Venture capital (VC) is a high-risk, high-reward type of investment that provides a critical financing method for young or innovative businesses unable to access traditional sources. These VC firms, highly concentrated in California, often deal with startup financing, providing growth capital to potentially lucrative businesses in the tech, biotech, and other rapidly evolving industries. Not only do these firms provide funding, but they also offer strategic guidance to help these fledgling businesses scale and succeed. Despite its riskiness, the VC industry's growth is projected to continue, with an increasing focus on sustainability and social impact investments.


Top 20 venture capital firms in California

1. 500 Global

  • Website: 500.co
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States
  • Founded: 2010
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Latest funding type: Series Unknown
  • LinkedIn

500.co is a venture capital firm that invests in fast-growing technology companies. With over $2.7 billion in assets under management, we focus on markets where technology, innovation, and capital can unlock long-term value and drive economic growth.


2. Accel

  • Website: accel.com
  • Headquarters: Palo Alto, California, United States
  • Founded: 1983
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

Accel is a venture capital firm that partners with exceptional teams to help them build the next generation of world-changing companies.


3. Y Combinator

  • Website: ycombinator.com
  • Headquarters: Mountain View, California, United States
  • Founded: 2005
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Latest funding type: Undisclosed
  • LinkedIn

Y Combinator is a startup accelerator and investment firm that provides funding and mentorship to early stage companies. With a combined valuation nearing $1T, Y Combinator has funded over 3,500 startups since its founding in 2005.


4. Andreessen Horowitz

  • Website: a16z.com
  • Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States
  • Founded: 2009
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • LinkedIn

a16z.com is a company that focuses on investing in and supporting technology startups. They provide funding, expertise, and resources to help these startups grow and succeed in the market.


5. Gunderson Dettmer

  • Website: gunder.com
  • Headquarters: Redwood City, California, United States
  • Founded: 1995
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • LinkedIn

Gunder.com is a law firm specializing in the innovation economy. They provide legal services to forward-thinking clients, including venture-backed and public life sciences companies, growth equity investors, and pioneering companies. Their expertise spans from inception to maturity, and they have a deep understanding of the venture capital ecosystem. They focus on delivering best-in-class value and efficient legal support at every phase of a client's business.


6. Greylock

  • Website: greylock.com
  • Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States
  • Founded: 1965
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

Greylock Partners is an investment firm that specializes in technology startups. They provide seed and series A funding to innovative companies in various industries. With a focus on disruptive technologies, Greylock aims to support entrepreneurs in building scalable and successful businesses.


7. Kleiner Perkins

Kleiner Perkins is an investment company that provides services in the field of venture capital and private equity. They offer funding and support to innovative startups and entrepreneurs.


8. GGV Capital

  • Website: ggvc.com
  • Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States
  • Founded: 2000
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

GGV Capital is an investment firm that provides funding and support to entrepreneurs. They believe in the talent to build great companies and work with founders from anywhere. With offices in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, New York, Singapore, Shanghai, and Beijing, GGV Capital offers a global perspective and extensive network to help companies succeed.


9. Tech Coast Angels

  • Website: techcoastangels.com
  • Headquarters: Irvine, California, United States
  • Founded: 1997
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Latest funding type: Seed
  • LinkedIn

Tech Coast Angels is a major catalyst in helping build the startup ecosystem in Southern California. With more than 425 members and three angel funds, TCA offers funding and support to startups at different stages. They seek innovative companies with a clear competitive advantage in various industries. TCA is also affiliated with over 50 angel groups nationwide and provides connections, knowledge, mentoring, and operational assistance to early-stage entrepreneurs with game-changing ideas.


10. Wefunder

  • Website: wefunder.com
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States
  • Founded: 2011
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Latest funding type: Series A
  • LinkedIn

Wefunder is an investment platform that allows individuals to invest as little as $100 in startups and small businesses they believe in. It offers a new kind of stock market, where investors can support founders they believe in and potentially earn returns. The platform has helped startups raise over $5 billion in venture capital.


11. Better

Better Capital is an early stage venture firm that builds and invests in category-defining businesses. They focus on innovative startups and provide support through funding and strategic guidance.


12. Contrary

  • Website: contrary.com
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States
  • Founded: 2016
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

Contrary.com is a venture capital firm that supports and invests in category-defining startups. They provide funding, mentorship, and resources to help exceptional entrepreneurs succeed from seed to scale.


13. Pegasus Tech Ventures

Pegasus Tech Ventures is a global venture capital firm headquartered in Silicon Valley. They work with international corporations and investors to find and fund innovative technologies and businesses with the potential for industry leadership. Pegasus connects portfolio companies with a network of over thirty international corporate partners, fostering business development opportunities, company growth, and innovation advancement.


14. Norwest Venture Partners

  • Website: nvp.com
  • Headquarters: Palo Alto, California, United States
  • Founded: 1961
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

Norwest Venture Partners (nvp.com) is an investment firm that helps build companies through growth equity investment. They provide capital and expertise to support the growth and success of their portfolio companies.


15. GoingVC Partners

  • Website: goingvc.com
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States
  • Founded: 2018
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

GoingVC is a platform that aims to make venture capital education, investing, networks, and talent more accessible. They offer educational programs, resources, and networking opportunities for individuals interested in venture capital.


16. Wing Venture Capital

  • Website: wing.vc
  • Headquarters: Palo Alto, California, United States
  • Founded: 2013
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • LinkedIn

Wing is an early-stage venture capital firm that helps startups achieve growth and success through resources and unwavering partnership. Their focus is on AI-first technology stack and autonomous applications.


17. Inventus Capital Partners

Inventus Capital Partners is an early stage VC firm that finances and supports founders from Seed Capital to Series A.


18. Evca

  • Website: evca.org
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States
  • Founded: 2017
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

EVCA.org is an organization focused on connecting and showcasing investors and venture capitalists. It features a wide range of investors and provides insights into their backgrounds and investment strategies.


19. University Lab Partners

University Lab Partners is a non-profit organization that empowers economic development and job creation in Orange County. They provide a state-of-the-art life science co-working environment, workforce development, and training opportunities. With flexible lab and office options, ULP supports scientific and technological projects and offers shared lab equipment and space. They host events and offer resources and workshops to create a collaborative and supportive work environment.


20. Partners for Growth

  • Website: pfgrowth.com
  • Headquarters: Tiburon, California, United States
  • Founded: 2004
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Partners for Growth (PFG) is a private specialty lending firm that provides fully customized debt solutions tailored to each company's unique situation. Their innovative financing solutions have been supporting emerging growth companies for over three decades, with a focus on technology, life sciences, and healthcare sectors. PFG offers specialized lending solutions beyond traditional lenders to promote global growth.


Want to find more venture capital firms?


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