With its picturesque palm-lined streets and thriving technology industry, the coastal metropolis of Santa Monica has become a hub for innovative minds. In the venture capital scene, this city has established its own distinct presence, thanks to a diverse array of investment firms that actively contribute to the advancement of the startup ecosystem. In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the top Venture Capital Firms in Santa Monica, California for startups looking for funding in this thriving hub.
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Venture Capitalist Funds in Santa Monica
The venture capitalist funds below are actively looking for investments in promising companies throughout various stages and sectors. The stages stated do not limit the possibility of getting funding if your company is at any stage other than what is listed.
Year of Inception: 2018
Geography: North America
Stage: Pre Seed
Focus: Finance & Crypto,Health,Software & Internet,Consumer
Investment Range: $100,000 - $1 million
Notable Portfolio: Ellevest, Modern Treasury, Groq, Forethought
Cleo Capital is dedicated to leading investments in early-stage companies and collaborating with founders at the initial phases. The firm's strategy revolves around three core areas - the Future of Income, Complex Consumer, and Decentralized Enterprise - with the goal of supporting innovative solutions that cater to the ever-changing needs of consumers and businesses.
Year of Inception: 2016
Geography: North America
Stage: Pre Seed, Seed, Series A
Focus: Finance & Crypto,Logistics,Health,Industry,Hardware,Software & Internet,Marketing & Growth,B2B,Climate & Impact,Consumer,Food
Investment Range: $100,000 - $5 million
Notable Portfolio: Maven AGI, Polimorphic, Carenostics, Anycart
M13 is committed to collaborating with emerging companies and innovators to provide more than just financial backing. The firm's approach centers around creating a nurturing community for founders within the technology industry, offering guidance, expertise, and partnerships with accomplished entrepreneurs.
Year of Inception: 2015
Geography: North America
Stage: Pre Seed, Seed, Series A
Focus: Finance & Crypto,Software & Internet,Consumer
Investment Range: $100,000 - $1 million
Notable Portfolio: Finalis, Overtime, Skyfront, Delfi, Createsafe
Chaac Ventures is a renowned venture capital firm led by Andrew Armour and Luke Armour. Chaac Ventures' approach goes beyond financial backing, placing importance on establishing a supportive community for founders within the technology ecosystem, which contributes to its unique position in early-stage investments.
Year of Inception: 2015
Geography: North America
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
Focus: Finance & Crypto,Software & Internet,Consumer
Investment Range: $100,000 - $1 million
Notable Portfolio: Avisare, Caplight, Charma, Jacobi, Hum
PLG Ventures specializes in offering strategic assistance and financial backing to startups and innovators. With the goal of empowering ambitious founders and promoting sustainable development, PLG Ventures stands out by actively engaging with its portfolio companies, providing them with valuable operational knowledge and access to a strong network to facilitate growth and achievement.
Year of Inception: 2015
Geography: North America
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
Focus: Finance & Crypto,Software & Internet,Consumer, Women-Founded
Investment Range: $100,000 - $1 million
Notable Portfolio: Babylist, Ellevest, Finery, Flourish, Senreve
Halogen Ventures is devoted to backing women founders in the initial stages of their ventures. Halogen Ventures provides invaluable support throughout the entire lifespan of the companies they invest in, including assistance with networking, brand exposure, talent recruitment, fundraising, and strategic advice.
Year of Inception: 2011
Geography: North America
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
Focus: Finance & Crypto,Software & Internet,Consumer
Investment Range: $100,000 - $1 million
Notable Portfolio: HoneyBook, StrikeAd, Blue Bottle Coffee, HelloTech
Canyon Creek Capital is devoted to investing in emerging tech firms. With a strategic approach and a strong emphasis on technology and consumer goods, Canyon Creek Capital acts as a valuable ally for entrepreneurs who require funding and assistance to bring their visions to life and make a substantial impact in their industries.
