Fundraising

Raising funds for your startup can feel overwhelming, but Cleveland’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem offers plenty of opportunities to help you succeed. From top venture capital firms to invaluable networking events and local resources, Cleveland has everything you need to grow your business. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the leading VCs in the area, key connections to make, and the tools available to support your journey. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale, this is your go-to resource for navigating Cleveland’s startup scene. Top VCs in Cleveland JumpStart About: JumpStart Inc. is an Ohio-based non-profit organization that offers development assistance to entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio. Thesis: We invest in people. We look for entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence in all that they do, have skin in the game and the ambition to grow aggressively. We’re also focused on funding diverse entrepreneurs to help us build a stronger portfolio and a stronger community. Mutual Capital Partners Sweetspot check size: $ 3M Traction metrics requirements: Post-revenue January Ventures About: January Ventures (previously known as Jane VC) invests early and opens doors for the visionary founders of the future. Thesis: We invest early and open the doors for the founders of the future. North Coast Ventures About: North Coast Ventures includes six contributed capital funds comprised of 250+ leading investors and entrepreneurs Blue Point Capital Partners About: Blue Point Capital Partners is principally focuses on investments in manufacturing, distribution and service businesses that address industrial and consumer markets. Blue Point has extensive experience in identifying, evaluating and successfully completing a variety of private equity investment transactions, including management buyouts, corporate divestitures, recapitalizations and industry consolidations. Comeback Capital About: Comeback Capital is a pre-seed stage venture fund. Cleveland Avenue About: Our mission is to foster growth for a new generation of lifestyle consumer brands and technology companies that positively disrupt large and growing markets. We provide the best financial resources, expertise, and individual support available. Key Networking Opportunities for Cleveland Founders Cleveland's startup ecosystem is thriving, offering numerous opportunities for founders to connect, collaborate, and grow their ventures. The city provides a robust support system for entrepreneurs, from events and meetups to accelerators and co-working spaces. Local Events and Meetups Cleveland hosts a variety of networking events and meetups tailored to startup founders and entrepreneurs. Some notable ones include: Cleveland Tech Week: A week-long festival celebrating innovation and technology in Cleveland. It features panels, workshops, and networking sessions focused on growth hacking, marketing, and startup scaling. The Cleveland Networking Mixer: Held at venues like the Karamu House Theatre, this event brings together professionals from various industries to foster connections and share insights. Creative Meetups CLE: Aimed at fostering creativity and collaboration, this meetup is perfect for founders looking to connect with like-minded individuals in the creative and tech industries. Tri-C Student Pitch Competition: Hosted by Cuyahoga Community College, this event allows founders to pitch their ideas, receive feedback, and network with investors and mentors. Accelerators and Incubators Cleveland is home to several accelerators and incubators that provide mentorship, funding, and resources to startups: JumpStart Inc.: A leading accelerator in Cleveland, JumpStart offers funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities to early-stage startups. Flashstarts: This startup accelerator and venture fund focuses on early-stage companies, providing seed funding and mentorship. LaunchHouse: A co-working space and incubator that supports startups through mentorship, funding, and community events. Co-Working Spaces Cleveland's co-working spaces are hubs for innovation and collaboration, offering founders a place to work and network: 78th Street Studios: Known for its creative environment, this space is ideal for startups in the arts and design industries. COhatch Beachwood: A modern co-working space that hosts networking events and workshops for entrepreneurs. Resources for Cleveland Startups Cleveland offers many resources to support startups, from funding and mentorship to legal, financial, and marketing assistance. These resources are designed to help entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of launching and scaling their businesses. BioEnterprise: This organization focuses specifically on the bioscience industry in Northeast Ohio. They offer resources, connections, and expertise to help biotech and healthcare startups thrive. BioEnterprise provides access to funding, talent, and market intelligence. MAGNET (Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network): While not exclusively for startups, MAGNET provides resources and support for manufacturing companies in Northeast Ohio, including startups in the manufacturing sector. They offer consulting services, innovation programs, and connections to industry partners. The Entrepreneurs Center (TEC): Although primarily serving the Dayton region, TEC offers resources that can be accessed by startups throughout Ohio, including those in Cleveland. They provide business planning assistance, mentorship, and access to capital. OhioMeansJobs Cleveland-Cuyahoga County: This resource helps startups find and recruit talent. They offer job postings, recruitment assistance, and training programs to help startups build their teams. Small Business Administration (SBA) Cleveland District Office: The SBA offers a variety of programs and services to support small businesses, including startups. They provide access to loans, grants, counseling, and training. COSE (Council of Smaller Enterprises): COSE is a small business advocacy organization that provides resources, networking opportunities, and cost-saving programs to its members. They offer a range of services, including healthcare benefits, legal assistance, and marketing support. The Urban League of Greater Cleveland: The Urban League provides resources and support to minority-owned businesses in Cleveland. They offer business counseling, access to capital, and networking opportunities. The Hispanic Business Center: This center provides resources and support to Hispanic-owned businesses in Cleveland. They offer business counseling, access to capital, and networking opportunities. The Women's Business Center of Northern Ohio: This center provides resources and support to women-owned businesses in Cleveland. They offer business counseling, access to capital, and networking opportunities. Connect With Investors in Cleveland Using Visible At Visible, we often times 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. 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 and find a filtered list of Cleveland's investors here. 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.

Cincinnati has emerged as a thriving hub for startups and venture capital, driven by a unique blend of innovation, collaboration, and a supportive ecosystem. Known for its strong foundation of Fortune 500 companies like Procter & Gamble and Kroger, the city has cultivated a vibrant entrepreneurial landscape that spans industries such as health tech, SaaS, and consumer brands. Venture capital firms like Lightship Capital, Refinery Ventures, and CincyTech are at the forefront of this growth, providing critical funding and mentorship to startups with transformative potential. With a growing focus on diversity and inclusion, initiatives like Lightship Capital are empowering underrepresented founders, while collaborative efforts between startups and established corporations are accelerating innovation. As Cincinnati continues to attract talent, investment, and groundbreaking ideas, it solidifies its position as a leading startup hub in the Midwest. Top VCs in Cincinnati Lightship Capital About: Lightship Capital is a venture capital fund that is driving innovation and investment in the Midwest. Sweetspot check size: $ 500K Traction metrics requirements: Post Revenue Thesis: Inclusion is innovation. Refinery Ventures About: Refinery Ventures focuses on investing in information technology, digital health, and human capital technology sectors. Sweetspot check size: $ 2M Traction metrics requirements: We are looking for: Leaders with a clear vision and strong values Companies with hypergrowth potential and ambition Technology that will transform an experience, or an entire industry. Thesis: We invest in early scale companies – bridging the gap and mentoring our teams between post-seed and Series A funding. CincyTech About: CincyTech is one of the Midwest's most active seed funds, investing in disruptive human health and technology companies in Ohio. Sweetspot check size: $ 1M Traction metrics requirements: Data points to validate some market traction Thesis: Undeniably Better H Venture Partners About: H Venture Partners is an early-stage fund that invests in consumer brands. Sweetspot check size: $500K Thesis: H Venture Partners invests in early stage science-based consumer brands. Maywic Select Investments About: Maywic is a venture capital firm that invests in growth stage companies that promote healthy lifestyles, wellness, and well-being. Sweetspot check size: $ 2M Traction metrics requirements: At least $5MM of revenue Thesis: Keep Living Better Lightship Foundation About: Hillman Accelerator focuses on companies led by underrepresented individuals in tech by developing venture backable companies. Thesis: We serve underrepresented tech-driven startups through mentorship, specialized curriculum, partnerships, and capital investments-- providing them the resources and guidance they need to scale. Cintrifuse Capital About: Cintrifuse is dedicated to Supporting Startups, Igniting Innovation, Attracting Investment, and Catalyzing our Thriving Ecosystem to make Greater Cincinnati the #1 startup hub in the Midwest and a Top Innovation Center in the Country. We invest in startups through our venture arm, Cintrifuse Capital, which fuels startup success by providing strategic investments, mentorship, and connections to accelerate growth and drive innovation. Thesis: $250-500k Investments into Pre-Seed, Seed, & Series A rounds Procter & Gamble Ventures Studio About: P&G Ventures creates new brands and businesses that solve consumers’ everyday problems. Allos Ventures About: Investors in early-stage B2B software and business services companies in the Midwest. SaaS Capital About: As the name suggests, SaaS Capital exclusively finances SaaS companies. Their Committed Credit Facilities are specifically designed to fund the growth of a SaaS business in lieu of a round of equity. The company provides Committed Credit Facilities of $2 million to $15 million to SaaS companies with $200k and up in monthly recurring revenue (MRR).They understand the nuances of your business model and can get to ‘yes’ or ‘no’ quickly. Traction metrics requirements: $250,000 in monthly recurring software revenue. Service Provider Capital About: Venture fund whose limited partners include the most knowledgeable, respected and best connected service providers in the industry. Blue Chip Venture Company About: Blue Chip Venture Company is a leading venture capital firm providing capital and business-building assistance to entrepreneurs seeking to build growth companies. Their end-to-end approach to your success includes being an integral part of your strategic planning sessions, key employee recruiting, industry conferences, fund-raising, corporate partnerships, public offerings and more. Blue Chip has over $600 million of capital under management. River Cities Capital Funds About: RC Capital is a growth equity firm building high-potential healthcare companies by leveraging the unique interplay of our segments of focus: medical device, healthcare services and healthcare IT. We are dedicated to investing on the right side of healthcare, growing companies that enable clinicians to improve the delivery of care and the experiences and outcomes for patients. We seek to be a business partner first and a capital provider second, investing significant human capital to leverage our domain expertise, a network of healthcare thought leaders and deep relationships with health systems assembled over our 30-year history. With more than $1 billion of capital raised and a consistent track record, the firm has established itself as a preferred source of growth capital. Startup Trends in Cincinnati Cincinnati has emerged as a vibrant startup hub with a growing ecosystem supporting innovation across various industries. Here are the key trends shaping the city's startup landscape in 2025: Growth in Health Tech, SaaS, and Consumer Brands Cincinnati is making significant strides in health tech, SaaS, and consumer brands, driven by its strong foundation of Fortune 500 companies and a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem. The city ranks among the top Midwest startup hubs, excelling in health tech and fintech sectors. Consumer brands are also thriving, with Procter & Gamble Ventures Studio leading the way in fostering innovation. This division of Procter & Gamble supports startups that solve everyday consumer problems, leveraging the company's extensive resources and expertise. Increasing Focus on Diversity and Inclusion in Funding Cincinnati's startup ecosystem is becoming more inclusive, with initiatives to support underrepresented founders. Lightship, for example, is a venture capital firm dedicated to funding startups led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), women, and other underrepresented groups. This focus on diversity is helping to create a more equitable entrepreneurial environment and driving innovation across industries. Collaboration Between Startups and Established Corporations One of Cincinnati's unique strengths is the collaboration between startups and established corporations. Procter & Gamble and Kroger actively engage with startups to drive innovation. For instance, Procter & Gamble's 1819 Innovation Hub is a nexus for collaboration, connecting startups with resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities. This partnership model accelerates startup growth and helps established corporations stay ahead in their respective industries. Top Networking Events and Communities for Cincinnati Founders Cincinnati's startup ecosystem thrives on collaboration and community, offering numerous opportunities for founders to connect, learn, and grow. Here are some of the top networking events, coworking spaces, and programs that every founder in Cincinnati should know about: Key Events StartupCincy Week: This annual event is a cornerstone of Cincinnati's entrepreneurial community. It brings together over 1,000 attendees, including founders, investors, and innovators, for a week of workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. The event highlights Cincinnati as a hub of innovation and provides a platform for startups to showcase their work. Cintrifuse Networking Programs: Cintrifuse, a nonprofit organization supporting startups, hosts various events throughout the year, including Demo Nights and the Venture Velocity Program. These events connect founders with investors, mentors, and other ecosystem players, fostering meaningful collaborations. Coworking Spaces and Accelerators Union Hall: Located in the heart of Cincinnati, Union Hall serves as a coworking and event space for startups. Cintrifuse manages it and provides a vibrant environment for collaboration, with dedicated desks, private offices, and event rentals available. The Brandery: This nationally recognized accelerator focuses on consumer brands and offers a robust program that includes mentorship, funding, and access to a network of industry experts. It has been instrumental in helping startups scale and succeed. Local Meetups and Pitch Competitions Cincinnati Startup Founder 101: This Meetup group brings together aspiring and experienced tech entrepreneurs to discuss, meet, and collaborate. They host numerous free events throughout the year where you can learn best practices for starting a company, meet local founders and investors, exchange ideas, and get feedback. Recent and upcoming events include topics like "Why Leveraging Your Unique Life Proposition Is Crucial for Startup Success" and "Employee to Entrepreneur: How to Make the Transition to Startup Founder". Startup Grind Cincinnati: This is a global community for entrepreneurs that hosts monthly startup events to teach, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. It's a great place to meet new hires and investors. StartupCincy's Calendar of Events: Keep an eye on the StartupCincy calendar for pitch nights, workshops, and networking events. This is a central hub for startup activities in the region. Eventbrite: Search Eventbrite for "startup pitch" events in Cincinnati to find upcoming pitch competitions and related events. Connect With Investors in Cincinnati Using Visible At Visible, we often times 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. 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 and find a filtered list of Cincinnati's investors here. 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.

