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VC Funds Starting with D
132 funds found
Dragonfly Capital, founded in 2018, is a global venture capital firm with a strong focus on cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. With headquarters in San Francisco, Dragonfly has rapidly become a key player in the crypto space, supporting startups and projects that push the boundaries of decentralized finance (DeFi), blockchain infrastructure, and emerging consumer crypto products like NFTs and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). The firm recently closed its third venture fund at $650 million, surpassing its initial target of $500 million. This new fund enables Dragonfly to invest across all stages of development, from seed funding to later-stage growth, helping build "generational companies" in crypto. Notable portfolio investments include projects like Aptos, Bybit, and Celo, which span sectors from layer-one blockchain protocols to NFT platforms. Led by managing partner Haseeb Qureshi, Dragonfly works closely with founders across the globe, combining deep technical expertise and market knowledge to help teams scale. Their global reach and focus on collaboration with the best crypto-native founders have positioned them as a leading venture fund in the rapidly evolving blockchain ecosystem.
Drake Star Partners is a prominent global investment banking firm specializing in the technology sector. With a strong presence in major financial hubs including New York, London, Paris, Munich, and San Francisco, Drake Star provides strategic M&A and corporate finance advisory services. They have completed over 450 transactions since 2003, amounting to more than $22 billion in deal volume. The firm focuses on various sectors such as Software/SaaS, Digital Media, FinTech, Industrial Tech, Mobility & Sustainability, and Consumer & Retail Tech. They have been involved in significant deals, acting as exclusive financial advisors for companies like Symbioworld, Cognodata, and Game Circus. Drake Star is known for its deep industry expertise and collaborative approach, providing tailored solutions to rapidly-scaling startups and large corporations. Their team of over 100 senior professionals leverages a vast network to deliver exceptional results across many transaction types, making them a leading international investment bank.
Draper Associates, founded in 1985 by Tim Draper, is a renowned early-stage venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley. The firm has made significant investments in transformative companies across various sectors, including technology, consumer services, and financial services. Draper Associates is known for its notable investments in companies like Hotmail, Skype, Tesla, SpaceX, Twitch, Robinhood, Coinbase, and Baidu. The firm focuses on backing innovative startups with the potential for extraordinary outcomes, often investing at the seed stage and supporting companies through their growth journeys. Draper Associates prides itself on being entrepreneur-friendly, providing extensive support and resources to help founders succeed. Draper Associates is part of the larger Draper Ecosystem, which includes Draper University, Draper Venture Network, and Draper Startup House, among other initiatives aimed at fostering entrepreneurial growth and innovation globally. The firm's investment philosophy emphasizes a global perspective, investing in industry-transforming companies across the world while maintaining a strong presence in Silicon Valley. Draper Associates continues to innovate and drive significant impact in the venture capital landscape by backing visionary entrepreneurs and leveraging its extensive network and resources.
Draper B1, founded in 2010 and headquartered in Valencia, Spain, is a venture capital firm focusing on seed and early-stage investments. They emphasize supporting ambitious founders aiming to create impactful businesses. Draper B1 has a diverse portfolio spanning B2B, B2C, software, marketplaces, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and mobile applications. Notable investments include companies like Signaturit, Streamloots, and Erudit AI. They have supported over 150 companies, providing more than just capital. Draper B1 prides itself on hands-on investment and active portfolio management, leveraging a global network to help startups scale internationally. They have had multiple successful exits, including companies such as Jeff and Civitfun. Their team, led by Managing Partners like Luz Adell and Enrique Penichet Garcia, focuses on local sourcing for global scaling, helping startups navigate both local and international markets effectively. Draper B1 is part of the Draper Venture Network, enhancing their ability to support their portfolio companies with a broad range of resources and connections.
