USA VC Funds

New Science Ventures (NSV) is a premier venture capital firm established in 2004, with offices in New York and London. The firm specializes in investing in companies that leverage groundbreaking scientific innovations in the life sciences and information technology sectors. NSV has a keen focus on businesses with strong IP protection and those addressing significant unmet market needs. Notable investments include Ventyx Biosciences, Phase Four, Achronix Semiconductor, and Paragraf. NSV is particularly interested in companies that can transform their industries with innovative scientific approaches. Their strategy is to invest in both early and mid-stage companies, supporting them through crucial growth phases to maximize their potential and value. NSV is not afraid to take contrarian views and often seeks opportunities outside traditional tech hubs, emphasizing the importance of science-based innovation. The firm typically leads funding rounds and provides substantial follow-on support, ensuring that their portfolio companies have the resources needed to succeed. Key team members include co-founder Tom Lavin, who brings over 30 years of experience in finance and investment banking, and Raju Mohan, a seasoned biotech entrepreneur and senior advisor with extensive expertise in drug discovery and development. Startups looking to engage with NSV should emphasize their scientific uniqueness and potential for significant market impact. NSV values strong management teams and clear, defensible IP strategies, making these essential points of focus when approaching the firm.

NewSpace Capital is a space-focused venture capital firm that invests in growth-stage companies at the intersection of space technology and sustainable development. With a focus on scalable technologies and established revenues, NewSpace targets businesses that leverage space applications to address critical global challenges, including climate change, environmental monitoring, and resource management. The firm typically invests between €10 to €20 million in companies that are ready to scale their operations, offering both financial support and strategic expertise. NewSpace Capital operates with a “picks & shovels” strategy, concentrating on key areas like satellite communications, earth observation, remote sensing, advanced analytics, and space infrastructure. Their approach minimizes risk by backing companies that have moved beyond technical and market entry barriers, ensuring they are poised for significant growth. Portfolio companies like ICEYE, which specializes in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology for earth observation, and Kayrros, a leader in environmental intelligence, highlight NewSpace’s commitment to leveraging space technology for tangible impacts on Earth. The firm is led by a team of multidisciplinary experts with deep industry connections, allowing them to access exclusive deals in underinvested segments of the space market. With a target fund size of €250 million, NewSpace Capital aims to drive the next wave of innovation in space while addressing pressing global issues, positioning itself as a key player in the rapidly expanding space economy.

NewSpring Capital, founded in 1999 and headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, is a private equity firm focusing on growth equity, mezzanine capital, healthcare, and buyouts. The firm manages approximately $3.5 billion in assets and has invested in over 250 companies across various sectors. Notable investments in NewSpring's portfolio include Vacasa, a leading vacation rental management company; Innovid, a video marketing platform; and Nutrisystem, a weight management company. These investments reflect NewSpring's strategy of supporting high-growth companies in business services, healthcare, information technology, and consumer products. NewSpring Capital operates through multiple strategies, including NewSpring Growth, which targets high-growth technology companies; NewSpring Healthcare, focusing on innovative healthcare services and technology; and NewSpring Mezzanine, providing capital for acquisitions and recapitalizations. The firm's comprehensive approach allows them to support companies at different stages of their lifecycle, from early growth to expansion.

New Stack Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on investing in founders who are often overlooked by traditional venture capital firms. Founded by Nick Moran, New Stack Ventures targets startups in under-capitalized markets and geographies, with a particular focus on IoT, deep tech, smart hardware, and various platform-based business models. The firm recently closed its second fund, New Stack Ventures Fund II, at $42.6 million, significantly larger than its first $6 million fund. This new fund allows New Stack to support an additional 35 companies at the pre-seed and seed stages. The firm prides itself on being one of the largest single-partner funds raised outside of the typical Silicon Valley ecosystem, emphasizing its commitment to backing "outsider" founders. New Stack Ventures has built a strong reputation for its proactive and founder-friendly approach. The firm was highlighted by TechCrunch as one of the most active and engaged investors in the industry. Its portfolio includes notable companies like Draftbit, Curv, and Flamingo, reflecting its diverse investment strategy. The team at New Stack Ventures is comprised of experienced professionals, including Nate Pierotti, Luke Skertich, and Ariella Frank, who bring extensive backgrounds in startups, product management, and venture capital. Their collaborative and inclusive investment process ensures they identify and support high-potential startups effectively.

The Edward L. Kaplan, '71, New Venture Challenge (NVC) is a startup accelerator and investment program run by the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, founded in 1996 in Hyde Park, Chicago. The NVC is consistently ranked among the top university-based business-plan competitions and accelerators in the nation, placing alongside Y Combinator and Techstars in the Seed Accelerator Rankings Project. Since inception, more than 230 NVC-backed startups remain in operation, having collectively raised over $915 million in follow-on capital and generated more than $13 billion in exits. The program is led by Polsky Center Executive Director Starr Marcello, with deep adjunct faculty involvement from Mark Tebbe. The NVC operates multiple tracks: the flagship graduate program, a Social NVC in partnership with the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation, a Global NVC for Executive MBA students, a College NVC for undergraduates, and an Alumni NVC launched in 2018 for UChicago graduates worldwide. The 29th annual competition in June 2025 awarded a record $2.267 million to ten finalists — the largest prize pool in the history of any university-based business-plan competition — with B2B SaaS company Rayni taking first place and $835,000. Other 2025 finalists included NutraCareU, MOOJ, and relos. Prizes typically range from seed grants of a few thousand dollars up to six-figure investments. Breakout NVC alumni include Grubhub, the 2006 winner that completed an IPO; Simple Mills, the 2014 winner acquired by Flower Foods for $795 million; and Braintree. The program has become a material generator of venture-backed companies from the University of Chicago community.

New Venture Partners is a global venture capital firm that specializes in transforming corporate R&D assets into standalone businesses. The firm focuses on leveraging cutting-edge innovations from large technology companies and spinning them out into independent ventures. With a unique approach, New Venture Partners works closely with corporate partners to identify high-potential technologies that may not align with the company's core business but have significant market opportunities. The firm invests primarily in sectors such as telecommunications, IT, semiconductors, and digital media, emphasizing deep tech and transformative innovations. Their portfolio includes companies that emerged from major R&D labs, such as Bell Labs and British Telecom, showcasing their expertise in corporate spinouts. New Venture Partners typically invests in early-stage startups, guiding them from the incubation phase through to commercialization. Their team brings a wealth of experience from both the corporate and entrepreneurial worlds, providing a mix of strategic guidance and operational support to help ventures scale. With offices in the U.S. and Europe, New Venture Partners has a global reach and focuses on markets across both continents. Their strategy revolves around aligning with corporate partners to unlock the commercial potential of underutilized technologies, ultimately creating high-value businesses that deliver strong financial returns. The firm has established a reputation as a leader in corporate venture capital, with a track record of successful exits and long-term value creation.