CleanTech and Climate Tech sectors are more crucial than ever, driving innovation to address our planet's most pressing environmental challenges. As an entrepreneur in these fields, you are part of a transformative movement focused on sustainability and climate action. However, navigating this landscape requires a unique set of strategies and insights. This comprehensive guide will provide the tools to overcome common hurdles, connect with venture capital firms actively investing in CleanTech and Climate Tech, and leverage opportunities for growth and impact. Definition and Differentiation: CleanTech vs. Climate Tech CleanTech (Clean Technology): CleanTech focuses on reducing industries' environmental footprints by improving efficiency, reducing waste, and utilizing renewable resources. This includes innovations in energy efficiency, renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro), green transportation, water purification, and waste management. Climate Tech (Climate Technology): Climate Tech specifically targets mitigating climate change effects. This involves technologies that focus on carbon capture and storage, climate modeling and monitoring, and adaptation technologies to cope with the impacts of climate change. While both sectors aim to promote sustainability, CleanTech broadly addresses environmental impacts across various industries, whereas Climate Tech is directly aimed at combating and adapting to climate change. Current Trends and Market Analysis Growth and Investment The CleanTech and Climate Tech sectors are experiencing unprecedented growth, fueled by an escalating global emphasis on sustainability and stringent environmental regulations. This growth is a response to the urgent need to address climate change and a reflection of the sectors' potential for significant economic returns. CleanTech Growth: Global Focus: The international community's increasing commitment to sustainable practices drives growth. Countries are implementing aggressive policies to reduce carbon footprints, benefiting CleanTech innovations in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and waste management. Investment Surge: Investors are pouring capital into CleanTech, recognizing sustainable technologies' long-term value and necessity. In 2023, global CleanTech investments surpassed previous records, signaling strong confidence in the sector. Climate Tech Momentum: Net-Zero Commitments: Governments and corporations worldwide are setting ambitious net-zero carbon goals. This accelerates developing and deploying Climate Tech solutions such as carbon capture and storage, climate resilience infrastructure, and advanced climate modeling tools. Early-Stage Investments: Venture capital funding in Climate Tech has seen a notable increase, particularly in early-stage startups. This trend is driven by the recognition that early investments in disruptive technologies can yield substantial returns as these innovations mature and scale. Technological Innovations Rapid technological advancements are a cornerstone of growth in both CleanTech and Climate Tech. These innovations improve efficiency, reduce costs, and open new frontiers for sustainable practices. Renewable Energy: Solar and Wind Advances: Developing more efficient solar panels and wind turbines makes renewable energy more accessible and cost-effective. Innovations such as bifacial solar panels and floating wind farms are expanding the potential for clean energy production. Energy Storage: Breakthroughs in battery technology, including solid-state batteries and grid-scale energy storage solutions, address the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources, facilitating a more reliable and resilient energy grid. Electric Vehicles (EVs): Transformation in Transportation: The EV market is experiencing explosive growth, driven by technological advancements in battery life, charging speed, and vehicle range. Innovations in EV infrastructure, such as widespread charging networks and vehicle-to-grid technology, further support this transformation. Sustainability in Manufacturing: Companies are increasingly focusing on sustainable practices in EV manufacturing, including using recycled materials and reducing the carbon footprint of production processes. Climate Tech Breakthroughs: Carbon Capture and Sequestration: Significant progress in carbon capture technologies enables more efficient and cost-effective ways to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it securely underground. AI-Driven Climate Modeling: The integration of artificial intelligence in climate modeling is enhancing the accuracy of climate predictions and providing valuable insights for mitigation and adaptation strategies. Market Drivers: Regulatory Pressures and Incentives: Environmental Standards: Governments are implementing stricter ecological regulations, compelling industries to adopt CleanTech and Climate Tech solutions. These regulations are often accompanied by substantial financial incentives, such as tax credits, grants, and subsidies, to encourage compliance and innovation. Policy Support: Policy frameworks supporting green technologies, including renewable energy mandates and carbon pricing mechanisms, create a favorable environment for sector growth. Consumer Demand: Sustainable Products and Services: Increasing consumer awareness and demand for environmentally friendly products drive companies to incorporate sustainable practices into their operations. This shift is evident across various industries, from fashion and food to transportation and energy. Market Differentiation: Companies prioritizing sustainability are gaining a competitive edge, attracting a growing segment of eco-conscious consumers. Corporate Sustainability Commitments: Carbon Neutrality Pledges: Corporations commit to ambitious sustainability goals, including achieving carbon neutrality. These commitments enhance their brand reputation and drive investments in CleanTech and Climate Tech solutions. Strategic Partnerships: Businesses are forming partnerships with CleanTech and Climate Tech startups to integrate innovative solutions into their operations, further fueling sector growth. Key Challenges and Opportunities in Each Sector Challenges High Capital Requirements: Both CleanTech and Climate Tech startups often face significant upfront costs for research, development, and deployment of their technologies. Regulatory Hurdles: Navigating complex and varying regulations across different regions can be daunting and time-consuming. Market Adoption: Proving the viability and scalability of new technologies in real-world applications is critical and often challenging. Opportunities Government Support: There are numerous grants, subsidies, and incentive programs available to support CleanTech and Climate Tech initiatives. Investor Interest: Increasing awareness of climate change impacts attracts more investors to these sectors, creating a favorable funding environment. Technological Advancements: Ongoing innovations provide new avenues for startups to differentiate themselves and capture market share. Corporate Partnerships: Collaborating with established corporations can provide startups with essential resources, market access, and credibility. Related resource: The Future is Green: 15 Climate Tech Startups to Watch This Year Focus on Impact Metrics Highlighting the environmental impact and sustainability benefits of the CleanTech solution can attract socially conscious investors and customers. Patagonia Patagonia, an outdoor clothing and gear company, places a strong emphasis on impact metrics related to sustainability. The company tracks and publicizes its efforts to reduce carbon emissions, minimize water usage, and promote responsible sourcing of materials. By transparently communicating its environmental initiatives, Patagonia attracts loyal customers who align with their values, and the company’s commitment to sustainability becomes a significant driver of brand loyalty. Patagonia’s Page: Environmental & Social Footprint Ecolab Ecolab, a global provider of water, hygiene, and energy technologies and services, focuses on impact metrics related to water conservation and sustainable operations. The company measures and reports on water savings achieved through its solutions, helping businesses and industries reduce water consumption and environmental impact. By demonstrating the positive environmental outcomes of its services, Ecolab attracts clients who prioritize sustainability, leading to long-term partnerships and business growth. Ecolab’s 2030 Impact Goals Ecolab Releases 2022 Corporate Sustainability Report, Highlights Progress Toward 2030 Impact Goals Resources Impact Investors and Fund Managers to Know Climate Tech’s Evolution: The Maturation to a Competitive, Returns-Focused Thematic Investment Sector From Clean Tech 1.0 to Climate Tech 2.0: A New Era of Investment Opportunities The climate tech sector is booming—here are the applications VCs are most excited about The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) For impact investors, the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) offers a directory of its members, many of whom are impact investors interested in sustainable technologies. VCs Investing in Clean Tech and Climate Tech Startups Lowercarbon Capital About: Lowercarbon Capital invests in decarbonization technologies across various sectors, including energy, transportation, food, and manufacturing. They fund research and invest in technologies to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere. For too long, the world has ignored the scientists, inventors, and entrepreneurs who are pursuing solutions to lower emissions, remove carbon, actively cool the planet, and save human, animal, and plant life as we know it. We are working to fix that. Third Sphere About: Third Sphere works for founders transforming global systems. We’ve made over 100 investments in notable firms like Cove Tool, OneWheel and Bowery Farming. We’re usually a pre-customer investor and offer traditional venture as well as credit finance, along with coaching and connections to over 12,000 customers, investors focused on re-imagining our planet. Our team is ranked in the 99th percentile of climatetech investors on NFX Signal, and Techcrunch named us one of the top 10 VCs founders love the most. We know that climate is about more than carbon—it’s also about force multipliers like asset finance and distribution. We believe the best climate solutions don’t look like climate solutions at all, just better, faster, and cheaper products and services. We prefer rapid deployment that will get us close to 1.5C in warming while upgrading our systems to make them more resilient. But we’ll also look at moonshot opportunities because we know we need a plan B. Thesis: A real investment is about more than capital. We invest at the earliest stages, usually pre-customer, stay close to our founders, and work with them from the inception of our relationship so they can build relationships with other founders, investors, and customers. Breakthrough Energy Ventures About: Launched by Bill Gates, Breakthrough Energy Ventures invests in companies developing technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Breakthrough Energy is dedicated to helping humanity avoid a climate disaster. Through investment vehicles, philanthropic programs, policy advocacy, and other activities, we’re committed to scaling the technologies we need to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Thesis: Breakthrough Energy Ventures provides reliable and affordable power without contributing to climate change. Energy Impact Partners About: Energy Impact Partners LP (EIP) is a global investment platform that invests in companies shaping the energy landscape of the future. EIP brings together entrepreneurs and the world’s most forward-looking energy and industrial companies to advance innovation. With over $2.5 billion in assets under management, EIP invests globally across venture, growth, credit, and infrastructure – and has a team of over 70 professionals based in its offices in New York, San Francisco, Palm Beach, London, Washington D.C., Cologne, and Oslo. Thesis: We bring together incumbents and innovators in a differentiated collaborative model to build and scale businesses for substantial impact. Generation Investment Management About: Co-founded by former US Vice President Al Gore, Generation Investment Management focuses on sustainable investments, including Climate Tech. Since its founding in 2004, Generation has played a pioneering role in the development of sustainable and environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing. Prelude Ventures About: Prelude Ventures is a venture capital firm partnering with entrepreneurs to address climate change. Since 2013, we have invested in over 40 companies across advanced energy, food and agriculture, transportation and logistics, advanced materials and manufacturing, and advanced computing. We have a long-term commitment to the sector, accept informed risks, and couple a fundamental emphasis on venture-level returns with an understanding of deep-tech and hardware development timelines. Prelude manages capital exclusively for Simons family philanthropic entities and is a founding member of the Breakthrough Energy Coalition. Thesis: We invest in the low-carbon economy. 3×5 Partners About: In everything we do, we allow our love for each other and for the planet to be our guide. We seek out companies that are delivering advancements in clean air, food, water, shelter, education, healthcare, sanitation, and climate and environmental sustainability. When we find companies that align with our mission, we go beyond due diligence and take the time needed to build relationships grounded in trust, shared vision, transparency, and mutual accountability. Third Derivative About: We are building an inclusive, global ecosystem that rapidly finds, funds, and scales climate tech innovation and transforms markets. Thesis: We are mission driven and market focused. Rising to the climate crisis challenge is a once-in-a-generation, trillion-dollar economic opportunity. That’s why we were founded with purpose: to find, fund, hone, and scale the most-promising technologies to achieve larger, faster reductions in global carbon emissions. Evergreen Climate Innovations About: Clean Energy Trust is a cleantech accelerator that fuels innovation to create a healthier environment and more prosperous future. Clean Energy Trust is a 501C3 public charity. Our unique funding model gives us the flexibility to invest early in promising technology and young companies. We invest across the spectrum of cleantech including energy efficiency, agriculture, energy generation, energy storage, and transportation technologies. Sweetspot check size: $ 100K Greentown Labs About: Greentown Labs is a community of climate action pioneers working to design a more sustainable world. As the largest climatetech startup incubator in North America, Greentown Labs brings together startups, corporates, investors, policymakers, and many others with a focus on scaling climate solutions. Driven by the mission of providing startups the resources, knowledge, connections, and equipment they need to thrive, Greentown Labs offers lab space, shared office space, a machine shop, an electronics lab, software and business resources, and a large network of corporate customers, investors, and more. With incubators in Somerville, Mass. and Houston, Texas, Greentown Labs is home to more than 200 startups and has supported more than 500 since the incubator’s founding in 2011. These startups have collectively created more than 24,000 jobs, raised more than $4 billion in funding, and generated more than $9.8 billion in regional economic impact. Future Energy Ventures About: Future Energy Ventures is a unique venture capital platform that brings together corporate partners and world-class start-ups to shape the future energy landscape. Future Energy Ventures is the venture capital investment and collaboration platform of E.ON, one of Europe’s largest operators of energy networks and energy-related infrastructure and a provider of innovative customer solutions for about 50 million customers. Thesis: Future Energy Ventures is born from the energy industry, but it understands energy must converge with other sectors to create a sustainable and prosperous future. This is why we go beyond energy to invest in companies solving problems in cities or building frontier technology. The realization of our ambition relies on collaboration and partnerships; between people and companies from many different industries. Looking for Investors? Try Visible Today! 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. Related Resource: Clean Tech and Climate Tech VC profiles in our Fundraising CRM

At Visible, we typically 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 12 Best VC Funds You Should Know About Like sales, a healthy fundraising funnel starts by finding the right investors. This can be based on geography, check size, focus areas, etc. For founders looking for investors in the San Francisco area, check out our list below: 1. Accel As put by their team, “Accel is a leading venture capital firm that invests in people and their companies from the earliest days through all phases of private company growth.” Focus and industry: Accel is industry agnostic Funding stage: Accel invests across many stages — from pre-seed to series B and beyond Accel is synonymous with venture capital in San Francisco. Accel was founded in 1983 and has since funded 1,500+ companies. They have funds across the globe and invest in founders across many geographies, industries, and stages. Some of their most popular investments include: Facebook Slack Spotify Location: Palo Alto, CA 2. Greylock Partners As put by their team, “At Greylock, our mission is to help realize rare potential. To do this well, we believe it’s essential to be trusted partners to entrepreneurs at every stage — from idea to IPO. The entrepreneurs we back have the vision to build something huge that hasn’t existed before. They are paranoid about what could go wrong — but are obsessed with what can go right. They are mission-driven, intellectually honest and infinite learners. They have raw ambition, bravery, and grit. They don’t give up, ever. And they are unique in their ability to lead and inspire others to join their journey.” Focus and industry: Greylock is focused on enterprise, consumer, and crypto software Related Resource: FinTech Venture Capital Investors to Know Funding stage: Greylock invest from pre-seed to series B and beyond As put by their team, “We focus on enterprise, consumer, and crypto software at Seed and Series A, and also make new company investments in Series B and beyond. We support entrepreneurs throughout their journey from idea to IPO and onwards.” Some of their most popular investments include: Airbnb Facebook Figma Location: Menlo Park, CA 3. Menlo Ventures As put by their team, “Genuinely, actively invested. Invested in your success, but also your struggles. Your questions, your concerns, your highs, your lows. We don’t just invest our dollars, we invest our dedication, our drive. Our tested advice and trusted support. That’s because, when we find an idea we believe in, we’re all engaged. When we’re in, we’re ALL IN.” Focus and industry: Menlo Ventures focuses on the following industries: Consumer Cloud Infrastructure Cybersecurity Fintech Healthcare SaaS Supply Chain and Automation Related Resource: 15 Cybersecurity VCs You Should Know Funding stage: Menlo Ventures across stages from inception to series B and beyond As put by their team, “We are investors and company builders—we know what it takes to turn a budding idea into a scalable business. We work with early-stage founders to find product-market fit, develop go-to-market strategies, scale their organizations, and support them as they grow.” Some of their most popular investments include: Affinity Minted Roku Location: Menlo Park, CA 4. Spark Capital As put by their team, “We are Spark Capital, investors in products we love by creators we admire, including Affirm, Carta, Cruise, Discord, Oculus, Plaid, Postmates, Slack, Twitter, and Wayfair. We know there are no playbooks or formulas for success and are here to help founders win their own way. We invest across all sectors and stages, and work out of San Francisco, Boston, and New York City.” Focus and industry: Spark Capital invests across all industries Funding stage: Spark Capital invests across all stages Like many of the funds on this list, Spark Capital has been investing across all industries and all stages for decades. Some of their most popular investments include: Twitter Slack Affirm Location: San Francisco – Boston – New York 5. Bessemer Venture Partners As put by their team, “Bessemer Venture Partners is the world’s most experienced early-stage venture capital firm. With a portfolio of more than 200 companies, Bessemer helps visionary entrepreneurs lay strong foundations to create companies that matter, and supports them through every stage of their growth.” Focus and industry: BVP invests across many industries Funding stage: BVP invests in early-stage companies BVP has become a leader in early-stage investments. They focus on companies across the globe and have backed some of the most famous companies to date. Some of their most popular investments include: LinkedIn Shopify Yelp Location: San Francisco, CA 6. Altos Ventures As put by their team, “Altos Ventures was founded in 1996, to exclusively address the needs of promising, young technology companies and entrepreneurs. Because of their focus on entrepreneurs – along with their network of co-investors, partners, and industry experts—they know how to build viable business models so companies can move on to the next stage of growth.” Focus and industry: List the focus, industry, or types of companies this VC typically invests in. Funding stage: Altos Ventures is focused on early-stage companies Altos Ventures is a purpose-driven investment fund that is focused on the fundamentals. Some of their most popular investments include: Bench Outdoorsy Roblox Location: Menlo Park, CA 7. Andreessen Horowitz As put by their team, “Andreessen Horowitz was established in June 2009 by entrepreneurs and engineers Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, based on their vision for a new, modern VC firm designed to support today’s entrepreneurs. Andreessen and Horowitz have a track record of investing in, building and scaling highly successful businesses.” Focus and industry: Andreessen Horowitz invests across many industries, including: Bio + Health Cultural Leadership Consumer Crypto Enterprise Fintech Games Related Resource: 15 Venture Capital Firms Investing in VR Funding stage: Andreessen Horowitz invests across all stages. As put by their team, “a16z is defined by respect for the entrepreneur and the company building process; we know what it’s like to be in the founder’s shoes. The firm is led by general partners, many of whom are former founders/operators, CEOs, or CTOs of successful technology companies, and who have domain expertise ranging from biology to crypto to distributed systems to security to marketplaces to financial services.” Some of their most popular investments include: Affirm Airbnb Coinbase Location: Menlo Park, CA 8. Expa As put by their team, “Expa is where the best startups find support and funding to scale. Collectively, we’ve launched dozens of companies, supported 50+ founders, and reached hundreds of millions of users. Our community of builders includes the founders and leaders of Uber, Virgin Galactic, Twitter, Current, and more.” Focus and industry: Expa invests across many industries Funding stage: Expa focuses on early-stage investments As put by their team, “Expa was created by Uber co-founder Garrett Camp to support the next generation of founders. The partners at Expa are builders and operators themselves, who can provide founders with practical advice in product design, branding, engineering, operations, and recruiting.” Some of their most popular investments include: Aero Drip Radar Location: San Francisco, CA 9. Benchmark Venture Capital As put on their Visible Connect profile, “Benchmark Capital is focused on one, and only one, mission: to help talented entrepreneurs build great technology companies. That’s what drives them and everything they do – from how they organize their firm to their investment strategy.” Focus and industry: Benchmark is focused on social, mobile, local, and cloud companies. Funding stage: According to their Visible Connect profile, “Their investments range in size from as little as $100,000 to as much as $10 or $15 million. Typically, they invest $3 to $5 million initially and expect to invest $5 to $15 million over the life of a company.” Benchmark has raised 6 funds that span 2 decades. Some of Benchmark’s most popular investments include: Asana Dropbox Zillow Location: San Francisco, CA 10. First Round Venture Capital As put by their team, “We’re focused on being the world’s best partner for founders at the very first stages of company creation — so we’ve designed the firm to do just that. When you work with First Round, you get super active partners (most of whom are former founders themselves) working side-by-side with you on your biggest and smallest challenges.” Focus and industry: First Round invests across all industries Funding stage: First Round likes to be the first check in a company, regardless of stage. As put by their team, “Typically, our initial investment in a startup ranges from $1 million to $5 million, but we’ve gone higher and lower in some cases. Currently, our average initial investment is right around $3 million.” Some of First Round’s most popular investments include: Notion The Black Tux Uber Location: San Francisco – New York – Philadelphia 11. Y Combinator Y Combinator is synonymous with accelerators. As put by their team, “Y Combinator (YC) is a startup fund and program. Since 2005, YC has invested in nearly 3,000 companies including Airbnb, DoorDash, Stripe, Instacart, Dropbox, and Coinbase. The combined valuation of YC companies is over $300B. YC has programs and resources that support founders throughout the life of their company.” Focus and industry: Y Combinator invests across all industries. Funding stage: Y Combinator helps companies launch with a $500k check. Since its inception in 2005, Y Combinator has been accredited for helping launch, fund, and grow some of the most prolific startups. Some of their most popular investments include: Airbnb DoorDash Stripe Location: San Francisco, CA Find top investors in the Bay Area with Visible 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.

