Fundraising in Massachusetts: Your Guide for Top VCs, Trends & Resources
Massachusetts isn’t just a hub for world-class universities and Red Sox fans—it’s a launchpad for some of the most innovative startups and visionary investors in the world. Boston and Cambridge are home to over 4,000 startups and have produced over 20 unicorns in the last decade alone. The region’s venture capitalists are fueling this momentum, with Massachusetts consistently ranking among the top three states for VC investment in the U.S., logging over 850 venture deals in 2024 and attracting billions in funding across biotech, AI, SaaS, and climate tech sectors.
Massachusetts stands out for its unique blend of technical talent, research powerhouses like MIT and Harvard, and a collaborative culture that brings together founders, investors, and industry leaders. The state’s VCs aren’t just check-writers—they’re former founders, operators, and domain experts who help startups win.
In the list below, you’ll discover the most active and founder-focused VCs in Massachusetts, each with a direct link to their Visible Connect profile.
Top VCs
Pillar
About: Pillar is a seed-stage VC firm based in Boston co-founded by the CEOs of 22 leading companies.
Sweetspot check size: $ 1.50M
Thesis: Backing seed-stage founders from the moment of inception.
First Star Ventures
About: First Star partners with entrepreneurs solving real-world problems using data and machine learning, focusing on applications of frontier technologies such as AI, computational biotech, connected sensors, AR/VR, and blockchain
Sweetspot check size: $ 500K
Thesis: Technical founders building to solve real-world problems. Deep tech, new computing, climate.
Koa Labs
About: Koa Labs invests in first time founders and underserved founders (female, immigrant, and BIPOC founders) with technical and scientific backgrounds. We also have a strong preference to health tech and data startups in the Cambridge/Boston and Austin ecosystems.
Sweetspot check size: $ 100K
Milemark Capital
Sweetspot check size: $ 300K
Thesis: Milemark invests in diverse teams born of innovation hubs, building scalable businesses, differentiated and defended by proprietary AI systems, models, and data.
Hyperplane
About: Hyperplane Venture Capital is an investment firm focused on exceptional founders building machine intelligence and data companies. The company was founded by Brendan Kohler and Vivjan Myrto in 2015; and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.
186 Ventures
Sweetspot check size: $ 700K
Thesis: 186 Ventures is a pre-seed & seed stage venture capital firm based in Boston investing thematically across software sectors. We bring full operational and strategic support and an unparalleled network to founders when they need it most– at the beginning. We focus primarily on the Northeast of the US, although we have already demonstrated an ability to deploy into high growth startups in San Francisco, LA, and other select US cities. 186 Ventures raised its first fund during the Fall of 2021 after the founders of the firm, Giuseppe Stuto & Julian Fialkow, built an angel portfolio of 32 early stage technology companies and found that it was a very important time within the technology sector to establish a new generation, founder first early stage venture capital brand in the Northeast US.
LaunchPad Venture Group
About: Launchpad Venture Group is an angel investment group that provides funding to early-stage companies. We are geographically focused to Boston and New England area companies.
Beacon Angels
About: Beacon Angels is a Boston-based angel group that makes investments in the $50,000 to $300,000 range in small, fast-growing companies. Since our 2006 founding, Beacon has invested nearly six million dollars into New England-based startups. Positive exits so far—ranging in multiples from 0.5X to 8X—have delivered an overall, net positive return to our member investors.
Boston Seed Capital
About: Boston Seed Capital provides early stage funding and support for internet-enabled businesses around the country. But they like to say: They fund from Boston. They are operators who have founded companies, grown companies, raised capital, acquired companies, taken companies public, exited companies and built and led cultures of great places to work.
Sweetspot check size: $ 1M
Underscore VC
About: Underscore VC is a Boston-based venture capital firm. Their investment focus is around trusted cloud intelligence and technology sector.
Sweetspot check size: $ 4M
Founder Collective
About: Founder Collective is a seed-stage venture capital firm that has invested in over 300 startups, including Uber, Airtable, PillPack, SeatGeek, The Trade Desk, Whoop, and Cruise. Founder Collective's mission is to be the most aligned fund for founders at the seed stage. FC has offices in NYC and Cambridge, MA and has been the top-rated seed fund on the Forbes Midas list for four of the last five years.
Sweetspot check size: $ 1.25M
Traction metrics requirements: Founder-market fit + strong customer use case
Thesis: Our mission is to be the most aligned fund for Founders at the seed stage.
PJC
About: PJC is an early-stage VC firm investing in, supporting, and building relationships with entrepreneurs who are creating the future
Sweetspot check size: $ 750K
Thesis: We invest in creative entrepreneurs solving big customer problems across all industries and all over North America.
RevUp Capital
About: RevUp Capital invests and supports revenue-driven B2B and B2C companies. Companies receive $350K-500K in non-dilutive cash delivered in tandem with RevUp's growth platform, which includes strategy and execution support to accelerate market-facing growth.
Sweetspot check size: $ 400K
Traction metrics requirements: Companies enter our portfolio with $500K-$3M in revenue, a strong growth rate, and plans to reach $10-30M in revenue in 3-5 years. We invest in both B2B and B2C companies. RevUp is committed to investing in women, people of color, and in founders outside of top tier geographies. We believe in you.
Thesis: We invest with a singular purpose: to give founders a better shot at success.
One Way Ventures
About: Founded in 2017 by Semyon Dukach and Eveline Buchatskiy, One Way Ventures is focused on backing exceptional immigrant entrepreneurs. Prior to founding One Way Ventures, Semyon and Eveline have sourced, invested, and nurtured over 50 prominent startups at Techstars Boston.
Sweetspot check size: $ 1.25M
Thesis: Immigrant founders at the seed stage in sectors characterized by mass movement of people, goods, data, money, etc.