Draper Dragon is a venture capital firm that specializes in investing in early-stage startups with a focus on technological innovation and cross-border opportunities between the U.S. and Asia, particularly China. As part of the larger Draper Venture Network, Draper Dragon leverages its global presence and network to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses and expand into international markets. The firm primarily invests in cutting-edge industries such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, healthcare, and enterprise software. Founded in 2006, Draper Dragon stands out for its ability to bridge the gap between Silicon Valley and Asia’s rapidly growing tech ecosystems. The firm provides more than just capital; it offers strategic guidance, access to key markets, and connections to a wide network of industry leaders, partners, and potential customers. Draper Dragon's portfolio companies benefit from the firm’s deep expertise in both venture investing and cross-border expansion, enabling them to scale quickly and efficiently in multiple regions. Draper Dragon focuses on disruptive technologies that have the potential to create significant market shifts and drive innovation on a global scale. By identifying and backing visionary entrepreneurs, the firm seeks to foster long-term growth and success in its investments. Its proactive approach, combined with a strong emphasis on fostering partnerships between the East and the West, makes Draper Dragon a crucial player in the venture capital landscape. With a track record of successful investments and a commitment to helping startups thrive globally, Draper Dragon continues to be a trusted partner for entrepreneurs seeking to build industry-leading companies.
Draper Startup House is a global entrepreneurial ecosystem dedicated to supporting founders through community, investment, and education. Originally founded in 2018 as Tribe Theory in Singapore, the platform rebranded in 2019 under the Draper network, gaining access to the vast resources of Tim Draper’s global venture ecosystem. Draper Startup House combines co-living and co-working spaces with startup incubation programs, offering entrepreneurs mentorship, access to venture funding, and collaborative environments. With over 25 locations spanning across continents—from New York and Singapore to Buenos Aires and Bangalore—Draper Startup House aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship worldwide. Their ambitious goal is to expand to 100 locations by 2030 and support one million entrepreneurs. Each location provides networking opportunities, workshops, and events, where founders, investors, and mentors can connect and grow ideas. The platform’s digital offerings, including online events and an investor network, ensure that founders can receive support regardless of location. Draper Startup House Ventures, the investment arm, focuses on pre-seed, innovation-driven startups. They offer up to $150,000 in funding, with additional access to the Draper Venture Network’s 24 global funds and a pool of angel investors and venture partners. The fund prioritizes scalable companies with global ambitions, providing startups with the resources needed to grow beyond geographical boundaries. Founders benefit not only from financial backing but also from mentorship and introductions to relevant stakeholders across the global startup ecosystem.
The Drawdown Fund is a growth equity investment firm focused on businesses that address the key drivers of climate change. Co-founded by the renowned environmentalist Paul Hawken, the fund leverages robust climate models and research to guide its investment strategy. The Drawdown Fund targets companies that have proven technology, established revenue, strong growth, and a clear competitive advantage, typically investing between $10 million and $30 million. The fund is particularly interested in companies that are actively reducing carbon emissions or sequestering greenhouse gases. Their investment focus spans three major systems: Energy Transition, Resilient Systems, and Sustainable Cities. These sectors include technologies like smart grids, renewable energy, sustainable food and agriculture, and urban decarbonization. The Drawdown Fund prides itself on its deep industry knowledge and a strong network of operators, entrepreneurs, and researchers who provide value beyond capital. The team has over 50 years of combined experience in sustainability and growth investing, ensuring a hands-on approach with each portfolio company. They also maintain a low partner-to-portfolio company ratio, allowing for tailored support and active governance. This strategy is tightly aligned with the fund’s mission to generate both financial returns and significant positive impacts on global warming, with management carry incentives directly tied to emissions reductions or sequestration. This makes the Drawdown Fund a compelling partner for companies focused on sustainability and climate solutions.
Dream Machine is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm founded by Alexia Bonatsos, the former co-editor-in-chief of TechCrunch. Established with the goal of turning "science fiction into non-fiction," Dream Machine focuses on early-stage investments, particularly in consumer and frontier technologies. The firm is known for its opportunistic approach, investing in sectors such as AI, voice, AR, VR, IoT, and blockchain. Dream Machine primarily invests at the seed stage, with an average investment size of around $2 million. The firm has built a portfolio of innovative startups that are pushing the boundaries of technology and media. Notable companies in their portfolio include Berbix, an identity management platform, Lobus, a fintech and enterprise software company, and Haus, a modern spirits brand disrupting the wine and spirits industry. Other investments like NEWNESS focus on beauty streaming, while Powder targets the gaming and entertainment space. The firm's investment strategy is rooted in identifying and supporting exceptional founders who are at the forefront of creating transformative technologies. Dream Machine’s geographic focus is primarily in the United States, with a few investments in international markets like France. Despite its relatively small team, Dream Machine has made significant strides in the venture capital landscape, co-investing with other prominent VCs such as General Catalyst, Sequoia Capital, and Slow Ventures. With a clear vision and a robust portfolio, Dream Machine continues to play a pivotal role in helping startups that aim to redefine the future.