As an ambitious founder, joining an accelerator program can be a major stepping stone to startup success. By joining an accelerator, startups can fast-track their progress, accessing resources and networks that would otherwise take years to build. The impact of such programs is evident when we look at companies like Dropbox, Airbnb, and Reddit, each of which gained invaluable benefits from accelerator experiences with Y Combinator. By turbocharging their development, these companies leaped ahead, becoming industry leaders and household names. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the world of accelerators, helping you understand why such a program could be a game-changer for your startup and some startup Accelerators to consider from our Connect investment database. Benefits of Joining an Accelerator One of the most significant advantages of accelerator programs lies in the mentorship they provide. Founders are often p aired with experienced entrepreneurs, investors, or industry experts who guide them through their growth trajectory. These mentors provide a wealth of industry insights, and strategic guidance that can open doors to significant networking opportunities. Related resource: Should Your Startup Have Mentors? Key Benefits and Considerations Alongside this, accelerators usually offer a certain amount of funding in exchange for equity. This early-stage capital injection can be crucial for startups to build their prototype, hire talent, or scale their operations. It also opens up a vast network of fellow founders, investors, and industry professionals, creating an ecosystem of collaboration and learning. Additionally, founders gain access to resources and tools, such as workspaces, training sessions, and state-of-the-art technology. Accelerators ensure startups have what they need to succeed in today’s competitive market. These cumulative benefits can often be the catalyst that propels a young startup from stagnation to rapid growth. Related resource: The Top 16 Accelerators Powering Startup Growth “We surveyed 43 founders who attended these accelerators to better understand their biggest takeaways from each respective program. Founders highlighted many aspects of the accelerator programs, including access to quality advisers, mentors, and corporations, the strength of the program’s network, and the benefits of an environment that encourages deep thinking and iteration. They also appreciated education on fundraising and warm connections to investors and potential customers. On the other hand, founders expressed the need for more education on running a company.” – PitchBook Newsletter Related resource: 12 Online Startup Communities for Founders Selection Criteria and Application Process Accelerators receive a plethora of applications, but only a handful make the cut. Therefore, understanding the selection criteria is crucial. Generally, these programs look for startups with high business potential, meaning your idea should solve a significant problem and have a sizable market. Team composition also plays a vital role; accelerators prefer diverse, dedicated, and capable teams that can withstand the rigors of startup life. Scalability is another crucial factor; your business should have the potential to grow rapidly and provide a return on investment. As for the application process, it usually begins with an online application where you’ll provide information about your startup and why you believe it would benefit from the program. You’ll likely need to submit a pitch deck – a brief presentation outlining your business plan. If your application is shortlisted, the next stage is usually an interview with the accelerator’s selection committee. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your passion, knowledge, and commitment. Related resource: Our Teaser Pitch Deck Template Startup Growth Metrics and Benchmarks For startups looking to attract accelerator interest and subsequent investment, monitoring and presenting the right growth metrics is critical. Key metrics include Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) and Year-over-Year (YoY) growth to showcase revenue consistency and scalability. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and Lifetime Value (LTV) ratio provide insights into the efficiency of marketing strategies and customer value. Engagement metrics, like Daily Active Users (DAU) or Monthly Active Users (MAU), highlight product stickiness and user adoption. Tracking these metrics allows startups to demonstrate growth potential and operational efficiency to potential accelerators and investors. Equity vs. Non-equity Programs For founders, choosing between equity-based and non-equity accelerators is a crucial decision that impacts the future of your startup. Equity-based programs typically require you to give up a portion of your company's equity in exchange for capital, mentorship, and resources. This can be a good option if you're looking for substantial funding and are willing to share your company's ownership. On the other hand, non-equity accelerators offer support without taking any stake in your company, ideal for those who wish to retain full ownership. However, they might offer less capital. Consider your startup's funding needs, how much control you're willing to share, and the specific benefits each program offers to make an informed decision. Related resource: Pros and Cons of Crowdfunding for Your Startup Legal and IP Considerations for Startups in Accelerators When joining an accelerator, it's crucial to carefully navigate legal and intellectual property (IP) considerations. Protecting your startup's IP is paramount, as it forms the core of your value proposition. Ensure you understand the terms of the accelerator agreement, especially concerning IP rights and confidentiality. Some accelerators may require disclosure of your IP, so it's essential to have clear agreements in place to protect your interests. Consulting with a legal expert specializing in startup and IP law can provide tailored advice, helping you safeguard your assets while benefiting from the accelerator's resources and network. Engaging in due diligence and obtaining professional legal guidance are key steps in this process. What to Expect from an Accelerator Most programs are highly structured and rigorous, designed to make the most of every minute. A typical day could include a blend of workshops, mentorship sessions, networking events, and ample amounts of time for product development. Accelerators push startups to evolve rapidly, so the schedule can be demanding. Expect long days and tight deadlines, but also a supportive, collaborative environment full of passionate people who share your entrepreneurial spirit. It’s a high-intensity period, but the pace is intentionally set to prepare you for the demanding nature of running a startup. Preparing the Team Preparing your team for an accelerator program is much like gearing up for a marathon. The program’s intensity means your team will need to be mentally prepared and resilient. Transparency is key – ensure your team understands the expectations and commitments of the program. Encourage open communication about concerns and questions. Prioritize team health and well-being to avoid burnout. Foster a culture of agility and quick decision-making, as accelerators move at a fast pace. Regular check-ins and debriefs can help the team navigate the experience collectively, learning and pivoting as needed. Setting realistic and achievable goals before entering an accelerator is crucial. Having clear objectives will help you stay focused amidst the whirlwind of activities and opportunities. Your goals could range from product development milestones, market validation, and customer acquisition targets, to preparing for fundraising. Be ambitious, but also practical – consider your team’s capacity and the program’s duration. Your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Remember, these goals are not set in stone; they should evolve as you receive new information and feedback during the program. Regularly revisit and revise your goals to ensure they align with your startup’s growth and the invaluable feedback you’ll receive within the accelerator environment. Related resource: Startup Metrics You Need to Monitor Navigating Post-Accelerator Challenges After completing an accelerator program, startups face the challenge of maintaining momentum. To sustain growth, focus on continuous learning and adaptability, leveraging the network and resources acquired during the program. Establish clear, achievable goals for short and long-term growth, and continuously measure performance against these objectives. Engage with the accelerator alumni community for support and potential collaboration opportunities. Prioritize building strong customer relationships and refining your value proposition based on feedback. Lastly, maintain fiscal discipline while seeking further investment opportunities to fuel growth. Resources The most active startup accelerators and where they’re investing Accelerator connect profiles in our Fundraising CRM Seed-DB maintains a global list of accelerators and data on their funded startups. Barclays Eagle Labs: Our passion is innovation and growth so much so, that in 2015 when underused Barclays spaces became available we created Eagle Labs, a network made up of member businesses, partners, investors, corporates, mentors, banking expertise and so much more. Startup Accelerators to Check Out Buildit Accelerator And Program Info Provided by Arta Beitāne, Associate and Accelerator Program Manager About: Buildit is an accelerator that supports hardware and IoT startups in turning an idea into a tangible, market-worthy product. Sweetspot check size: $ 300K Traction metrics requirements: Must have an MVP or working prototype Thesis: At Buildit you don’t just get a product accelerator. You get a partner in development that’s invested in seeing you succeed. Program Specifics: What does the curriculum include? What skills and knowledge areas does the program focus on? “​Curriculum topics: Smart prototyping, design for manufacturing, business modelling and pricing, efficient marketing with 0$ budget, pitch trainings, Fundraising & Legalese, IP protection, Sustainability and ESG reporting since Day 1…The program focuses on setting up the startup so that the team can raise their next investment rounds – clear plans and milestones, team competencies, IP rights, etc.” Mentorship and Network: Who are the mentors and what are their backgrounds? “​Mentors are of various profiles, and the group constantly changes as we are on a constant lookout for fresh perspectives. Mentors usually are or have been founders themselves, some are investors and some are specialists in their own areas (lawyers, engineers, consultants). What networking opportunities exist within the program? What kinds of professionals will they have access to? “​Mentors (a long list of 300 experts, compiled over years) and investors mainly.” Success Stories and Track Record: What notable companies have gone through the program?” “​We’re proud [amongst others] of STRIGA, Naco Technologies, Alternative Plants to name a few.” Post-Program Support: What kind of support (if any) is offered to startups after they complete the program? “​In most cases, we invest in our program graduates. Participants are pre-selected in a way where we see high potential of a Buildit investment case. The network is quite widespread geographically and industry-wise, nevertheless, relatively closely knit, therefore, we see high likelihood in portfolio company founders helping each other + we try to host annual in-person events to facilitate relationship building and rekindling.” Aviatra Accelerators About: Aviatra Accelerators empowers women entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses faster and with more confidence. Thesis: We offer classes, coaching and community to women entrepreneurs. Our program “Capital-Ready Women” helps women get ready to successfully access capital from lenders and investors. "Our newest program for women entrepreneurs is Capital-Ready Women. It’s designed to help women get ready to successfully access capital from lenders and investors. It begins with our Free Fundability Assessment, available at FreeFundabilityAssessment.com." Union Kitchen About: Union Kitchen is a Food Business Accelerator. We build successful food businesses by bringing together our Accelerator with access to our Kitchen, Distribution, and Stores. Since starting in 2012, we’ve worked with over 650 food businesses, including DC favorites Compass Coffee, Snacklins, Mas Panadas, Caribe and many more! Union Kitchen also launched an investment fund in 2022. Are you ready to build your successful food business? Apply here: https://unionkitchen.com/apply Lair East Labs About: Lair East Labs is an early-stage venture firm based in New York City that empowers founders to expand internationally. At the heart of Lair East Labs comes our founder-centric accelerator program. Each cohort intakes 10 startups to receive curriculum content, mentorship network, office space, and investments of up to $150K. Our 4-month program combines the best of two worlds: learning from alum founders and gaining access to a diverse mentor and investor network with extensive experience navigating the Asian markets. Our portfolio companies have raised $65 million of funding after completing the accelerator. For more information, please visit https://laireastlabs.com Traction metrics requirements: Must have a MVP for software-centric startups or associated IP or research paper to validate the technology for DeepTech companies Arkley Brinc About: Arkley is an Accelerator VC that focuses on early-stage hardware startups to help them grow from prototype to IPO. Thesis: We are the most individual acceleration program on earth. Representing the bespoke model: We do what’s necessary to make you do what’s impossible. We are working with startups as a team member in order to achieve agreed operational and financial goals by using Arkley’s ecosystem. Accelerator Centre About: Accelerator Centre is a network of facilities dedicated to developing and commercializing technology startups. Thesis: The Accelerator Centre is an award-winning startup accelerator dedicated to building and scaling sustainable, globally competitive companies and giving startups the highest probability of long-term success. Dreamit Ventures About: Dreamit is a venture fund and growth-focused accelerator for Urbantech, Securetech, and Healthtech startups Sweetspot check size: $ 1M Traction metrics requirements: Seek healthtech and securetech companies with early commercial traction and proven product market fit that are focused on scaling. Thesis: Dreamit Ventures is a fund and growth program focused on startups with revenue or pilots that are ready to scale. Capital Innovators About: Capital Innovators provides top-ranked accelerator programs, venture fund management, and corporate innovation. It manages private and corporate venture funds focused on technology, consumer products, and energy innovations. Capital Innovators has helped scale 188 companies and assisted them in raising over $600 MM in follow-on investment and creating over 2,900 jobs. HARDS About: The First Brazilian Software/Hardware Accelerator Thesis: How do we acceerate your startup? It’s easy .. years of experience from our investors, partners, mentors, advisors and managers in hardware and software development, added to the experience of accelerating Darwin Startups! Village Capital About: Our mission is to reinvent the system to back the entrepreneurs of the future. Our vision is a future where business builds equity and long-term prosperity. gener8tor About: gener8tor is a nationally ranked, concierge accelerator that invests in high-growth startups. Sweetspot check size: $ 100K AngelPad About: AngelPad is a seed-stage accelerator program that finds product market fit, defining a target market to get first validation for a company. Sweetspot check size: $ 1M Thesis: Find awesome companies with founders we like to work with and spend three very intense months with them. The Alchemist Accelerator About: The Alchemist Accelerator is a venture-backed initiative focused on accelerating startups whose revenue comes from enterprises. Sweetspot check size: $ 75K Traction metrics requirements: Looking for companies from the idea stage to 15K+ in MRR FounderFuel About: FounderFuel is a mentor-driven venture accelerator that helps new startups make progress on the venture path. Sweetspot check size: $ 120K Thesis: We ignite the global success of companies by developing the leaders behind them. Amplify About: Amplify is a pre-seed fund in Venice, CA dedicated to backing strong teams at the earliest stages and supporting from first check to exit. Thesis: At Amplify, our vision is clear — help passionate technology entrepreneurs grow their startups into strong, scalable & successful companies. Flashpoint About: Flashpoint is an international tech investment manager with approx. $400 million AUM focused on international tech companies originating out of Europe and Israel. Flashpoint manages five venture funds: three VC funds, a Venture Debt Fund, and a Secondary Fund. The firm is headquartered in London and has offices in New York, Tel-Aviv, Budapest, Warsaw, Riga, and Nicosia. Global Insurance Accelerator About: The Global Insurance Accelerator is a mentor-driven business accelerator designed to foster innovation in the insurance industry through startups targeting the global insurance industry. We take in early-stage companies who are building solutions that support the insurance industry. We provide seed funding, networking with our mentors, a desk in our beautiful office in Des Moines, 100-days of on-site support and time on stage at the Global Insurance Symposium with hundreds industry executives in attendance. This is not your typical accelerator. Our investors are insurance carriers, our mentors are primarily insurance executives. Startups participating in our program find product-market fit and do customer discovery faster than they could ever do at any other accelerator. We are a strategic partner. The Deal: Investment with founder-friendly terms: $50k in the form of a post-money SAFE that converts to 5% of the company; no board seat Curated meetings with 75+ insurance-focused mentors in program; dozens more after Final presentations @ Global Insurance Symposium (~600 attendees in 2019) Additional exposure at industry conferences One-bedroom, residential-style suite at the Staybridge Suites, with amenities including daily breakfast, nightly dinner, gym, pool, and laundry (in-person nights / 2-minute walk from GIA) Office space for your entire team Typical accelerator perks (deals on hosting, marketing tools, etc) Stocked fridge at the GIA office Founders need to be in Des Moines during the program, business-related travel is supported Hardware.co About: HARDWARE.co is a global community and accelerator for entrepreneurs, industry professionals and makers dedicated to the creation of innovative hardware products and companies. HARDWARE.co is made out of several interconnected components to serve, maintain, and grow our community. The HARDWARE.co Accelerator, Lab, Meetups, and Online Platform form a multichannel resource to give community members the opportunity to create leading products and companies. We support every stage of hardware development – from ideas, to prototypes, to investments, and beyond. mHUB About: mHUB is the nation’s leading hardtech and manufacturing innovation center. We offer membership options, run accelerator programs and provide research and development services to ensure the manufacturing industry continues to accelerate, grow and thrive. Since launching in 2017, the mHUB community has generated more than $1B in revenue, launched more than 1,500 products, hired more than 5,100 employees, and raised over $1.5B in capital. The mHUB facility, located in Chicago, is 80,000+ square feet and home to over 10 labs for prototyping and manufacturing. Labs include: 3D Printer Lab, Cold Metals Lab, Electronics Lab, Finishing Lab, Hot Metals Lab, Laser Cutting Lab, Plastics Lab, Testing Lab, Textiles Lab, Water Work Lab, and Woodworking Lab. There is more than $6 million of equipment and resources for members as well as over 5,000 square feet of event space. Check size: $ 175K - $ 750K Looking for Investors? Try Visible Today! 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. Related Resource: Accelerator connect profiles in our Fundraising CRM

Getting connected with potential investors for your fundraise is laborious. Quite often it feels like you are playing a massive game of inside baseball and thought leaders tell you that the only way in is to have a warm introduction. The reality is that investors are open to cold pitches and well known companies like Box were funded through a cold email. We equate a fundraising process to that of a B2B Enterprise sale. Any great B2B sales team leverages cold emailing as a channel to set meetings. The same principles that apply to B2B cold emailing also apply for your fundraise. Remember… an investors job is to find the needle in the haystack, your job is to create signal amongst all of the noise. Below we’ll provide some tips, common mistakes and templates to level up your fundraising game. Target the Appropriate Investors Make sure you are reaching out to investors who are at the right stage, sector and investment geography for your startup. p.s. Visible Connect makes this process 100x easier as we let you sort by stage, check size, sector geography and more. If you are a life sciences startup don’t email investors about your E-commerce DTC brand. Absolutely email investors if you fit their thesis/stage/traction requirements and bonus points if they have mentioned it recently on Twitter or a blog post. Ryan Floyd from Storm Ventures has a great section in his post on how to target your email appropriately. If you are mass emailing investors you’ll be wasting your precious time. Never bcc multiple investors, this will be obvious. Personalize your email to maximize responses and make sure it comes from your email (never outsource, use an alias, etc). Write Concise Emails Keep it simple yet significant. 50-200 words is all you need. Most of the articles link to in this post believe 100 words is the sweet spot. The template provided below comes in under 100 words. For the past months I have reviewed about 10-20 “cold” emails per day and there is a clear pattern for those emails that stand out from the crowd -> 5 characteristics of great cold emails below: — Beata Klein ? (@axeliaklein) August 11, 2020 Beata Klein from Creandum includes this data point in a great thread about reaching out cold. Your goal when reaching out cold is to get a reply, that’s it. You are not trying to get them to write you a check on the spot because of some brilliant 10,000-word email you have put together. No investor will read a long-winded pitch that includes your manifesto, the biographies of all founders, and ten years of financial projections you have zero chance of hitting. You are reaching out cold. Just like sales, you want to create a path to the next thing (meeting, term sheet, etc). In this part of the funnel, you just want a reply to hopefully set an intro call. Be Specific in the Body of the Email The body of the email should quickly describe what makes your startup different, unique and worthy of a meeting. We have found the common tips to work well. Be Clear and Specific This post in Hackernoon gives a great example for subject lines: “When I was fielding pitches as a writer, a subject line that read “we’re disrupting furniture” was much less likely to earn a write-up than “We manufacture chairs made of human hair.” What is the unique aspect of your company or product? You should probably lead with that attribute.” Name Drop Have a well-known angel? Were you written up by the press? Do you have widely known customers? Did your teamwork at a top-tier tech company? Did you win a big pitch competition (e.g TechCrunch Disrupt) You should use this social proof and draft big brand names when possible. This helps you bring some credibility to your unknown startup and de-risk it a touch (you are reaching out cold remember). Share Your Best Metrics Include 1-2 key metrics about your startup that create some sizzle. Some examples depending on your business: $20k in MRR and growing 30% MoM Net Dollar Retention is 130% comprised of customers like Unilever and Amex. Payback is period of 2 months with a CAC of $180. Repeat order rate of 50% 30,000 active users growing 30% each month Related Resource: 6 Metrics Every Startup Founder Should Track Use Clear Formatting Avoid a wall of text that will be glanced over. Make the email easy to scan, including bullets and appropriate line spacing. Include the Deck Upfront You are reaching out cold and don’t want to create more friction. Remove anything that might be sensitive but you can attach your deck as a link or PDF. Upload your pitch deck and share it with Visible here. Related Resource: Our Teaser Pitch Deck Template Investor Outreach Email Template Want some inspiration and help getting started? Use our template below to give you a jumpstart. Enter your email below to make a copy of our template so you can cold email investors. How to Use Visible’s Investor Outreach Email Template Of course, crafting the message is a small part of the battle. To improve your odds of booking a meeting or moving an investor to the next step, you will need to have a strategy in place for your outreach. Check out a few of our tips for using the investor outreach email template below: Find the Right Contact Email First things first, you need to make sure you are reaching out to the correct person. Fundraising is a long process so you want to make sure you are spending your time speaking with the right people. A few tools to help include LinkedIn, Clear Bit, and AnyMail Finder. Related Resource: How To Find Private Investors For Startups Draft a Concise First Draft Using our Template To help you get started, we’ve put together a template. Every business is different so be sure to edit the template for what best suits you and your business. Download the template below: Related Resource: How to Write the Perfect Investment Memo Lead with Strength Jonah Midanik, GP at Forum Ventures, believes founders should always lead a cold email with their strengths. Your strength could be you were employee #3 at Facebook, you had a consulting business in the domain, a specific metric, etc. Check out more of Jonah’s advice below: Emphasize Why You Are an Intriguing Investment Investors are receiving hundreds of pitches so standing out is a must. On top of an intriguing business, we suggest including some emphasis and personalization in your email. Investors want to know you are intelligent and targeted with your outreach. Provide Data on Your Startups Growth Investors want to invest in businesses that are growing and show signs that they can grow into a company capable of a huge exit. Related Resource: 6 Metrics Every Startup Founder Should Track Always Follow-up As we mentioned earlier, investors are receiving countless emails and pitches so odds are some emails will slip through the cracks. Make sure you have a game plan in place to follow up with potential investors you have yet to hear from. Related Resource: Investor Outreach Strategy: 9 Step Guide Other Helpful Outreach Tips Use LinkedIn for research, not for pitching. Don’t email everyone at the same firm. That will get you an instant strike and you won’t get a reply. Include your startup name in the subject line. Pay attention to details. Spell names correctly, avoid typos, etc. Practice and iterate. Continue to test and practice your cold emails. Don’t be afraid to follow up. Elizabeth Yin, has a great post on how to do this well. Investors will assume you are the founder. Don’t frontload that info or your name. Related Resource: How To Write the Perfect Investor Update (Tips and Templates) Use Visible to Kick Off Your Fundraising Process Remember, the tactics shared above are in the context of cold emailing. Depending on your channel, the tactics & rules above may not apply. Take what feels right to you — while researching this I found plenty of conflicting advice from investors. At the end of the day, cold emailing should be something you put in your toolkit and a skill you should sharpen over time (both for investors and customers). If it didn’t work there wouldn’t be countless articles, resources and stories shared every day. Andrew Reed from Sequoia published the following Tweet: Easiest business arbitrage: the risk/reward of a well-written cold email is so wildly favorable, and yet so few people will actually send one — Andrew Reed (@andrew__reed) September 14, 2020 Use Visible to kick off your fundraising process. Find the right investors, manage your raise, and keep all parties involved with Updates. Give it a try for free here.