Year of Inception: 2015
Geography: North America
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
Focus: Health,Industry,Software & Internet,Robotics,AI & Machine Learning
Investment Range: $100,000 million - $5 million
Notable Portfolio: iota Biosciences, Deep Longevity, BlueLine Grid, Oura
Bold Capital Partners is a forward-thinking venture capital firm with the goal to find and invest in emerging science and technologies that have the potential to disrupt and democratize large markets. By doing so, they aim to drive innovative solutions to tackle humanity's greatest challenges.
Year of Inception: 2014
Geography: Worldwide
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
Focus: Software & Internet,Marketing & Growth,B2B,AI & Machine Learning,Consumer
Investment Range: $5 million - $10 million
Notable Portfolio: Zift Solutions, MedNet, Embotics, Leadspace
Arrowroot Capital Management specializes in offering tailored growth capital solutions to emerging software companies worldwide. With a flexible investment strategy that includes primary growth equity investments, growth-focused management buyouts, and corporate carve-outs, Arrowroot prioritizes building strong relationships with the management teams it collaborates with, emphasizing a supportive and proactive approach to ensure long-term growth and achievement.
Year of Inception: 2019
Geography: North America
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
Focus: Transportation,Finance & Crypto,Logistics,Health,Industry,Hardware,Software & Internet,Marketing & Growth,AI & Machine Learning,Climate & Impact,Leisure & Travel,Consumer
Investment Range: $100,000 - $1 million
Notable Portfolio: Moonpay, Vise, SoaBox, Alchemy
Mantis Ventures takes pride in its ability to utilize social connections to redefine marketing strategies for early-stage startups in the technology sector. They offer unparalleled assistance in branding, storytelling, making introductions, and acquiring customers.
Year of Inception: 1996
Geography: Worldwide
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D
Focus: Finance & Crypto,Logistics,Community,Health,Industry,Hardware,Software & Internet,Marketing & Growth,Robotics,AI & Machine Learning,Leisure & Travel,Entertainment & Media,Consumer,Food
Investment Range: $500,000 - $10 million
Notable Portfolio: Bionaut Labs, Parachute Home, Density, GOAT
Upfront Ventures is dedicated to being long-term partners and early investors in exceptional teams. The firm's primary focus is on closely collaborating with companies from their initial stages and providing ongoing assistance as they expand. They also organize the annual Upfront Summit, a prestigious event that brings together top-notch investors, entrepreneurs, and visionaries for engaging discussions on technology and innovation.
Year of Inception: 1998
Geography: North America
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D
Focus: Finance & Crypto,Software & Internet,Consumer
Investment Range: $2 million - $15 million
Notable Portfolio: PayPal, Overture, CarStory, NetZero
Clearstone Venture Partners, a prominent private equity firm located in Santa Monica, has achieved significant progress by investing $650 million across three funds. This has resulted in the successful completion of 9 IPOs and nearly 12 M&A exits. The company's primary focus on early-stage investments has allowed major US institutions to become early investors in groundbreaking companies operating in fields such as fintech and payments, enterprise technologies, and data-driven marketplaces.
Year of Inception: 1999
Geography: North America
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D
Focus: Industry,Hardware,Software & Internet,AI & Machine Learning
Investment Range: $500,000 - $10 million
Notable Portfolio: Breed Reply, Good Technology, Urban Sitter, Intrepid Learning
Rustic Canyon Partners is a renowned venture capital and private equity firm. Their main objective is to support promising entrepreneurs in their early stages of development by utilizing technological advancements to bring about disruptive innovations.
Year of Inception: 2014
Geography: Worldwide
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D
Focus: Industry,Hardware,Software & Internet,AI & Machine Learning
Investment Range: $3 million - $30 million
Notable Portfolio: Acceldata, ThoughtSpot, BillDesk, Crowdstrike
March Capital Partners is deeply committed to collaborating with exceptional entrepreneurs in order to establish and expand remarkable tech companies on a global scale. With more than $1.65B in funding across 25+ leading technology companies, March Capital expedites the digital transformation of cloud-based software, automation, AI, and IT infrastructure.