New York Angels, founded in 2004, is one of the most active and well-established angel investor groups based in New York City. Specializing in early-stage investments, the group has made over 386 investments, with notable successes including Greenhouse Software, Payoneer, and Billtrust. Their portfolio spans various sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Healthcare, and SaaS. New York Angels typically invests in increments starting from $25,000 and expects its members to invest a minimum of $50,000 annually in its deals. Their average investment round size is around $2 million, and they are known for both leading and participating in follow-on rounds. The group has achieved 72 exits, indicating a strong track record of identifying and nurturing high-potential startups. The investment strategy of New York Angels emphasizes thorough due diligence and a collaborative approach, leveraging the diverse expertise of its members. They actively engage with their portfolio companies, providing not only capital but also valuable mentorship and networking opportunities. Key figures in the organization include founder David S. Rose, who has played a pivotal role in shaping the group's investment philosophy and operations. Startups looking to secure funding from New York Angels should be prepared to demonstrate strong business fundamentals and a clear growth trajectory

New York Life Ventures (NYL Ventures) is the corporate venture capital arm of New York Life Insurance Company, founded in 2012 and headquartered in New York City. The unit was launched by Joel Albarella, Senior Vice President and Head of NYL Ventures, who is regarded as one of the insurance industry's earliest and most prominent corporate venture capitalists. NYL Ventures started with approximately $200 million in committed capital and has grown to roughly $1.2 billion in assets under management, delivering a 10-year internal rate of return of nearly 30% and top-quartile returns since inception. At its 10-year milestone the fund had crossed $1 billion in AUM and completed more than 250 proof-of-concept tests with portfolio companies. NYL Ventures invests from seed to growth stages, with checks ranging from $1 million to more than $10 million, concentrating on fintech, insurtech, enterprise software, digital health, and proptech. The investment team includes Tim Del Bello as Head of Investments, John Masson as Director, and Senior Associates Madison Cuthbertson and Alan Day. The fund has executed more than 65 VC investments, maintaining an active portfolio of roughly 34 companies including 4 unicorns. Notable investments include Norm Ai, a regulatory-AI platform that raised a $27 million Series A in 2024; ValidMind, a model-risk management platform that raised an $8.1 million seed; Empathy, a bereavement platform that raised a $47 million Series B and became NYL's first insurance-industry partnership; and Scribe, a $25 million round participant. NYL Ventures functions as a strategic as well as financial partner, offering portfolio companies direct access to New York Life's distribution capabilities, actuarial expertise, and relationships across the insurance and wealth management industry.

New York Venture Partners, founded in 2014, is a venture capital firm based in New York City. NYVP focuses on early-stage investments, particularly in seed rounds, and aims to support startups with both capital and strategic guidance. The firm has a diverse portfolio with investments across various industries, including enterprise software, cybersecurity, AI, fintech, and health tech. NYVP is known for its notable investments in companies like VHX, Food52, and CrowdTwist, which have achieved significant market success. The firm typically invests check sizes ranging from $300,000 to $700,000, allowing it to support startups through critical early development phases. NYVP's investment strategy emphasizes partnering with innovative entrepreneurs and providing them with resources beyond just financial support. This includes access to experienced advisors who can offer strategic guidance, as well as operational support to help with recruiting and fundraising efforts.

Newark Venture Partners is a seed-stage venture capital firm based in Newark, New Jersey, with a strong focus on B2B software companies. Founded in 2015, NVP aims to support innovative startups by providing seed funding and operational support to foster growth and success. The firm has raised approximately $90 million for its second fund, doubling the size of its first fund. NVP's investment strategy revolves around healthcare, fintech, and supply chain sectors, seeking startups that offer transformative solutions in these high-stakes industries. The firm’s portfolio includes notable companies like Podsights, Optimal Dynamics, and Handspring Health, highlighting their commitment to driving innovation in enterprise software. The team at NVP is led by Managing Partners Tom Wisniewski, Dan Borok, and Vaughn Crowe, who bring extensive experience in venture capital and entrepreneurship. The firm is known for its active involvement in the Newark community, including partnerships with organizations like the Boys and Girls Club of Newark and Braven, which support local talent and promote educational and employment opportunities.

NewDo Venture is a cross-border US-China early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2015 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in San Mateo and New Haven and team presence in China. The firm explicitly bridges the gap between the United States and Chinese technology markets, backing 'fearless founders' through its angel and growth funds and a hands-on support infrastructure that covers HR, financial management, business process, and legal affairs across both countries. NewDo is led by Managing Partner Jingyuan Wang alongside a team of roughly eight, including six partners, one venture partner, and one principal distributed across the US and China. The firm concentrates on AI, enterprise services, healthcare, cloud computing, SaaS, mobile applications, IoT, computer vision, VR/AR, and education. It primarily writes Series A checks, with investment sizes reported up to approximately $11 million per deal. NewDo has invested in approximately 36 companies, producing 1 unicorn, 2 IPOs, and 5 acquisitions. The standout portfolio name is Rippling, the workforce management platform that NewDo backed at Series A in March 2017 — before the company reached unicorn status in 2020 and a $16.8 billion valuation by May 2025. Other portfolio companies include Lyft, which completed an IPO; BillionToOne, a genetic diagnostics company that was acquired; and ObEN, an AI-powered avatar platform. The most recent disclosed exit was Garten in April 2025. NewDo's cross-border positioning gives it a structural sourcing edge: it can identify exceptional Chinese-origin founders building globally relevant companies and connect US-founded portfolio companies with Chinese enterprise customers, manufacturing partners, and capital markets.

Newfund Capital, founded in 2008, is an entrepreneurial venture capital firm with a strong presence in both Paris and Silicon Valley. With $300 million in assets under management, Newfund focuses on seed-stage startups driving global change. Notable investments include Aircall, Fairmoney, and In2Bones, showcasing their diverse and impactful portfolio. The firm invests primarily in technology, precision medicine, personalized treatment, and brain tech sectors. They emphasize early-stage investments, aiming to support startups from the seed stage through international expansion, particularly in France and North America. Newfund's strategy involves quick decision-making, often providing term sheets within three weeks. They seek entrepreneurs with a global mindset and provide significant value beyond capital, including scaling opportunities, networking, and strategic support. The average check size varies but is tailored to meet the needs of each startup, with Newfund often leading the investment rounds. The team includes key members like Henri Deshays and Patrick Malka, who bring extensive entrepreneurial and investment experience. The team is split between their Paris and Palo Alto offices, allowing them to maintain a strong presence in both Europe and the U.S. For startups looking to scale rapidly with a partner who understands the entrepreneurial journey, Newfund Capital offers a compelling blend of expertise, resources, and strategic guidance.

Newgen Venture Partners is a global angel and seed fund platform founded in 2012 and headquartered in Shanghai, China, with additional offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Palo Alto. The firm backs entrepreneurs working in life science and information technology with the most innovative ideas and disruptive technologies, explicitly targeting world-class management and technical teams pursuing disruptive opportunities across TMT, life science, and emerging technology. Newgen is led by Founder and Managing Partner Lu Zhang, who has built the firm into a portfolio of more than 100 companies with accumulated valuations exceeding RMB 50 billion (approximately $7 billion). Newgen leads rounds and is often the first institutional investor in its portfolio companies, writing early seed checks of $100,000 to $3 million. Notable portfolio companies include GrubMarket, a US online grocery and food supply-chain platform that received Newgen's first check at seed in January 2015 and most recently raised a $50 million Series H at a $4.5 billion pre-money valuation in February 2026; HotMaxx, a Chinese food and fast-moving-consumer-goods discount retailer; LePure, a Chinese biotech; and WePie. Portfolio exits include Kheiron Medical Technologies, an AI radiology company acquired by DeepHealth in October 2024, and Paperspace, a cloud GPU infrastructure company. In 2025 to 2026, Newgen led the undisclosed Series A of TuCodec alongside Angel Bay Ventures and MFund. Beyond direct investing, Newgen Capital operates as a limited-partner arm, backing emerging VC funds such as ZPARK Venture and GSR Ventures vehicles, positioning the firm as a platform that accelerates the broader early-stage ecosystem rather than purely deploying direct capital.

