7 Best VC Firms in Austin, Texas

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Austin is known for its vibrant startup scene and innovative spirit. If you’re an entrepreneur looking for funding or simply interested in the venture capital landscape, you’re in the right place. Here, we’ve rounded up the top seven VC firms that stand out in Austin. These firms are not only influential but also actively invest in promising new ventures.

ATX Venture Partners

ATX Venture Partners is an early-stage VC firm that invests across North America. They focus on disruptive and emerging B2B software, APIs, marketplaces, frontier tech, and SaaS apps. ATX Venture Partners leads or co-leads in Seed, Series A, and early-stage software investments, reflecting their commitment to supporting innovative startups in their early stages. Geographically, ATX Venture Partners has a primary focus on investments across North America and UK.

Headquarters: USA

Investment Geography: USA, UK, Canada

Operating since: 2014

Stages: Seed, Series A

Investment Focus: Enterprise/B2B SaaS, IoT & Frontier Tech, E-Commerce/Marketplaces

Number of investments: 100

Number of exits: 16

Check size: $250k – $8m

Notable investments: ZenBusiness, MacroFab

Founders/Key People: Chris Shonk, Danielle Allen, Brad Bentz

Website: https://www.atxventurepartners.com 

Earl Grey Capital

Earl Grey Capital is an early-stage venture fund co-founded by Amit Vasudev, Matt Sornson, and Alex MacCaw. These founders also co-founded Clearbit in 2015 and have been collaborating since then. The fund has invested in over 100 companies, focusing on those that simplify building on the Internet, such as APIs, protocols, and developer infrastructure. Earl Grey Capital emphasizes founder-to-founder support, placing high value on founders backing each other in the entrepreneurial journey.

Headquarters: USA

Investment Geography: USA, Zambia, Israel

Operating since: 2020

Stages: Pre-Seed,Seed

Investment Focus: API First,Protocol/DAO,Developer Tools,Platforms,Web 3, Web 2, B2B, SaaS, AI/ML, Blockchain

Number of investments: 110

Number of exits: 11

Check size: $300k – $1m

Notable investments: Mino Games, Pogo

Founders/Key People: Amit Vasudev, Forrest Hardy

Website: https://earlgrey.capital 

Elsewhere Partners

Elsewhere Partners is a growth capital firm that invests in B2B software companies. The firm has a pragmatic growth approach, providing transitional capital and transformational expertise. Elsewhere Partners primarily invests in companies outside traditional venture capital hubs, often in businesses that have achieved significant customer traction and revenue growth without substantial outside funding. The company strongly emphasizes partnering with ambitious, exceptional software companies with a capacity for efficient capital use. 

Headquarters: USA

Investment Geography: USA, Israel, Canada

Operating since: 2016

Stages: Series A,Series B

Investment Focus: Enterprise Software (AI, Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, Automation, Blockchain, Cyber Security, HealthTech, MarTech, HRTech)

Number of investments: 21

Number of exits: 5

Check size: $1m – $10m

Notable investments: SailPoint Technologies, SolarWinds

Founders/Key People: Chris Pacitti, Michele Perry

Website: https://elsewhere.partners 

Gigafund

Gigafund, founded in 2017 by Luke Nosek and Stephan Oskoui, is a venture capital firm based in Austin, Texas. It primarily invests in technology companies with long-term potential. The firm has made notable investments in companies like SpaceX, Luminous Computing, The Boring Company, and Golden. Gigafund was initially focused on raising funds for SpaceX but later diversified its investment portfolio. The firm raised its first investment fund of $100 million in 2017 and has been active in the venture capital space since then​​.

Headquarters: USA

Investment Geography: USA

Operating since: 2017

Stages: Seed,Series A,Series B

Investment Focus: Tech (Space,Aerospace,Construction,Enterprise Software,Chips,HealthTech)

Number of investments: 24

Number of exits: 0

Check size: $10k – $5m

Notable investments: SpaceX, Neuralink, The Boring Company

Founders/Key People: Stephen Oskoui, Luke Nosek

Website: https://www.gigafund.com 

Next Coast Ventures

New Coast Ventures, founded in 2014, is a venture capital firm based in Chicago, Illinois. The firm primarily invests in early-stage companies operating in sectors like consumer internet, enterprise software, marketplaces, and mobile commerce. This focus reflects a dedication to supporting innovative businesses in high-growth areas, with a particular interest in technology-driven sectors​​.

Headquarters: USA

Investment Geography: United States, Australia, Israel.

Operating since: 2015.

Investment Focus: Disruptive Tech (Digital Consumer,EdTech,Software,Retail Tech,Enterprise Marketplaces,Future of Work).

Stage: Seed, Post-Seed, Series A, Series B+.

Number of investments: 96

Number of exits: 11

Check size: $500K – $5M

Notable investments: ICON, ScaleFactor

Founders/Key People: Michael Smerklo, Thomas Ball

Website: https://www.nextcoastventures.com

Sapphire Ventures

Sapphire Ventures is a leading venture capital firm, focusing on partnering with visionary teams and venture funds to build impactful companies. Established with a strong commitment to supporting innovative startups, Sapphire Ventures invests across the lifecycle of enterprise SaaS companies, aiming to help them scale into market leaders. The firm has over $5.7 billion in assets under management (AUM) as of the end of 2020, and it recently raised $1.7 billion across multiple funds to ramp up investments in Series B through IPO-stage enterprise technology companies in the U.S., Europe, and Israel

Headquarters: USA (Austin, Texas)

Investment Geography: USA, Europe, Israel

Operating since: 2011

Investment Focus: Enterprise Tech/B2B, Consumer Tech/Consumer Internet, Software/SaaS, SportsTech/Digital Media & Commerce/Gaming & Esports/Health & Human Performance

Stages: Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C

Number of investments: 403

Number of exits: 149

Check size: $10m – $100m

Notable investments: LinkedIn, CRITEO, Auth0, Exabeam, Fitbit, monday.com, Square, Wise (fka TransferWise), DocuSign, JFrog, SAVO

Founders/Key People: Andreas Weiskam, Doug Higgins

Website: http://sapphireventures.com/

Silverton Partners

Silverton Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm headquartered in Austin, Texas, established in 2006. It is known for focusing on Seed and Series A investment rounds across a diverse range of industries such as enterprise Software as a Service (SaaS), cybersecurity, consumer marketplaces, financial services, insurance, real estate technologies, and digital healthcare. The firm has positioned itself as Texas’ most active and longest-standing venture capital investor, demonstrating a commitment to nurturing startup growth from the earliest stages.

Headquarters: United States

Investment Geography: United States, Canada, France, Israel, Denmark, Norway, Australia

Operating since: 2006

Investment Focus: Consumer Internet, E-commerce, Gaming/Media, Enterprise/B2B, Software/SaaS, AdTech/MarTech, Cyber Security, PropTech, FinTech/InsurTech, Health Care/Digital Health/HealthTech.

Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B.

Number of investments: 224

Number of exits: 38

Check size: $500K – $10M

Notable investments: Project44, The Zebra

Founders/Key People: Morgan Flager

Website: https://www.silvertonpartners.com/

Conclusion

Choosing the right VC firm can be a game-changer for your business. In Austin, Texas, you have some excellent options. Each firm we discussed offers unique strengths and focuses on different types of startups. Whether you need seed funding or substantial investment for expansion, one of these top seven VC firms in Austin might just be the perfect match for your venture.

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