The worlds leading Seed Investors & VC Firms in 2025

Our complete guide in 2025 for the top investors investing in Seed rounds.

Contributors: Carl Lager

Last updated: April 21, 2025

Skyscrapers from the street with statement in the sky saying 'Seed Investors'Skyscrapers from the street with statement in the sky saying 'Seed Investors'
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The Current State of Seed Investment in 2025

Seed-stage investment continues to be a critical gateway for startups, showing more resilience than late-stage venture capital despite a broader market reset. In 2024, U.S. seed-stage startups raised approximately $13.2 billion, down from the $19B peak in 2022, yet still well above pre-2020 levels.

Unlike Series A and beyond—where funding cycles have grown significantly longer—seed funding has remained relatively active. Investors view this funding stage as an opportunity to enter high-potential companies at more reasonable valuations, especially compared to frothy periods of the past.

However, expectations have changed. Investors now demand more than just an idea or MVP.

Most now look for:

  • A functional product

  • Signs of product-market fit

  • Early traction — users, pilots, or revenue signals

Deal Timelines Are Slower, and Valuations Have Reset

Raising a seed round today takes longer than in 2021–22. Carta data shows that priced seed deals dropped to multi-year lows in late 2023, reflecting a more cautious environment.

Valuations have also come down. After peaking above $10M pre-money in 2021, the median seed valuation dropped to $6–8M in 2023, with a mild rebound in 2024. This shift brings more rational pricing back to the market, but it also means founders must show more and raise less.

For today’s founders, the message is clear: expect longer timelines and greater scrutiny, even in the earliest stages.

black logos of seed investor firmsblack logos of seed investor firms

The Most Active Seed Investors Right Now

Despite the tougher environment, many seed-focused investors are still active. Firms like First Round Capital, Initialized Capital, and SV Angel continue to lead early rounds. Y Combinator, Techstars, and 500 Global remain important accelerators, offering capital and hands-on mentorship.

Alongside them, accelerators like Y Combinator, Techstars, and 500 Global continue to play a major role in early-stage funding and founder development.

Large venture capital firms — such as Sequoia, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), and Accel — still participate in seed deals through scout programs and early-stage teams. And corporate VCs from companies like Google, Salesforce, and Amazon are also investing in seed-stage SaaS, AI, and fintech startups to align with future strategic goals.

What Investors Expect From Founders Today

Sustainability has replaced speed as the dominant metric. To attract capital in 2025, seed-stage founders must show:

  • Early traction, whether through users, revenue, or pilot programs

  • A clearly articulated go-to-market strategy

  • Strong unit economics or signs of future monetization

  • The ability to operate lean while hitting milestones

Simply put, seed investors want to see real progress and future potential — not just a big vision.

Data Still Matters, but Storytelling Wins

While traction metrics are increasingly important, founders who combine strong data with a compelling story stand out. Investors want to back teams who not only understand their product, but also their market timing, customer psychology, and long-term positioning.

Even in this rationalized market, capital is available. But those who stand out in both numbers and narrative are the ones who close rounds.

The Outlook for Seed Investment in 2025

Seed funding may no longer be a gold rush, but it remains one of the most active and strategic stages of the venture cycle. With more institutional rigor, adjusted valuations, and longer timelines, startups that come prepared — with focus, traction, and financial discipline — will be in a strong position to secure backing from the world’s top seed investors.

All Top Seed Investors Globally

Our complete list of all active venture capital firms and investors in Seed rounds 2025.