Dream Maker Ventures (DMV) focuses on empowering underrepresented founders, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+, and immigrant entrepreneurs, through its Diversity Fund. Based in Toronto, DMV was launched as the investment arm of Dream Maker Corp in 2015. The fund predominantly targets early-stage tech companies across Canada and the U.S., particularly in sectors like AI, blockchain, consumer tech, and enterprise software. With notable investments in companies like Hopper and SecondCloset, DMV is committed to making strategic early-stage bets, typically at Seed and Series A stages. Their approach prioritizes inclusive leadership teams, as they believe diversity drives higher profitability. Although their check sizes vary, they can go up to $75 million depending on the opportunity. DMV doesn't usually lead rounds but brings invaluable mentorship and international connections. Founders can connect through various incubators or accelerators, and the firm is well integrated within innovation ecosystems. Isaac Olowolafe, the founder, and the team are known for fostering an entrepreneur-first environment. Startups seeking funding are encouraged to pitch via their website and can expect a thoughtful, slow vetting process that aligns with DMV’s goal of supporting game-changing tech and diverse leadership.
Dream Ventures is a Las Vegas-based venture capital firm, founded in 2022, with a focus on supporting visionary entrepreneurs in building disruptive, high-growth companies. The firm primarily invests in industries driving future innovation, such as decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, blockchain gaming, and Web3 applications. By backing startups in early stages, Dream Ventures positions itself at the cutting edge of technological advancements and business transformation. Their portfolio includes notable investments in companies like Marlow and ChargeFuze, with a strong emphasis on personal products, B2C services, and business software. Dream Ventures is known for its flexible check sizes, ranging from early-stage funding to significant growth capital. The firm also runs a female-focused accelerator, connecting women-led businesses with top-tier investors. Dream Ventures prides itself on fostering a collaborative environment, helping female founders secure deals with major corporations such as Amex and Sephora. Founders can reach out through their accelerator or investment application processes to tap into Dream Ventures’ extensive network and strategic support. Led by partners such as Sampson Simmons and Eric Wong, Dream Ventures actively co-invests with reputable firms like Bain Capital and Goodwater Capital, offering both capital and expertise to help their portfolio companies scale and succeed.
Dreamcraft Ventures, founded in 2019 and based in Copenhagen, Denmark, is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on investing in tech-driven startups across the Nordics and Europe. With a strong emphasis on industries like gaming, esports, B2B SaaS, digital entertainment, and fintech, Dreamcraft has developed a hands-on approach to supporting founders from seed to Series A. The firm refers to itself as "venture engineers," offering operational support and strategic guidance to help companies scale. Dreamcraft has a strong generalist investment strategy, reflected in its diverse portfolio that includes companies like Hiber, a social entertainment platform, and GRID, which leverages esports data assets. The firm raised €66 million for its second fund, Dreamcraft Fund II, and continues to actively invest in early-stage companies with a focus on helping them grow into category leaders. Founded by Jesper Søgaard and Christian Kirk Rasmussen, who built Better Collective into a billion-dollar company, Dreamcraft brings founder experience to the table, focusing on high-quality teams and long-term partnerships.
Dreamers VC, founded by Will Smith and Keisuke Honda, is a venture capital firm based in Los Angeles, focusing on early-stage investments across various sectors including health biotech, finance tech, consumer products, and entertainment. Since its inception, Dreamers VC has built a diverse portfolio of innovative companies. Their notable investments include Beam Therapeutics, which is pioneering precision genetic medicines; Nurx, providing personalized healthcare solutions delivered directly to consumers; and Sandbox VR, offering immersive group virtual reality experiences. Other significant investments include HomeCourt, a basketball training app, and Public, a platform for investing in crypto assets. Dreamers VC emphasizes community and leveraging their global network to connect founders with valuable resources. Their approach combines financial support with strategic guidance, ensuring startups have the tools they need to grow and succeed in competitive markets.
