publicly state their investment range but does look to companies that have “generated early revenue” or those that have not generated revenue that shows signs of momentum. Industries The team at Guild does not have a specific industry but shares their thesis for industries and markets by stating, “We believe in businesses bringing industry-contrarian solutions to large addressable markets. In general, we prefer markets that are not ‘winner-takes-all.” Learn more about Guild Capital by checking out their Visible Connect Profile → 3. Starlight Ventures As put on their website, “We are an early stage venture firm designed to address humanity’s biggest challenges and opportunities through breakthrough technology. We aim to enable long-term human flourishing: a prosperous civilization that responds effectively to large-scale opportunities and existential threats alike.” Investment Range The team at Starlight does not publicly state their investment range. Industries The team at Starlight does not publicly state-specific industries but rather invest in companies that impact long-term human flourishing. Learn more about Starlight Ventures by checking out their Visible Connect Profile → 4. Fuel Venture Capital As put by their team, “Fuel Venture Capital has brilliantly executed against this mission and has become known and trusted as leaders who are founder-focused and investor-driven. Our world-class venture executives have deployed over $400MM of capital from our global LP base following a disciplined “Phased Investment Thesis” managing risk while driving return on investment.” Investment Range The team at Fuel invests across multiple stages as put below: Industries The team at Fuel invests across many industries but ultimately look to, ‘disruptive global, tech-driven companies.” 5. LAB Miami Ventures As put by their team, “LAB Ventures is a VC Fund and Startup Studio dedicated to accelerating early-stage real estate and construction technology companies… We invest in early-stage real estate and construction technology companies. We invite investors with an interest in these sectors to join our growing network and stay on the leading edge of tech trends.” Investment Range The team at LAB does not publicly state their investment range but typically invests in pre-seed, seed, and series A rounds. Industries As put by their team, “Our focus is on early-stage technology businesses that serve the Real Estate and Construction industries – Property Technology, or “PropTech” for short. We take a very broad view of what is included in PropTech, but have a preference for software over hardware, recurring revenue, and enterprise over the consumer.” 6. Krillion Ventures As put by their team, “Krillion Ventures is a Miami-based venture capital fund that actively invests in early-stage technology companies solving problems in healthcare, financial services, and real estate.” Investment Range The team at Krillion Ventures does not publicly list their investment range but gives the following information, “We invest in companies that can demonstrate proof of concept and are seeking capital to accelerate their growth. We make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies on a deal-by-deal basis.” Industries The team at Krillion is focused on companies in the health tech space. Learn more about Krillion Ventures by checking out their Visible Connect Profile → 7. Miami Angels As put by the team at Miami Angels, “We bring together exceptional entrepreneurs and accomplished accredited investors to fuel success. Our group is comprised of over 150 angel investors, many of whom have been entrepreneurs themselves. Beyond providing capital, we collaborate with our founders to ensure they have access to talent and future funding.” Investment Range The team at Miami Angels does not publicly state what their investment range is. You can learn more about their investment criteria below: Industries As put on their website, “Because of our diverse investor base, we are able to leverage that expertise and invest in many industries. However, we do NOT invest in hardware, lifestyle brands, consumer goods, biotech, development shops, or financial derivatives.” Learn more about Miami Angels by checking out their Visible Connect Profile → 8. Secocha Ventures As put by their team, “Secocha Ventures is an Investment Firm focused on early stage Consumer Products & Services, Fintech & Healthcare Technology companies.” Investment Range The team at Secocha Ventures does not publicly disclose their investment range. They do mention, “We invest in startups raising their Pre-Seed, Seed, or Series-A rounds.” Learn more about the Secocha Ventures investment criteria below: Industries As shown above, the team at Secocha Ventures states, “We invest in FinTech, HealthTech, and Consumer Products & Services.” Related Resources: Private Equity vs Venture Capital: Critical Differences 9. Third Sphere As put by the team at Third Sphere, “We use early stage capital to upgrade systems. That starts with finding the sectors currently not working with consideration for people, businesses, or general public responsibility – everything from infrastructure to supply chains. Because ensuring our future takes more than reducing carbon emissions.” Investment Range The team at Third Sphere has multiple funds. For their venture fund, they explain their range and criteria as, “A real investment is about more than capital. We invest at the earliest stages (pre-seed & seed), stay close to our founders, and work with them from the onset of our relationship to build relationships with other founders, investors, and customers. From crafting a clear, eye-catching subject line to navigating a pitch, our emphasis on coaching leads to productive, inventive, and valuable relationships that bring ideas to life. Our community is more than just a nice idea – it’s a system designed to work for you.” Industries Third Sphere breaks down their industries and markets into the following: 10. TheVentureCity As put by their team, “TheVentureCity is a global, early-stage venture fund that refuses to follow the conventional crowd. We offer promising founders investment with bespoke data insights and operating expertise – designed for product-led growth.” Investment Range According to their Visible Connect Profile, the team at TheVentureCity typically writes checks between $1M and $4M. Industries As put on their website, “We are generalists, but index high on Fintech, HealthTech, AI/ML/Data and B2B SaaS. We like businesses that are “needed” and are not just “nice to haves”.” Learn more about TheVentureCity by checking out their Visible Connect Profile → Find out How Visible Can Help Your Startup Today At Visible, we oftentimes compare a fundraise to a B2B sales and marketing funnel. At the top of your funnel, you are finding new investors. In the middle, you are nurturing and pitching potential investors. At the bottom of the funnel, you are working through diligence and, ideally, closing new investors. Related Resource: A Quick Overview on VC Fund Structure With the introduction of data rooms, you can now manage every aspect of your fundraising funnel with Visible. Find investors at the top of your funnel with our free investor database, Visible Connect Track your conversations and move them through your funnel with our Fundraising CRM Share your pitch deck and monthly updates with potential investors Organize and share your most vital fundraising documents with data rooms Manage your fundraise from start to finish with Visible. Give it a free try for 14 days here.

