11 Venture Capital Firms in Austin for Early-Stage Startups
If you are seeking venture capital firms in Austin to secure funding for your early-stage startup, we have compiled a list of 11 options worth exploring.
Austin, the live music capital of the world, has earned a new identity in recent years: the city of unicorns and tech giants. This is due to the massive influx of startup founders and venture capital firms in 2020 and 2021.
The capital city of Texas attracted over $5.5 billion in investments in 2021 alone. Tax advantages and the presence of giants like Google, Apple, and Tesla helped Austin to create the perfect ecosystem for startups to grow.
If you’re a startup founder in Austin, you can contact any of the 416 venture capital firms currently operating in the city. Unfortunately, not everyone is willing to invest in early-stage startups.
So, we’ve put together a list of 11 venture capital firms in Austin, Texas, that are willing to take the risk and invest in your early-stage company.
11 Early-Stage Venture Capital Firms in Austin
1. S3 Ventures
S3 Ventures is one of the largest venture capital firms in Austin, Texas. They have experienced and successful entrepreneurs in their team. Their investors and top management have diverse experiences that might add value from different perspectives in your startups.
They have invested in patient capital, resources, and industry insight into the startups. From the beginning, they are backed by a single philanthropic family with a multi-billion dollar foundation.
Details of S3 Ventures
Foundation Year: 2006
Countries of Operation:
- United States
- Canada
Number of Investments: 110
Number of Exits: 29
Funds raised: $435M
Focuses of S3 Ventures
Stage
- Early Stage
- Pre-Seed
- Seed
Industries
- Business Technology
- Digital experiences
- Healthcare technology sectors
Investment size
S3 Venture’s investment size is $500K to $10M.
Notable Investments
1. Atmosphere
URL: atmosphere.tv
Funding Rounds: 5
Total Funding: $184M
2. BrainCheck
URL: braincheck.com
Rounds: 8
Total Funding: $21.5M
3. Arpio
URL: arpio.io
Rounds: 3
Total Funding: $10.4M
Contact:
Website: https://www.s3vc.com/
Email: s3ventures@treblepr.com
Phone number: +1 (512) 258-1759
Address: 6300 Bridge Point Pkwy
Building 1, Suite 405
Austin, TX 78730, United States
2. Austin Ventures
Austin Venture is one of the most established venture capital firms in Texas. If you are a talented executive and entrepreneur, they would like to build a partnership with you.
Their main target is to build top-notch companies in Texas. Austin Ventures is one of the few VCs who are always ready to use their experience and expertise to help your startup grow.
Details of Austin Ventures
Foundation Year: 1984
Countries of Operation
- United States
- China
- Canada
- Germany
- Australia
- United Kingdom
Number of Investments: 612
Number of Exits: 282
Funds raised: $4.4B
Focus of Austin Ventures
Stage
- Early Stage
- Late Stage
- Seed
Industries
- Fintech
- Healthcare
- Industrial
- Enterprise
- Hardware
- Internet
- Mobile
- SaaS
Investment
Investment size: $500k – $10M (Early Stage) and $1M – $40M (Growth Stage)
Minimum cheque size: $500,000
Notable Investments
1. Bazaarvoice
URL: bazaarvoice.com
Rounds: 6
Total Funding: $20.4M
Contact
Website: https://austinventures.com/
Email: khughes@austinventures.com
Address: 100 Congress Avenue, Suite 1600, Austin, Texas 78701-2746
3. Silverton Partners
Silverton Partners is one of the most active venture capital firms in Texas. They’re all about partnering with entrepreneurs like you who have bold aspirations to break the mold. They focused on funding and mentoring early-stage businesses that disrupt the markets and build enduring companies.
The best thing about Silverton Partners is they passionately share their decades of knowledge and extensive network with every one of their investments. It’s a partnership that could take your venture to new heights.
Details of Silverton Partners
Foundation Year: 2006
Countries of Operation:
- Canada
- United States
Number of Investments: 211
Number of Exits: 67
Funds raised: $659.7M
Focus of Silverton Partners
Stage
- Early Stage
- Seed
Industries
- Business Software
- Consumer internet
- Cloud service
- Enterprise software
Investment size
Silverton Partners’ investment size is more than $950 million.
Notable Investments
Contact
Contact:
Website: silvertonpartners.com/
4. 8VC
8VC is a venture capital firm that focuses on investing and supporting technology startups across various industries. If you are one of those companies that can create long-term economic and societal value, there are huge possibilities that they will start aligning with you.
