With the technology boom of the last decade, venture capital firms were primarily focused on software companies due to low technology risks, highly scalable business models, and the ability to exit quickly and get bought up by a larger competitor.
While this model has proven to be successful and thrived beyond what anyone thought possible, more venture capitalists are starting to be interested in deep tech startups and the opportunities for scientific and technological advancement these companies offer.
This guide explores some of the top deep tech venture capital firms out there today; these firms are giving deep tech companies the funding they need to have the highest chance of taking off and growing into the new industry giants of the future.
Best Deep Tech VC Firms
Unlike typical software startups, deep technology or “deep tech” firms must understand the science that underpins their primary product, service, or approach to their industry. Rather than just writing software, many of the problems being solved by deep tech startups require patience and scientific excellence in order to thrive and obtain the financial returns they’re striving for.
Deep tech includes areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and even Web3 technology with cryptocurrencies and digital assets.
Deep tech is a very specialized niche in the venture capital investment space, although it is becoming increasingly popular every day. While the VC firms of yesteryear were typically interested in software companies due to their scalable business models and acquisition potential, the venture capitalists listed below are specifically interested in deep tech startups, whether that’s AI, Web3, or IoT.
Disclaimer: With so many venture capital firms around the world, we aren’t able to cover them all. Furthermore, the following VC firms are not officially ranked and are listed in no particular order.
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Get Started1. Boost VC
- Location: San Mateo, CA
- Stage: Pre-Seed
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Coinbase, Volley, Starfish Space, Radiant, Etherscan, FitXR, Deepgram, K2 Space
Founded in 2016 by Adam Draper and Brayton Williams, and based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Boost VC is an early stage venture capital firm with $200 million AUM. Boost VC is the first check for deep tech, and invests $500,000 in deep tech pre-seed startups (i.e., aerospace, VR/AR, energy, climate, robotics, crypto, bio, AI/ML, ocean, materials, and more), and targets startups raising $2 million or less.
Adam Draper, the Founder and Managing Director of Boost VC, is a two-time entrepreneur and fourth generation venture capitalist. Adam’s superpower is finding scrappy entrepreneurs that build things many would consider “impossible”.
2. APEX Ventures
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Stage: Seed, Series A
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Haawk, Kivu, Image Biopsy Lab, ContextFlow
APEX Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on providing startup investment opportunities in the realms of deep tech and the medical field. Run by founders who have complementary backgrounds in these industries, APEX Ventures is focused on building the next generation of world-class companies that are leading the way in innovation, advancement, and new inventions that transform daily life for millions of people.
APEX’s primary verticals include digital platforms, financial technology, insurance technology, Industry 4.0, life sciences, and digital health. Within these industries, they’re interested in technology revolving around AI, machine learning, blockchain, AR & VR, smart contracts, cloud computing, IoT, computer vision, autonomy, 3D printing, and more.
3. DeepTech Ventures
- Location: Zurich, Switzerland
- Stage: Seed, Series A
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Ethereum, Convex, LimeWire, Ren, RocketPool
DeepTech Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based out of Switzerland that maintains a particular focus on investments in Web3 and deep technology. They are pioneers in the blockchain and cryptocurrency markets, investing in companies that are developing new protocols, networks, and entire tech stacks that’ll power the future. They’ve invested in companies like Ethereum, Convex, and even LimeWire, touting a collaborative team with backgrounds in software development, finance, and economics.
If your startup is looking for an investment partner who understands deep tech, especially when it comes to cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, DeepTech Ventures is well-positioned to answer all of your questions and make an investment opportunity happen.
4. SOSV
- Location: Princeton, New Jersey
- Stage: Seed, Series A
- Notable Portfolio Companies: NotCo, R-Zero Systems, OpenTrons, Upside Foods
SOSV is a global venture capital firm focused on providing investment and funding opportunities for startups involved in deep tech, planetary health, and human health. Boasting over $1.5 billion in AUM (assets under management) and 8 unicorn companies that have taken off in their respective industries, SOSV has the experience required to grow your business in the deep tech space rapidly.
They are considered one of the most active investors in the venture capital world and are involved in the companies they invest in to make them successful by offering feedback, providing resources, and helping founders grow their businesses the right way.
5. Alumni Ventures Deep Tech Fund
- Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
- Stage: Seed, Series A+, Late Stage
- Notable Portfolio Companies: 1Up, Almanac Labs, Beekin, OLIO, Quantum Machines
The Alumni Ventures Deep Tech Fund is a diversified portfolio of investments centered around deep technology or “deep tech” that invests in entrepreneurs and startup founders who are building companies in some of the most potentially lucrative and challenging industries on the planet. Out of all global VC firms, Alumni Ventures has been named the third most active Venture Capital investment firm in the world and has one of the quickest-growing portfolios worldwide.
With over 1,300 portfolio companies and over $1.25 billion in funds raised, if you’re currently looking for a deep tech investment opportunity for your company, Alumni Ventures may be the perfect fit. They currently invest in approximately 15 to 20 different companies each month, giving you an excellent chance of receiving investment for your own business.
6. Cottonwood Technology Fund
- Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Stage: Seed, Series A
- Notable Portfolio Companies: BayoTech, Censure, mPower Technology, BioFlyte
The Cottonwood Technology Fund is a venture capital firm focused on investing in the hard sciences and deep tech companies in order to provide funding and capital to startups driven by intellectual property (IP). For any startup founder in the deep tech space who is invested in patent-based scientific technologies and advancements, including optics, photonics, nanoelectronics, advanced materials, climate tech, advanced manufacturing, or robotics, the Cottonwood Technology Fund is the perfect place to seek investment. They do not currently invest in software, AI, apps, cryptocurrency, pharmaceuticals, or consumer products, due to their strict focus on IP-based startups and patent-based companies.
