Top Venture Capital Firms in Charlotte The Charlotte Startup Ecosystem Notable Startups and Success Stories in Charlotte Connect With Investors in Charlotte Using Visible
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Charlotte, North Carolina, has rapidly evolved into a vibrant hub for startups, particularly in the fintech sector. In 2024, the city was ranked among the top 10 global ecosystems for financial technology startups in regions with populations under 3 million.This recognition underscores Charlotte's dynamic environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.
This guide will walk you through the top venture capital firms actively investing in Charlotte-based startups, along with essential resources and strategies for successful fundraising in the region.
Top Venture Capital Firms in Charlotte
1. Frontier Growth
Frontier Growth
- About: Frontier Capital specializes in growth equity investments in software and tech-enabled services companies.
- Thesis: We partner with domain experts who are disrupting late-adopter industries with modern vertical SaaS solutions that customers love. We are people-first investors, passionate about supporting vertical SaaS companies through their growth journey.
2. Falfurrias Management Partners
Falfurrias Capital Partners
- About: Falfurrias Management Partners is a Charlotte-based private equity investment firm that acquires or invests in lower, middle-market businesses. The firm was founded in 2006 by Hugh McColl, Jr., the former Chairman and CEO of Bank of America, and Marc Oken, the former CFO of Bank of America.
3. Capitala Group
Capitala Group
- About: Capitala Group is an asset management firm that has been providing private credit and private equity capital to lower- and middle-market businesses throughout North America for over twenty-five years. Since our inception in 1998, Capitala has invested over $2.2 billion into small businesses utilizing our flexible capital mandate which provides creative financing solutions to companies. We seek to partner with strong management teams to create value and support growth through strategic partnerships, operational expertise, and a shared vision for success.
4. RevTech Labs Foundation
RevTech Labs Foundation
- About: RevTech Labs Foundation is the bridge to growth and success for Founders. Maximizing the probability of success for high-potential startups is at the heart of everything we do. We leverage our broad networks of support to provide what we believe to be the most crucial needs for Founders when growing and scaling their startup - funding, mentorship, and visibility.
5. Salem Investment Partners
Salem Investment Partners
- About: Salem Investment Partners is an investment firm based in North Carolina with over $350 million under management. We specialize in mezzanine debt and equity investments in privately-held businesses with $10-$75 million in revenue. We invest across a wide range of industries primarily in the eastern half of the US.
6. Carousel Capital
Carousel Capital
- About: Carousel Capital is a private investment firm that focuses on investing in companies located in the Southeastern United States. The firm has an extensive track record of partnering with management teams to build leading companies with national and global presence within its three targeted growth sectors: business services; consumer products and services; and healthcare services. Carousel's investor base is comprised of institutional investors and, since the firm's inception, a group of more than one hundred current and former corporate Chief Executive Officers. These executives assist the firm in sourcing opportunities, as well as providing sector insight and strategic support.
7. Pamlico Capital
Pamlico Capital
- About: Pamlico Capital seeks equity and buyout investments in growing businesses that serve the communications, healthcare, services and software industries. We are committed to developing successful partnerships with management teams and entrepreneurs and helping companies reach their full potential. For more than thirty years, the Pamlico Capital team has generated consistently high returns, investing approximately $4 billion.
8. Charlotte Angel Fund
Charlotte Angel Fund
- About: We are a large group of experienced, committed investors in early stage companies in a wide range of industries. Charlotte Angel Fund (CAF) is one of North Carolina’s most active angel investor groups and represents Charlotte's largest source of capital for high aspiration startups.
9. SJF Ventures
SJF Ventures
- About: We are experienced venture capital investors who have been at the forefront of impact investing since 1999. We are passionate about generating extraordinary results, creating positive changes, and partnering with visionaries who combine these two.
- Sweetspot check size: $ 5M
- Thesis: SJF Ventures invests in high-growth companies creating a healthier, smarter and cleaner future. Our mission is to catalyze the development of highly successful businesses driving lasting, positive changes.