Also, 8VC is known for backing companies that have the potential to make a significant impact on their industries. And they are the investors who never stopped being engineers, operators, policymakers, philosophers, and entrepreneurs for your betterment.
Details of 8VC
Foundation Year: 2012
Countries of Operation:
- USA
- Canada
- Colombia
Number of Investments: 533
Number of Exits: 56
Funds raised: $425,000,000
Focus of 8VC
Stage
- Early Stage
- Seed
- Late Stage
Industries
- Healthcare
- Biotech
- Consumer
- Enterprise
- Supply Chain Logistics
- Government Technology
- Life Sciences
- Manufacturing
- Fintech
Notable Investments
1. Blend
URL: blend.com
Rounds: 8
Total Funding: $685M
2. Sonoma Bio
URL: sonomabio.com
Rounds: 3Total Funding: $335M
3. Socotra
URL: socotra.com
Rounds: 7Total Funding: $98M
Contact
URL: 8vc.com/
Email: media@8vc.com
5. LiveOak Venture Partners
LiveOak Venture Partners is one of the venture capital companies that focuses on providing the first institutional capital for tech and tech-enabled services companies.
They want to team up with intelligent and creative entrepreneurs, just like you, to create world-class, industry-leading businesses.
Details of LiveOak Venture Partners
Foundation Year: 2013
Countries of Operation:
- United States
- United Kingdom
Number of Investments: 123
Number of Exits: 36
Funds raised: $424M
Focus of LiveOak Venture Partners
Stage
- Early Stage
- Seed
Industries
- SaaS
- Information technology
- Health tech
- Mobile
Investment size
LiveOak Venture Partner’s Investment size is between $1 million and $5 million.
Notable Investments
1. Osano
URL: osano.com
Rounds: 4
Total Funding: $44.4M
2. Homeward
URL: homeward.com
Rounds: 7
Total Funding: $210M
3. ConverseNow
URL: conversenow.ai
Rounds: 3
Total Funding: $28.8M
Contact
URL: liveoakvp.com/
Email: info@liveoakvp.com
6. Trust Ventures
Trust ventures like pioneering new companies to break down public policy barriers, accelerate business innovation, and improve consumers’ lives. Their strategies are built and executed in this way, which has the potential to break barriers in different industries.
Trust Ventures wants to build partnerships with companies that drive the next generation of great ideas. Also, their motto is to add value for founders and create tremendous value for society.
Foundation Year: 2018
Countries of Operation:
- United States
Number of Investments: 39
Number of Exits: 4
Funds raised: $168M
Focus of Trust Ventures
Stage
- Early Stage
Industries
- Health Care
- Information Technology
- Manufacturing
- Insurance
- Employee benefits
Investment size
Trust Ventures Investment size is $200 million.
Notable Investments
1. ICON
URL: iconbuild.com
Rounds: 7
Total Funding: $415M
2. Oklo
URL: oklo.com
Rounds: 4
Total Funding: $120k
3. Visibly
URL: govisibly.com
Rounds: 7
Total Funding: $50.2M
Contact
Email: info@trustventures.com
URL: trustventures.com/
7. Next Coast Ventures
Next Coast Ventures likes to work with entrepreneurs who are willing to take risks and build new businesses. Their investment approach is based on macro trends and themes.
They take a hands-on approach to working with their portfolio companies, providing not only capital but also mentorship and access to their network.
Details of Next Coast Ventures
Foundation Year: 2015
Countries of Operation:
- United States
- Australia
Number of Investments: 143
Number of Exits: 23
Funds raised: $310M
Focus of Next Coast Ventures
Stage
- Early Stage Venture
- Late Stage Venture
Industries
- Health & Wellness
- Marketplace
- Future of Work
- Consumer,
- Enterprise
- DTC
- SaaS
Notable Investments
1. BrainCheck
URL: braincheck.com
Rounds: 8
Total Funding: $21.5M
2. First Dollar
URL: firstdollar.com
Rounds: 2
Total Funding: $19M
3. Osano
URL: osano.com
Rounds: 4
Total Funding: $44.4M
Contact
Email: info@nextcoastventures.com
8. Antler
Antler was founded on the belief that innovation is the key to making the future better. They offer global residency programs to help founders like you from all over the world.
They’ve made their company grow quickly by connecting with co-founders from around the globe. Antler gives founders access to talent, expert advisors, support, opportunities to expand, and capital right from the start.
