Top New York Software VC investors

New York's top software-focused venture capital firms include Bessemer Venture Partners, BoxGroup, Lerer Hippeau, Thrive Capital, Boldstart Ventures, Two Sigma Ventures and Tribeca Venture Partners. Between them they have funded software companies like LinkedIn, Shopify, Stripe, and Robinhood and most write checks at the seed and early stages.

New York has grown into one of the biggest tech hubs in the country, behind only the San Francisco Bay Area for venture capital activity. That growth didn't happen by coincidence. It has been backed by hundreds of VC firms that fund startups every year, and AngelMatch alone lists 11,821 angel and VC investors based in New York.

Do you have a startup that needs funding but is stuck finding the right investors in New York? Let us help with a list of the top VC firms in New York that invest in software.

Which VC Firms in New York Fund Software Startups?

Investor Name	Typical Check Size	Funding Stages	Notable Investments
Bessemer Venture Partners	$1M - $30M	Seed, Series A	LinkedIn, Shopify, Yelp
BoxGroup	$200K - $2M	Seed, Pre-Seed	Blue Apron, Stripe
Lerer Hippeau	$500K - $3M	Seed, Series A	BuzzFeed, Allbirds
Thrive Capital	~$1M	Early	Stripe, Robinhood
Boldstart Ventures	~$3.5M	Early, Growth	Snyk, BigID
Two Sigma Ventures	~$10M	Seed, Series B	Amplitude, Socure
Tribeca Venture Partners	$1M - $8M	Early, Seed	Casper, CommonBond

Let's dive into the details of each firm, covering their history, focus areas, and approach to funding.

Bessemer Venture Partners

• Website:Bessemer Venture Partners

• Focused Sectors: Tech, Consumer, Enterprise, Healthcare

• Funding Stages: Seed and Series A

• Notable Investments: LinkedIn, Shopify, Yelp, Twilio, Pinterest, PagerDuty, SendGrid, Fiverr, Canva, Toast

Bessemer Venture Partners (BVP) stands out as one of the oldest and most experienced VC firms in the United States. Founded in 1911 by Henry Phipps as part of the Bessemer Trust, BVP has a rich history of investing in transformative companies across diverse industries. Over the years, Bessemer has backed companies like LinkedIn, Shopify, and Twilio.

BVP targets early to growth-stage companies with a particular interest in sectors like cloud computing, cybersecurity, e-commerce, healthcare, and enterprise software. They typically lead Series A and Series B rounds, with investment amounts going up to $30 million. With a strong global presence in the U.S., Israel, and India, Bessemer is well-positioned to support startups with global ambitions.

BoxGroup

• Website:BoxGroup

• Focused Sectors: Consumer, Enterprise, Fintech, Healthcare, Marketplaces, Climate, Web3

• Funding Stages: Seed and Series A

• Notable Investments: Blue Apron, Airtable, Stripe, Plaid, Ro, Bowery Farming

Founded by David Tisch and Adam Rothenberg, BoxGroup is known for its founder-friendly philosophy and its partnerships with innovative founders and disruptive startups. BoxGroup tends to invest early, often at the seed or even pre-seed stage, with ticket sizes between $200,000 and $2 million.

The firm's team actively supports founders with ongoing mentorship and guidance as they scale, and BoxGroup prioritizes startups led by visionary entrepreneurs who are eager to challenge traditional norms in industries like fintech, healthcare, and Web3.

Lerer Hippeau

• Website:Lerer Hippeau

• Focused Sectors: Consumer Brands, Digital Media, Fintech, Healthtech, E-commerce, SaaS

• Funding Stages: Seed and Series A

• Notable Investments: BuzzFeed, Allbirds, Casper, Warby Parker, Glossier

Lerer Hippeau has been investing in early-stage startups since 2010. Founded by Kenneth Lerer, Ben Lerer, Eric Hippeau, and Jordan Cooper, the firm specializes in seed-stage investments, supporting startups with bold ideas and disruptive business models. Lerer Hippeau is known for its commitment to the New York tech scene and has helped launch notable brands like BuzzFeed, Allbirds, and Glossier.

