Startup Funding in California

Discover 50+ active venture capital funds in California. Find the right investors for your startup.

Data sourced from SEC EDGAR filingsCompiled by Free Startup Funding Database
50Active Investors
$170MTypical Investment
0New This Quarter
$8.5BCapital Available
All fund data verified against SEC EDGAR Form D filings as of August 2026.

California Venture Capital Landscape

Ecosystem Overview

This page lists 50 venture capital funds based in California, each verified against SEC Form D filings with EDGAR accession numbers.

Fund sizes, filing dates, and general partner names come directly from regulatory filings — not estimates. Contact details are enriched from fund websites and verified public sources.

Top Investment Sectors

Artificial IntelligenceFintechBiotech

Market Insights

Investment Climate

Highly competitive market with abundant capital and experienced talent pool

Funding Trends

Strong growth with increased competition for quality deals

Emerging Opportunities

Vertical SaaSAI InfrastructureClimate Tech

VC Funds Directory

Showing 50 of 50 funds
Verified
series-a$500MSeries A
Verified
series-a$150MSeries A
AN Venture Partners I, LP
San Francisco, CA
Verified
series-a$197MSeries A
Verified
series-a$151MTechnology, healthcare, consumer
Verified
series-a$2MTechnology
Verified
series-a$2MSeries A
Verified
series-a$150MSeries A
Verified
series-a$185MPooled Investment Fund
Verified
series-a$175MPooled Investment Fund
Bonfire Ventures III, LP
SANTA MONICA, CA
Verified
series-a$165MSeries A
Verified
series-a$240MPooled Investment Fund
Verified
series-a$2MSeries A
Verified
series-a$102MPooled Investment Fund
Verified
series-a$150MSeries A
series-a$400MPooled Investment Fund
Category Ventures I, L.P.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Verified
series-a$158MTechnology, healthcare, consumer
Verified
series-a$172MPooled Investment Fund
Commerce Ventures V, L.P.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Verified
series-a$140MTechnology, healthcare, consumer
Verified
series-a$225MPooled Investment Fund
Verified
series-a$150MSeries A
series-a$103MSeries A
Verified
series-a$169MPooled Investment Fund
Verified
series-a$200MPooled Investment Fund
Verified
series-a$200MTechnology, healthcare, consumer
Verified
series-a$2MTechnology, healthcare, consumer
Verified
series-a$114MTechnology
Verified
series-a$150MTechnology, healthcare, consumer
Verified
series-a$200MSeries A
series-a$600MPooled Investment Fund
MVP Ventures II-QP LP
MENLO PARK, CA
Verified
series-a$120MSeries A
Nava Ventures II, L.P.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Verified
series-a$2MSeries A
Neo 3.0, L.P.
SAN MATEO, CA
Verified
series-a$179MPooled Investment Fund
Verified
series-a$150MSeries A
Verified
series-a$100MPooled Investment Fund
Verified
series-a$126MTechnology
Verified
series-a$250MPooled Investment Fund
Verified
series-a$175MPooled Investment Fund
Verified
series-a$350MPooled Investment Fund
series-a$160MSeries A
Verified
series-a$150MSeries A
Verified
series-a$100MPooled Investment Fund
Verified
series-a$165MSeries A
Susa Ventures V, L.P.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Verified
series-a$175MPooled Investment Fund
Theory Ventures, L.P.
PORTOLA VALLEY, CA
Verified
series-a$235MPooled Investment Fund
Verified
series-a$200MTechnology, healthcare, consumer
UP Ventures II, L.P.
SANTA MONICA, CA
Verified
series-a$230MPooled Investment Fund
series-a$150MSeries A
Verified
series-a$2MPooled Investment Fund
Verified
series-a$180MSeries A
Verified
series-a$150MTechnology, healthcare, consumer

How to Approach California VCs

1. Research & Targeting

  • • Review recent portfolio companies and investment thesis
  • • Analyze check sizes and stage preferences
  • • Look for sector-specific expertise and connections
  • • Check partner backgrounds and interests

2. Warm Introductions

  • • Leverage portfolio company founders for introductions
  • • Connect through accelerator programs and events
  • • Use LinkedIn and mutual connections effectively
  • • Attend California startup and investor meetups

3. Pitch Preparation

  • • Tailor your pitch to the fund's investment criteria
  • • Highlight local market opportunities and advantages
  • • Prepare detailed financial projections and metrics
  • • Show clear path to next funding milestones

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the average check size for California VC funds?

California VC funds typically invest around $170M per round, with early-stage funds focusing on $500K-$2M seed rounds and growth funds writing checks of $10M+. The median check size across 50 active funds is $170M.

How many VC funds are active in California?

There are 50 active, contact-verified VC funds in California with a combined AUM of $8.5B. Of these, 0 have filed with the SEC in the last 90 days, indicating recent fundraising or investment activity.

What industries do California VCs focus on?

The most active investment sectors in California are Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Biotech. Many funds invest across multiple sectors, but these represent the highest concentration of dedicated capital.

How long does the fundraising process typically take?

Most California startups take 3-6 months to close their funding round, from initial outreach to signed term sheet. This includes 2-4 weeks for initial meetings, 4-8 weeks for due diligence, and 2-4 weeks for legal documentation.

What stage do most California VCs invest at?

California has investors across all stages: pre-seed ($50K-$500K), seed ($500K-$2M), Series A ($2M-$15M), and growth ($15M+). The average equity taken is 15-20% for Series A rounds. Use the stage filters above to find funds matching your current round.

What's the typical equity taken by California VCs?

Early-stage VCs in California typically take 15-25% equity in a Series A round, while seed investors may take 10-20%. The exact amount depends on valuation, round size, and negotiation. Pre-seed rounds through SAFEs often defer valuation entirely.

How do I find the right VC for my startup?

Start by filtering funds by your industry and stage above. Look for VCs with relevant portfolio companies, check their recent SEC filings to confirm they're actively deploying capital, and prioritize funds where you can get a warm introduction through mutual connections or portfolio founders.