Newpath Partners is a Boston-based venture capital firm specializing in life sciences. Founded in 2018 by Dr. Thomas Cahill, Newpath focuses on building biotechnology companies from the ground up, partnering with leading academic scientists to translate groundbreaking scientific discoveries into transformative therapies. With a strong commitment to high-impact ventures, the firm is particularly known for its deep involvement in the early stages of company formation, often acting as a founding investor. Newpath Partners manages multiple funds, with its second fund, raised in 2021, amounting to $350 million. This fund continues Newpath’s mission to back companies with high scientific originality and ambitious goals, particularly in areas like regenerative medicine, genomics, and oncology. The firm typically invests in early-stage ventures, providing not only capital but also strategic guidance and access to a network of industry leaders. Dr. Cahill, who also founded the nonprofit Scientists to Stop COVID-19, leads a team that is highly experienced in both science and business, ensuring that the companies they back are well-positioned to make a significant impact in the life sciences arena. Newpath’s approach is characterized by a close collaboration with founders, aligning interests across scientists, investors, and management teams to drive innovation and success.

NewSchools Venture Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit venture philanthropy organization founded in 1998 by Kim Smith, John Doerr of Kleiner Perkins, and Brook Byers, headquartered in Oakland, California. NewSchools is the first and only venture philanthropy focused exclusively on K-12 education: it raises charitable donations and grants them to early-stage entrepreneurs and educators reimagining public education, with particular attention to students from underserved communities. Since founding, the fund has directed nearly $345 million to more than 1,000 education ventures, activists, and policy advocates, including more than $150 million to over 300 charter schools between 1999 and 2015 that collectively served 157,000-plus students. CBInsights counts 92 direct investments. The fund is currently led by CEO Frances Messano, who succeeded long-serving CEO Stacey Childress effective January 2023. The board includes founders Smith, Doerr, and Byers alongside Stacey Childress, Ime Archibong, and others. NewSchools deploys one-year unrestricted grants of $150,000 to $250,000 along with one-on-one coaching and peer-community support across four investment areas: Innovative Schools, Learning Solutions (K-8 literacy and math including AI-powered personalized learning), Teaching Reimagined (AI-assisted teacher productivity), and Learning Differences. In 2024 the fund announced more than $23 million in new and follow-on investments to 80-plus ventures selected from 1,600 applicants; in October 2025 it announced an additional $10 million-plus to accelerate teaching and learning innovation. NewSchools has spun out several notable initiatives, including Reach Capital, the EdForward DC and Educate78 advocacy organizations, and the NewSchools Ignite edtech accelerator. The fund's three-decade track record makes it the deepest-rooted source of philanthropic venture capital in American K-12 education.

Nexit Ventures is Finland's oldest and most experienced technology growth capital firm, founded in 1999 and headquartered in Helsinki with a deep presence in Silicon Valley and ecosystem connections into Austin, Texas. The firm describes itself as a Nordic and Transatlantic 'Activist VC' focused on digital transformation, investing primarily in later-stage B2B software and technology companies where its historical success ratio has been close to 80% — well above industry averages. Nexit was co-founded by Artturi Tarjanne, who brings more than 30 years of international IT experience and is one of Finland's pioneering software entrepreneurs, alongside Michel Wendell, Pekka Salonoja, and Risto Siilasmaa — the latter being the former Chairman of Nokia. Current partners also include Sami Karppinen and Risto Yli-Tainio. Nexit manages three fund vehicles totaling roughly EUR 173 million in direct capital, plus a EUR 110.8 million joint operation with 3TS Capital Partners formalised in October 2021: Nexit Infocom 2000 (EUR 66.7 million), Nexit Infocom II (EUR 85 million), and Nexit III (EUR 21.6 million). The firm has made 44 total investments, currently manages 22 active portfolio companies, and has produced 12 exits including acquisitions by Google, Hewlett-Packard, and Nvidia. By geography the portfolio is concentrated in the United States (9 investments) and Finland (6). Notable portfolio companies include Boksi Solutions, which received a Series A follow-on in October 2023; Funambol; Aava Mobile, exited in September 2021; and Aino Health AB, in which Nexit III purchased a 29% stake. Nexit's Activist VC model means the firm takes an unusually engaged role — working directly on strategy, commercial development, and team building alongside portfolio management teams rather than limiting its contribution to board oversight.

Next Coast Ventures, established in 2015 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, focuses on investing in high-growth startups located outside traditional coastal tech hubs. The firm targets early-stage investments, particularly in emerging platforms, enterprise solutions, and consumer-focused businesses. Notable companies in their portfolio include Everly Health, Enboarder, and Diligent Robotics, reflecting their commitment to innovative and transformative technologies. Next Coast Ventures employs a thematic research approach, identifying key investment themes rather than focusing on specific sectors. This allows them to partner with "glass-eating" entrepreneurs—founders who are resilient and driven to build category-defining companies. Their investment strategy is characterized by active involvement, with partners often taking board seats and providing strategic guidance to help portfolio companies scale rapidly. The firm has made 159 investments to date and has successfully exited several companies, including Stoplight and AlertMedia. Founders Michael Smerklo and Thomas Ball lead a team of experienced investors who bring deep industry knowledge and a hands-on approach to their portfolio companies. Startups seeking to partner with Next Coast Ventures should demonstrate strong growth potential and alignment with the firm’s thematic investment focus. The firm’s recent investments, such as in Diligent Robotics and Everly Health, showcase their interest in companies that leverage technology to solve significant problems in healthcare, enterprise software, and consumer markets​.

Next Frontier Capital, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Bozeman, Montana, is an early-stage venture capital firm that partners with mission-driven entrepreneurs in the Rocky Mountain region. The firm focuses on investments in B2B technology and deep tech companies at the Seed and Series A stages. They manage four funds, with the latest being Fund IV, and typically invest between $2 to $10 million per round​. Next Frontier Capital emphasizes supporting the underserved Rocky Mountain startup ecosystem. Their portfolio includes companies like Submittable, Bridger Photonics, and Claravine, reflecting their commitment to high-impact technology ventures​​. The firm values diversity, intellectual rigor, and a strong connection to the region, aiming to create long-lasting companies that contribute significantly to their communities​. The team at Next Frontier Capital, led by founders Will Price and Richard Harjes, brings extensive experience from both venture capital and operational roles. They provide hands-on support to their portfolio companies, leveraging their network and expertise to help founders succeed.

Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital Ltd., established in 2010, is the venture capital arm of Credit Suisse based in Zurich, Switzerland. The firm focuses on investing in innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups across various sectors, including robotics, automation, medtech, and fintech. To date, Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital has invested around CHF 130 million in over 50 companies, and recently expanded its fund by an additional CHF 70 million, bringing the total to CHF 200 million. Notable investments from Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital include Perspective Robotics (d.b.a. Fotokite), a Zurich-based startup specializing in tethered drones that improve the safety and efficiency of public safety operations, and Ava, a company in the monitoring equipment sector. These investments highlight the firm’s commitment to supporting high-potential technologies and innovative business models. Credit Suisse's venture capital efforts are part of a broader strategy to support Switzerland's entrepreneurial ecosystem, ensuring the country remains a global leader in innovation and business. For more information about their investments and strategic approach, you can visit their official website.