Dreamit Ventures is a leading venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage investments in Healthtech and Securetech startups. Founded in 2008, Dreamit has invested in over 350 companies, helping them scale revenues and achieve significant growth. Notable investments include SeatGeek, Redox, Eko, and Trendkite. Dreamit typically invests in companies that already have revenue or pilots, focusing on those ready to scale rapidly. The firm provides substantial support through its Customer Sprints® and Investor Sprints®, connecting founders with potential customers and investors. This approach helps startups gain traction and secure additional funding. Dreamit’s portfolio companies benefit from deep vertical expertise in cybersecurity, healthcare, and digital health, among other sectors. The firm is headquartered in New York and has a strong presence in the venture capital ecosystem, with a wide network of partners and advisors. Dreamit's investments are characterized by a focus on transformative technology and innovative solutions that address critical needs in their respective industries. For startups looking to engage with Dreamit, it is essential to demonstrate a clear path to revenue growth and scalability. The firm values strong, actionable business plans and provides ongoing support to help companies navigate the challenges of early-stage growth.
Drive by DraftKings is a multi-stage venture capital firm that focuses on the intersection of sports, gaming, media, and human performance. Launched in 2019, the fund was founded by DraftKings in partnership with notable firms like General Catalyst, Accomplice, and Boston Seed Capital. Under the leadership of CEO Meredith McPherron, the firm has quickly become a leader in SportsTech and entertainment investments. Drive by DraftKings backs companies that push the frontier of fan engagement, human performance, and data-driven insights. They’ve invested in cutting-edge startups such as Whoop, FanPower, and Toya, positioning themselves at the core of technological transformation in the sports industry. With access to elite athletes, industry leaders, and sports organizations, they offer unique resources to their portfolio companies. The firm's investment strategy revolves around early to growth-stage companies, focusing on opportunities in esports, mobile sports betting, and AI-driven sports tech. With over $20 billion invested in their core sectors, Drive by DraftKings sees significant growth potential in the ongoing evolution of sports and media. The team includes influential figures like Kiki Mills Johnston (Partner) and advisors such as MLB executive Theo Epstein and NFL legend Larry Fitzgerald. Startups looking to partner with Drive by DraftKings benefit not only from capital but also deep industry connections and strategic insights.
Drive Capital is a prominent venture capital firm based in Columbus, Ohio, founded in 2013 by Mark Kvamme and Chris Olsen, both of whom previously worked at Sequoia Capital. The firm focuses on investing in technology startups outside of Silicon Valley, with a particular emphasis on the Midwest, aiming to prove that world-class technology companies can emerge from any region in the United States. Drive Capital has raised over $2 billion to invest in startups solving significant problems in large markets. They have backed more than 80 companies, including notable investments like Duolingo, Root Insurance, Olive, Greenlight, and ApplyBoard. The firm is stage-agnostic, investing in seed, early-stage, and later-stage companies across various sectors such as healthcare, consumer services, information technology, and life sciences. The firm operates with a strong conviction in the potential of entrepreneurs from non-traditional tech hubs and emphasizes long-term partnerships. They seek out market-defining companies and prefer to journey with their portfolio companies from inception to IPO. Drive Capital's strategy is deeply rooted in leveraging local talent and resources, ensuring startups have the best advantages by building where they are strongest. Drive Capital's team includes a diverse group of investors committed to supporting founders with honesty and strategic guidance. They maintain a robust network and offer substantial resources to help startups navigate their growth trajectories. For entrepreneurs looking to engage with Drive Capital, the firm values bold, innovative ideas that address large market opportunities and demonstrate potential for significant impact.
Droia Ventures is a Belgium-based venture capital firm that specializes in early-stage biotech investments, focusing exclusively on oncology and genetic diseases. With over €450 million under management, Droia supports young drug development companies that leverage cutting-edge science to bring breakthrough therapies to patients. Their portfolio includes companies such as Actio Biosciences and Vicinitas Therapeutics, which are focused on drug discovery in these high-impact areas. The firm’s investment strategy is highly targeted, aiming to fill the unmet medical needs in cancer treatment and genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis and hemophilia. Droia’s funds typically invest in newly founded or early-stage platform companies, often providing both financial backing and scientific expertise to help startups develop first-in-class drug candidates. Droia’s global reach is evident in its investments across the U.S. and Europe, with check sizes typically in the seed and early venture stages. Led by experienced partners like Janwillem Naesens and industry veteran George Golumbeski, Droia emphasizes long-term partnerships and active involvement in the scientific and business growth of its portfolio companies.