Vancouver has emerged as a thriving hub for startups, offering a vibrant ecosystem fueled by innovation, talent, and a supportive community. Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking funding or simply curious about the city's dynamic investment landscape, understanding the key players in Vancouver’s venture capital scene is essential. From cleantech to SaaS, Vancouver’s investors are backing groundbreaking ideas and mission-driven founders who are shaping the future. In this article, we’ll introduce you to some of Vancouver's top venture capital firms and investors, highlighting their investment theses, sweet spot check sizes, and the types of companies they’re looking to support. Whether you’re a founder ready to scale or an investor seeking inspiration, this guide will provide valuable insights into the opportunities available in one of Canada’s most exciting startup ecosystems. Top Vancouver VCs Investing TIMIA Capital About: TIMIA Capital is focused on providing growth capital to B2B SaaS companies. Its revenue financing option complements both debt and equity financing while allowing entrepreneurs and existing stakeholders to retain ownership and control of their business. Sweetspot check size: $ 2.50M Traction metrics requirements: Growing around 20% or more, not burning more than 50% MRR, gross margins of 50% or more, $2-20m in annual revenues. For SaaS companies, we'd expect gm% >70% but for non-saas around 50%. Sweet spot check: $500k - $3m Thesis: Non-dilutive growth capital GetFresh Venture Growth Advisory Sweetspot check size: $ 50K Traction metrics requirements: Looking for signals of captivated demand and a business model that is profitable and scalable. - Growth of inbound demand and signal to high lifetime value customers, even if CAC is high. - Gross Margin should be at least 60% - At least 15% are high LTV customers Thesis: Companies with proof of early market traction and captivated audiences Vanedge Capital About: Vanedge Capital is a Vancouver-based early-stage venture capital fund investing in technology inflection points in Analytics, Hard Tech, and Computational Biology. Chrysalix Venture Capital About: Chrysalix Energy invests in and supports game changing clean technology companies that are helping to build the new energy economy. They invest in early to mid-stage companies with exceptional teams developing products and business models that change how they use natural resources to support sustainable economic activity, while minimizing environmental impacts. Version One Ventures About: Version One Ventures is an early-stage fund investing in outstanding consumer internet, SaaS, and mobile entrepreneurs. Thesis: Backing the next generation of mission-driven technology founders. Renewal Funds About: Renewal Funds is a sustainability focused impact venture capital fund. We support exceptional founders building technology and platform businesses driving meaningful climate and ecosystem impacts at scale. Thesis: Renewal Funds invests across five primary sustainability themes, focusing on the opportunities where our expertise, network and deal flow best position us to support mission-aligned founders building high impact companies: Energy transition – Platform and product companies helping utilities, businesses and consumers transition to clean energy Mobility – Connected infrastructure and mobility services to optimize and decarbonize transportation Food Systems – Products, platforms and technologies that support a sustainable food and agricultural system Zero Waste – Innovative platforms, materials and technologies that support the pillars of a circular economy including waste reduction, reuse and recycling Natural Resources – Technology and business model innovation to conserve natural resources and biodiversity Active Impact Investments About: Founded in 2018, Active Impact Investments is a Certified BCorp based in Vancouver, BC, whose mission is to support environmental sustainability through profitable investment. With three limited partnership funds with over $145M in assets under management, we provide funds and talent to accelerate the growth of early-stage climate tech companies with $200K to $3M in revenue and significant growth potential. Active Impact’s portfolio includes and is seeking some of the most successful startups in North America that are capable of achieving venture scale and becoming extremely profitable while solving the most urgent environmental issues. Pangaea Ventures About: Pangaea Ventures has been at the forefront of hard tech innovation. We leverage our expertise to support groundbreaking companies that have the potential to reshape industries and solve for some of the planet's biggest problems. We seek to generate meaningful returns for our investors by backing breakthrough innovations that deliver transformative solutions for planetary health. Launch Academy Launch Academy is a tech accelerator that provides the mentorship, resources, network and environment entrepreneurs need to launch, fund and grow their startups. Since 2012, Launch About: Academy has worked with more than 6000 entrepreneurs of which 300 have grown their startups to Seed and Series A stage and raised over $2.5 Billion in funding. Launch Academy is a designated provider for the Canadian Startup Visa Program and has worked with over 100 companies from over 35 different countries and has helped them expand and grow their businesses into North America while simultaneously helping their founders build new roots for their families in Canada. Why Vancouver is a Thriving Hub for Startups Vancouver continues to solidify its position as one of Canada’s most dynamic startup ecosystems, offering a fertile environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. The city’s strategic location, diverse talent pool, and strong government support have been instrumental in its growth, making it a global contender in the startup space. Overview of Vancouver's Startup Ecosystem As of 2025, Vancouver boasts a tech workforce of nearly 150,000, making it Canada’s third-largest metropolitan area for tech employment, following Toronto and Montreal. The city’s proximity to Silicon Valley and other U.S. markets provides startups with unparalleled access to international investors and customers. Vancouver’s multicultural population and high quality of life make it an attractive destination for global talent. The city has also been recognized globally for its startup ecosystem. According to the 2024 Global Startup Ecosystem Report by Startup Genome, Vancouver ranks among the top technology ecosystems worldwide, highlighting its strengths in cleantech, AI, and life sciences. Key Industries Driving Innovation in Vancouver Technology: Vancouver is a hub for software development, artificial intelligence, and gaming. Companies like Slack and Hootsuite, which originated in Vancouver, have set a precedent for global success. Cleantech: The city is a leader in clean technology, with startups focusing on renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and environmental solutions. Organizations like Foresight Canada and Innovate BC actively support cleantech innovation. Biotech and Healthtech: Vancouver’s biotech sector is thriving, with companies developing groundbreaking solutions in healthcare and life sciences. The city’s research institutions and access to funding have made it a hotspot for biotech innovation. Recent Growth in Venture Capital Funding Vancouver’s startup ecosystem has seen significant growth in venture capital funding. In 2024, the city attracted record-breaking investments, with several startups securing multi-million-dollar funding rounds. For instance, cleantech startup Veritree was recognized as one of Canada’s most investable ventures, while other companies like SkyAcres and TIMEZYX gained attention for their innovative solutions (Techcouver). Government and Community Support Vancouver’s startup ecosystem benefits from robust government initiatives, such as the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) and the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credits. These programs provide financial support and incentives for innovation. Community-driven events like Vancouver Startup Week also foster collaboration and networking among entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders). Key Networking Events and Opportunities in Vancouver Vancouver’s vibrant startup ecosystem is supported by a variety of networking events, coworking spaces, and accelerators that foster collaboration and innovation. These opportunities are essential for founders looking to connect with investors, mentors, and peers. Major Startup and Tech Events in Vancouver Vancouver Startup Week (VSW) VSW is a week-long celebration of entrepreneurship, featuring workshops, investor panels, pitch competitions, and networking events. It connects founders, investors, and industry leaders to foster collaboration and innovation. Gain insights, refine your pitch, and build lasting relationships within the startup community. May 20-23, 2025 Web Summit Vancouver One of the world’s largest tech conferences, Web Summit Vancouver brings together over 15,000 attendees, including entrepreneurs, investors, and global tech leaders. Access keynote speeches, startup showcases, and networking opportunities with international participants. May 27-30, 2025 TechVancouver Meetups Regular meetups featuring talks by successful entrepreneurs and industry experts. These events are designed to inspire and connect the local tech community. Learn from experienced founders and network with like-minded individuals. BC Tech ScaleUp Academy Webinars A series of online events focused on topics like hiring, raising capital, and managing exits. Gain practical advice from experts to scale your startup. Coworking Spaces and Accelerators Hosting Networking Events Vancouver’s startup ecosystem thrives on collaboration, and coworking spaces and accelerators play a pivotal role in fostering connections among entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders. These spaces not only provide physical infrastructure but also host events that help founders build relationships, gain insights, and grow their businesses. Below are some of the most prominent coworking spaces and accelerators in Vancouver that regularly host networking events. Launch Academy Launch Academy is one of Vancouver’s most prominent startup hubs, offering a comprehensive range of resources for early-stage entrepreneurs. Known as a launchpad for startups, it has supported over 6,000 entrepreneurs since its inception. What They Offer: Launch Academy provides mentorship, access to investors, and a structured program to help startups refine their business models and scale. Networking Events: Demo Days: Founders pitch their startups to investors and industry leaders. Workshops: Topics include fundraising, product development, and scaling strategies. Community Mixers: Informal networking events to connect with other entrepreneurs and mentors. Why It’s Valuable: Launch Academy’s events are designed to help founders build meaningful connections and gain actionable advice from experienced professionals. The Cube The Cube is a coworking space dedicated to startups in the virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) industries. It is a hub for innovation in immersive technologies and provides a collaborative environment for entrepreneurs in this niche. What They Offer: The Cube provides access to specialized equipment, mentorship, and a community of like-minded innovators in the VR/AR space. Networking Events: Industry Panels: Discussions with leaders in VR/AR technology. Networking Mixers: Opportunities to connect with investors, developers, and other startups in the immersive tech space. Workshops: Focused on technical skills, product development, and market trends in VR/AR. Why It’s Valuable: The Cube’s events are tailored to the unique needs of VR/AR startups, making it an essential resource for entrepreneurs in this field. Innovate BC Innovate BC is a government-supported organization that plays a key role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across British Columbia. It provides funding, mentorship, and connections to help startups succeed. What They Offer: Innovate BC supports startups through grants, competitions, and access to a network of industry experts. Networking Events: Funding Workshops: Learn how to secure grants and venture capital. Pitch Competitions: Opportunities to showcase your startup to investors and win funding. Innovation Forums: Events that bring together entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry leaders to discuss emerging trends. Why It’s Valuable: Innovate BC’s events are ideal for startups looking to secure funding and gain exposure to a broader network of stakeholders. Spring Activator Spring Activator is a global startup school and accelerator with a focus on impact-driven businesses. It helps entrepreneurs build sustainable and socially responsible companies. What They Offer: Spring Activator provides training programs, mentorship, and access to a global network of impact investors. Networking Events: Funding Roundtables: Intimate sessions where founders can connect with impact investors. Pitch Nights: Opportunities to present your business to a panel of investors and receive feedback. Impact-Focused Networking Events: Events designed to connect socially conscious entrepreneurs with like-minded individuals and organizations. Why It’s Valuable: Spring Activator’s focus on impact-driven businesses makes it a unique resource for entrepreneurs looking to create meaningful change through their ventures. And-Co And-Co is a premium coworking space in Vancouver that caters to entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses. It combines a professional workspace with a vibrant community. What They Offer: And-Co provides state-of-the-art facilities, private offices, and shared workspaces, along with a calendar of events to foster collaboration. Networking Events: Community Mixers: Regular events to connect members and foster collaboration. Workshops and Panels: Covering topics like leadership, marketing, and scaling a business. Special Events: Partnered events with local organizations to bring in guest speakers and industry experts. Why It’s Valuable: And-Co’s events are designed to help members expand their networks and gain insights from industry leaders. Connect With Investors in Vancouver Using Visible At Visible, we often times 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. 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 and find a filtered list of Vancouver's investors here. 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.

Sydney has emerged as one of the most dynamic startup ecosystems in the Southern Hemisphere, attracting founders and investors alike. With a thriving tech scene, supportive government initiatives, and a strong talent pool, the city offers fertile ground for startups looking to scale. For founders seeking venture capital to fuel their growth, Sydney is home to numerous investors with diverse expertise and check sizes. From early-stage funding to Series A and beyond, these venture capital firms provide not only capital but also valuable mentorship, strategic advice, and networking opportunities. In this article, we’ve curated a list of the top VCs in Sydney that are actively supporting startups across various industries, including fintech, health tech, climate tech, and more. Whether you’re a first-time founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, this guide will help you navigate Sydney’s investor landscape and connect with the right partners for your fundraising journey. Top VCs in Sydney Macdoch Ventures About: Macdoch Ventures is a private Sydney-based venture firm helping startups with financing, business development and other strategic advice. Sweetspot check size: $ 500K Thesis: Supporting Australian and New Zealand companies to launch globally, right at the beginning. AirTree Ventures About: AirTree Ventures is a group of experienced investors and entrepreneurs based in Sydney. Main Sequence Ventures About: Backing the world's most ambitious founders who leverage public research to build the next set of global industries. No Brand About: No Brand is a private investment company focussed on opportunities empowered by technology. Our focus is on backing mission driven leaders, who are building for a long term horizon and benefit from online platforms, community or network effects. Sweetspot check size: $ 500K Reinventure About: Reinventure makes investments from seed through to Series A, alongside Westpac Banking Corporation as a primary LP. Sweetspot check size: $3M Telstra Ventures About: Telstra Ventures invests in market leading companies, mobile cloud media, and other industries. Grok Ventures About: Grok Ventures is a private investment company. They back world-class teams solving big problems to shape a better future. They invest in fast growing technology-enabled businesses. Tidal Ventures About: We are insatiably curious technologists who partner with disruptive companies to revolutionise industries. Armed with an unmatched understanding of how technology catalyses transformation within our targeted verticals, we leverage our extensive hands-on experience to build and scale technology companies. We engage closely with founders, acting as strategic partners to see around corners and unlock their full potential. We don’t just invest capital; we invest the necessary time and expertise at every stage of a company’s journey to realise the upside potential while mitigating against downside risk. Tenacious Ventures About: Tenacious Ventures is a venture capital firm that supports early-stage agri-food innovators. Sweetspot check size: $ 750K Thesis: We are a high conviction, low-volume, high-support early stage investor in agri-food innovation. Ellerston Capital About: Ellerston Capital (Ellerston), is a specialist fund manager offering investors a range of managed investment fund Sweetspot check size: $ 20M Key Trends Shaping Sydney’s Startup Ecosystem in 2025 Sydney’s startup ecosystem continues to thrive as one of the most dynamic and innovative hubs in the Southern Hemisphere. In 2025, several key trends are shaping the landscape, driven by advancements in technology, sustainability, and investment strategies. Below are the most significant trends influencing Sydney’s startup ecosystem. Growth in Specific Sectors: Fintech, Health Tech, and Climate Tech Fintech: Sydney remains a hotspot for fintech innovation, with startups leveraging blockchain, AI, and digital payment systems to revolutionize financial services. The city’s fintech ecosystem benefits from strong government support and a growing pool of tech-savvy talent. Notable fintech startups in Sydney include Afterpay and Airwallex, which have gained global recognition. Health Tech: The health tech sector is undergoing a transformation, shifting from reactive care to proactive, personalized solutions. Startups are using AI and data analytics to improve patient outcomes and accessibility. For example, Sydney’s Westmead Health and Innovation District has become a hub for health tech innovation, supported by government grants and partnerships with research institutions. Climate Tech: As Australia transitions to a net-zero economy, Sydney is leading the charge in climate tech innovation. Startups in this sector are developing solutions for renewable energy, carbon capture, and sustainable agriculture. Companies like Viridios AI, which raised $35 million in Series B funding, exemplify the city’s commitment to sustainability. Increasing Focus on Sustainability and Impact Investing Sustainability has evolved from a compliance requirement to a strategic advantage for startups. Investors are increasingly prioritizing companies that align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. This trend is driven by growing consumer demand for sustainable products and services, as well as government incentives for green innovation. Sydney’s startups are at the forefront of developing technologies that address climate resilience and sustainability challenges. For instance, the city is home to 32% of Australia’s climate tech companies, making it a key player in the global push for green innovation. Impact investing is also gaining traction, with venture capitalists seeking opportunities that deliver both financial returns and positive social or environmental outcomes. This shift reflects a broader global trend toward responsible investing. Rise of Corporate Venture Capital in Sydney Corporate venture capital (CVC) is increasingly important in Sydney’s startup ecosystem. Large corporations are establishing dedicated investment arms to support early-stage startups, particularly in sectors that align with their strategic goals. Companies like Telstra Ventures and Reinventure Group (backed by Westpac) are leading the way in CVC, providing funding and access to industry expertise, networks, and resources. These partnerships are helping startups scale more effectively and enter new markets. The rise of CVC reflects a shift in the investment landscape, where corporations recognize the value of collaborating with startups to drive innovation and stay competitive. This trend is expected to grow as more companies seek to integrate startup-driven solutions into their operations. Top Networking Events and Communities for Sydney Founders Networking is a cornerstone of success for startup founders, and Sydney offers a vibrant ecosystem of events, communities, and platforms to help entrepreneurs connect, collaborate, and grow. Below is a curated list of key networking opportunities for founders in Sydney, including events, online communities, and the role of accelerators and incubators. Events, Meetups, and Conferences Techstars Startup Weekend Sydney A 54-hour immersive event where founders, mentors, and investors collaborate to brainstorm, develop, and pitch startup ideas. This event is ideal for early-stage entrepreneurs looking to build their network and gain hands-on experience in launching a business. Spark Festival Australia’s largest event for startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Spark Festival features workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions, making it a must-attend for founders seeking inspiration and connections. Global Startups Club Networking Events Regular breakfast meetups and networking sessions hosted in Sydney’s CBD. These events provide opportunities for founders to pitch their ideas, engage in expert discussions, and connect with investors and industry leaders. Startup&Angels Sydney A networking event series connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders. These events feature panel discussions, startup pitches, and opportunities to explore the latest trends in the startup ecosystem. Online Communities and Platforms TechSydney A community-driven platform that connects Sydney’s tech ecosystem. TechSydney offers resources, events, and forums for founders to collaborate and share insights. Startup Genome A global platform that provides insights into Sydney’s startup ecosystem, including funding opportunities, industry trends, and networking events. LinkedIn Groups Groups like "Sydney Startups" and "Australian Entrepreneurs" on LinkedIn are excellent for connecting with local founders, sharing resources, and staying updated on upcoming events. Accelerators and Incubators Accelerators and incubators play a crucial role in fostering connections and providing resources for startups. In Sydney, these programs not only offer mentorship and funding but also create opportunities for founders to network with peers, investors, and industry experts. Startmate One of Australia’s leading accelerators, Startmate provides a 12-week program that connects founders with mentors, investors, and a supportive community. Cicada Innovations A deep-tech incubator based in Sydney, Cicada Innovations supports startups in health tech, climate tech, and advanced manufacturing. Their programs include networking events and access to industry experts. Fishburners A co-working space and incubator that hosts regular networking events, workshops, and pitch nights. Fishburners is a hub for early-stage startups looking to grow their network. Connect With Investors in Sydney Using Visible At Visible, we often times 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. 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 and find a filtered list of Sydney's investors here. 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.