Next Level Ventures (NLV) is Iowa's largest and most prominent strategic investment firm, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Des Moines. The firm is led by Founder and Managing Partner Craig Ibsen, who brings more than 25 years of operating experience, previously serving as a senior executive at Maytag Corporation and as the founder of Appliancezone, a global appliance-parts supply-chain software company. The team also includes Managing Partner Michael Perrin, Principal Liz Keehner, and long-tenured COO Barbara Gooch, who built operational infrastructure for Churchill Capital and Northstar Capital over 25 years before joining NLV. Across five funds, NLV manages approximately $500 million to $700 million in assets and a portfolio of roughly 45 to 50 companies. Three of those funds target Iowa startups specifically through the Iowa Fund series, while others support broader themes — the Curql Fund, for example, delivers fintech solutions to credit unions nationwide. NLV writes checks from $500,000 to $5 million into companies approaching or at product-market fit raising rounds of $1 million to $4 million, with a strong Midwest bias across agtech, data analytics, fintech, healthtech, IoT, SaaS, and AI. In January 2025 NLV launched Fund III, its fifth vehicle overall and third Iowa-focused fund, with the inaugural investment from that vehicle deployed into Genvax Technologies, an Ames, Iowa biotechnology company, in February 2025. A notable portfolio exit is the acquisition of Tractor Zoom by Anvil App Works. NLV's deep roots in the Iowa entrepreneurial community, combined with its multi-fund scale, position it as both the most active investor and the most connected network in the state's emerging technology ecosystem.

Next Play Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2020 by Jeff Weiner, the former CEO of LinkedIn, with a mission to coach and invest in entrepreneurial leaders building world-class, purpose-driven companies. Weiner is joined by Managing Director Brian Rumao, his former chief of staff. The firm takes a unique approach by blending investment with coaching, helping founders not only grow their businesses but also develop strong leadership skills rooted in compassion and values. The firm’s philosophy centers on the idea that doing well and doing good are not mutually exclusive. Next Play Ventures focuses on early-stage investments, primarily in industries like SaaS, fintech, healthtech, education, and productivity software. Notable portfolio companies include Figma, Brex, Scale, and Common Room. The firm also emphasizes social impact, with a commitment to closing the opportunity gap for underserved communities through initiatives like the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula and The Compassion Project. The name "Next Play" is inspired by legendary basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski’s philosophy of focusing on the next move, whether in victory or defeat. This reflects Next Play’s commitment to helping founders continually move forward, learning from both successes and failures. By providing a blend of capital and mentorship, Next Play Ventures aims to cultivate resilient, impactful companies and leaders for the long term.

NEXT VENTURES is an early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2019 by seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, with offices in Austin, Texas and San Francisco. The firm invests exclusively in companies addressing 'whole person health' — a portfolio spanning sports and fitness, outdoor and endurance, nutrition and wellness, preventive care, and diagnostics. Co-founder Armstrong is joined by General Partner Lionel Conacher, an experienced operator and investor, and Founding Partner Melanie Strong, who focuses on innovative technology investments across health, wellness, and sports. NEXT currently manages roughly $60 million in AUM and has launched a $100 million Fund II to double down on whole-person health, preventive care, and diagnostics. Typical initial checks range from $1 million to $3 million at seed and Series A into revenue-producing, market-validated companies. The portfolio includes 18 companies and has produced 1 unicorn, 3 acquisitions, and several notable portfolio companies. The standout holding is Oura, the smart-ring health-wearable leader that reached unicorn status. Other portfolio names include Humane, an AI wearable company; Genopets, a move-to-earn game; Amp Human, which makes PR Lotion and merged with Momentous; PowerDot, a muscle-recovery technology; Pair Team, a preventive-care platform; Vital BioSciences; and Trial Library. Recent acquisitions include SteadyMD, acquired by DocGo in October 2025, and Hammerhead, acquired by SRAM in January 2022. NEXT VENTURES' sector focus is genuinely differentiated: by concentrating on the intersection of health span, athletic performance, and consumer wellness, the firm accesses a market that most traditional healthcare or consumer VCs approach only partially. The founders' operational networks in endurance sport and fitness provide a sourcing advantage that few funds can replicate.

Next47, the global venture capital arm of Siemens, focuses on investing in early and expansion-stage enterprise tech startups. With a presence in Palo Alto, Berlin, Tel Aviv, London, Munich, and Paris, Next47 specializes in sectors like SaaS, AI, and enterprise technology. Their portfolio boasts notable companies such as Verkada, Skydio, and ChargePoint, reflecting their expertise in backing high-potential tech ventures. Next47's investment strategy emphasizes deep engagement with portfolio companies, providing strategic advice, connections, and resources to help them scale. They lead funding rounds with average check sizes varying based on the stage and requirements of the startup. The firm prides itself on a long-term partnership approach, ensuring consistent support through every growth phase. The fund is highly active, with a robust network of 250+ customers across 15 countries, enabling startups to accelerate their go-to-market strategies and secure significant bookings. Founders benefit from Next47's extensive talent network, assisting in making critical hires and developing executive recruiting strategies. Key team members include Lak Ananth, CEO and Managing Partner, and T.J. Rylander, General Partner, both based in Palo Alto. Their combined experience in venture capital and enterprise tech provides invaluable guidance to startups navigating complex growth trajectories. Next47’s global reach and strategic focus make it a vital player in the enterprise tech venture capital landscape, committed to driving innovation and supporting founders in building the next generation of category-leading companies.

NextGen Venture Partners is a unique venture capital firm that leverages a network-driven approach to investing. Founded in 2012 and based in Baltimore, Maryland, the firm collaborates with over 1,800 Venture Partners to support early-stage and growth-stage companies across various industries in the US​. NextGen typically invests between $1 million to $2 million in seed-stage companies and $3 million to $5 million in growth-stage companies that have $10 million+ in revenue. Their network of Venture Partners, consisting of top entrepreneurs and executives, provides startups with valuable connectivity for sales, hiring, and financing introductions, as well as on-demand advice. The firm's leadership team includes Managing Partners Jon Bassett, Ben Bayat, Brett Gibson, and Chris Keller, along with other experienced professionals like Deborah Chu (Principal) and Corinne Smeriglio (Director of Operations)​. This team brings decades of combined experience in investing and building companies.

NextView Ventures is a venture capital firm specializing in seed-stage investments, focusing on companies that use technology to drive the "Everyday Economy." This includes sectors where people spend significant time, money, and attention. The firm was established in 2011 and operates out of Boston and New York City, with a commitment to backing companies from the concept stage. Notable investments by NextView Ventures include companies such as ThredUp, WHOOP, Attentive, Grove Collaborative, and Skillz. ThredUp, an online fashion resale platform, went public on NASDAQ in 2021. WHOOP, a wearable fitness tracker, has become a significant player in the market, valued at over $3.6 billion. Attentive, an SMS marketing platform, serves over 4,000 e-commerce customers and significantly drives their revenue. NextView Ventures recently closed its fourth fund at $100 million, continuing its high-conviction, hands-on seed strategy. The firm targets the full seed spectrum, from pre-launch and pre-seed companies to those starting to scale, offering initial investments ranging from $400K to $4M​.