DSM Venturing, the corporate venture arm of DSM, focuses on investing in innovative startups that align with its mission of improving health, nutrition, and bioscience. Since its inception in 2001, DSM Venturing has invested in over 100 startups across these sectors. Their portfolio includes companies such as NutriLeads, which develops food ingredients with health benefits, and Deep Branch Biotechnology, which converts carbon dioxide into sustainable animal nutrition products. Geographically, DSM Venturing is particularly active in North America and Europe. They typically invest between €1 million and €20 million over the lifetime of a venture, starting with initial investments ranging from €100k to €5 million. They take minority ownership stakes and often lead investment rounds while actively participating in the board activities of their portfolio companies. DSM Venturing's investment strategy focuses on startups that offer transformative solutions in health, nutrition, and care, as well as animal nutrition and health, and food innovation. They aim to support these companies not only with funding but also with access to DSM's extensive scientific and commercial resources, fostering innovations that have the potential to make significant societal impacts.
DTC Capital, founded in 2018 and based in Boca Raton, FL, is a crypto-focused venture capital firm. Specializing in blockchain technology and decentralized finance (DeFi), DTC Capital targets early-stage investments within the cryptocurrency and financial software sectors. The firm has built a portfolio of innovative companies, including The Graph and Opyn, and holds a stake in two unicorns, Sentz and DFINITY. With its emphasis on fundamentals, DTC Capital takes a calculated approach to investing in blockchain projects that offer long-term value and scalability. Led by Spencer Noon, DTC Capital seeks out projects that are transforming the blockchain ecosystem, focusing on seed and Series A rounds. The firm co-invests with top players in the crypto space like Coinbase Ventures and Framework Ventures, providing startups with strong industry connections and strategic support. While they haven’t been as active in 2024, DTC Capital’s impact on the blockchain sector remains significant, particularly with its early bets on disruptive technologies that aim to redefine finance and digital infrastructure.
Disruptive Technology Ventures (DT Ventures) is a Netherlands-based venture capital firm that focuses on investing in technology startups and scale-ups with unique and groundbreaking innovations. The firm targets companies that have developed commercially viable products and are generating initial revenues, aiming to help these ventures accelerate growth and optimize their business models for international expansion. DT Ventures typically invests up to €5 million per company, though they are flexible with this amount depending on the needs and potential of the business. The firm prides itself on being privately funded with an undefined investment horizon, allowing them to make quick decisions and maintain their investment positions as long as necessary. The team at DT Ventures brings a unique blend of skills, expertise, and a global network to their portfolio companies, offering strategic support that acts as a significant accelerator for technological ventures. Their approach is lean and fit-for-purpose, adding value where it makes the most impact while allowing the businesses to flourish independently.
Dunbar Capital is a venture capital firm focused on investing in early-stage, tech-driven startups, primarily within the FinTech, Web3, and related sectors. Founded by Chris Wallace, the firm takes inspiration from "Dunbar’s Theory," which emphasizes the cognitive limit to stable relationships—around 150 connections—and applies this to building sustainable, long-term partnerships in business. Dunbar Capital’s approach is deeply relationship-driven, seeking to back founders that align with their philosophy of intentional, meaningful connections. Dunbar Capital focuses on pre-seed and seed investments, typically deploying capital in U.S. and EMEA-based startups. The firm's investment portfolio spans various sectors, with a concentration in B2B software, financial services, marketplaces, and infrastructure. Some of its notable investments include the Nigerian banking-as-a-service platform Zuvy and financial software companies OatFi and Caliza. The firm leverages data and research insights to make conviction-driven, thesis-backed investments, focusing on companies with the potential to disrupt industries. They prioritize fintech innovations like consumer payments, wealthtech, and vertical SaaS, but remain industry-agnostic. While relatively small, Dunbar Capital is strategically involved in its portfolio companies, helping them grow through a combination of operational support and strong global networks. With a geographic emphasis on the U.S., EMEA, and emerging markets, the firm is carving out a niche in backing early-stage tech companies that aim to transform traditional financial services.