Over the last decade, Berlin has transformed into the Silicon Valley of Germany and become a hotspot for founders and venture capital, with over 500 startups and around 40,000 business registrations per year. The city is the perfect environment for entrepreneurs to start and scale their businesses. Favorable conditions include highly qualified international talent, lots of networking opportunities and a vibrant social scene, a high standard of living at a relatively low cost, and a very active VC scene. Some of the well-established startups that call Berlin home are Soundcloud, Zalando, GetYourGuide, Delivery Hero, HelloFresh, N26, Tier Mobility, and Grover- just to name a few. Alternate funding opportunities, accelerators, and startup communities that are specific to Berlin Berlin government grants IBB BSS Accelerators and Incubators entrepreneur first Antler SIB (Startup Incubator Berlin) Expedite Ventures: Expedite Ventures is a Business Angel group of CTOs and CPOs. “We support tech founders hands-on with our know-how and capital. We’re nerds at heart, all passionate founders ourselves – some of us are still running startups. We have decades of collective experience in building and scaling technology companies. We offer a true hands-on mentoring approach, which we think is at least as important as capital. That’s why we provide both – plus a perspective that typical business-oriented angels and most VCs simply can’t provide.” Startup Scholorships IHK Berlin: Set-up subsidy for those unemployed Bayer G4A– partners with healthcare startups and technology companies that are developing innovative solutions in healthcare. Encourage Ventures: The investor network for female founders Notable Angels include co-founders and former MDs from Blinkist, N26, and mysugr. Innovators Room– helps founders, investors, corporate innovators as well as rising talent to network and advance their career together, through our Slack community, TechJobs newsletter and various online and offline learning events. Factory Berlin– provides members a curated network of entrepreneurs, professionals and creators, exclusive networking and knowledge-sharing events and programs, and access to our two locations in Berlin. WLOUNGE– a connector, change-maker, door opener, inspiration, access, enabler, and empowerment, headquartered in Berlin. A key player in the German Tech ecosystem and globally. We are global, founded to support diversity and women in business and technology. Each year we provide innovative services, workshops, round tables, The Tech Awards Gala, delegations, conferences, investment scouting, female founders program, leadership and fundraising, Growth opportunities, matchmaking activities between startups and corporates. BerChain– A non-profit association based in Berlin, connecting and promoting the Berlin Blockchain community from throughout the Blockchain ecosystem and beyond, positioning Berlin as the global Blockchain Capital. Hubraum-hubraum is Deutsche Telekom’s tech incubator. By bringing early-stage startups and the leading European telco together, hubraum sparks innovation transfer and creates business opportunities for both sides. Since 2012, hubraum has been collaborating with the digital ecosystem out of its campuses in Berlin, Krakow and Tel Aviv. EXIST– EXIST aims at improving the entrepreneurial environment at universities and research institutes. FoodLabs– FoodLabs is a venture studio and investor for startups that shape the future of nutrition, sustainability and health. Berlin VC Investment Within the Last 10 Years: Events StartUpNight– This will be the 10th year of the event which includes stage programs, workshop sessions, and pitch opportunities, experts from venture capital firms, corporates, and funding institutions will give founders the opportunity to present themselves and their innovations and get answers to their questions on important topics such as funding. Hub.berlin– The business festival for digital movers and makers. TOA– Tech Open Air Resources Berlin Startup Report (only in German) Berlin Startup Resources Berlin Startup Map Top 10 Government Grants Guide to Berlin startup funding German Startup News EU Startups Business Insider: Grunderszene Startup-Insider VCs Investing in Berlin Startups Lakestar Location: Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland About: Lakestar invests with a long term view across all stages from Seed to Growth. We have been privileged to partner with some of the world’s best tech entrepreneurs. Their stories are inspirational and make us proud. Thesis: Our vision is of a world of technology-enabled, progressive societies, born of the very best ideas that founders can dream up and that we can help realise. Investment Stages: Seed, Early, Growth Recent Investments: 1047 Games AccuRx Aetion Related Resource: 8 Active Venture Capital Firms in Germany June Fund Location: Berlin, Germany About: June is a global technology investor, backed by leading industrial minds. June invests into new paradigms across all stages – from networks to infrastructures to open software platforms. We take a macro-thematic view on technological progress, new economic models and value creation. June’s breadth of experience, intellectual curiosity and long-term thinking have attracted exceptional teams and individuals. Investment Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth Recent Investments: Reebelo Statespace SimScale HV Capital Location: Berlin, Munich, Germany About: Founded in 2000, they are one of the leading independent European early stage funds. Investment Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A Recent Investments: Storyblok KoRo Flip Target Global Location: Berlin, Berlin, Germany About: We’re an international VC headquartered in Berlin with €800m+ AuM, focusing on fast-growing tech companies across their lifecycles. With offices in London, Tel Aviv, & Barcelona, we connect the key European startup ecosystems. We help exceptional entrepreneurs to build market leaders. Investment Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A Recent Investments: Masterschool Reverence Casava Acton Capital Location: Munich, Bayern, Germany About: Acton Capital Partners is a specialist investor in internet- and mobile-based, consumer-oriented businesses. Having managed more than 30 investments since 1999 as the corporate venture capital business of Hubert Burda Media, the German family-owned global media company, the Acton team brings a wealth of expertise to the companies in which it invests, delivering superior capital returns. Investment Stages: Series A, Series B Recent Investments: Convelio Zenjob Knix Wear IBB Location: Berlin, Germany About: Investing in Berlin-based start-ups with a focus on Tech (e.g. Software & IT, Industrial Tech, Health Care) and other business model innovations (e.g. Digital Consumer and Media Businesses). Thesis: IBB Ventures is for all those who make a difference and create a sustainable future. We invest public funds as venture capital and, together with Berlin startups, help to promote our capital as a business location. Our focus is on innovative ideas and ambitious founders. With our many years of experience we are at your side and help you to successfully implement your ideas. Investment Stages: Seed, Series A Recent Investments: Blinkist Babbel The Female Company Speedinvest Location: Berlin, London, Munich, Paris, and Vienna, Austria About: We have 40 investment pros in Berlin, London, Paris, Munich, Vienna, San Fran & an in-house team of 20 operational experts to support you from day one. We fund early-stage Fintech, Digital Health, Consumer Tech, Network Effects, Deep Tech & Industrial Tech. Send us your pitch! Thesis: Speedinvest is a leading early-stage venture capital firm with more than €600M AuM and 40 investors based in Berlin, London, Munich, Paris, and Vienna. Our dedicated sector-focused teams are the first to fund Europe’s most innovative technology startups and our in-house operational experts are on-hand to offer founders ongoing support with growth, HR, US market expansion, and more. Wefox, Bitpanda, TIER Mobility, GoStudent, Wayflyer, CoachHub, Schüttflix, TourRadar, Adverity, and Twaice are among our portfolio of 250+ companies. Learn more at www.speedinvest.com. Investment Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A Recent Investments: Bliq Byrd Kevin Verve Ventures Location: Zürich, Switzerland About: Verve Ventures provides its pan-European network of selected private and institutional investors access to those top-tier investment opportunities. The company invests from EUR 500k to several million from Seed to Series B and beyond across Europe. Verve Ventures’ dedicated team helps startups with their most pressing needs such as hiring, client introductions and access to an expert network of high-profile individuals. To become part of Verve Ventures’ growing network of entrepreneurs and investors, visit verve.vc. Thesis: Investing in technology and science-driven startups. Adding value through our exclusive network of investors. Investment Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B Recent Investments: Soter Analytics Byrd helios Cherry Ventures Location: Berlin, Germany About: Cherry Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm led by a team of entrepreneurs with experience building fast-scaling companies such as Zalando and Spotify. The firm backs Europe’s boldest founders, usually as their first institutional investor, and supports them in everything from their go-to-market strategy and the scaling of their businesses. Cherry Ventures has previously invested in the seed stage of over 70 companies across Europe, including FlixBus, Auto1 Group, Flaschenpost, Infarm, Rows, Forto, SellerX, Juni, and Flink. Cherry Ventures is based in Berlin and invests across Europe with operations in London and Stockholm. Thesis: Founders first and investors second. Investment Stages: Pre-Seed, Seed Recent Investments: Klar Cosuno NUMA Group EQT Ventures Location: Stockholm, Stockholms Lan, Sweden About: EQT Ventures is a sector agnostic, multi-stage VC fund, with just over €1.2 billion total capital raised. The fund’s team of former founders and operators from the likes of Spotify, Booking.com, Hotels.com and King have experienced the entrepreneurial journey firsthand and know how challenging it can be. They’re ready to support the next generation of entrepreneurs in Europe and the US with the expertise and advice needed to build global success stories. Investment Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C Recent Investments: Moralis Instabox Nothing BlueYard Capital Location: Berlin, Germany About: BlueYard invests in founders with transforming ideas that decentralize markets and empower humanity. Typically $1-3m as an initial investment; active around the world. Most active in crypto/web 3 (e.g. Protocol Labs, Filecoin, Open Zeppelin, Radicle), technologies that help us overcome our largest planetary challenges (e.g. Marvel Fusion, Meatable, Dance), frontier biology to help us live long and prosper (e.g. BitBio, Biofidelity) and vertical software un-bundling monopolies (e.g. Pitch, Wonder). Thesis: BlueYard seeks to invest in founders with transforming ideas that decentralize markets. Investment Stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A Recent Investments: Privy Dance FreedomFi Expedite Ventures Location: Berlin, Germany About: Expedite Ventures is a Business Angel group of CTOs and CPOs. We support tech founders hands-on with our know-how and capital. We offer a true hands-on mentoring approach, which we think is at least as important as capital. That’s why we provide both – plus a perspective that typical business-oriented angels and most VCs simply can’t provide. Investment Stages: Pre-seed, Seed Recent Investments: Superlist widgetbok supernova 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. 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.

Montreal has emerged as one of Canada’s most dynamic startup ecosystems, offering a unique blend of innovation, talent, and opportunity. For founders actively fundraising, the city is home to a diverse range of venture capital firms that specialize in everything from early-stage investments to scaling global businesses. Whether you’re building the next AI breakthrough, a fintech disruptor, or a life sciences innovation, Montreal’s VCs are ready to support your journey. In this article, we’ll explore the top venture capital firms in Montreal, including their investment focus, sweet spot check sizes, and notable portfolios. Plus, we’ll provide actionable insights on successfully fundraising in Montreal and leveraging the city’s rich resources to grow your startup. Top VCs in Montreal Real Ventures About: Real is an early-stage venture capital firm that backs entrepreneurs and builds the ecosystems in which they thrive. Sweetspot check size: $ 1M Panache Ventures About: Panache Ventures is a venture capital firm specializing in seed stage startup investments. Sweetspot check size: $ 300K These: AI or blockchain-enabled businesses BDC Capital About: BDC Venture Capital is a major venture capital investor in Canada, active at every stage of a company's development cycle, from start-up through expansion. Its focus is on technology-based businesses with high growth potential that are positioned to become dominant players in their markets. BDC Venture Capital has been involved in venture capital since 1975 and has invested in more than 400 different companies. It currently manages over $430 million in venture capital assets. White Star Capital About: White Star Capital is a global multi-stage investment platform built by a team of founders, investors and operators with a track record of entering new markets, expanding teams and exiting companies. Our approach to venture is characterized by a unique combination of international presence, perspective and people. With feet on the ground in New York, London, Montreal, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Singapore, we partner closely with our portfolio to help them scale internationally from Series A onwards. iNovia Capital About: Inovia Capital is a full-stack venture firm that invests in tech founders. Thesis: With investments spanning from pre-seed to pre-IPO, and a team of seasoned investors, operators, and advisors, we are fully equipped to support founders with capital, insights, and mentorship throughout their journey. Our team has been at the forefront of technology shifts since the dawn of the internet and mobile era in the ’90s, and today we continue that legacy by backing innovators in emerging technologies, including Generative AI. Ferst Capital Partners About: FCP is a private investment firm which invests in venture capital, private equity, public markets, sector-focused funds and crypto assets. Thesis: We have an interest and expertise in consumer fintech, digital assets and search funds. TVM Capital Life Science About: TVM is a leading international venture capital firm focused on investing in life science innovations. The company has a highly experienced transatlantic investment team and approximately $900 million under management. TVM’s portfolio focuses on therapeutics and medical technologies from North America and the EU that represent differentiated first-in-class or best-in-class assets with the potential to transform standard of care. Thesis: TVM pursues a unique two-pronged strategy, financing innovative early-stage therapeutics through a single asset company approach (Project-Focused Company, PFC) that leverages the firm’s strategic relationship with global pharmaceutical firm, Eli Lilly and Company. TVM also invests in differentiated commercial-stage medical technologies and late clinical-stage therapeutics. TandemLaunch About: TandemLaunch is a venture capital fund and startup foundry that partners with driven entrepreneurs to create successful and disruptive deep tech companies. By collaborating with researchers and inventors from the world’s best universities, we create exceptional technology companies. Founded in 2010, we have built an extensive network of inventors, industry experts and investors that we leverage to accelerate academic innovations and solve real world problems. Our portfolio includes over 25 hardware and software companies with high value offerings in the fields of artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, video processing, advanced sensors, computer vision, and audio technology. FounderFuel About: FounderFuel is a mentor-driven venture accelerator that helps new startups make progress on the venture path. Sweetspot check size: $ 120K Thesis: We ignite the global success of companies by developing the leaders behind them. F.I.T. Ventures About: F.I.T. Ventures is a family office investment firm located in Montreal, Quebec. The firm oversees and manages a variety of investments focusing on private equity, real estate and public equities. The management team of the fund is comprised of professionals with extensive experience in supporting all aspects of M&A and corporate finance activities. How to Successfully Fundraise in Montreal Montreal’s vibrant startup ecosystem offers unique opportunities for founders seeking funding, but it also comes with its own set of challenges and nuances. Here are actionable tips to help founders navigate the fundraising landscape in Montreal effectively. Building Relationships with Local Investors Establishing strong relationships with local investors is crucial for successful fundraising in Montreal. Networking is a key component of the city’s startup culture, and founders should actively participate in events and communities to connect with investors. Some strategies include: Attend Local Events and Meetups: Events like Startupfest and C2 Montreal are excellent opportunities to meet investors and showcase your startup. These gatherings often attract top VCs and angel investors from Montreal and beyond. Leverage Co-Working Spaces and Incubators: Spaces like Notman House and District 3 are hubs for startup activity and provide access to investors, mentors, and other entrepreneurs. Use Warm Introductions: Montreal’s investment community is relatively tight-knit, so leveraging mutual connections for introductions can significantly improve your chances of securing meetings with VCs. Understanding the Preferences of Montreal-Based VCs Montreal-based venture capitalists often have specific preferences and investment focuses. Understanding these can help you tailor your pitch and approach: Industry Focus: Many Montreal VCs prioritize sectors like AI, deep tech, life sciences, and clean technology. For example, firms like Real Ventures and Inovia Capital are known for their focus on tech startups. Stage of Investment: Some VCs in Montreal specialize in early-stage funding, while others focus on growth-stage companies. Researching a firm’s portfolio and investment history is essential to ensure alignment with your startup’s stage. Bilingual Communication: While English is widely used, being able to communicate in French can be an advantage when dealing with local investors, as it demonstrates cultural alignment and commitment to the region. Unique Aspects of Fundraising in Montreal Montreal’s fundraising landscape has distinct characteristics that set it apart from other cities: Government Support: The city offers robust government funding programs, such as Investissement Québec and the SR&ED tax credit program, which can complement VC funding. These programs reduce financial risk for investors and make Montreal startups more attractive. Collaborative Ecosystem: Montreal’s startup community is highly collaborative, with a strong emphasis on mentorship and knowledge sharing. This culture can help founders access valuable advice and connections. Cost Advantage: Compared to cities like Toronto or Vancouver, Montreal has a lower cost of living and operating expenses, which can make your funding requirements more appealing to investors. Resources for Startups in Montreal Montreal is a vibrant hub for startups, from incubators and accelerators to government funding programs and specialized services, here are some of the most valuable resources available to entrepreneurs in Montreal. Incubators and Accelerators FounderFuel: A mentor-driven accelerator program that supports early-stage startups with a four-month intensive program. It offers access to a vast network of experienced entrepreneurs and investors. Centech: A leading incubator focused on deep tech and hardware startups. Centech provides non-equity assistance, grant funding, and access to a collaborative community. District 3 Innovation: Based at Concordia University, this hub supports multidisciplinary teams and scientific entrepreneurs with resources, mentorship, and a collaborative environment. TandemLaunch: Specializes in commercializing early-stage technologies from universities. It partners with entrepreneurs to create high-impact startups. The Holt Xchange: A fintech-focused accelerator that connects startups with corporate clients and investors, offering tailored mentorship and funding opportunities. Government Grants and Funding Programs Canada’s SR&ED Program: The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) program offers tax credits to businesses conducting R&D in Canada. This is a significant resource for tech and innovation-driven startups. Investissement Québec: Provides loans, equity investments, and tax credits to support business growth and innovation in Quebec. Their programs are tailored to startups and SMEs. Montreal’s Call for Projects: A municipal program offering financial assistance to non-profits supporting startups in key sectors like AI, life sciences, and clean tech. Legal and Financial Services Tailored to Startups Fasken: A leading law firm with expertise in startup law, offering services in intellectual property, corporate structuring, and financing. BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada): Provides financial solutions, including loans and advisory services, specifically designed for startups and small businesses. Connect With Investors in Montreal Using Visible At Visible, we often times 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. 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 and find a filtered list of Montreal's investors here. 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.