Details of Antler
Foundation Year: 2017
Countries of Operation:
- Singapore
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- South Korea
- Japan
- USA,
- Canada
Number of Investments: 1052
Number of Exits: 61
Funds raised: $82.M
Stage
- Pre-Seed
- Seed
Industries
- AI & ML
- Consumer
- Crypto & Blockchain
- Cybersecurity
- E-Commerce
- Fintech
- SaaS
Contact
Email: hello@antler.co
Website: www.antler.co
9. QED Investors
QED is the leading venture capital firm in the fintech area. It was founded on the principles of bringing transparency, fairness, and access to financial services.
They are focused on investing in disruptive financial services. They are also dedicated to building great businesses and use a unique, hands-on approach that leverages their partners’ expertise. Overall, they are known for their knowledge, engagement, and empathy.
Details of QED Investors
Foundation Year: 2007
Countries of Operation:
- United Kingdom
- USA
- Austria
- Canada
- Sweden
- China
Number of Investments: 353
Number of Exits: 72
Funds raised: $2.3B
Focus of Google Venture
Stage
- Early Stage
- Seed
Industries
- Creator Economy
- Crypto & Blockchain
- Fintech, Education, Healthcare
- InsurTech
- Marketplace
- E-Commerce
Notable Investments
1. Klarna
URL: klarna.com
Rounds: 23
Total Funding: $4.09B
2. Remitly
URL: remitly.com
Rounds: 13
Total Funding: $436M
3.
SoFi
URL: sofi.com
Rounds: 15
Total Funding: $2.67B
Contact
URL: qedinvestors.com/
Email: ashley@qedinvestors.com
10. Sevin Rosen Funds
Sevin Rosen Funds is a well-known early-stage venture capital firm with a 28-year track record. They’ve built outstanding partnerships with entrepreneurs to establish world-class technology firms.
Their active funds are completely invested, which means any future investments will be limited to Sevin Rosen portfolio firms only.
Details of Sevin Rosen Funds
Foundation Year: 1981
Countries of Operation:
- USA
- United Kingdom
Number of Investments: 363
Number of Exits: 154
Funds raised: $1.7B
Focus of Sevin Rosen Funds
Stage
- Early Stage
Industries
- Internet & Mobile
- Media
- Life Sciences
- Healthcare
- Industrial
- Energy
- SaaS
Notable Investments
1. Hightail
URL: hightail.com
Rounds: 5
Total Funding: $77.7M
2. vidyo.ai
URL: vidyo.ai
Rounds: 1
Total Funding: $1.1M
3. Splunk
URL: splunk.com
Rounds: 8
Total Funding: $40M
Contact
Email: info@srfunds.com
11. Moonshots Capital
Moonshots Capital is a seed-stage venture capital firm that invests in extraordinary leadership.
They believe that military-trained entrepreneurs possess the best qualities.
If they see that you are one of those firms that can motivate others, inspire trust, and plan heuristically, they will invest in you with full conviction. Also, they are always ready to deploy their entrepreneurial experience and network to help you succeed.
Details of Moonshots Capital
Foundation Year: 2017
Countries of Operation:
- USA
Number of Investments: 143
Number of Exits: 42
Funds raised: $56M
Focus of Moonshots Capital
Stage
- Seed
- Early Stage
Industries
- Internet & Mobile,
- Fintech
- Cybersecurity
- Gaming
- Transportation Media
Investment size
Moonshot capita investment size ranges from $0.75-2.5M
Minimum cheque size: $750,000
Maximum cheque size: $3,000,000
Notable Investments
1. Slack
URL: slack.com
Rounds:11
Total Funding: $1.22B
2. LinkedIn
URL: linkedin.com
Rounds: 9
Total Funding: $123M
3. Pandora
URL: pandora.com
Rounds: 11
Total Funding: $56.1M
Contact
URL: moonshotscapital.com
Email: kelly@moonshotscapital.com
Well, that was our list of early-stage venture capital firms in Austin, Texas. Remember, venture capital firms don’t just invest in ideas; They invest in people, and that is why you need to pitch a local investor before going to international VCs. For the same reason, you need to make sure you are prepared enough before pitching an investor.
Formulate your startup team structure, figure out the equity, do market research for the startup, and find out the potential. Those are the things that investors would want to see at this stage.
Last but not least, figure out the way you want to develop your product, you may consider outsourcing your development efforts or setting up an in-house development team. In that case, finalize how you will hire developers.
Figure all those factors out, and discuss with an expert if you have to. Remember, funding is hard to come by, but with solid preparation, it is possible to get people to believe in your vision.
Best of Luck!