Dundee Venture Capital, founded in 2010 and based in Omaha, Nebraska, focuses on early-stage investments in high-growth technology companies. The firm is known for its hands-on approach and leadership in seed rounds, frequently leading 90% of their investments. Dundee VC invests predominantly in e-commerce, fintech, and SaaS, with notable portfolio companies including Summersalt, a direct-to-consumer lifestyle brand, and Omnia Fishing, an e-commerce platform for anglers. Their recent investments include Nyla, a no-code platform for e-commerce, and Pear Commerce, which aids grocery retailers with digital marketing. Dundee Venture Capital’s strategy emphasizes funding transformative startups located outside traditional coastal hubs. They seek companies with a strong vision, early traction, and a unique edge. With a commitment to seed-stage investing, Dundee is particularly interested in businesses that have potential for significant impact and rapid growth. The firm prefers to engage with founders who have a clear and compelling vision and are tackling urgent and valuable problems. The team, led by founder Mark Hasebroock, brings deep entrepreneurial experience and a track record of success, including the sale of Hayneedle to Walmart. Startups should approach Dundee with a robust business plan that demonstrates significant potential and a differentiated market approach.
Dune Ventures is a venture capital firm that was founded in 2020 and is based in New York. The firm focuses on investing in the media, gaming, and entertainment software sectors, with a strong emphasis on supporting early-stage companies that are building the next generation of digital entertainment platforms. Unlike traditional venture funds, Dune Ventures operates as a permanent capital vehicle, enabling long-term partnerships with founders and consistent access to capital, which allows them to back founders throughout multiple stages of growth. Dune Ventures is stage-agnostic, meaning they invest across different stages, from Seed to Series A and beyond, depending on the opportunity. The firm prioritizes working closely with a small number of exceptional founders, providing them with focused attention and resources. Their portfolio includes a variety of companies in the gaming and entertainment industries, such as Convai, Cartridge, and Lightforge Games. The firm’s approach is rooted in concentration and conviction, investing in a limited number of startups where they can take meaningful stakes and provide significant strategic value. This model reflects their belief in the power of long-term partnerships and their commitment to helping founders build enduring companies that can stand the test of time.
Dunnhumby is a global leader in customer data science, helping businesses optimize their customer strategies using advanced analytics and insights. Founded in 1989, the company is best known for its groundbreaking work in retail analytics, originally partnering with Tesco to revolutionize loyalty programs. Dunnhumby’s data science platform combines cutting-edge technology, software, and consulting services to deliver personalized customer experiences both in-store and online. The company works with iconic brands such as Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, and L’Oreal, enabling them to leverage customer data to increase revenue and profits. Dunnhumby’s offerings span across various domains, including customer insights, price and promotions strategies, and retail media. Through its customer-first approach, it helps retailers and brands enhance product assortments, design more effective media campaigns, and optimize pricing and promotions to match customer needs. With offices across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, Dunnhumby continues to drive retail transformation globally. Additionally, the company operates Dunnhumby Ventures, which invests in startups that innovate in data science, retail tech, and customer engagement platforms.
The goal of DuPont Ventures is to foster innovation by investing in early-stage startups that align with DuPont’s core areas of focus—advanced materials, biosciences, electronics, and sustainability. The venture arm helps DuPont stay on the cutting edge by engaging with innovative companies that bring disruptive technologies and solutions to market. DuPont Ventures seeks to collaborate with startups that complement its existing R&D efforts, leveraging the company’s vast resources in scientific research, engineering, and market reach. The focus is on strategic investments that can accelerate DuPont’s innovations, particularly in fields like industrial biotechnology, electronics, clean technologies, and agriculture. Startups benefit from DuPont’s global infrastructure, access to technical expertise, and opportunities to scale through DuPont’s commercial channels. The venture team looks for startups that are pushing boundaries in science and technology, providing them with both capital and strategic guidance to foster growth. In doing so, DuPont maintains a forward-looking approach, ensuring it remains competitive and continues to innovate across its key sectors. Through these strategic investments, DuPont Ventures plays a key role in expanding the company’s innovation portfolio, tapping into external talent and groundbreaking technologies that shape the future of industries.