Year of Inception: 2016
Geography: North America
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D
Focus: Logistics,Health,Software & Internet,B2B,Climate & Impact,Consumer,Food
Investment Range: $100,000 - $5 million
Notable Portfolio: Agrofy, Bonsai, One Bio, Corvium, Inari
Acre Venture Partners is committed to fostering innovation and sustainability in the global food and agricultural sector; supporting and investing in trailblazing entrepreneurs who are revolutionizing the future of food. Utilizing their extensive network, strategic insights, and operational expertise, Acre Venture Partners empowers companies that operate at the intersection of food, agriculture, and technology.
Year of Inception: 2013
Geography: Worldwide
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D
Focus: Health,Industry,Hardware,Software & Internet,Robotics,Food,Logistics
Investment Range: $15 million - $25 million
Notable Portfolio: AgBiome, Pairwise, Hazel Technologies, Tropic Biosciences
Aliment Capital, previously known as Pontifax AgTech, is a renowned investor in the field of food and agriculture technology, focusing on growth capital. Their dedication lies in backing innovative ventures in various sectors including life sciences, food and nutrition, information technology, precision farming, and supply chain.
Year of Inception: 2013
Geography: North America
Stage: Seed
Focus: Software & Internet,Leisure & Travel
Investment Range: $250,000 - $3 million
Notable Portfolio: Flexport, Cargomatic, Tala, Kiwibot, Elysium
TYLT Ventures is a highly respected investor and lender that operates across various industries. TYLT Ventures focuses on providing hands-on assistance and leveraging their extensive experience as business owners to drive success through either venture investments or debt lending.
Struck Capital Management
Year of Inception: 2014
Geography: Worldwide
Stage: Seed
Focus: Women-Founded,Health,Software & Internet,Food
Investment Range: $500,000 - $3 million
Notable Portfolio: Aquabyte, ChangeEngine, Gigs, Grab
Struck Capital Management is dedicated to offering primary funding to forward-thinking entrepreneurs aiming to revolutionize various industries. Struck Capital Management is committed to collaborating closely with visionary founders who utilize information imbalances to create groundbreaking technological advancements that have the potential to reshape entire sectors.
Year of Inception: 2011
Geography: North America
Stage: Seed, Series A, Series B
Focus: Finance & Crypto,Health,Industry,Hardware,Software & Internet,Marketing & Growth,Leisure & Travel,Consumer
Investment Range: $100,000 - $5 million
Notable Portfolio: Mindset Care, Liquid Death, Final Boss Sour
Science, a well-known venture studio and early-stage venture capital firm based in Santa Monica, is dedicated to the creation, investment, and growth of innovative businesses. Grounded in the belief that startups can achieve success with the right resources, expertise, and operational support, Science strives to establish sustainable companies that make a lasting impact.
Year of Inception: 2015
Geography: Worldwide
Stage: Seed, Series A, Series B
Focus: Finance & Crypto,Software & Internet,Consulting & Services
Investment Range: $500,000 - $3 million
Notable Portfolio: Arc, Bequest, Caju, Chime, Embroker
ClockTower Technology Ventures, the technology investment division of ClockTower Group, is committed to collaborating with exceptional entrepreneurs who are revolutionizing financial services and spearheading solutions for climate change. ClockTower has a distinct approach to venture capital that is supported by a carefully selected network of global macroeconomic thinkers and investors, enhancing its ability to identify and assist groundbreaking startups from their early stages all the way to expansion.