NextWave Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2010, headquartered in Carlsbad, California. The firm specializes in seed to early-stage investments, focusing on commercializing advanced technologies derived from university-based research across North America. NextWave Ventures targets innovation gaps within large commercial markets, investing in sectors such as artificial intelligence, advanced materials, IoT, 3D bioprinting, and digital media. Their strategy involves forming new companies around university patents, typically making seed investments ranging from $500K to $1.5M, and Series A investments from $1M to $4M, with the ability to participate in larger follow-on rounds through syndicate partnerships. NextWave's approach is distinguished by its active operational involvement, leveraging a low overhead structure and shared resources to mitigate risk. The firm maintains strong strategic relationships with hundreds of university labs across the U.S., which allows it to tap into cutting-edge innovations. The leadership team, composed of experienced investors, entrepreneurs, researchers, and operators, plays a hands-on role in building and scaling the companies within their portfolio. Notable investments include innovative companies like SmartFoam, TRAQ, and Apical Technology, all of which are at the forefront of their respective fields. NextWave's investment philosophy is centered on bridging the gap between academia and commercial markets, ensuring that groundbreaking research translates into viable and impactful businesses​.

NextWorld Capital, founded in 2009 and headquartered in San Francisco, is a venture capital firm that invests in early to growth-stage companies, particularly focusing on enterprise software, analytics, fintech, and telecommunications sectors. The firm is renowned for its hands-on approach in helping startups scale, often participating in follow-on rounds to support ongoing growth. Notable investments in NextWorld Capital's portfolio include Aircall, a cloud-based voice platform for managing customer support and sales calls; Stampli, an AI-driven AP automation company; and Honeycomb, which provides analytics and observability tools for software developers. Other significant investments are Spiff, a sales commission software, and Routefusion, a fintech company specializing in cross-border payments. The firm is known for its collaborative investment approach, often co-investing with other prominent venture capital firms to maximize the potential of its portfolio companies. NextWorld Capital has successfully nurtured numerous startups to significant growth stages, ensuring they achieve their full potential through strategic guidance and resources.

Nexus Venture Partners, established in 2006, is a venture capital firm headquartered in Menlo Park, California. The firm focuses on early-stage investments, typically participating in seed and Series A rounds, and is particularly active in the US and India. Nexus has over $2.6 billion in assets under management and invests in sectors such as enterprise software, digital consumer businesses, and technology-driven services. Nexus Venture Partners has an impressive portfolio that includes notable companies like Postman, Delhivery, Druva, and Unacademy. The firm has had significant exits, with companies like Clover Health, Delhivery, and Housing.com achieving substantial growth and market impact. Nexus's investment strategy emphasizes strong partnerships with founders, providing them with extensive support throughout their entrepreneurial journey. The team at Nexus comprises experienced professionals, including co-founders Suvir Sujan, Naren Gupta, and Sandeep Singhal, who bring deep industry expertise and strategic insights to their investments. Nexus Venture Partners continues to be a key player in the venture capital landscape, fostering innovation and scaling successful companies across its target markets​.

NFP Ventures is the strategic venture capital arm of NFP — an Aon company and leading insurance brokerage and benefits consultancy — founded in 2018 and headquartered in New York City. In 2021 NFP became the anchor limited partner of Distributed Ventures, the successor platform that evolved from NFP Ventures and now leads the firm's investment activity. The platform closed a $100 million fund in July 2023 and has grown to approximately $155 million in aggregate commitments. The investment team is led by Shawn Ellis as Founder and General Partner, alongside Partners Adam Blumencranz and Michael Peri. NFP Ventures and Distributed Ventures lead seed and Series A rounds and follow into Series B, writing $1 million to $5 million initial checks into 15 to 20 companies per fund. The firm concentrates on the intersection of health, insurance, and wealth — specifically insurtech, fintech, digital health, HR tech, and employee benefits — where risk, cost, and outcomes converge. A defining advantage is the firm's strategic LP network of insurers and brokerages, which can unlock direct buyer access and commercial pilots for portfolio companies from the first day of partnership. The firm has approximately 33 investments across the platform. Notable portfolio companies include Honeycomb, a reinsurance-backed MGA using AI and computer vision for multi-family property insurance that reached approximately $55 million in total funding by 2024; TrustLayer, a real-time collaborative risk-management and proof-of-insurance verification platform; VaxAtlas, a digital vaccine-management platform; and Harness Wealth, a wealth-management platform. The firm's position inside the NFP and Aon ecosystem gives its portfolio companies an unmatched distribution channel into the corporate insurance and benefits market.

NFX, founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Francisco, is a venture capital firm that specializes in early-stage investments. The firm is renowned for its focus on network effects, which it believes are crucial for building market-transforming companies. NFX invests in a diverse range of sectors, including AI, biotech, fintech, gaming, enterprise software, marketplaces, and crypto, with a particular focus on Silicon Valley and Israel. Notable investments by NFX include companies like DoorDash, Lyft, Patreon, and Houseparty. The firm has made a total of 577 investments and has seen significant exits such as Similarweb and CircleUp. NFX's unique approach involves deeply understanding and leveraging network effects, which it views as essential for startups to compete effectively in today's market​​. The firm was co-founded by James Currier, Pete Flint, Gigi Levy-Weiss, and Stan Chudnovsky, who bring extensive entrepreneurial and investment experience. NFX supports its portfolio companies through The Guild, an active community of over 200 founders who share KPIs, insights, and access to foster mutual growth and success​. NFX aims to transform how true innovators are funded, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance to help startups build sustainable and disruptive businesses​.

Night Ventures, founded in 2021 and based in Austin, Texas, focuses on early-stage investments in consumer, fintech, SaaS, crypto, and health sectors. The firm aims to help startups navigate new forms of customer acquisition and leverage the creator economy and community-driven growth. Notable investments include Marker Learning, a disability healthcare service; Feastables, a gamified snacking brand; and Moonpay, a fiat-to-crypto exchange. Other significant investments are in companies like Groombuggy, which offers mobile pet grooming, and Matador, known for its better energy shots. Night Ventures also has investments in innovative tech companies such as Outtake, which provides content intelligence, and Conduit Commerce, a platform for inventory consolidation. Night Ventures is led by General Partners Reed Duchscher, Ezra Cooperstein, and Ben Mathews, who bring extensive experience in media, entertainment, and technology sectors. The firm emphasizes supporting startups through strategic connections and leveraging its network of influential figures in popular culture to drive consumer engagement and growth.

Nimble Ventures, founded in 2012, is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California. The firm focuses on early-stage investments, primarily targeting sectors such as technology, healthcare, biotech, fintech, consumer tech, and blockchain. Nimble Ventures invests globally, with notable investments in companies based in the United States and Israel. Prominent companies in their portfolio include Umbra, a developer of SAR micro-satellites for imagery services, and Terradepth, which provides data collection technology for marine tracking systems. Both companies have shown significant growth and innovation within their respective fields. Nimble Ventures typically invests in Seed and Series A stages, supporting startups with high growth potential and innovative solutions. The firm's investment strategy emphasizes identifying and nurturing early-stage companies that have the potential to transform industries through cutting-edge technology and novel approaches. For startups looking to engage with Nimble Ventures, it is important to demonstrate strong technological capabilities and a clear path to market leadership. The firm values innovative solutions that address substantial market needs and have the potential for significant impact. Key team members include John Burbank, a notable investor with a background in managing substantial venture funds, and Nathan Mee, who brings extensive experience in portfolio management and venture capital investments​.