Building Ventures
About: Building Ventures invests in companies that are reshaping the way we design, build, operate and experience our built environment. We partner with visionary entrepreneurs who will have a profound effect on how and where we live as humans on our planet.
Victress Capital
About: Victress Capital invests in technology-enabled consumer startups led by diverse leadership.
Sweetspot check size: $ 750K
Thesis: Consumer-focused. Diversity driven. We are who we invest in.
Key Networking Opportunities and Local Resources for Founders
Massachusetts offers a rich ecosystem of networking opportunities and resources that empower founders to connect, learn, and accelerate their startups. Whether you’re seeking mentorship, funding, or access to world-class research, the state’s collaborative environment provides a strong foundation for entrepreneurial success.
Major Startup Events, Accelerators, and Networking Groups
MassChallenge: MassChallenge is one of the world’s largest zero-equity startup accelerators, headquartered in Boston. It supports early-stage entrepreneurs through mentorship, office space, and access to a global network of investors and corporate partners. The annual MassChallenge Boston accelerator culminates in a high-profile Demo Day, drawing hundreds of investors and industry leaders.
The Engine: Founded by MIT, The Engine is a venture fund and accelerator focused on “Tough Tech”—startups working on breakthrough science and engineering. The Engine provides funding, lab space, and a robust network of technical and business mentors, making it a key resource for deep tech founders in Massachusetts.
Venture Café: Venture Café Cambridge hosts weekly gatherings that bring together entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators. These events offer networking, educational sessions, and opportunities to pitch ideas in a casual, collaborative setting. The Thursday Gathering is a staple for the local startup community.
Other Notable Accelerators and Groups
- Techstars Boston: A leading accelerator program that provides mentorship-driven seed-stage investment and access to a global network.
- Harvard Innovation Labs (i-lab): Offers resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities for Harvard-affiliated entrepreneurs.
- MIT delta v: The capstone accelerator for student entrepreneurs at MIT, providing mentorship, funding, and workspace.
- Startup Boston: Organizes an annual multi-day conference and year-round events to connect founders, investors, and startup talent.
University and Research Institution Resources
MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology): MIT is a global leader in innovation, offering founders access to cutting-edge research, entrepreneurship programs, and funding opportunities. Resources include the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship, the MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund, and the MIT Venture Mentoring Service.
Harvard University: Harvard’s innovation ecosystem includes the Harvard Innovation Labs, the Harvard Business School Rock Center for Entrepreneurship, and the Harvard Life Lab. These resources provide mentorship, funding, and workspace for student and alumni founders.
Northeastern University Center for Entrepreneurship Education: Provides experiential learning, mentorship, and funding for student startups.
State and City Government Programs Supporting Startups
MassDevelopment: MassDevelopment is the state’s finance and development agency, offering loans, grants, and technical assistance to startups and growing businesses. The agency also supports innovation districts and infrastructure projects that benefit the startup ecosystem.
MassVentures: MassVentures is a venture capital firm backed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, investing in early-stage, high-growth startups. The firm also runs the START program, which provides non-dilutive funding to help companies commercialize new technologies.
Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC): MLSC offers grants, tax incentives, and capital funding to life sciences startups, supporting innovation and job creation in the sector.
City of Boston Office of Economic Development: The City of Boston provides resources for small businesses and startups, including permitting assistance, grants, and connections to local accelerators and coworking spaces.
Additional Resources
- Greentown Labs: The largest climatetech startup incubator in North America, based in Somerville, MA, offering lab space, prototyping resources, and a strong community for climate-focused founders.
- MassChallenge HealthTech: A specialized accelerator for digital health startups, connecting founders with leading healthcare organizations.
- Visible Hands: An accelerator and venture fund supporting underrepresented founders, with a focus on women and people of color.
Why Massachusetts is a Powerhouse for Startup Fundraising
Massachusetts stands out as one of the most dynamic and influential startup ecosystems in the United States, consistently ranking among the top regions for innovation, venture capital activity, and entrepreneurial success. The state’s unique blend of world-class universities, a highly educated workforce, and a collaborative business environment has made it a magnet for both founders and investors.
A Leading Hub for Innovation and Venture Capital
Massachusetts—anchored by Boston and Cambridge—has long been recognized as a global leader in technology, life sciences, healthcare, and deep tech innovation. The presence of renowned institutions like MIT and Harvard fuels a steady pipeline of talent and groundbreaking research, which in turn attracts significant venture capital investment. The state’s innovation districts, such as Kendall Square in Cambridge, are often cited as some of the most concentrated hubs of entrepreneurial activity in the world.
Key Statistics on VC Activity and Startup Growth
- Top 3 in U.S. VC Activity: Massachusetts consistently ranks among the top three states for venture capital investment, alongside California and New York. In 2024, the state logged over 850 venture deals, maintaining its position as one of the country’s most active regions for startup financing.
- Record Funding Volumes: In 2021, Boston-area VCs invested over $22 billion, and while deal volume slightly declined in 2023–2024, the region remains a powerhouse for both early-stage and growth-stage funding.
- Diverse Industry Focus: Massachusetts VCs are known for their investments in high-growth sectors such as biotech, healthcare, SaaS, AI, fintech, and climate tech. The state’s life sciences sector alone attracted more than $5 billion in venture funding in 2023, making it a global leader in biotech innovation.
- Startup Density and Success: Boston and Cambridge are home to thousands of startups, with the region producing multiple unicorns and high-profile exits each year. The density of accelerators, incubators, and support organizations further amplifies the state’s startup success rate.
- Academic and Corporate Synergy: The close proximity of top universities, research hospitals, and Fortune 500 companies creates a unique environment where startups can rapidly prototype, pilot, and scale their innovations.
Connect With Investors in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts' 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.