Year of Inception: 2014
Geography: North America
Stage: Seed, Series A, Series B
Focus: Finance & Crypto,Software & Internet,Consulting & Services
Investment Range: $100,000 - $3 million
Notable Portfolio: Arcadia, Coinbase, Honey, Ownwell
Wonder Ventures firmly believes that no idea is too premature and is dedicated to not only providing the necessary funding for startups but also offering comprehensive support throughout their journey. Managed by founders themselves, the firm places great importance on meeting the needs of entrepreneurs by offering valuable assistance, networking opportunities, and strategic guidance.
Year of Inception: 2020
Geography: Worldwide
Stage: Seed, Series A, Series B
Focus: Transportation,Logistics,Software & Internet,Robotics
Investment Range: -
Notable Portfolio: Repowr, Lula, Loft Dynamics, Beta, Axiom Space
UP Partners is committed to investing in early-stage companies operating within the field of mobility. With a focus on various forms of movement, such as sea, land, air, and space, UP Partners is dedicated to creating a more sustainable and accessible future through mobility.
Year of Inception: 2016
Geography: North America, Europe
Stage: Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D
Focus: Logistics,Software & Internet,AI & Machine Learning
Investment Range: -
Notable Portfolio: Bold Penguin, Korvus, Hypatos, Napo, Openly
MTech Capital is an esteemed firm that specializes in venture capital and private equity. They operate at the convergence of insurance, technology, and fintech, with a worldwide reach and a strong emphasis on fostering innovation and growth in the insurance industry. The firm's strategic approach is based on their extensive knowledge of the sector, experience in investment banking, and connections to a wide network of insurance groups.
Year of Inception: 2019
Geography: North America
Stage: Series B, Series C, Series D
Focus: Finance & Crypto,Software & Internet,Consumer
Investment Range: $2 million - $5 million
Notable Portfolio: MUX, Calm, The Athletic, Intellimize, Tonal
Cobalt Capital have a strong emphasis on partnering with the next generation of digital content, technology, consumer, and lifestyle businesses. The firm is deeply involved in culture and consumer experience investments, forging meaningful partnerships with entrepreneurs and business leaders to create strategic value for investors.
Closing Thoughts on Venture Capital Firms (VCs) in Santa Monica
The startup ecosystem in Santa Monica is a crucial force in promoting innovation, generating opportunities, and shaping the future of various sectors. The substantial increase in the value of venture capital deals, combined with the city's reputation as a hub for creative talent, emphasizes the pivotal role that venture capital plays in fostering the growth of new businesses. As more investors realize the unique opportunities in Santa Monica, the collaborative efforts between venture capital firms and startups continue to drive the city's technology and innovation scene to greater heights.
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Frequently Asked Questions on Venture Capital Firms (VCs) in Santa Monica
Which venture capital firms are based in Santa Monica?
Notable Santa Monica VCs include Upfront Ventures, March Capital, Mucker Capital, and Science Inc. These Los Angeles tech investors are primarily located around Montana Avenue and the Third Street Promenade area. Key players in Santa Monica's Silicon Beach ecosystem include CrossCut Ventures and Alpha Edison.
What investment sizes do Santa Monica VCs typically offer?
Santa Monica venture firms typically invest:
Seed: $500K - $2M
Series A: $5M - $15M
Series B: $15M - $40M
Growth: $40M+
Most Silicon Beach VCs reserve 40-50% of their fund for follow-on investments.
Which industries do Santa Monica venture capital firms target?
Santa Monica VCs primarily focus on:
Digital Media and Entertainment
E-commerce/D2C Brands
Gaming and Interactive Media
Marketing Technology
Consumer Internet
Many firms leverage LA's entertainment and media ecosystem.
What criteria do Santa Monica VCs use to evaluate startups?
Key requirements include:
Strong revenue growth (2x+ YoY)
LA market presence
Consumer-focused innovation
Product-market fit
Experienced founding team
Clear path to profitability
How can startups connect with Santa Monica venture capital firms?
Best approaches include:
LA tech community events
Accelerators (Techstars LA)
Portfolio company intros
Silicon Beach networking
Most Santa Monica VCs prefer LA-based companies for early investments.
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