10. Plexus Capital
- About: Plexus Capital invests across the United States in a variety of transaction types, including acquisitions, buyouts, recapitalizations, and growth capital. Since 2005, Plexus has raised over $2.2B* across seven committed funds and funded over $2.4B in over 189 companies. Plexus has built an institutional platform with a team of ~45 professionals based in Raleigh and Charlotte, NC.
Our transaction experience has resulted in active working relationships with numerous third party due diligence providers, ensuring a smooth and efficient transaction process for management and the Company. We are value-add, long-term, patient investors who are committed to excellence in everything we do.
The Charlotte Startup Ecosystem
Charlotte's transformation into a startup hub is fueled by its robust financial infrastructure, talent pipeline, and quality of life. The city is home to over 50,000 tech workers and secured $1.2 billion in startup funding in 2024, reflecting its dynamic ecosystem.
Key Industries and Sectors
- Fintech: Charlotte ranks among the top 10 global ecosystems for fintech startups in regions with populations under 3 million.
- Healthcare Technology: With major healthcare systems like Novant Health, the city fosters healthtech startups focusing on patient care and medical devices.
- Enterprise Software: B2B software companies, especially those serving financial services and healthcare sectors, thrive in Charlotte's business-friendly environment.
Networking Opportunities and Resources
- LaunchCLT: Connects founders and mentors to catalyze a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem in the greater Charlotte region.
- RevTech Labs: Provides accelerators for fintech, healthtech, and insurtech startups, offering funding, mentorship, and visibility.
- Ventureprise Launch: An accelerator program offering funding and support for sector-agnostic startups.
Notable Startups and Success Stories in Charlotte
Charlotte's growing startup ecosystem has produced a number of high-profile success stories across various industries, including fintech, healthtech, and e-commerce. These companies have secured significant funding, achieved major milestones, and contributed to the city's reputation as an emerging startup hub. Here are some of the most notable startups that have made an impact in Charlotte:
AvidXchange
- Industry: Fintech
- About: Founded in 2000, AvidXchange is one of Charlotte’s biggest startup success stories. The company provides automated accounts payable and payment automation solutions for mid-market businesses.
- Success Milestones: AvidXchange went public in 2021, reaching a valuation of over $2 billion. It remains one of the largest fintech employers in Charlotte.
Carewell
- Industry: E-commerce, Healthtech
- About: Carewell is a family-owned e-commerce platform that specializes in home health products for caregivers. The company provides personalized customer support and resources to help caregivers manage their loved ones' needs.
- Success Milestones: Carewell raised $25 million in Series B funding in 2022 and was named one of the fastest-growing startups in the Southeast.
Stratifyd
- Industry: Artificial Intelligence, Analytics
- About: Stratifyd uses AI and machine learning to analyze unstructured data for enterprises, providing insights into customer feedback, market trends, and operational efficiencies.
- Success Milestones: The company has raised over $50 million in funding from investors, including Charlotte-based Frontier Capital.
Red Ventures
- Industry: Digital Media, Marketing
- About: Red Ventures is a digital marketing and media company that owns and operates several well-known brands, including CNET, Bankrate, and The Points Guy.
- Success Milestones: The company has grown into a billion-dollar business with over 3,000 employees worldwide.
MapAnything (Acquired by Salesforce)
- Industry: SaaS, Location Intelligence
- About: The acquisition of MapAnything by Salesforce put Charlotte on the map for SaaS and enterprise software startups. MapAnything developed location-based software for sales and service teams, integrating with Salesforce to optimize routing, sales territory mapping, and customer engagement.
- Success Milestones: The company was acquired by Salesforce in 2019 for an undisclosed sum, making it one of Charlotte’s biggest startup exits.
Ekos
- Industry: SaaS, Craft Beverage Tech
- About: Ekos provides business management software for craft beverage producers, including breweries, cideries, and wineries, helping them streamline inventory, production, and sales.
- Success Milestones: The company has raised over $20 million in funding and serves thousands of craft beverage businesses worldwide.
Connect With Investors in Charlotte 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 Charlotte'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.
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