Sinovation Ventures
Founded
2009
Investments
319
Exits
37
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Series D
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
SixThirty
Founded
2013
Investments
157
Exits
17
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Sixty8 Capital
Founded
2019
Investments
8
Exits
0
Investment stage
Seed
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Sky Ventures Group
Founded
2015
Investments
21
Exits
3
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Sky9 Capital
Founded
2016
Investments
86
Exits
4
Investment stage
Seed
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Skyline Ventures
Founded
1997
Investments
75
Exits
31
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Slauson & Co.
Founded
2020
Investments
12
Exits
0
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
SmartGateVC
Founded
2017
Investments
20
Exits
0
Investment stage
Seed
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
SmartHub
Founded
2015
Investments
38
Exits
1
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Smartfin
Founded
2016
Investments
22
Exits
3
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Series D
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
SoGal Ventures
Founded
2017
Investments
40
Exits
1
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Social Capital
Founded
2011
Investments
417
Exits
76
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Social Impact Capital
Founded
2015
Investments
41
Exits
2
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Social Leverage
Founded
2009
Investments
111
Exits
35
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Social Starts
Founded
2012
Investments
433
Exits
60
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Sofinnova Investments
Founded
1974
Investments
282
Exits
107
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Sofinnova Partners
Founded
1972
Investments
278
Exits
62
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Series D
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
SoftBank Capital
Founded
1981
Investments
296
Exits
123
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Series D
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Softbank Ventures Asia
Founded
2000
Investments
172
Exits
21
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Series D
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Solar Eco Fund
Founded
2021
Investments
15
Exits
0
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Solas BioVentures
Founded
2014
Investments
14
Exits
1
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Solasta Ventures
Founded
2020
Investments
22
Exits
9
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Sonae IM
Founded
2015
Investments
39
Exits
9
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Sonder Capital
Founded
2020
Investments
6
Exits
0
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Sorenson Capital
Founded
2002
Investments
73
Exits
25
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Series D
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Sorenson Ventures
Founded
2017
Investments
23
Exits
1
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Sound Media Ventures
Founded
2019
Investments
4
Exits
0
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Sound Ventures
Founded
2015
Investments
170
Exits
17
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
SoundBoard Venture Fund
Founded
2012
Investments
37
Exits
6
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
South Park Commons
Founded
2015
Investments
70
Exits
6
Investment stage
Seed
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Sova VC
Founded
2020
Investments
4
Exits
0
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Series D
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Sovereign’s Capital
Founded
2012
Investments
69
Exits
11
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Sozo Ventures
Founded
2012
Investments
41
Exits
8
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Space Capital
Founded
2017
Investments
64
Exits
5
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
SpaceFund
Founded
2018
Investments
10
Exits
0
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Spark Capital
Founded
2005
Investments
500
Exits
91
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Spark Growth Ventures
Founded
2018
Investments
25
Exits
1
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
SparkLabs Global Ventures
Founded
2013
Investments
72
Exits
10
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
SparkLabs Taipei
Founded
2018
Investments
45
Exits
1
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Sparkmind VC
Founded
2017
Investments
12
Exits
0
Investment stage
Seed
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Speedinvest
Founded
2011
Investments
356
Exits
21
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Spider Capital
Founded
2015
Investments
59
Exits
7
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Spintop Ventures
Founded
2009
Investments
44
Exits
8
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Split Rock Partners
Founded
2004
Investments
103
Exits
41
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
SpringTide Ventures
Founded
2018
Investments
26
Exits
3
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
SpringTime Ventures
Founded
2017
Investments
32
Exits
2
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Springbank Collective
Founded
2019
Investments
17
Exits
1
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Springdale Ventures
Founded
2019
Investments
11
Exits
0
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Spruce Capital Partners
Founded
2013
Investments
15
Exits
2
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Series D
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Sputnik ATX
Founded
2017
Investments
61
Exits
0
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Squadra Ventures
Founded
2016
Investments
8
Exits
1
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Square Peg Capital
Founded
2012
Investments
113
Exits
12
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Series D
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
SquareOne Capital Corp.
Founded
2018
Investments
20
Exits
1
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Stadia Ventures
Founded
2015
Investments
66
Exits
8
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Stage 1 Ventures
Founded
2001
Investments
80
Exits
16
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Stage 2 Capital
Founded
2018
Investments
34
Exits
2
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Stage One Capital
Founded
2000
Investments
28
Exits
6
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Stage Venture Partners
Founded
2014
Investments
44
Exits
2
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
StageDotO
Founded
2016
Investments
37
Exits
1