Nina Capital is a specialized venture capital firm based in Barcelona, focusing on early-stage investments in health technology. Founded by Marta Gaia Zanchi, the firm invests across Europe, the United States, Canada, Israel, and Australia. Nina Capital leverages the Biodesign process from Stanford, which emphasizes a need-driven and value-based approach to healthcare innovation. Their investment strategy spans pre-seed to seed stages, with typical investment sizes ranging from €200k to €1.5m​. The firm supports startups that apply advanced data science, engineering innovation, and IT-enabled products to solve healthcare challenges. Notable portfolio companies include QuantHealth, which uses AI to predict patient responses in clinical trials, and Cardiomatics, offering automated ECG interpretation to improve healthcare efficiency​. The core team, led by principals like Anastassiou and Yahel Halamish, combines deep expertise in healthcare, technology, and investment. They are committed to diversity and multidisciplinary collaboration, fostering an inclusive environment that promotes innovative solutions to complex healthcare problems.

NLC Health Ventures is an Amsterdam-based healthtech venture builder and investment fund founded in 2014 by Bert-Arjan Millenaar, who continues to lead the firm as Founder and CEO. NLC describes itself as the world's largest healthtech venture builder and, since 2023, has been recognized as the most active early-stage healthcare investor in its category. The firm operates across Europe and the United States, co-founding companies from scientific invention through to clinical deployment in biotech, medtech, digital health, and what NLC terms green health. NLC's model is entrepreneurial at scale: each year the firm assesses more than 1,500 scientific inventions submitted by universities, academic hospitals, and corporates across 40-plus countries, then selects 20 to 25 to spin out as new ventures. In 2024 alone NLC launched 20 new companies and secured a record EUR 43.6 million in funding across the portfolio. Across more than a decade the firm has co-founded over 110 ventures — 76 active as of 2024 — impacting more than 2 million patients. The flagship vehicle today is the NLC Health Impact Fund, an Article 9 SFDR-classified fund targeting EUR 100 million with follow-on capacity of up to EUR 9 million per company through Series A and B. Notable portfolio ventures include Nicolab, an AI-driven stroke treatment platform, and Concord Neonatal, a shock-free birth technology originating from Leiden University Medical Centre. NLC is a certified B Corp aligned to UN Sustainable Development Goals 3, 9, and 17. With more than 80 staff — including 40-plus healthcare specialists — the firm provides portfolio companies with regulatory, product development, and clinical trial support. Strategic partnerships include Minnesota MedTech 3.0, announced in February 2025, which connects European startups to the Minnesota medtech corridor.

Noemis Ventures is a New York-based venture capital firm specializing in pre-seed and seed-stage investments in fintech, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and marketplace startups. The firm was founded by Simeon Iheagwam, who launched the debut $25 million fund in 2022 after a decade-long career in tech, corporate finance, and investment banking at firms like J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo. Noemis Ventures focuses on backing founders who aim to drive technological change and societal impact, with a strong emphasis on early-stage companies that demonstrate the potential to innovate in their respective industries. The firm’s investment strategy includes providing up to $500K per company, targeting around 25 to 30 startups within its portfolio. Noemis Ventures actively supports its founders, not only with capital but also by offering strategic guidance to navigate early-stage challenges. This hands-on approach has earned them a reputation as a reliable partner to the companies they back. Notable investments include successful ventures like Petalcard, Squire, and Burrow, which have moved on to Series C and D funding rounds. Noemis has also backed companies such as Hopscotch and EMTECH, reflecting its commitment to fostering innovation across fintech and AI-driven markets. With backing from investors like Alphabet and Bain Capital Ventures, Noemis is well-positioned to continue supporting transformative startups looking to shape the future​.

NGP Capital, founded in 2005, is a venture capital firm based in Palo Alto, California. The firm has a significant global presence with offices in Berlin, Helsinki, and Geneva, and focuses on early growth investments in B2B sectors such as cybersecurity, industrial technology, deep tech, robotics, supply chain, and data infrastructure. NGP Capital typically invests $10-15 million in the first round, aiming for a 10-15% ownership stake and an active role in their portfolio companies. The firm manages over $1.6 billion in assets and uses a proprietary AI-powered platform, "Q," to identify and evaluate investment opportunities globally. This system scans and ranks more than 2 million companies, helping NGP make data-driven investment decisions. NGP Capital has invested in more than 100 companies, with notable exits including UC Mobile, acquired by Alibaba for $3.8 billion, and Ganji, acquired by 58.com for $3.6 billion. Other significant portfolio companies include PubMatic, Deliveroo, and Moovit. Their investments are geographically diverse, with 27% in Europe, 38% in the US, and 35% in Asia. The firm continues to leverage its partnership with Nokia, focusing on strategic investments that align with Nokia's innovation framework around 5G and related technologies. This partnership allows NGP Capital to combine financial discipline with technological insights, driving growth and strategic value in their portfolio.

Nomadic Venture Partners (NVP) is a minority-owned venture capital firm based in Denver, Colorado, that focuses on climate tech investments. Founded in 2021, the firm invests in early-stage companies, from pre-seed to Series A, particularly those innovating in digital solutions and light hardware to decarbonize sectors like natural resources, manufacturing, and transportation. NVP's goal is to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy by backing startups that develop sustainable technologies. The firm is led by co-founders Tem Tumurbat and Batchimeg Ganbaatar, who bring expertise in investment strategy, portfolio management, and scaling businesses. NVP has a strong emphasis on industrial climate tech and aims to foster innovation that addresses critical challenges in industries responsible for large portions of global emissions. Their portfolio includes investments in companies such as Strayos and Banyan Infrastructure, which are focused on driving sustainable growth in industrial sectors​. Nomadic Venture Partners also actively engages in industry-building efforts, hosting events like the Industrial Climate Tech Summit to promote collaboration and investment in climate tech​.

NOMO Ventures is a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments in transformative technology companies. With over $100 million in assets under management, NOMO Ventures has a diverse portfolio that includes prominent companies such as Expensify, Nest, MeUndies, Simulate, Better Mortgage, Ponto, Batch, and Railz​ (HealthTech Alpha)​​ (Unicorn Nest)​. Their investment strategy focuses on early-stage ventures, often co-investing with other notable funds like Global Founders Capital and Pioneer Fund. NOMO Ventures tends to back companies that offer innovative solutions and have the potential for significant market impact. They have made investments in a variety of sectors, including health tech, fintech, and consumer products. NOMO Ventures is based in San Francisco and is actively seeking new investments, typically participating in funding rounds ranging from $2 million to $20 million. They have a track record of investing in startups that achieve high growth and profitability. For instance, recent investments include Great Question, a customer research platform, and Pry Financials, which simplifies startup finances​. Key team members include experienced venture investors who provide hands-on support and strategic guidance to their portfolio companies. NOMO Ventures looks for startups with strong, innovative business models and clear market potential. Startups interested in securing investment from NOMO Ventures should prepare a direct and concise pitch that highlights scalability and strategic fit with NOMO's investment focus​.