Duro Ventures, founded in 2013 and based in San Francisco, is a venture capital firm with a broad investment portfolio that spans sectors like health, education, consumer products, and technology. The firm has a strong focus on backing mission-driven founders and companies making meaningful impacts, including in emerging areas like blockchain and VR. Some notable portfolio companies include Substack, Elroy Air, AirByte, and OpenSea, illustrating their diverse interests in consumer tech, logistics, and Web3. Duro Ventures typically invests between $10,000 and $500,000, targeting early-stage startups across industries like healthcare, commerce, and education. Their health-focused investments include Notable (personalized cancer treatment) and OssoVR (VR surgical training). Additionally, the firm has a growing emphasis on climate tech and social impact ventures. The fund is led by Edward Hu and Milan Thakor, who bring deep expertise in technology and startups. With a reputation for being founder-friendly, Duro Ventures is known for its supportive approach, often co-investing with well-known firms like Y Combinator and Gaingels. They’re actively shaping a future that balances profitability with positive global change.
Dutch Founders Fund (DFF) is an Amsterdam-based early-stage venture capital fund established by a group of successful Dutch entrepreneurs, including Laurens Groenendijk (Just Eat, Treatwell, Miinto), Patrick Kerssemakers (fonQ), Bas Beerens (WeTransfer), Hidde Hoogcarspel (Spacebuzz), and Remco van Zanten (ex-Booking.com, Zalando). The fund focuses on investing in marketplaces, network effects-driven propositions, and marketplace enablers across Europe. Notable investments by DFF include VonWood, which revolutionizes the wood industry with a transparent supply chain solution; Kennek, a SaaS-enabled marketplace for the alternative credit space; and Metycle, a global marketplace for scrap and recycled metal. Another significant investment is Mtor, an automotive parts marketplace in Egypt, addressing logistics and price transparency challenges. Additionally, HomeCooks, a foodtech platform in the UK, allows home chefs to sell their homemade dishes to a wider audience. DFF's investment strategy emphasizes providing intense mentoring from ideation to Series A, seeking companies that offer sustainable solutions and efficiency. They value founders who are ambitious, coachable, and ready to face challenges head-on. The fund is committed to simplicity, transparency, and equal distribution, ensuring every stakeholder gets a fair share of the value created. The team, with extensive experience and a strong track record in building successful companies, offers more than just capital. They dive deep into the operational aspects of their portfolio companies, providing hands-on support to help them grow and succeed.
Dux Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2017, with a focus on supporting Latinx entrepreneurs. Based in both Austin, Texas, and Mexico City, Mexico, Dux Capital aims to bridge the funding gap for Latinx founders by investing in diverse and emerging startups that have strong growth potential and impact. The firm is led by co-founders Daniel Santamarina and José Luis Silva, who are committed to providing strategic capital and support to Hispanic-Latino entrepreneurs. Dux Capital recently achieved a significant milestone with the first close of its second fund, which attracted investments from prominent Hispanic-Latino investors and was led by Bank of America. This new fund builds on the success of their first fund and aims to continue addressing the funding disparities faced by Latinx founders. Dux Capital's investment strategy focuses on seed-stage companies across various sectors, including enterprise applications, high tech, edtech, healthtech, and fintech. Some of their notable investments include Mozper, Innovare Social Innovation Partners, and Atexto. They are known for their cross-border approach, enabling their portfolio companies to scale and succeed across different markets. The firm’s commitment to empowering Latinx entrepreneurs and its strategic partnerships underscore its role in fostering innovation and economic growth within the Latinx community.
DvH Ventures is a leading European early-stage venture capital firm based in Cologne, Germany. The firm focuses on investing in digital technology startups, with particular emphasis on sectors such as fintech, insurtech, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital health. DvH Ventures aims to support and partner with innovative companies that develop disruptive products and services. The firm operates multiple funds, including the Digital Tech Fund (DvH Ventures Fund III) and the Digital Health Fund (DvH Ventures Fund IV). The Digital Health Fund, launched in 2020 with a €70 million capital, invests across Europe in technologies that address future healthcare challenges. DvH Ventures typically invests up to €2 million in early-stage companies and often acts as the lead investor, providing follow-on capital and strategic support to its portfolio companies. DvH Ventures prides itself on being more than just a financial investor; it offers extensive operational expertise and a robust network, including media-for-equity services through partnerships with prominent media brands like Handelsblatt and DIE ZEIT. The firm is committed to fostering a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment, ensuring close and trusting interactions with founders and partners.