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Standout Capital
Founded
2004
Investments
8
Exits
3
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Stanford University
Founded
1885
Investments
94
Exits
39
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Series D
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
StarVest Partners
Founded
1999
Investments
80
Exits
22
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Starbridge Venture Capital
Founded
2017
Investments
22
Exits
1
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Starburst Accelerator
Founded
2015
Investments
57
Exits
4
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Starship Ventures
Founded
2017
Investments
3
Exits
0
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
StartFast Ventures
Founded
2011
Investments
43
Exits
1
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
StartUp Health
Founded
2011
Investments
340
Exits
26
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Starta VC
Founded
2011
Investments
154
Exits
4
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Starting Line
Founded
2018
Investments
25
Exits
0
Investment stage
Seed
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Startup Capital Ventures
Founded
2005
Investments
52
Exits
12
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Startupbootcamp
Founded
2010
Investments
538
Exits
35
Investment stage
Seed
Pre-Seed
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Startupbootcamp FinTech & CyberSecurity
Founded
2015
Investments
24
Exits
0
Investment stage
Seed
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
State of Mind Ventures
Founded
2016
Investments
37
Exits
2
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
SteelSky Ventures
Founded
2017
Investments
19
Exits
0
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Steelpoint Capital Partners
Founded
2003
Investments
18
Exits
10
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Series D
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Stella Capital
Founded
2016
Investments
13
Exits
1
Investment stage
Seed
Company profile
See full breakdown
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Sterling Road
Founded
2017
Investments
20
Exits
1
Investment stage
Seed
Company profile
See full breakdown
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Sterling.VC
Founded
2014
Investments
51
Exits
7
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
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Stony Lonesome Group
Founded
2011
Investments
23
Exits
2
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Storm Ventures
Founded
1997
Investments
248
Exits
58
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Stormbreaker
Founded
1899
Investments
16
Exits
1
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Stormbreaker Ventures
Founded
2019
Investments
17
Exits
1
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Story Ventures
Founded
2016
Investments
41
Exits
2
Investment stage
Seed
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Stout Street Capital
Founded
2016
Investments
69
Exits
11
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
StratMinds
Founded
2018
Investments
20
Exits
0
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Stray Dog Capital
Founded
2013
Investments
34
Exits
1
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Streamlined Ventures
Founded
2013
Investments
223
Exits
44
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Stride.VC
Founded
2018
Investments
53
Exits
2
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Company profile
See full breakdown
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Striim
Founded
2012
Investments
1
Exits
0
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Series D
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Stripes
Founded
2008
Investments
110
Exits
21
Investment stage
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Series D
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Strong Ventures
Founded
2011
Investments
134
Exits
4
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Struck Capital
Founded
2014
Investments
77
Exits
4
Investment stage
Seed
Company profile
See full breakdown
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Struck Crypto
Founded
2017
Investments
21
Exits
0
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
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Structure Capital
Founded
2013
Investments
90
Exits
22
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
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Subversive Capital
Founded
2015
Investments
27
Exits
9
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
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Sugar Capital
Founded
2020
Investments
16
Exits
0
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
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Summit Partners
Founded
1984
Investments
419
Exits
259
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
Summit Peak Investments
Founded
2018
Investments
Exits
0
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Company profile
See full breakdown
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Sunbridge Partners
Founded
2004
Investments
31
Exits
12
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Series B
Series C
Company profile
See full breakdown
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Super Capital
Founded
2020
Investments
97
Exits
Investment stage
Pre-Seed
Seed
Series A
Company profile
See full breakdown
View VC Firm
What is a seed stage investor?

A seed stage investor is an individual or firm that provides early-stage capital and guidance to entrepreneurs and startups. Seed stage investors are different from a general venture capitalist (VC) as they generally have more risk tolerance than VCs. This means that they are willing to invest in businesses with less certainty about future returns. They understand that many startups fail – but those that do succeed can be hugely rewarding investments.

What are the key things seed stage investors look for in a startup?

When evaluating a startup, seed stage investors look for several key things.

They want to see that your product or service has potential in the market – is it addressing a genuine customer need? They will also evaluate your team’s ability to execute on the vision – do you have the right skills and experience to make it happen? Finally, they will assess how well you understand the business model and whether it can generate returns over time.

Seed stage investors want to take calculated risks when investing in startups. As such, they will be looking for evidence of traction (e.g., customer growth, revenue generation) that demonstrates potential success. If you can demonstrate this along with a sound business plan and passionate team, you have a better chance of securing seed stage investment.