The Canadian venture capital scene continues to thrive, with numerous venture capital firms in Canada actively funding startups across a wide range of industries in 2024. From early-stage investments to growth-stage funding, these Canadian VC firms are crucial partners for founders seeking to scale their businesses. Whether you're a startup founder searching for the right VC in Canada or an investor looking to understand the country's dynamic funding landscape, this list of top venture capital firms in Canada offers a comprehensive overview of the leading players driving innovation and entrepreneurship nationwide. Related resource: Exploring Canada’s Emerging Tech Hubs: Where Innovation is Thriving Overview of the Canadian VC Landscape in 2024 The venture capital landscape in Canada continues to evolve, with 2024 shaping up to be another pivotal year for startups and investors alike. Canadian venture capital firms are increasingly focusing on emerging technologies and industries, helping to fuel the growth of the country's vibrant startup ecosystem. Key regions such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal remain the primary hubs for venture capital in Canada, each with unique industry strengths and active investor communities. In Toronto, Canada's largest city, sectors like fintech, AI, and SaaS lead the charge, attracting significant investment from local and global VCs. Toronto’s robust tech ecosystem has solidified its position as a key player in North America's venture capital landscape. Meanwhile, Vancouver is gaining recognition for contributing to industries like biotechnology, gaming, and clean technology. With a strong foundation of academic research institutions and a growing pool of tech talent, Vancouver-based startups are securing larger rounds of VC funding, particularly in clean energy and environmental innovation. Montreal stands out as a leader in AI and deep tech, driven by strong government support and initiatives that foster innovation. Montreal’s thriving AI scene, supported by institutions like Mila (the Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute), attracts venture capital and top talent from around the world. Across Canada, biotech, sustainability, and fintech are seeing heightened interest from Canadian VC firms. These sectors align with global trends in healthcare innovation, climate technology, and financial disruption, all of which are receiving significant investment attention. Government Support and Initiatives Canada's government has played a crucial role in the growth of its venture capital ecosystem. Initiatives like the Venture Capital Action Plan (VCAP) and the Strategic Innovation Fund have helped unlock billions in VC funding for startups across the country. Programs such as SR&ED (Scientific Research and Experimental Development) tax incentives and Innovative Solutions Canada continue to support research-intensive startups, making Canada an attractive destination for founders and investors. Due to these factors, the Canadian venture capital ecosystem has seen steady growth in deal volume and funding amounts over the past few years. In 2024, this trend is expected to continue, with Canadian VC firms increasingly participating in larger, later-stage funding rounds, reflecting the maturity of the startup ecosystem in Canada. Top Venture Capital Firms in Canada As the Canadian startup ecosystem continues to grow, having access to the right venture capital firms is crucial for founders looking to scale their businesses. Below is a curated list of top Canadian venture capital firms that are actively funding startups in 2024, providing not only capital but also strategic guidance, mentorship, and access to a vast network of industry leaders. 1. BDC Ventures As put by the team at BDC Ventures, “Our venture capital funds present diverse opportunities for entrepreneurs to innovate in new and existing markets. The breadth of our funds across industries, technologies and company stage is unique in Canada’s venture capital space. Each fund is managed by a dedicated team with decades of experience bringing groundbreaking Canadian companies to the world stage.” Location BDC Ventures is focused on growing the venture capital ecosystem in Canada. Company Stage BDC Ventures invests in companies from early to late stages. Preferred industries The team at BDC Ventures is currently operating 6 funds that invest across multiple industries including: Sustainability Venture Fund Climate Tech Fund II Thrive Venture Fund and Lab for Women Deep Tech Venture Fund Industrial Innovation Venture Fund Growth Venture Co-Investment Fund Related Resource: 10+ VCs & Accelerators Investing in Underrepresented Founders Portfolio Highlights Some of BDC Ventures’ most popular investments include: Hopper Unsplash Shoelace 2. Golden Ventures As put by the team at Golden Ventures, “We have a deep sense of empathy to founders and their craft. We challenge our portfolio and team to build remarkable companies. We are authentic and rational in our decision-making and apply the same honesty to our relationships.” Location Golden Ventures is headquartered in Toronto and invest in companies throughout North America. Company Stage Golden Ventures is focused on seed-stage companies. As put by their team, “We target initial commitments of $500K – $2M for between 7-15% of a company, and we reserve capital to follow on into companies based on progress.” Related Resource: Seed Funding for Startups 101: A Complete Guide Preferred industries Golden Ventures is industry agnostic in its investment approach. Portfolio Highlights Some of Golden Ventures’ most popular investments include: ApplyBoard Yesware Stacked 3. Inovia Capital As put by their team, “Inovia Capital is a venture capital firm partnering with founders to build impactful and enduring global companies. With four active venture funds, two growth funds, a continuation fund and an expanding team of investors, operators and advisors, we are fully equipped to support founders with capital, insights and mentorship throughout their journey.” Location Inovia Capital is headquartered in Canada and invests in companies across the globe. Company Stage Inovia Capital invests in companies across all stages. Preferred industries As put by their team, “We focus on B2B and B2C SaaS companies and marketplaces.” Related Resource: 32 Top VC Investors Actively Funding SaaS Startups Portfolio Highlights Some of Inovia’s most popular investments include: Bench Hopper Darwin AI 4. BlueSky Equities As put by their team, “Bluesky Equities is a privately-owned, absolute-return focused, investment management company. We are unconstrained in our approach, investing in public and private markets with a focus on alternative assets including venture capital, private equity, hedge funds, and real estate.” Location Bluesky Equities is headquartered in Calgary and invest in companies across Canada. Company Stage Bluesky Equities is focused on early-stage investments. Preferred industries Bluesky Equities is focused on B2B SaaS companies. Related Resource: 15+ VCs Investing in the Future of Work Portfolio Highlights Some of Bluesky Equities’ most popular investments include: Ownly Active Door Spocket 5. ArcTern Ventures As put by the team at ArcTern Ventures, “Since 2012, we’ve been investing in entrepreneurs obsessed with solving humanity’s greatest challenges—climate change and sustainability. We’re former startup founders ourselves, we get it, and like you, we believe technology can save our planet.” Location ArcTern has office locations in Toronto, San Francisco, and Oslo and invests in companies across the globe. Related Resource: The 11 Best Venture Capitals in San Francisco Company Stage Explain the company stage this firm invests in. Preferred industries As put by their team, “We invest broadly in technology companies that have a positive impact on climate change and sustainability.” Some specific sectors include: Clean Energy Energy Efficieny and Storage Circular Economy Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Mobility Food Systems Related Resource: VCs Investing In Food & Bev Startups Portfolio Highlights Some of ArcTern’s most popular investments include: Palmetto Span Flashfood 6. Relay Ventures As put by the team at Relay Ventures, “We don’t fund companies. We fund founders. From the beginning, we have had a simple philosophy. We view founders as partners. We bring capital, networks, and experience, and our founders bring expertise, teams, and dreams. Together we build transformational businesses based on teamwork, trust, and aspiration. Because being a founder depends on it. Our track record speaks for itself.” Location Relay Ventures is headquartered in Toronto and invests in companies across North America. Company Stage Relay Ventures is focused on seed and pre-seed stage companies. Preferred industries Relay Ventures is industry agnostic and focuses on companies operating in large markets. Portfolio Highlights Some of Relay Ventures’ most popular investments include: Ecobee Bird Swift 7. Alate Partners As put by the team at Alate Partners, “We invest in courageous founders and transformational technology that will change the built world for the better. Founded as a partnership between Relay Ventures and Dream, our team has decades of experience in venture capital, operations, and real estate. In addition to providing capital, Alate has unique access to expertise and customers through our network of influential real estate partners, investors, and founders.” Location Alate Partners is headquartered in Toronto. Company Stage Alate Partners invest in companies around the Seed and Series A stages. Preferred industries As put by their team, “We exclusively invest in real estate and construction technology, so you can skip explaining the basics and focus on what matters most. Our knowledge and network are here to accelerate your growth.” Portfolio Highlights Some of Alate’s most popular investments include: Bird Altrio PadSplit 8. Real Ventures As put by their team, “Real Ventures is an early-stage venture firm focused on serving daring entrepreneurs with the ambition to create successful, global companies. Since 2007, Real Ventures has dedicated itself to building the Canadian startup ecosystem on the belief that people, not money, build game-changing companies. Real Ventures provides stage-specific guidance, mentorship, and access to networks and resources to fast-track founders’ personal and company growth. Real Ventures manages $325 million across five funds and its active portfolio of 100+ companies is currently valued at $10 billion.” Location Real Ventures is headquartered in Toronto and has an office in Montreal. They primarily invest in companies in Canada. Company Stage Real Ventures is focused on early-stage investments. Preferred industries As put by their team, “There is no standard answer, but there are three main things that we look for: a great team with unique insight on a market opening that has massive scaling potential. We like to hear bold ideas that have the potential to disrupt unconventional industries.” Portfolio Highlights Some of Real Ventures most popular investments include: Mejuri Integrate AI Unbounce 9. Georgian As put by the team at Georgian, “We believe that entrepreneurs deserve an experience of growth capital that matches any other best-in-class technology partner. We’re focused on your experience as a growth-stage CEO, using data-driven insights to improve how our team supports you and your team.” Location Georgian is headquartered in Toronto and invests in companies across the globe. Company Stage Georgian is focused on companies that are generating $500k+ in MRR and are raising between $25M and $75M. Preferred industries Georgian is focused on B2B SaaS companies. Related Resource: FinTech Venture Capital Investors to Know Portfolio Highlights Some of Georgian’s most popular investments include: Beam Shopify Ritual 10. Panache Ventures As put by the team at Panache Ventures, “We invest in the most promising founders — those who are automating, decentralizing, democratizing, and expanding human capabilities. We want to be the first to invest in your potential, and to support your leadership.” Location Panache is headquartered in Montreal and invests in primarily invests in companies in Montreal. Company Stage Panache invests in early-stage companies and tries to write the first check into their companies. Preferred industries Panache is industry agnostic in their approach. Related Resource: 10 VC Firms Investing in Web3 Companies Portfolio Highlights Some of Panache Ventures most popular investments include: Altrio Dwelling Relay VC Resources for Canadian Founders For Canadian startup founders looking to secure venture capital funding, having access to the right resources can significantly improve your chances of success. Beyond venture capital firms, Canada offers a variety of support programs, incubators, and accelerators that provide additional funding, mentorship, and network opportunities. Below is a list of valuable VC resources for Canadian founders that can help guide you through your fundraising journey. Government Funding Programs Canada has a range of government-backed funding programs that offer support to startups at various stages. These programs can often serve as a stepping stone to securing venture capital investment. Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED): The SR&ED program offers tax credits and incentives for companies conducting research and development in Canada. This program can be particularly beneficial for tech startups or companies innovating in industries like biotech and AI. Venture Capital Action Plan (VCAP): VCAP is a federal government initiative designed to help increase the availability of venture capital for startups in Canada. Through this program, the government co-invests with private-sector VC firms, providing additional capital to Canadian startups. Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC): ISC offers funding and contracts to Canadian startups with innovative solutions. This program is focused on helping startups bring their technology to market by partnering with government departments. These government programs can not only provide direct funding but also serve as validation when approaching Canadian venture capital firms for additional investment. Startup Incubators in Canada Startup incubators provide early-stage companies with resources like office space, mentorship, and access to investors. Many successful Canadian startups began their journeys in incubators that helped them refine their products and business models before seeking venture capital. MaRS Discovery District (Toronto): MaRS is one of the world’s largest urban innovation hubs, supporting startups in industries such as health, cleantech, fintech, and enterprise software. They offer mentorship, access to capital, and partnership opportunities. The DMZ (Toronto): Based out of Ryerson University, The DMZ is one of Canada’s top startup incubators, with a focus on scaling high-potential technology startups. The DMZ provides entrepreneurs with access to a network of investors, mentors, and industry leaders. District 3 (Montreal): District 3 is an incubator based in Montreal that helps founders grow their startups from early-stage to venture-backed companies. With a focus on technology and innovation, District 3 provides a combination of mentorship, workshops, and access to capital. Joining an incubator can give founders a head start by connecting them with VC firms in Canada and offering the support needed to scale their startups. Accelerator Programs Accelerators are a great way for Canadian startups to fast-track their growth by receiving funding, mentorship, and resources in a short amount of time. Many Canadian venture capital firms closely follow the startups that come out of these programs, making them an excellent resource for founders seeking investment. Creative Destruction Lab (Multiple Locations): CDL is a globally renowned accelerator with locations across Canada, including Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. Focused on scalable, science-based startups, CDL provides founders with access to investors, business experts, and academic researchers. FounderFuel (Montreal): FounderFuel is a Montreal-based accelerator that offers startups mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to investors. The program culminates in a Demo Day, where founders present to top Canadian VC firms and angel investors. Techstars Canada (Toronto and Vancouver): Techstars runs accelerator programs in both Toronto and Vancouver, focusing on high-growth startups. The program provides mentorship, seed funding, and access to a global network of investors and industry experts. Participating in these accelerator programs can dramatically improve your visibility with Canadian venture capital firms and help you prepare for your next fundraising round. Top Canadian Venture Capital Trends in 2024 As the startup ecosystem in Canada matures, Canadian venture capital firms are increasingly aligning their investments with global trends and focusing on areas of innovation that promise long-term growth. In 2024, several key trends are emerging as focal points for venture capital in Canada, shaping the future of investment and startup success across the country. 1. Sustainability and Climate Tech One of the biggest trends in 2024 is the heightened focus on sustainability and climate technology. Canadian venture capital firms are prioritizing investments in startups that address pressing environmental challenges, from clean energy solutions to waste reduction and carbon capture innovations. Firms like ArcTern Ventures and BDC Capital have established funds specifically targeting sustainable startups. This focus aligns with Canada’s broader commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a greener economy. 2. Tech Innovation in AI and Fintech Canada has emerged as a global hub for AI research and development, with venture capital firms in Canada heavily backing AI-driven startups. Montreal, in particular, has become a center for AI innovation, with firms like Inovia Capital and Real Ventures investing in AI startups that are revolutionizing industries such as healthcare, fintech, and autonomous vehicles. Similarly, the fintech sector continues to grow, with Toronto leading the charge as one of the top fintech ecosystems in North America. Canadian VCs are actively funding startups that are disrupting traditional financial services, from blockchain and cryptocurrencies to AI-powered financial platforms. Georgian is one of the key players in this space, focusing heavily on fintech innovation and data-driven business models. 3. Female Founders and Diversity-Focused Investments In recent years, the importance of diversity in the venture capital ecosystem has gained attention, and 2024 is no exception. Canadian venture capital firms increasingly recognize the value of diverse teams and are stepping up efforts to back female founders and underrepresented groups. Funds like BDC’s Thrive Venture Fund and Lab for Women are specifically focused on empowering women-led startups, providing capital, mentorship, and resources to help women founders scale their businesses. 4. Health and Biotech Innovation The biotech and health tech sectors are seeing sustained interest from Canadian venture capital firms in 2024. With advancements in digital health, medical devices, and biotech research, Canada is positioned as a leader in health innovation. Venture firms like Lumira Ventures are at the forefront of backing companies pioneering new treatments, improving healthcare delivery, and utilizing AI for diagnostics and patient care. 5. Web3 and Blockchain Technologies Another emerging trend is the rise of Web3 technologies and blockchain startups in Canada. Panache Ventures is one of the leading Canadian venture capital firms investing in this space, funding startups working on decentralized finance (DeFi), digital identity, and new blockchain-based business models. As blockchain technology continues to evolve, Canadian VCs are positioning themselves at the forefront of this global shift. 6. Government Support and Strategic Partnerships Government initiatives, such as the Venture Capital Action Plan and other funding programs, continue to boost venture capital investment in Canada significantly. Canadian VCs leverage these programs to enhance funds and form strategic partnerships with government-backed initiatives. This collaborative effort has further strengthened the Canadian venture capital ecosystem, allowing firms to offer more capital and resources to startups nationwide. Maximize Your Fundraising Impact With Visible At Visible, we typically compare a venture fundraise to a traditional B2B sales and marketing funnel. At the top of the funnel, you find potential investors via cold outreach and warm introductions. In the middle of the funnel, you nurture 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. Like sales, a healthy fundraising funnel starts by finding the right investors. This can be based on geography, check size, focus areas, etc. 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.

New Zealand’s startup ecosystem is thriving, fueled by a wave of innovation, strong government support, and growing interest from international investors. As more founders build in sectors like SaaS, agritech, and cleantech, the need for aligned, early-stage capital has never been greater. In this article, we spotlight the top 10 venture capital firms actively investing in New Zealand startups—funds that understand the local landscape and are backing bold Kiwi founders with global ambitions. But raising capital is just one part of the journey. We also explore the trends shaping the ecosystem in 2025, including the rise of angel investors, the growth of government-backed innovation programs, and New Zealand’s appeal as a testbed for emerging technologies. For founders looking to connect, we’ve included details on major networking events, coworking hubs, and accelerators across the country. Whether you're launching your first startup or scaling your next big idea, this guide offers a comprehensive look at the resources, connections, and capital available in New Zealand today. Top 10 VCs in New Zealand Hillfarrance Venture Capital https://connect.visible.vc/investors/hillfarrance-venture-capital About: Hillfarrance Venture Capital is a $36m New Zealand-based early-stage venture fund investing in audacious Kiwi founders developing innovations at the cutting edge of media, artificial intelligence and climate change. We are a purpose-driven fund and focus on entrepreneurs whose ingenuity will leave the planet in a better state for the next generation. Startup Dunedin https://connect.visible.vc/investors/startup-dunedin About: Startup Dunedin is at the epicenter of the local community of entrepreneurs, innovators and disruptors. We are here to support anyone looking to launch a startup in Dunedin, and are the first point of contact for visiting entrepreneurs and investors from beyond Dunedin. We are committed to empowering aspiring entrepreneurs by connecting them with the mentorship, funding and networking opportunities they need, as well as being a key driver of growth in both the region and New Zealand as a whole. Macdoch Ventures https://connect.visible.vc/investors/macdoch-ventures About: Macdoch Ventures is a private Sydney-based venture firm helping startups with financing, business development and other strategic advice. Sweetspot check: size $ 500K Traction metrics requirements: No Thesis: Supporting Australian and New Zealand companies to launch globally, right at the beginning. Flying Fox Ventures https://connect.visible.vc/investors/flying-fox-ventures About: Early stage capital propelling Australian & New Zealand companies across the globe Sweetspot check: size $ 500K Thesis: Australian early stage companies, industry agnostic Folklore https://connect.visible.vc/investors/folklore About: Folklore is an Australian VC firm committed to backing Australian and New Zealand tech founders and their teams, from first cheque to forever. Since 2013, we have been investing into early-stage ANZ tech startups with big visions and ambitions, across a wide range of industries. Ice Angels https://connect.visible.vc/investors/ice-angels About: Ice Angels is an organization made up of business professionals in New Zealand working together to exploit global opportunities in business. Thesis: We invest from pre-seed to pre-IPO and across a variety of industries including software, hardware, medtech, fintech, and edtech. Qualgro VC https://connect.visible.vc/investors/qualgro-vc About: Qualgro Venture Capital invests in B2B technology startups in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, at Series A and Series B. Thesis: Provide high-impact support to exceptional entrepreneurs and to the ecosystem, through the quality and values of our people and our network, leading to strong returns for our investors. Right Click Capital https://connect.visible.vc/investors/right-click-capital About: Right Click Capital is a venture capital firm backing ambitious tech startups in Australia, New Zealand, and South East Asia. Thesis: We invest in and champion bold tech. Five V Capital https://connect.visible.vc/investors/five-v-capital About: Five V Capital is the growth partner to Australia and New Zealand’s leading companies. Movac https://connect.visible.vc/investors/movac About: Movac is New Zealand's most experienced venture investor, investing in early-stage technology companies. Trends in the New Zealand Startup Ecosystem New Zealand's startup ecosystem is experiencing significant growth, driven by innovation, government support, and increasing international interest. Below are the key trends shaping the landscape in 2025: Growth in Tech Startups New Zealand has seen a surge in tech startups, particularly in sectors like SaaS, agritech, and cleantech. SaaS companies are thriving due to the global shift toward digital transformation and remote work solutions. Agritech startups, such as Halter and BioLumic, are leveraging technology to address challenges in sustainable farming and food production, positioning New Zealand as a leader in agricultural innovation. Cleantech is also gaining momentum, with startups focusing on renewable energy and carbon reduction technologies, supported by initiatives like the NZ CleanTech Mission. Increasing Interest from International Investors The New Zealand startup ecosystem is attracting growing interest from international investors. Venture capital funding rebounded strongly in 2024, and the outlook for 2025 remains optimistic. This recovery is partly due to the country's reputation for innovation and its ability to weather global economic challenges better than many other regions. Additionally, New Zealand's unique position as a testbed for diverse industries, such as agritech and cleantech, makes it an appealing destination for global venture capital. Government Support for Innovation The New Zealand government plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation through programs like Callaghan Innovation, which provides grants for research and development. These grants help startups scale their operations and develop cutting-edge solutions. Other initiatives, such as the New Zealand Venture Investment Fund (NZVIF), co-invest with private investors to support early-stage companies, further strengthening the ecosystem. Rise of Angel Investors and Early-Stage Funding Angel investors and early-stage funding networks are becoming increasingly prominent in New Zealand. Organizations like Angel HQ and Enterprise Angels are providing critical support to startups in their initial phases, helping them secure the resources needed to grow. This rise in angel investment is democratizing access to capital and enabling more entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life. Networking Opportunities for Founders in New Zealand Major Events and Conferences New Zealand hosts several high-profile events and conferences that bring together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders. These events are excellent opportunities for founders to network, learn, and showcase their startups: Techweek NZ: A nationwide festival of innovation that features workshops, panel discussions, and networking events. It covers a wide range of industries, including technology, sustainability, and creative sectors. Southern SaaS: A premier event for SaaS companies, offering insights from industry experts and opportunities to connect with potential partners and investors. Startup Weekend: A global event series where entrepreneurs can pitch ideas, form teams, and develop prototypes over a weekend. It’s a great way to meet co-founders and mentors. Startup Hubs and Coworking Spaces New Zealand is home to several innovation hubs and coworking spaces that foster collaboration and provide resources for startups: GridAKL: Located in Auckland, GridAKL is a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. It offers coworking spaces, events, and access to a community of like-minded individuals. Startup Dunedin: A non-profit organization that supports early-stage founders and startups in Dunedin, New Zealand. It offers free programs, mentorship, co-working space, and resources to help entrepreneurs validate ideas, build companies, and grow sustainably. Learn more at The Factory: Based in Palmerston North, The Factory supports startups in the agritech and foodtech sectors, offering coworking spaces and mentoring programs. Accelerators and Incubators Sprout Accelerator: Focused on agritech and foodtech startups, Sprout offers a six-month program that includes mentoring, workshops, and access to investors. Creative HQ: Based in Wellington, Creative HQ runs several accelerator programs, including the GovTech Accelerator and Climate Response Accelerator, aimed at fostering innovation in specific sectors. Flux Accelerator: A program by The Icehouse, Flux supports early-stage tech startups with funding, mentorship, and connections to investors. Connect With Investors in New Zealand Using Visible At Visible, we often times 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. 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 and find a filtered list of New Zealand's investors here. 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.