DWF Labs, founded in 2022 and headquartered in Singapore, is a leading player in the Web3 space, specializing in venture capital, market making, and OTC trading. The firm has quickly established itself as a dominant force in the digital asset ecosystem, with over 165 investments in various blockchain, DeFi, and gaming projects. Notable investments include companies like Synthetix and Orbs Network, reflecting its focus on decentralized finance (DeFi) and infrastructure projects. DWF Labs provides liquidity solutions for over 25% of the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization and is active on more than 60 centralized and decentralized exchanges. Their mission goes beyond financial backing, as they also assist startups with market-making services, validator node operations, and hackathons to accelerate project growth. Led by Managing Partner Andrei Grachev, DWF Labs has rapidly expanded its portfolio and ecosystem partnerships, contributing significantly to the development of Web3 infrastructure and mainstream crypto adoption. Their holistic approach to supporting bold entrepreneurs includes ecosystem funds, grants, and deep involvement in DeFi protocols. For companies seeking strategic capital in the crypto space, DWF Labs offers a combination of market expertise and hands-on support to foster long-term success.
DX Ventures, the venture capital arm of Delivery Hero, is dedicated to backing disruptive, founder-led companies worldwide. Since its inception, the fund has invested in a diverse portfolio, including notable startups like Flash Coffee, Glovo, Rappi, and Impossible Foods. These investments highlight its focus on industries such as on-demand services, food technology, fintech, logistics, and sustainable innovation. With a global mandate, DX Ventures seeks opportunities across North America, Europe, APAC, and Latin America. Their strategy emphasizes long-term partnerships with startups, leveraging Delivery Hero’s extensive network to provide strategic support and integration into its ecosystem. The fund is flexible in investment stages, participating in early-stage to growth-stage rounds, and typically writes checks from EUR 0.5 million to EUR 5 million. DX Ventures prefers proactive outreach to potential investees, often utilizing warm introductions from other VC funds or Delivery Hero’s global staff. They maintain a rigorous selection process, investing in about 1% of reviewed companies. The team, led by Managing Director Duncan McIntyre and Partner Brendon Blacker, brings deep industry expertise, aiming to build and scale transformative businesses. Based in Berlin, with a significant focus on the APAC region, DX Ventures continues to expand its portfolio, supporting startups that are poised to redefine their industries
Dynamk Capital is a New York-based venture capital firm that specializes in investing in early-stage companies within the life sciences sector, particularly focusing on life science industrials. Established in 2016, Dynamk Capital targets startups that develop critical tools, technologies, and services essential for the discovery, development, and manufacturing of life-saving therapies. The firm plays a pivotal role in advancing innovative solutions across the biopharma continuum, from drug discovery to development and production. Dynamk Capital's investment strategy is centered around providing both capital and strategic support to early-stage companies, helping them scale and succeed in a highly competitive and complex industry. The firm's portfolio includes a diverse range of companies, such as RoosterBio, which specializes in cell and exosome manufacturing, and Virica Biotech, which focuses on enhancing viral vector manufacturing for gene therapy. These investments reflect Dynamk's commitment to driving innovation in biomanufacturing and life sciences. The firm recently closed its inaugural life sciences fund at $65 million, marking a significant milestone in its mission to support groundbreaking life science ventures. Dynamk Capital continues to be an active player in the venture capital space, leveraging its industry expertise to identify and nurture companies that have the potential to make substantial contributions to healthcare and biopharmaceutical advancements.
Dynamo Ventures, established in 2016 and headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a seed-stage venture capital firm that focuses on supply chain and mobility technology. The firm is known for investing in startups that address critical issues in the logistics, transportation, and supply chain sectors. Dynamo Ventures typically invests between $250,000 and $1.2 million per seed-stage company. Their notable portfolio includes Sennder, a German digital freight brokerage that recently achieved unicorn status with a valuation of $1.45 billion. Other significant investments are STORD, a digital warehouse and distribution network based in Atlanta, and Shipamax, a digital platform for bulk shipping. Additionally, they have backed companies like Skupos, a data analytics platform for convenience stores, and Celadyne Technologies, which focuses on advanced materials for batteries. Dynamo's investment strategy is centered around providing not only capital but also extensive industry expertise and network connections to help their portfolio companies succeed. The firm recently raised $43.21 million for their second fund, more than doubling the size of their first fund, which indicates strong investor confidence in their focused approach.