Understanding which investors are engaging the most with your fundraising assets such as Visible Decks, Visible Updates, and Visible Data Rooms gives you insight into where to best spend time during the fundraising process. A New Contact Activity Page With this latest product update, we've made it easier to discover important engagement activity from the investor contacts stored on Visible. You can use these contact insights to determine who your most engaged investors are and when is best to follow up next. The updated contact page now displays all properties, engagement trends, recent activity, and the latest shared items, all in one view. Check Out Your Investor Activity Ready to see how investors are engaging with your Visible assets? Log into Visible below to take a look at the new contact pages for your investors:

When starting a venture capital for a fundraise, it is important to stay focused on the right investors for your business. This means sticking to investors that fund companies in your industry, stage, geography, etc. In order to best help founders find the right investors for their business, we’ve laid out 10 investors that are funding FoodTech startups below: Quick Overview of the Food Tech Industry As written by the team at Bread and Butter Ventures, “Food technology includes tech-enabled companies operating anywhere in the food value chain. From on farm to supply chain and manufacturing to restaurants and grocery. “Tech” can be software, hardware, bio sciences, or any combination of the three.” Food and agriculture is a major aspects of the economy. Many venture capitalists and entrepreneurs find that there are inefficiencies in the food and agriculture sector and can be improved by funding innovative companies. Challenges in Foodtech As put by the team at Blue Horizon in their post, The US food industry is facing a labor crisis and needs technology solutions to help solve it, “The food industry is strained from multiple forces, including heightened expectations from both customers and employees (e.g., wage increases, gig economy) as well as macro-economic pressures (e.g., inflation, supply chain constraints).” Related Resource: The 16 Best Startup Newsletters Related Resource: VCs Investing In Food & Bev Startups 1) Better Food Ventures Location: Menlo Park, CA Funding stage: Early-stage, seed stage According to the team at Better Food Ventures, “​​Our investments in food and agriculture technologies span the value chain — from seed, soil, supply chain, store, supper to stomach— to support the digitization of today’s food system, and form the building blocks necessary to meet our food supply needs in 2050.” According to their Visible Connect Profile, the team at Better Food Ventures typically writes checks anywhere between $250k and $10M. Some of Better Food Ventures most popular investments include: Milk Moovement Love with Food Byte Add Better Food Ventures to your Visible Fundraising Pipeline here → 2) 1st Course Capital Location: Redwood City, CA Funding stage: Early-stage, pre-seed, seed As the team at 1st Course Capital puts it, “1st Course Capital is an early stage venture capital firm investing in innovative business models and technologies changing how we grow, produce, and distribute food.” Some of 1st Course Capital’s most popular investments include: BlueCart Farmshelf Gooder Foods Add 1st Course Capital to your Visible Fundraising Pipeline here → 3) Nucleus Capital Location: Berlin Funding stage: Pre-seed and seed stage As put on their website, “Nucleus Capital is a new venture capital firm supporting purpose-driven founders. We believe that entrepreneurial innovation is necessary to tackle global threats to planetary health. We deeply respect the entrepreneurial process and partner with founders at the nucleus of their journey, investing at the Pre-Seed & Seed stage. We are most excited by mission-driven teams with relentless ambition, deep domain expertise and creative ideas.” Nucleus is focused on pre-seed and seed stage investments. Some of Nucleus Capital’s most popular investments include: Planet A Foods Juicy Marbles Yuri Add Nucleus Capital to your Visible Fundraising Pipeline here → 4) Tet Ventures Location: Berlin, Germany Funding stage: Early-stage As put on their Visible Connect Profile, “We are one of the most active global foodtech VCs, investing in teams and technology building a better food system.” Tet Ventures typically writes check anywhere between $50k and $250k. They look to fund companies anywhere in the world at the earliest stages. Some of Tet Ventures most popular investments include: Farmstead Maven Gather Made Add Tet Ventures to your Visible Fundraising Pipeline here → 5) Bread and Butter Ventures Location: Minneapolis, MN Funding stage: Seed stage As put by the team at Bread and Butter Venturese, “Bread and Butter Ventures is an early stage venture capital firm based in Minnesota, the Bread and Butter State, investing globally while leveraging our state