Toronto has quickly become one of North America’s most dynamic startup ecosystems, offering a wealth of opportunities for entrepreneurs seeking to scale their ventures. With a thriving tech scene, a diverse and inclusive community, and robust government support, the city is a magnet for innovation and investment. For founders actively fundraising, Toronto provides access to a wide range of venture capital firms, networking events, and resources that can help turn ideas into successful businesses. In this guide, we’ll explore the top venture capital firms in Toronto, key insights for navigating the local fundraising landscape, emerging trends shaping the ecosystem, and the best networking opportunities to connect with investors and peers. Top Venture Capital Firms in Toronto Forum Ventures Sweetspot check size: $ 250K Thesis: We invest in B2B SaaS at the earliest stages of company development StandUp Ventures About: StandUp Ventures is a Toronto-based, seed stage venture capital fund focused on investing in high growth ventures with at least one female founder in a key leadership role. We believe that women led companies think outside the box, recruit great talent, and serve bigger markets. We invest in seed-stage, for-profit technology companies with at least one woman in a C-level leadership position within the company and an equitable amount of ownership. Sweetspot check size: $ 1M Thesis: Investing in women-led or co-led ventures DMZ About: A global startup ecosystem, DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University equips the next generation of tech entrepreneurs with the tools needed to build, launch and scale highly impactful startups. By providing connections to customers, coaching, capital and a community, DMZ’s world-leading incubator programs help innovators reach the next milestone in their entrepreneurial journey – whatever that might be. Through its award-winning programming, DMZ has helped 800+ startups raise $2.69 billion in capital and create 5,100+ jobs. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with globally-accessible programming, DMZ has a widely-recognized international presence with offices in Vietnam, India and the U.S., and partnerships across North America, Latin America, Africa and Asia. Relay Ventures About: Relay Ventures is an early stage venture capital firm that invests in passionate entrepreneurs disrupting and creating new markets through mobile technologies. Unlike other funds, Relay exclusively focuses on software for mobile devices and the connected Internet, creating an unparalleled set of networks and resources that tangibly help founders build world-class companies. With offices in Toronto and Calgary, the firm is active throughout North America. Sweetspot check size:$ 500K Flow Capital About: Flow Capital provides founder-friendly growth capital for high-growth companies. Traction metrics requirements: Minimum Annual Revenue: $4 million (or $2.5 million in ARR) Seeking: $1-7 million in venture debt or revenue-based financing Thesis: Providing venture debt and revenue-based financing for asset-light, high-growth businesses. Golden Ventures About: Golden Ventures is a leading seed-stage venture capital fund, based in Toronto and investing across North America. We back bold teams and their transformative ideas. Corl About: Artificially-intelligent platform that finances businesses in the digital economy and shares in their future revenue. Sweetspot check size: $ 1M Traction metrics requirements: $50,000 in monthly revenue Must be based or have a subsidiary in Canada or USA Thesis: Fund processes to grow revenue with non-dilutive instrument. Disruption Ventures About: Disruption Ventures, a private female-founded venture capital fund investing in businesses led by women. Sweetspot check size: $ 750K Thesis: We invest in companies founded by women. Alate Partners About: Alate Partners is the result of a partnership built between Dream, one of Canada’s largest real estate companies, and Relay Ventures, an established early stage venture capital fund. Sweetspot check size: $ 3M Thesis: Alate Partners empowers entrepreneurs who are rethinking real estate. Gaingels About: Gaingels is a formal investment vehicle and network investing in the best series and venture stage companies with LGBT leadership. Brightspark Ventures About: Brightspark's team brings years of investment and technology expertise in creating and operating software companies in the areas of application and infrastructure software, enterprise software and communications software. Their experience allows them to work closely with entrepreneurs to identify emerging technologies and solutions that address large market opportunities. Their goal is to proactively engage young companies. Thesis: Brightspark has been investing in the Canadian VC industry since 1999. Over the last 20 years, the company has refined its focus to the point where it choose what it believes to be the best early-stage opportunities in the market. The company's goal is to findexceptional startups, and work closely with these companies as they grow to achieve stellar returns. MaRS IAF About: IAF is Canada's most active early stage venture capital firm, investing in B2B software, Fintech and Digital Health companies. How to Successfully Fundraise in Toronto’s Startup Ecosystem Toronto has emerged as one of North America’s most vibrant startup ecosystems, offering a wealth of opportunities for founders seeking funding. However, navigating this competitive landscape requires a strategic approach. Below are key insights to help founders successfully fundraise in Toronto. The Importance of Building Relationships with Local Investors Building strong relationships with local investors is critical for fundraising success in Toronto. Unlike some larger markets, Toronto’s investment community thrives on trust and personal connections. Founders are encouraged to engage with investors early, even before they are actively seeking funding. This approach allows investors to become familiar with the startup’s vision and progress over time. Networking events such as Startup Investor Drinks and programs like those offered by MaRS Discovery District provide excellent opportunities to meet investors in informal settings. Additionally, leveraging platforms like the Connect investor database or joining local angel networks such as Maple Leaf Angels can help founders identify and connect with investors who align with their industry and growth stage. Leveraging Toronto’s Diverse and Inclusive Startup Community Toronto’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, making it an inclusive hub for innovation. The city is home to a wide range of founders, investors, and mentors from various cultural and professional backgrounds. This diversity fosters unique perspectives and solutions, which can be a significant advantage when pitching to investors. Programs like the DMZ and Creative Destruction Lab actively support underrepresented founders, providing mentorship and access to funding opportunities. Founders should also explore government-backed initiatives such as the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), which offers grants and resources to startups across various sectors. Emerging Trends in Toronto’s Startup Ecosystem Toronto’s startup ecosystem continues to thrive as one of the most dynamic and innovative hubs in North America. In 2025, several key trends are shaping the city’s entrepreneurial landscape, driven by advancements in technology, a commitment to diversity, and robust government support. Below, we explore these trends in detail, supported by data and examples. Growth in Specific Industries: AI, Fintech, and Cleantech Toronto has solidified its position as a global leader in AI, fintech, and cleantech. The city’s AI sector, in particular, has seen exponential growth, with Toronto being home to world-renowned institutions like the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence. According to a report by McCarthy Tétrault, nearly one-third of global venture funding in Q3 2024 was directed toward AI startups, with Toronto-based companies like Layer 6 AI and BlueDot leading the charge. Fintech is another booming sector, with startups like Wealthsimple and Clearco revolutionizing financial services. Wealthsimple has democratized investing for Canadians, while Clearco’s AI-driven funding model has provided over $2 billion in non-dilutive capital to startups globally. Additionally, Toronto-based Uplinq is leveraging AI to expand credit access for small businesses, showcasing the city’s fintech innovation. Cleantech is also gaining momentum as sustainability becomes a global priority. Startups like Ecobee, which develops smart thermostats, and Flashfood, which reduces food waste, are addressing critical environmental challenges. Canada’s focus on green technology is reflected in the rise of cleantech startups, with Toronto playing a central role in this movement. Increased Focus on Diversity and Inclusion in Funding Toronto’s diverse population has long been a cornerstone of its innovation ecosystem, and this diversity is increasingly reflected in funding initiatives. Programs like the Black Innovation Fellowship at DMZ and the Women Founders Fund by BDC Capital are designed to support underrepresented groups in the startup community. These initiatives aim to address funding disparities and create a more inclusive entrepreneurial environment. The city’s commitment to diversity is also evident in the rise of startups led by women and minority founders. For example, companies like Fable, which focuses on digital accessibility, and Beekeeper’s Naturals, a wellness brand founded by Carly Stein, highlight the success of diverse leadership in Toronto’s startup ecosystem. The Role of Government Programs and Incentives for Startups Government support continues to be a driving force behind Toronto’s startup success. Programs like the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentive and the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) provide financial support for research and development, enabling startups to innovate and scale. Additionally, the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) offers grants and resources to help startups commercialize their technologies. The federal government’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) has also played a significant role in fostering innovation. For instance, the fund has supported cleantech startups in developing sustainable solutions, aligning with Canada’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. These programs not only provide financial backing but also create a supportive ecosystem that encourages entrepreneurship. Where to Network with Investors and Founders in Toronto Networking is a cornerstone of success for startup founders, especially in a thriving ecosystem like Toronto. Building relationships with investors, mentors, and fellow entrepreneurs can open doors to funding, partnerships, and valuable advice. Toronto offers a variety of networking events, meetups, and organizations that provide founders with opportunities to connect and grow. Below are some of the most prominent networking opportunities in the city. TechTO TechTO is one of Toronto’s most popular networking events, attracting hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors, and tech professionals each month. The event features keynote speakers, panel discussions, and networking sessions, making it a valuable platform for founders to learn from industry leaders and connect with like-minded individuals. TechTO’s focus on fostering community and collaboration has made it a staple in Toronto’s tech ecosystem. Founders can use these events to showcase their startups, gain insights into industry trends, and meet investors who are actively seeking new opportunities. MaRS Discovery District Events The MaRS Discovery District is a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in Toronto, hosting a wide range of events tailored to startups. From workshops and panel discussions to pitch competitions and networking sessions, MaRS events are designed to help founders refine their business strategies and connect with investors. One of the standout events is the MaRS Startup Open House, where startups can showcase their products and services to investors, partners, and the broader community. Additionally, MaRS offers sector-specific events, such as those focused on cleantech, healthtech, and fintech, providing targeted networking opportunities for founders in these industries. ​Web Summit Vancouver ​Web Summit, renowned as one of the world's premier technology conferences, is set to make its North American debut in Vancouver, Canada, from May 27 to 30, 2025. This inaugural event is expected to attract over 15,000 attendees, including international entrepreneurs, investors, media outlets, and industry leaders, all converging to explore and discuss the latest advancements in technology. ​ Web Summit will feature a diverse array of activities designed to foster collaboration and innovation. Attendees can anticipate engaging in panel discussions, keynote speeches, and interactive workshops covering topics like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and sustainable technology. The event will also host a startup program, offering early-stage companies the opportunity to showcase their innovations, participate in pitch competitions, and connect directly with potential investors. Connect With Investors in Toronto Using Visible At Visible, we often times 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. 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 and find a filtered list of Toronto's investors here. 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.

Nashville has rapidly emerged as one of the most exciting startup ecosystems in the United States. Known for its rich history in music and healthcare, the city has expanded its influence into technology, logistics, and other innovative industries. With a growing number of venture capital firms, accelerators, and resources tailored to entrepreneurs, Nashville is becoming a prime destination for founders looking to launch and scale their businesses. For startup founders actively fundraising, understanding the local investment landscape is critical. Nashville’s venture capital scene is unique, with a strong focus on healthcare, fintech, and disruptive technologies. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to the top venture capital firms in Nashville, offering insights into their investment focus and how they can help fuel your startup’s growth. We’ll also explore actionable advice on fundraising in Nashville, key trends shaping the ecosystem, and essential resources available to founders. Let’s dive into the top VCs in Nashville and how you can leverage the city’s resources to take your startup to the next level. Top Venture Capital Firms in Nashville Altitude Ventures About: Altitude Ventures aims to maximize value creation through value-added partnerships. AV provides early-stage venture capital financing to healthcare services and technology startups that improve healthcare. Nashville Capital Network About: NCN’s investor partners are founders and executives of successful healthcare and technology companies throughout the Southeast. NCN leverages these individuals to identify, evaluate, and accelerate the success of high-growth early-stage companies. Fintop Capital About: FINTOP Capital is a venture capital firm focused on early-stage FinTech companies. With over $700 million in committed capital across five funds, FINTOP brings decades of FinTech founding and operating experience to the board room, partnering with innovative entrepreneurs to push the frontiers of the financial services sector. Thesis: We seek B2B service-enabled SaaS and software companies in the FinTech space. Our targets have a proven product in the market, real revenues, and are helmed by veterans of the industries they're looking to shape. Relevance Ventures About: Relevance Ventures is an early-stage venture firm, based in Nashville, Tennessee, that focuses on comprehensive social, environmental, and individual wellness. Since 2011, Relevance has grown into a leading investment firm targeting major disruptors across the nation with more than $125M in total AUM. Thesis: Relevance is fixated on deploying capital into startups that create positive change for the everyday consumer, empower individuals and communities to reach their full potential, and help reduce the burden on our nation’s healthcare system. The firm’s investment mandate and location enables them to anchor deals across the country contributing anywhere from $250K to $2.5M in financing rounds depending upon stage, size, growth trajectory, and the long-term potential of the business. Mountain Group Partners About: Founded in 2002, Mountain Group Partners is a Nashville-based venture capital firm that invests in early stage companies in the Life Sciences and Disruptive Technology sectors. The firm brings over 100 years of combined operational experience and have investments in more than 60 companies. Mountain Group takes a unique, hands-on approach to investing based upon this deep operational experience, a desire to help bring transformational technologies to market and a fund structure which better aligns GP and LP interests. Health Velocity Capital About: Health Velocity Capital is a health care focused venture and growth capital partnership Powered Health About: Powered Health is changing the business of healthcare by driving better outcomes in patient safety and patient satisfaction while improving and developing revenue sources for hospitals. Powered Health is made up of companies that provide software solutions across the full continuum of care. GoEx Venture Capital About: GoEx is a $5MM pre-seed fund in Nashville, TN, focusing on real estate technology companies across the U.S. Petra Capital Partners About: Petra Capital Partners, based in Nashville, TN, has been a pioneer of the growth capital model, having invested more than $700 million in more than 100 high-growth private companies since we started in 1996. We are currently investing out of our fourth SBIC fund, closed in 2020, with $210 million of available capital. We invest up to $20 million of our own capital per company in non-control subordinated debt and/or preferred stock to high growth companies for expansion, acquisition, buyout or recapitalization, and can source additional capital through our network of co-investors and senior lending partners. Companies must have at least $10 million in revenue and positive ebitda at the time of investment. We focus on business services, tech-enabled services and healthcare services companies. NueCura Partners About: NueCura Partners, LLC is an angel investment company created by seasoned healthcare industry operators that focuses primarily on investments in the healthcare sector and allows participating affiliate members to make their own investment choices. "Investing in New Age Healthcare"​ Mountain Group Partners About: Founded in 2002, Mountain Group Partners is a Nashville-based venture capital firm that invests in early stage companies in the Life Sciences and Disruptive Technology sectors. The firm brings over 100 years of combined operational experience and have investments in more than 60 companies. Mountain Group takes a unique, hands-on approach to investing based upon this deep operational experience, a desire to help bring transformational technologies to market and a fund structure which better aligns GP and LP interests. How to Successfully Raise Capital in Nashville Nashville has emerged as a vibrant hub for startups, particularly in industries like healthcare, music technology, and logistics. For founders looking to raise capital in this growing ecosystem, understanding the unique dynamics of the local investment landscape is crucial. Below, we explore the types of startups that attract local investors, the importance of relationship-building, and actionable tips to stand out in a competitive market. The Types of Startups That Attract Local Investors Nashville's venture capital scene is heavily influenced by the city's economic strengths. Startups in the following sectors tend to attract the most attention from local investors: Healthcare and Health Tech: Nashville is home to some of the largest healthcare companies in the U.S., such as HCA Healthcare. This has created a robust ecosystem for health tech startups, with investors actively seeking innovative solutions in telemedicine, patient care, and healthcare analytics. Nashville-based VC firms like Jumpstart Foundry and NueCura Partners focus heavily on healthcare startups. Music and Entertainment Technology: As the "Music City," Nashville is a natural fit for startups innovating in music tech, digital media, and entertainment platforms. Investors are drawn to companies that leverage technology to enhance the music and entertainment experience, such as streaming platforms or AI-driven music production tools. Logistics and Supply Chain: With its central location and strong transportation infrastructure, Nashville has become a hotspot for logistics and supply chain startups. Investors are particularly interested in companies that use technology to optimize delivery systems, warehousing, and inventory management. The Importance of Building Relationships with VCs in the Region In Nashville, relationships are everything. Unlike larger markets like Silicon Valley, where cold outreach may yield results, Nashville's investment community thrives on personal connections and trust. Founders should prioritize networking and relationship-building to increase their chances of securing funding. Here’s how: Engage with Local Startup Hubs: Organizations like the Nashville Entrepreneur Center and Launch Tennessee host regular events, workshops, and pitch nights. These are excellent opportunities to meet investors and other founders in an informal setting. Leverage Warm Introductions: Nashville investors often prefer to work with founders who come recommended by someone in their network. Use your connections to secure warm introductions to venture capitalists and angel investors. Maintain Ongoing Communication: Building a relationship with a VC doesn’t end after the first meeting. Keep potential investors updated on your startup’s progress through regular investor updates using Visible. This demonstrates your ability to execute and keeps you top of mind when they’re ready to invest. Tips for Standing Out in a Competitive Market With Nashville's startup ecosystem growing rapidly, competition for funding is fierce. Here are some strategies to help your startup stand out: Show Traction Early: Investors in Nashville, like elsewhere, want to see proof that your business model works. Whether it’s a growing user base, early revenue, or strategic partnerships, demonstrating traction can significantly boost your appeal. Centralize, visualize, and distribute your financial and key metric performance with Visible here. Highlight Founder-Market Fit: Nashville investors value founders who have a deep understanding of the industries they’re targeting. Showcase your expertise and why you’re uniquely positioned to solve the problem your startup addresses. Tailor Your Pitch to Local Investors: Research the specific focus areas of Nashville-based VCs and angel investors. For example, if you’re pitching to a healthcare-focused firm like Jumpstart Foundry, emphasize how your solution addresses critical challenges in the healthcare industry. Upload your deck, tailor it to your brand, share it securely, and understand engagement with Visible here. Leverage Nashville’s Unique Ecosystem: Highlight how your startup benefits from being based in Nashville. Whether it’s access to healthcare networks, music industry connections, or logistics infrastructure, showing how the city supports your growth can resonate with local investors. Resources for Startups in Nashville Nashville’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem offers a wealth of resources to help founders launch, grow, and scale their startups. From co-working spaces to accelerators, government programs, and university partnerships, the city provides a supportive environment for innovation. Below, we explore these resources and offer actionable advice on how to leverage them effectively. Co-Working Spaces Use co-working spaces not just for office needs but as a platform to connect with other entrepreneurs, attend events, and find potential collaborators or mentors. Many spaces also host workshops and networking sessions that can help you build your startup community. WeWork Nashville: With locations in Downtown and East Nashville, WeWork offers flexible office spaces, meeting rooms, and networking events tailored to startups. Industrious Nashville: Known for its premium amenities and professional environment, Industrious has locations in The Gulch and Cummins Station. Center 615: A locally owned co-working space that fosters a creative and collaborative atmosphere, ideal for early-stage startups. Accelerators and Incubators Research the focus areas of each accelerator or incubator to find the best fit for your startup. Tailor your application to highlight how your business aligns with their mission and leverage their mentorship programs to refine your business model and pitch. Jumpstart Foundry: Focused on healthcare startups, Jumpstart Foundry offers $150,000 in funding and access to a network of healthcare executives and investors. Launch Tennessee: A statewide initiative that supports startups through funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Their Impact Fund provides up to $250,000 in investments. Nashville Entrepreneur Center (NEC): NEC runs programs like Project Healthcare and Project Music & Entertainment, which cater to startups in healthcare and entertainment tech. Government Grants and Programs Stay informed about grant deadlines and eligibility requirements. Work with organizations like TSBDC to prepare strong applications and maximize your chances of securing funding. Launch Tennessee SBIR/STTR Matching Fund: Provides matching funds to startups that have received federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants. Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC): Offers free consulting, training, and assistance with business planning and funding applications. Nashville Economic Development Incentives: Programs like property tax abatements and grants for job creation are available for qualifying businesses. University Partnerships Partner with university programs to access research expertise, student talent, and mentorship. Participate in university-hosted pitch competitions and networking events to gain visibility and connect with potential investors. Vanderbilt University’s The Wond’ry: An innovation center that provides incubator space, mentorship, and access to state-of-the-art facilities for startups. Belmont University’s Center for Entrepreneurship: Offers educational programs, workshops, and incubator support for student and community entrepreneurs. Lipscomb University’s Entrepreneurship Program: Focuses on equipping students with the skills to launch and manage successful businesses. Connect With Investors in Nashville Using Visible At Visible, we often times 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. 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 and find a filtered list of Nashville's investors here. 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.