For any aspiring startup founder who is working hard to develop intellectual property, new inventions, and advancements in technology within their respective industries, the Cottonwood Technology Fund is an ideal place to seek funding opportunities.
7. Verve Ventures
- Location: Zug, Switzerland
- Stage: Seed, Series A+, Late Stage
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Beekeeper, Byrd, Orbex Space, Piomic, Oper, Nuclera
Verve Ventures is a unique venture capital firm that has invested in over 160 technology and science-based startups across Europe. They are currently considered among the top 10% of active startup investors in Europe and can get entrepreneurs and startup founders into competitive financing rounds right alongside other world-class VC funds.
If you’re looking for an investment as a startup founder in Europe, and your primary niche is deep tech, science, and technology, then going with Verve Ventures can be a great way to jump-start your business and get the capital you need to grow your company into an industry leader.
8. DC Ventures
- Location: Washington D.C.
- Stage: Seed
- Notable Portfolio Companies: EMIA
DC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital investment firm and advisory firm that helps brand new entrepreneurs take their ideas to the next level and enter their respective markets with the best chance of becoming successful and taking over their respective industries. If you’re a startup founder who makes it into the DC Ventures ecosystem, you can expect to receive a combination of startup capital, experienced mentorship, and advisory services from a network of industry experts to help you succeed by building and growing your business.
Rather than doing everything yourself from scratch, the best way to move forward quickly and effectively is to have an experienced mentor who has gone through the process before in your specific industry. For deep tech entrepreneurs seeking very early-stage capital, DC Ventures is an excellent place to start.
9. ff Venture Capital
- Location: New York, New York
- Stage: Seed, Series A
- Notable Portfolio Companies: 500px, Bloomz, Deem, CLV Robotics, Drop, Earnest
ff Venture Capital is considered to be one of the most engaged and actively involved Venture Capital firms in New York City since 2008. They have created an active portfolio consisting of 65+ companies and billions in value measured by market capitalization.
If your startup is in deep tech, or specifically in the areas of applied AI, proprietary technology, robotics, drones, financial technology, or enterprise software, then ff Venture Capital is an excellent choice for seeking investment opportunities for your fledgling business. Instead of a passive management approach, the ff Venture Capital Team is involved with founders as a partner, helping them become market-moving, high-value companies that can change the lives and behaviors of millions of individuals worldwide.
10. Lux Capital
- Location: New York, New York
- Stage: Seed, Series A
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Airmap, Aeva, DuckDuckGo, Eikon Therapeutics, LightForm
Lux Capital is a venture capital firm investing in technology and emerging science ventures at the outermost edges of what’s possible scientifically, also referred to as “deep tech.” Their ideal partner is a startup founder and entrepreneur who is working on challenging the status quo and challenging the laws of nature to bring their vision to reality through new scientific advancements, new technologies, and new inventions that can rock their respective industries.
The Lux Capital team comprises industry professionals and experts who have experience in data science, chemistry, neuroscience, economics, electrical engineering, machine learning, and even philosophy. For any startup founder that’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and seeking deep tech investment funds, Lux Capital can be a great VC firm to reach out to.
11. Ocean Azul Partners
- Location: Miami, Florida
- Stage: Seed, Series A
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Dade Systems, Hyp3r, AgreMatch, Forrest Innovations, Fortify
Ocean Azul Partners is an early-stage venture capital investment firm that believes entrepreneurship and innovation is the engine of our economy. They are passionate about helping startup founders develop new innovative technologies and bring them to the marketplace, ultimately transforming industries and the way consumers operate and live day to day.
Ocean Azul Partners is also actively involved in the founders they invest in, helping them grow their businesses and bring their technologies to their respective markets. They work proudly to support their entrepreneurs and build increasingly unique solutions to unique problems.
12. Startup Capital Ventures
- Location: Silicon Valley (Menlo Park, California)
- Stage: Seed, Series A
- Notable Portfolio Companies: WootCloud, Zero, BabyQuip, AreaMetrics, QV CAD, Ring
Startup Capital Ventures is an early-stage venture capital investment firm that invests in deep tech companies, B2B technology companies, and other investments that are providing innovation and scientific advancements in their respective fields. They pride themselves on being a “capital efficient” venture capital firm, meaning that they expect to see massive results and massive success from smaller-sized investments, achievable with the help and support of the Startup Capital Ventures team and their expert industry partners who have extensive experience.
If you’re a founder with a technology company or deep tech startup that you want to get off the ground, reach out to Startup Capital Ventures to get an efficient injection of capital that can potentially rocket you forward.
13. Two Sigma Ventures
- Location: New York, New York
- Stage: Seed, Series A+
- Notable Portfolio Companies: Bark, Canary, Dynasty, SecurityScorecard, Verge Genomics, Wealthsimple
Two Sigma Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies that are focused on changing the world through new technologies and innovations. Their primary belief is that the world today is changing faster than ever before and that anyone who is at the forefront of pioneering new transformative technologies that we’ll use in the future is worth putting capital in.
Two Sigma Ventures believes the future will be governed by rapid advancements in computing and science, increasing availability of information, and the ingenuity of entrepreneurs and startup founders who are able to take bold steps and make these new technologies possible.