Noname Ventures is a Los Angeles-based pre-seed and seed-stage venture capital firm founded in March 2016 and led by Founding Partner and Managing Director Chris Graham, whose prior operating background includes guiding a product from inception to a nine-figure acquisition. The firm is headquartered on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles and operates with a small, specialist team. Noname focuses exclusively on seed-stage enterprise SaaS companies building value-based business models that solve well-defined problems in large, addressable markets. The fund writes checks with a sweet spot of $250,000 and a range of $150,000 to $500,000, targeting enterprise SaaS applications powered by machine learning, AI, and augmented reality, as well as adjacent categories including GovTech, marketing technology, analytics, data services, and logistics. Across 15 total investments, disclosed portfolio companies include Formative, an educational software company that received the firm's most recent recorded investment in September 2020; Ondaka; IV.AI; InvolveSoft; SPIDR Tech; and Slingshot Aerospace. Noname's key differentiator beyond capital is its Immersive Mentorship program, which works directly with early-stage teams on a product-first path to product-market fit. The program encompasses performance evaluation, organizational design, and go-to-market strategy, with the explicit goal of propelling portfolio companies toward near-term profitability or exit. Graham's own founder experience informs a partnership posture that is more operator than advisor — a distinction the firm treats as central to its value proposition.

Noosphere Ventures Partners LP is a Menlo Park, California-based space-focused asset management firm founded on June 4, 2014 by Ukrainian-American entrepreneur Dr. Max Polyakov. The firm takes a vertically integrated approach to NewSpace investing — combining capital, engineering expertise, and operational resources to assemble a complete space-mission stack aimed at making access to space faster and more affordable. Across the broader Noosphere network, more than 2,000 specialists operate from offices worldwide. The firm leads rounds and invests across seed, Series A, and Series B stages in companies spanning launch vehicles, satellites, satellite data and analytics, space propulsion, in-space logistics, and applied AI for Earth observation. Noosphere has made approximately 16 disclosed portfolio investments. Flagship positions illustrate the integrated thesis: Firefly Aerospace, re-created in 2017 after Noosphere acquired the assets of the bankrupt Firefly Space Systems and subsequently raised nearly $200 million; EOS Data Analytics (EOSDA), founded 2015, with proprietary radar and optical satellite constellations; Space Electric Thruster Systems (SETS), producing electric propulsion engines; D-Orbit, an in-space logistics company; and Dragonfly Aerospace, a South African satellite imaging company whose Mantis camera was deployed on Botswana's first national satellite in 2025. Noosphere also invests in hardware and robotics adjacent to the space economy. In 2024 the US Department of the Treasury cleared Dr. Polyakov to resume investment in the US space sector after a multi-year pause. Beyond financial returns, Polyakov funds the Noosphere Engineering School and the Vernadsky Challenge to develop Ukrainian engineering talent — an initiative that reflects the fund's broader commitment to building the human infrastructure of the space economy.

North Bridge Venture Partners, founded in 1994 and based in Wellesley, Massachusetts, is a venture capital firm that provides seed-to-growth financing. The firm focuses on several key sectors, including communications and infrastructure, software, materials, healthcare, and digital media. North Bridge Venture Partners supports companies from their initial stages through to becoming market leaders, leveraging a combination of operational experience and strategic guidance​. The firm has made over 479 investments and has achieved 183 exits. Notable portfolio companies include Couchbase, Markforged, and Lyra Therapeutics. North Bridge has a significant presence in the U.S. market, focusing primarily on early-stage and growth-stage companies operating in healthcare and information technology sectors​. North Bridge is led by a team of experienced professionals, including founder and managing partner Edward Anderson and general partners Richard D'Amore and Jeffrey McCarthy. The firm's strategy emphasizes investing in exceptional entrepreneurs whose ideas have the potential to disrupt their respective industries.

North Coast Ventures (NCV), formerly the North Coast Angel Fund, is a Cleveland, Ohio-based early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2006 by Clay Rankin and Todd Federman, both of whom continue to serve as Managing Directors. NCV is built on an unusual capital structure: more than 400 members — the region's leading investors, entrepreneurs, and operating executives — making it the largest single-chapter investor group in the country. The 64-person team includes 7 partners and a 5-person full-time management staff. Since inception, NCV and its members have deployed over $100 million into nearly 80 Ohio-based companies that today employ more than 2,000 people at average salaries near $100,000. The firm runs two parallel vehicle families focused on B2B SaaS: the North Coast Angel Fund series, now on Angel Fund V and informed by a $5 million state funding allocation with a Seed-through-Series-A mandate; and the North Coast Venture Fund series, with its Acceleration Fund III targeting $50 million anchored by $10 million in state matching, focused on demonstration-stage B2B SaaS. NCV leads rounds and the firm made 4 investments during 2025. Portfolio companies include Remesh, Axuall, Employstream, Proformex, TandemStride, InnerActiv, Vytalize Health, Primum Health — a Columbus oncology platform co-led at seed with FCA Venture Partners — and 1Logtech, an AI-driven logistics company that raised $1.5 million in a Seed round in April 2025. NCV's thesis centers on highly scalable B2B SaaS solving large problems where the member network's domain expertise and relationships with regional Fortune 500 companies can deliver market-making reference customers. The model pairs patient capital with an unusually broad operating network, creating leverage that a conventional two-partner fund cannot match.

North Island Ventures (NIV), founded in 2020 by Travis Scher, James Hutchins, and Glenn Hutchins, is a New York-based venture capital firm focused on investing in the crypto and Web3 space. NIV has approximately $300 million in assets under management and targets early-stage investments in companies developing innovative blockchain technologies and applications. Their portfolio includes notable investments in companies such as Axelar, BCB Group, Dapper Labs, Flow, ImmuneFi, and Polymer Labs. NIV's investment strategy centers on supporting emerging technologies that can create new applications and experiences, leveraging the unique capabilities of blockchain and crypto. NIV recently closed its second fund, NIV Fund II, with $125 million in commitments, aiming to make 30 to 40 investments with initial investments ranging from $250,000 to $3 million. The fund focuses on sectors like DeFi, NFTs, digital identity, blockchain cybersecurity, cross-chain interoperability, and decentralized science.

Northern Light Venture Capital (NLVC) is a US-China cross-border venture capital firm founded in 2005 by Managing Directors Feng Deng, Yan Ke, and Jeffrey Lee. The firm is dual-headquartered in Menlo Park, California with major operating offices in Shanghai and Beijing. Founders Feng Deng and Yan Ke previously co-founded NetScreen Technologies, an enterprise IT-security company that IPO'd on Nasdaq in 2001 and was acquired by Juniper Networks in 2004 for $4.2 billion. NLVC's first fund was anchored by New Enterprise Associates, Greylock Partners, and WebEx co-founder Min Zhu. Today NLVC manages over $4.5 billion across multiple US-dollar and RMB-denominated funds, with its latest flagship being Northern Light Venture Fund V. NLVC leads rounds and invests across seed, Series A, and Series B stages, with a thesis split roughly 70 percent Series A, 20 percent Series B, and 10 percent seed. The investment focus spans TMT, consumer, green tech, and life sciences, with a 'China concept' mandate: companies that leverage China's industrial, economic, or human resources to build lasting global businesses. Across more than 300 portfolio investments, NLVC has produced 13 unicorns, 15 IPOs, and 23 acquisitions. Marquee wins include Meituan, which IPO'd in Hong Kong; Carta, the US cap-table SaaS platform; VIPKid; Aerohive Networks; and Linekong. In 2024 Taimei Technology IPO'd on HKEX at a $937 million market cap, and GenFleet Therapeutics followed in 2025 at $936 million. NLVC operates with deep bench strength across the US-China corridor, enabling portfolio companies to access manufacturing, talent, and distribution resources on both sides of the Pacific. The firm's track record across more than two decades of cross-border investing has made it one of the most consequential China-linked VC firms globally.