and region’s unparalleled access to strong corporate connections, commercial opportunities, and industry expertise for the benefit of our founders.” You can learn more about Bread and Butter in our podcast with Brett Brohl below: The team at Bread and Butter typically writes checks anywhere between $100k and $400k. They traditionally focus on Food Tech, Health Tech, and Enterprise SaaS companies. Some of Bread and Butter Venture’s most popular investments include: Alchemy Dispatch Goods Omnia Fishing Add Bread and Butter Ventures to your Visible Fundraising Pipeline here → 6) FoodHack Location: Lausanne, Switzerland Funding stage: Pre-seed to Series A As written by the team at FoodHack, “Where Food & FoodTech professionals come to get the inside scoop on industry news and meet partners, friends, mentors, investors – and everything in between. From our weekly newsletter, to our ambassador run Meetups and our annual FoodHack Summit – our goal at FoodHack is to make it easier for purpose driven food founders to access the funding, network and knowledge they need to successfully launch and scale their business.” Add FoodHack to your Visible Fundraising Pipeline here → 7) Bluestein Ventures Location: Chicago, IL Related Resource: Chicago’s Best Venture Capital Firms: A List of the Top 10 Firm Funding stage: Early-stage — typically between seed and series A As put by the team at Bluestein Ventures, “We look for that magic combination of strategic vision + flawless execution. We’re inspired by visionary entrepreneurs that challenge the status quo – purpose-driven teams that are hungry to change the paradigm – and translate that into action. Entrepreneurs are our focus. As experienced investors, we know the journey isn’t easy. That’s why we’re here to partner with you to help you succeed.” Check out some of Bluestein’s most popular investments below: Cultured Decadence Meati New Culture Add Bluestein Ventures to your Visible Fundraising Pipeline here → 8) AgFunder Location: San Francisco, CA Funding stage: Seed to Series B As put by their team, “AgFunder is an online Venture Capital Platform based in Silicon Valley. AgFunder invests in exceptional and bold entrepreneurs who are aiming to build the next generation of great agriculture and food technology companies.” The team at AgFunder has written checks anywhere between $50k and $900k in a round. They invest in companies across the globe. Some of AgFunder’s most popular investments include: Atomo Coffee Alpha Foods FieldIn Add AgFunder to your Visible Fundraising Pipeline here → 9) S2G Ventures Location: Chicago, Boston, and San Francisco Funding stage: Anywhere from seed to growth stage As written by the team at S2G, “Our strategy reflects a growing appetite for investment that combines financial returns with positive long-term social and environmental effects. S2G has identified tough tech sectors that are ripe for change and is building a multi-stage portfolio of seed, venture, and growth stage investments and flexible solutions including debt and infrastructure capital.” The team at S2G will invest across many stages and are focused on companies that benefit the environment and society. Check out a few of S2G Venture’s most popular investments below: AppHarvest Ripple Beyond Meat Add S2G Ventures to your Visible Fundraising Pipeline here → 10) Blue Horizon Location: Zurich, Switzerland Funding stage: Seed to Series B As written by the team at Blue Horizon, “Blue Horizon is accelerating the transition to a Sustainable Food System that delivers outstanding returns for investors and the planet. The company is a global pioneer of the Future of Food. As a pure play impact investor, Blue Horizon has shaped the growth of the alternative protein and food tech market. The company invests at the intersection of biology, agriculture and technology with the aim to transform the global food industry.” Check out some of the most popular Blue Horizon investments below: Eat Just Impossible Foods Planted Add Blue Horizon to your Visible Fundraising Pipeline here → Secure venture capital for your food tech startup with Visible At Visible, we oftentimes compare a fundraise to a B2B sales and marketing funnel. At the top of your funnel, you are finding new investors. In the middle, you are nurturing and pitching potential investors. At the bottom of the funnel, you are working through diligence and ideally closing new investors. Related Resource: A Quick Overview on VC Fund Structure With the introduction of data rooms, you can now manage every aspect of your fundraising funnel with Visible. Find investors at the top of your funnel with our free investor database, Visible Connect Track your conversations and move them through your funnel with our Fundraising CRM Share your pitch deck and monthly updates with potential investors Organize and share your most vital fundraising documents with data rooms Manage your fundraise from start to finish with Visible. Give it a free try for 14 days here.