7 Best VC Firms in Austin, Texas
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.