Northwell Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Northwell Health — New York State's largest private employer and integrated healthcare delivery network, comprising 21-plus hospitals and more than 850 ambulatory sites — operating under Northwell Holdings, the system's for-profit commercialization subsidiary established in 2015. The unit is led by President and CEO Richard Mulry, a 25-plus-year veteran of healthcare administration and operations. Its mandate is to improve the future of healthcare by investing in companies that drive higher-quality outcomes, increase operating efficiency, lower the total cost of care, and improve the patient experience. Northwell Ventures leads rounds and is active from seed through Series B, and has made approximately 40 investments to date. The firm is highly selective: it receives more than 2,000 external startup inquiries per year and invests in roughly one in every 300 companies reviewed. Activity is organized across three pillars — venture investment, joint ventures and co-creation, and data strategy and commercialization. Flagship initiatives include Ascertain, a joint healthcare-AI company creation platform launched with Aegis Ventures in 2022 and 2023 and capitalized with $100 million to systematically launch AI companies for maternal and fetal health and chronic disease detection; and Clarapath, a 2021 spin-out automating pathology labs with AI-powered robotics that raised a $36 million Series B-1 in 2024 led by Northwell Ventures with Mayo Clinic and Ochsner Ventures, bringing total funding to $75 million. Other portfolio names include Optain, Hume, Prolucent, Playback Health, and Memora Health. Northwell's commercial and clinical scale gives its venture arm privileged access to real-world patient workflows and health-system data — a structural advantage that few hospital-affiliated CVCs can match.

Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures (NMFV) is the corporate venture capital arm of Northwestern Mutual, the 165-plus-year-old US life insurance and financial planning mutual. The fund launched in 2017 with an initial $50 million commitment, expanded to a $150 million second fund in May 2019, and today manages more than $300 million in assets under management out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The investment program was built and scaled under longtime Managing Director Craig Schedler over a 13-year tenure before his transition to Intuit Ventures in 2024; NMFV continues operating through the broader corporate venturing team. The fund deploys initial cheques of $500,000 to $5 million at Series A and Series B into US-based startups, with significant follow-on capacity. The investment thesis centers on four priority areas aligned to Northwestern Mutual's mission: consumers' changing preferences, reimagining the client experience, the digital health revolution, and transformational analytics and technologies. Across 77 lifetime investments, notable portfolio companies include Betterment, the New York-based robo-advisor pioneer; Rize, a consumer savings platform; Inclined, which raised an $8 million Series B in 2025 focused on whole-life-insurance liquidity; and Alkymi and Ocient, both invested in 2025. The most recent disclosed investment is Letter AI, a business productivity software company backed in February 2026. NMFV's strategic value to portfolio companies lies in access to Northwestern Mutual's distribution network — its more than 6,500 financial advisors serve several million clients — making the fund a meaningful commercial partner as well as a financial backer for companies building in fintech, healthtech, and analytics.

Northzone, established in 1996, is a multi-stage venture capital fund investing in companies from Seed to Growth stages across Europe and the US. With a notable portfolio that includes companies like Spotify, Klarna, Trustpilot, and Kahoot!, Northzone has built a reputation for backing category-defining entrepreneurs. In 2022, Northzone raised €1 billion, emphasizing its commitment to supporting innovative startups that can thrive amidst global challenges. The firm’s investment strategy spans various sectors, including fintech, healthtech, SaaS, and consumer technology. Northzone typically writes checks between €1 million and €40 million, allowing them to support companies through multiple stages of growth, from initial funding to pre-IPO. Their approach is characterized by a focus on founders with conviction, a willingness to embrace risk, and a dedication to long-term partnerships. Northzone’s team operates across major cities like New York, London, Stockholm, Amsterdam, and Berlin, reflecting their "glocal" (global and local) mindset. This diverse and international team, comprising 36 members from 16 nationalities, brings a wealth of experience and a strong network to the table. The firm values integrity, results, intellectual curiosity, and strong partnerships, and has consistently championed diversity and inclusion both within their team and across their portfolio. Entrepreneurs interested in partnering with Northzone are encouraged to present bold ideas with substantial market potential. The firm values straightforward communication and prefers to invest in teams capable of navigating and thriving in challenging environments

Norwest Venture Partners (NVP), headquartered in Menlo Park, California, is a prominent venture capital and growth equity investment firm managing over $15.5 billion in capital. Founded in 1961, Norwest has invested in more than 700 companies across various sectors, including enterprise, consumer, and healthcare. Some of their notable investments include companies like Spotify, Adaptive Insights, Udemy, Talkspace, Opendoor, Kendra Scott, and Health Catalyst. These investments highlight Norwest's diversified approach, backing high-impact companies at various stages of growth from early to late-stage. Norwest recently announced the closing of its seventeenth fund, NVP 17, raising $3 billion to continue supporting visionary entrepreneurs. The firm operates globally with offices in Menlo Park, San Francisco, Mumbai, and Tel Aviv, focusing on North America, India, and Israel​. With a strong commitment to their portfolio companies, Norwest offers extensive support through their experienced investment and portfolio services teams, helping businesses navigate growth and scale effectively. This hands-on approach has contributed to their track record of successful exits and sustained growth in their portfolio companies​.

Not Boring Capital, founded by Packy McCormick, is a venture capital firm that emphasizes investing in innovative and transformative startups. Established in 2019 and based in New York City, the firm has made notable investments in various sectors, including fintech, health tech, and blockchain technology. The portfolio includes companies like Footprint, which offers identity and attribute verification solutions, and Disco, a platform for customer management solutions. Other significant investments include Gilded, providing accounting and payment solutions for crypto businesses, and Union54, which focuses on correspondent banking solutions in Zambia. Not Boring Capital typically invests in early-stage ventures, particularly in seed and Series A rounds. Recent investments include Unnatural Products, a biotech firm focused on molecularly targeted therapeutics, and Atomic AI, an AI-based platform for RNA drug discovery. The firm collaborates with prominent co-investors such as Index Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, and Andreessen Horowitz to support these startups. By leveraging a robust network and expertise in storytelling, Not Boring Capital aims to help its portfolio companies scale effectively and reach their full potential. The firm’s strategy includes not only financial investment but also strategic guidance and brand building.

Notation Capital, established in 2015 by Nicholas Chirls and Alex Lines, is a pioneering pre-seed venture capital firm based in Brooklyn, New York. Specializing in early-stage investments, Notation Capital supports technical teams at the inception of their business journeys, often at the idea stage. Notation's notable investments include Spruce, Livepeer, Bison Trails, and Parsec, showcasing their focus on hard tech, infrastructure, and product-centric startups. The fund is heavily focused on the New York City area but does not limit itself geographically if the opportunity aligns well with their investment philosophy. They typically lead the first round of financing with investment sizes ranging from $250K to $750K. Their strategy emphasizes deep involvement from day one, providing not just capital but also substantial operational support, leveraging their extensive network of advisors, founders, and LPs to accelerate growth and product development. Key team members include Nicholas Chirls, who brings expertise in product development and growth strategies from his previous role at betaworks, and Alex Lines, a seasoned software engineer with a decade of experience in building scalable products. Startups looking to engage with Notation Capital should demonstrate a strong technical foundation and a compelling vision for disruptive innovation. They prefer founders who are deeply product-focused and exhibit a strong determination to execute their vision.