Latest Funding and Market Trends in EdTech (2023 and Beyond) The EdTech sector presents a landscape of both challenges and opportunities. Founders need to be agile and adaptable, with a focus on the key growth areas of AI, mobile learning, and data analytics. Despite the current downturn in venture capital funding, the sector's long-term growth prospects remain promising, driven by technological advancements and a global push towards accessible, quality education. Funding and Investment Trends In 2023, the EdTech sector is witnessing a notable decline in venture capital funding. Investments in the second quarter stood at $707 million, contributing to a total of about $1.8 billion in the first half of the year. This represents a significant 58% drop compared to the same period in the previous year. The forecast for total VC funding in 2023 is projected to be around $3.5 billion, a decrease from $10.6 billion in 2022 and far from the record $20.8 billion in 2021​​. The current investment climate has moved away from the "golden age of mega rounds." The recent period marked the second consecutive quarter without funding rounds exceeding $100 million, known as mega rounds. This cooling trend is attributed to a shift in market conditions, including a return to in-person learning and the expiration of federal aid that had previously boosted remote learning​​. Related resource: Top 18 Revolutionary EdTech Startups Redefining Education Opportunities and Growth Prospects Despite the current slowdown, the long-term outlook for EdTech remains robust. Most forecasters anticipate continued substantial growth in the sector throughout the rest of this decade. This optimism is rooted in the belief that technology will continue to be a significant driver of global growth in education by reducing costs and expanding access to learning​​. AI, mobile learning, tutoring, and data analytics are emerging as focal points in the EdTech sector. Innovations in these areas are expected to drive growth, with AI becoming a crucial component for startups. Mobile learning is also gaining prominence due to its widespread accessibility. Tutoring services are evolving, often combining AI, mobile technology, virtual/augmented reality, and gamification to offer more engaging and personalized learning experiences​​. Implications for EdTech Founders Navigating the Changing Landscape: EdTech founders must adapt to the evolving investment landscape, which may involve seeking smaller and more frequent rounds of funding. With the shift in investment focus, there is an increased emphasis on sectors outside of K-12, particularly in areas related to training and worker upskilling​​. Leveraging Emerging Technologies: Founders should focus on leveraging emerging technologies like AI and mobile learning to create innovative solutions. There is a growing market for platforms that use big data and analytics to personalize learning. Additionally, developing solutions in the tutoring space, particularly those that address gaps in K-12 education, can be a fruitful direction​​. Exploring Alternative Funding Sources: With the decline in traditional venture investments, it's crucial for startups to explore alternative forms of funding. This could include government funding, foundation-led philanthropic investments, and other non-traditional financing options. Diversifying funding sources can help sustain innovation and support the growth of new ideas​​. Emerging Technologies in EdTech For EdTech founders, emerging technologies offer a plethora of opportunities to innovate and create impactful educational solutions. As AI and IoT continue to evolve, they will undoubtedly unveil new possibilities for enhancing learning experiences and educational outcomes. Embracing these technologies and integrating them into EdTech solutions will be key to addressing the evolving needs of learners and educators alike. AI-Driven Innovations Personalized Learning Experiences: AI's ability to tailor educational content based on individual learning styles and needs is more advanced than ever. Using complex algorithms, AI can analyze student performance data to create a uniquely personalized learning journey. This not only enhances student engagement but also improves learning outcomes. Intelligent Assessment Tools: AI is revolutionizing the way assessments are conducted. With advancements in natural language processing and machine learning, AI systems can now grade open-ended responses, provide real-time feedback, and even identify areas where students might need additional support. Automated Content Generation: AI is being used to develop educational content, from generating practice questions to creating interactive learning modules. This technology allows for the rapid creation of high-quality, dynamic content that can adapt to curriculum changes and evolving educational standards. AI Tutors and Assistants: AI-powered tutoring systems are becoming more sophisticated, offering students personalized guidance and support. These virtual tutors can answer questions, assist with problem-solving, and provide explanations, much like a human tutor but with the added benefit of being available 24/7. IoT in Education Smart Classroom Technologies: IoT is transforming traditional classrooms into smart learning environments. This includes the use of smart boards, IoT-enabled lab equipment, and connected devices that enhance interactive learning and provide real-time data to both students and teachers. Enhanced Learning Analytics: now it’s possible to gather extensive data on student engagement and classroom dynamics. This information can be used to optimize teaching strategies, classroom layouts, and even individualize student learning plans based on engagement levels and performance. Improved Resource Management: In educational institutions, IoT can help manage resources more efficiently, from tracking equipment usage to monitoring energy consumption. This not only reduces operational costs but also contributes to creating a more sustainable learning environment. Future Outlook: Trends and Predictions in EdTech The future of EdTech is marked by a landscape of continuous innovation and adaptation. For EdTech founders, staying abreast of these trends and predictions is crucial to developing solutions that meet the evolving needs of learners and educators. By embracing these changes and anticipating future needs, EdTech companies can not only contribute to the advancement of education but also thrive in a dynamic and growing market. Key Trends Shaping the Future Increased Adoption of AI and Machine Learning: AI and ML will continue to be at the forefront of EdTech innovation. They are expected to drive further personalization in learning, provide more efficient assessment tools, and enable the creation of dynamic, responsive educational content. Growth in Virtual and Augmented Reality: VR and AR are anticipated to gain more traction in the educational sector. These technologies will provide immersive and interactive learning experiences, making complex concepts more accessible and engaging. Rise of Microlearning and Bite-Sized Content: The trend towards microlearning is expected to grow. Short, focused learning sessions that fit into busy schedules are increasingly appealing, especially for continuous adult education and corporate training. Focus on Lifelong Learning and Upskilling: As job roles evolve rapidly, there will be a heightened focus on lifelong learning and upskilling. EdTech platforms that cater to professional development and career transitions will likely see increased demand. Expansion of Gamification in Education: Gamification will continue to be a key element in engaging learners. By making learning more fun and interactive, EdTech solutions can improve retention and motivation across various age groups and educational contexts. Greater Emphasis on Inclusive and Accessible Education: There will be a growing focus on making education more inclusive and accessible. This includes developing solutions for learners with disabilities and those in underserved communities. Predictions for Growth and Evolution Market Expansion: The global EdTech market is projected to continue expanding, driven by technological advancements and the increasing acceptance of digital learning solutions. Diversification of EdTech Solutions: Expect to see a broader range of EdTech products catering to different educational needs, including early childhood education, K-12, higher education, and adult learning. Integration with Traditional Education Systems: EdTech will increasingly complement and integrate with traditional education systems, bridging gaps and enhancing the overall learning experience. Adoption in Emerging Markets: Emerging markets will likely see a surge in EdTech adoption as internet penetration increases and digital devices become more affordable. Investment Shifts: While venture capital funding may fluctuate, investment in EdTech is expected to remain strong, with a shift towards more strategic and impact-focused funding. Key Players “In the future, entrepreneurs will sell knowledge over products.”- Ankur Nagpal founder of Teachable Source: CB Insights Pre-K Education: Learn With Homer– Raised a total of $93M and was then acquired. K-12 Education: Platforms like Kahoot! and Quizlet have brought an element of gamification to K-12 classrooms, making learning interactive and enjoyable. Meanwhile, EdTech platforms like Google Classroom and Canvas help manage classroom tasks and streamline communication between teachers, students, and parents. Other big players include Khan Academy a free world-class education platform and GoStudent for 1 on 1 tutoring. Higher Education: Tools like Coursera, edX, and Udemy are revolutionizing higher education. These platforms provide a wide range of courses from universities around the world, giving students access to quality education regardless of location. They also offer micro-credentials, which are becoming increasingly recognized by employers. Continuing Education and Adult Upskilling: LinkedIn Learning, Coursera provide professionals the opportunity to learn new skills, stay current in their field, and even transition to new careers. They offer a myriad of courses in fields ranging from business and tech to creative arts. Specialized Learning: Companies like Rosetta Stone and Duolingo make language learning accessible to everyone, while platforms like MasterClass provide expert-led courses in various domains, such as writing, cooking, acting, and more. Cohort-based Learning companies: EducateMe, Maven and and various boot camps such as LeWagon and Iron Hack for tech upskilling. “Microlearning” or Bite-sized Learning involves absorbing knowledge in small, digestible segments, usually less than 10 minutes in duration. This method addresses time constraints, a common hurdle for employee participation in workplace learning. It not only condenses learning periods, thus increasing student engagement but also promotes information retention through repetition. Several innovative microlearning platforms have adopted this approach some examples include GoodCourse and 7Taps. Companies Own Offerings: Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams for Education, and Apple’s educational resources. In the era of lifelong learning, the market for educational technology has expanded dramatically. As technology continues to evolve and integrate into the education sector, we can expect to see even more niche EdTech platforms arise to meet the diverse needs of learners. Unique Challenges Technological infrastructure, including reliable internet access, is still a hurdle in many parts of the world. Concerns regarding data privacy and security. User engagement and retention, particularly in the K-12 segment, require a fine balance between education and engagement. Articulating Unique Value Proposition for EdTech Founders As the EdTech marketplace starts to rapidly grow and is swarming with innovation, it is crucial for founders to effectively articulate the unique value proposition (UVP) of their startups. Your UVP is essentially the backbone of your business. Understanding and expressing your UVP is vital, particularly in the EdTech sector. This is because educational institutions, teachers, students, and parents – the primary stakeholders in EdTech – are looking for targeted solutions to specific challenges they face in the educational landscape. Whether it’s improving learning outcomes, enhancing teacher productivity, or increasing education accessibility, the ability to distinctly show how your solution addresses these challenges can make or break your fundraising efforts. Improving Learning Outcomes If your EdTech solution can improve learning outcomes, demonstrate this with data from pilot studies or user testimonials, showing how your product increases knowledge retention, improves grades, or develops specific skills. Highlight unique features of your product that facilitate these improved outcomes, such as AI-powered adaptive learning paths or gamified learning experiences. Enhancing Teacher Productivity EdTech is not only about students but also about empowering teachers. If your product can enhance teacher productivity, illustrate how it reduces their administrative burden, automates repetitive tasks, or assists in more efficient classroom management. Show how your product can help teachers spend more time doing what they do best—teaching and mentoring students. Increasing Education Accessibility In a world increasingly focused on equality and inclusion, EdTech solutions that increase educational accessibility have a powerful appeal. If this is your company’s strength, show how your product helps reach underprivileged communities, accommodates students with special needs, or allows flexible learning for those who can’t attend traditional classes. Concrete examples and stories will help your audience understand the real-world impact of your solution. EdTech Shower Thoughts First, a little flashback to the end of 2022- the value of 30 EdTech unicorns approached $100 billion, comparable to Fortune 500 companies like General Electric and American Express (that’s pretty impressive). According to research, students following personalized learning approaches significantly outperform their peers. AI helps to address the challenge of high student-teacher ratios, providing customized learning experiences. EdTech’s reach extends beyond traditional education, with remote work enhancing its importance in professional development. Automated identification of skill gaps and intelligent resource recommendations are seen as valuable to businesses and their employees. The potential impact of government funding on EdTech’s growth- the trend towards technology use in education might lead to a significant portion of the available $30 billion US government funding being allocated to EdTech. Learning Management Systems (LMS) is incredibly important in achieving scalability in EdTech. LMS not only helps manage large classrooms but also crucially harnesses data from personalized learning platforms, enabling educators to improve content and technologists to better understand user behavior. Resources EdTech VC connect profiles in our Fundraising CRM From Exploding Topics: 56 Fast-Growing Edtech Companies & Startups (2023) 12 Emerging Education Trends (2023-2026) $30B in government funding available to educators in the US HolonIQ: 2022 closed with 30 EdTech Unicorns around the world, collectively valued at $89B Accelerator- Imagine K12 (which is specifically focused on EdTech) Events: SXSW EDU, and Bett Show attract educators, and GSV Ventures hosts their annual ASU + GSV summit VCs Investing in the EdTech Space 1. NewSchools Venture Fund About: “NewSchools Venture Fund is a is a national nonprofit venture philanthropy working to reimagine public education. Since our founding, in 1998, we have invested nearly $200 million in 200 education ventures. Our investments were instrumental in the creation of nearly 470 new schools with the potential to serve more than 200,000 students, and the development of ed tech products that serve more than 60 million students and their teachers.” Thesis: “We are the first venture philanthropy focused on K-12 education. As a nonprofit and intermediary funder, we raise charitable donations and then grant those funds to early-stage entrepreneurs who are reimagining public education. While we have a rigorous investment process, we seek educational and social returns, not financial ones.” Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Growth EdTech Notable Investments: ClassDojo, Handshake, and Uncommon Schools. 2. EduCapital About: The largest European Edtech & Future of Work VC. Educapital invest’s in innovative European companies with the highest potential to scale and become European and global leaders. Thesis: We invest in Entrepreneurs shaping the future of education & future of work. Stage: Seed, Series A, Series b, Growth EdTech Lastest Investments: Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences, Edflex, Lunii 3. Bonsal Capital About: We support tech-enabled, mission-driven startups and funds and leverage our experience as educators, venture capitalists, and ecosystem leaders to empower you to find the resources you need, so you can better serve your end user and customer. Thesis: Bonsal Capital is a mission-driven partnership, and supporting education has been a core driver since our founding in 1999. With decades of experience in education as investors, practitioners, and volunteers, our principals have authentically grown a partnership that seeks founders and leaders who want to make a positive impact with a product and/or service, and who keep prospective scale and sustainability at the forefront. We support the growth of companies focused on tech-enabled services in education, and we have invested in and partnered with more than 20 such companies over the past two decades, providing human and financial capital, as well as other resources, that have made a positive impact on tens of millions of end users. We believe that, by fostering education, we can make the world a better place and feel good about our place in it. Stage: Seed, Series A, Growth EdTech Notable Investments: Upswing, Nepris, and Everyday Labs 4. Learn Capital About: LearnCapital is a venture capital firm focused exclusively on funding entrepreneurs with a vision for better and smarter learning. Thesis: “We back and build rapidly scaling tech-enabled companies that tackle the world’s biggest human-centered problems and help us all reach our full potential.” Stage: Seed, Series A, Growth EdTech Notable Investments: Udemy, Coursera, and Chegg. 5. Emerge Education About: LearnCapital is a venture capital firm focused exclusively on funding entrepreneurs with a vision for better and smarter learning. Stage: Pre-Seed and Seed EdTech Notable Investments: Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences, Edurino, and Colossyan 6. Owl Ventures About: “Founded in 2014, Owl Ventures is the largest venture capital firm in the world focused on the education technology market with over $2 billion in assets under management. The Silicon Valley-based firm was purposely built to partner with and help scale the world’s leading education companies across the education spectrum encompassing PreK-12, higher education, future of work (career mobility/professional learning), and “EdTech+” (intersection of EdTech and other major industries such as FinTech and healthcare).” Thesis: “We believe there is a digital revolution rapidly unfolding in education and workforce development. This revolution is creating a historic opportunity to invest in companies that are disrupting and improving the over $6 trillion global education market. The entire education and training sector is shifting rapidly as access to the internet and connected devices has flourished. Hundreds of millions of students and teachers around the world can now leverage innovative learning platforms.” Stage: We invest in companies at all stages from seed, early, growth, and later stages, globally. EdTech Notable Investments: MasterClass, degreed, Khan Academy, Schoology, and Knewton. 7. Reach Capital About: Reach supports the most promising entrepreneurs developing technology solutions for challenges in early childhood, K-12, and higher education. Thesis: “Education is a critical engine for economic mobility. Alongside health, wellbeing, career development and healthy relationships, we are interested in all ideas that empower people to learn, grow and succeed — in school, at home, for work … wherever they go.” Stages: “early, and support you at every stage of your journey” EdTech Notable Investments: Guild Education, Classcraft, and Merit America. 8. General Catalyst About: General Catalyst backs exceptional entrepreneurs who are building innovative technology companies and market leading businesses, including Airbnb, BigCommerce, ClassPass, Datalogix, Datto, Demandware, Gusto (fka ZenPayroll), The Honest Company, HubSpot, KAYAK, Oscar, Snap, Stripe, and Warby Parker. The General Catalyst team leverages its broad experience to help founders build extraordinary companies. General Catalyst has offices in Cambridge, MA, Palo Alto, CA and New York City. Thesis: General Catalyst is a venture capital firm that makes early-stage and growth equity investments. Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B, Growth EdTech Notable Investments: Chegg, Coursera, and Udacity. 9. Kapor Capital About: Kapor Capital invests in early stage gap-closing tech enabled startups. Thesis: Kapor Capital invests in tech-driven early-stage companies committed to closing gaps of access, opportunity or outcome for low-income communities and/or communities of color in the United States. Stages: Pre- Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B Looking for Investors? Try Visible Today! 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. Related Resource: EdTech VC connect profiles in our Fundraising CRM