The firm actively invests in early-stage startups, often working with incubators, accelerators, and startup competitions to identify promising companies. Lerer Hippeau typically offers funding between $500,000 and $3 million, with a strong focus on sectors related to software and digital media.

Thrive Capital

• Website:Thrive Capital

• Focused Sectors: Technology, Healthcare

• Funding Stages: Early

• Notable Investments: Stripe, Oscar Health, Robinhood, Lemonade, Airtable

Founded by Joshua Kushner in 2009, Thrive Capital focuses on early-stage investments with a preference for companies in tech and healthcare sectors. Thrive has backed high-profile companies including Instagram, GitHub, and Twitch. Known for taking a long-term approach, Thrive often remains a committed partner through multiple funding rounds, supporting companies as they grow.

With an average investment of around $1 million, Thrive prioritizes startups with visionary leadership and scalable models that have the potential for outsized growth.

Boldstart Ventures

• Website:Boldstart Ventures

• Focused Sectors: Cloud Infrastructure, Developer Tools, Cybersecurity, AI

• Funding Stages: Early and Growth

• Notable Investments: Snyk, BigID, SecurityScorecard

Boldstart Ventures has earned a reputation as a "day one partner" for technical founders building enterprise software. Founded in 2010 by Ed Sim, Boldstart primarily invests in the enterprise software sector, focusing on infrastructure, security, and SaaS solutions. With an investment average of $3.5 million, Boldstart often leads rounds for pre-product or pre-revenue companies.

The firm has seen multiple portfolio companies reach significant acquisitions. Boldstart supports founders with deep technical expertise, fostering innovation in areas such as AI-powered enterprise applications and developer tools.

Two Sigma Ventures

• Website:Two Sigma Ventures

• Focused Sectors: AI, Fintech, Healthcare, Enterprise Software, Computational Biology

• Funding Stages: Seed to Series B

• Notable Investments: Amplitude, Socure, Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Rigetti Computing

Two Sigma Ventures, an offshoot of Two Sigma Investments, was founded in 2012 to support startups pioneering data-driven approaches.

The firm focuses on sectors like AI, machine learning, and computational biology, with an average investment size of $10 million. Two Sigma Ventures provides access to a robust network of experts in data science and technology, helping portfolio companies develop transformative solutions.

With a portfolio that includes WHOOP and IEX Group, Two Sigma Ventures aims to fund startups with strong technical foundations and innovative data applications that push industry boundaries.

Tribeca Venture Partners

• Website:Tribeca Venture Partners

• Focused Sectors: Fintech, Digital Media, SaaS, Healthcare IT, Marketplaces

• Funding Stages: Early and Growth

• Notable Investments: Casper, CommonBond, Domio, Capsule

Tribeca Venture Partners, founded in 2011 by Brian Hirsch and Chip Meakem, focuses on early-stage tech companies with high growth potential. The firm invests in early-stage software companies with ticket sizes ranging from $1 million to $8 million. Tribeca actively engages with New York's startup ecosystem, collaborating with programs like Techstars and ERA.

The firm's strategy includes investing in scalable business models addressing large market opportunities, especially within the software, fintech, and healthcare sectors.

Wrap-Up

In a nutshell, New York is filled with hundreds of active VC firms that are looking for a spark of an idea. But the question is, will these VC firms recognize your startup as the next big thing?

That's where your research plays its part, and a decent investor directory can help you find relevant investors that matches your startup and can speed up building your lead investor list. As you prepare a final list of VC firms to pitch, focus on sector fit. The size and scope of the firm also matter: larger VCs may offer bigger checks but have more competition, while smaller firms often provide closer mentorship and faster decision-making.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which VC firms in New York fund software startups?

Bessemer Venture Partners, BoxGroup, Lerer Hippeau, Thrive Capital, Boldstart Ventures, Two Sigma Ventures, and Tribeca Venture Partners all back software startups in New York. Most invest at the seed and early stages across enterprise software, fintech, SaaS, and consumer tech.

What funding stage do New York software VCs invest at?

Most of these firms focus on seed and Series A rounds. BoxGroup and Boldstart Ventures often invest at the pre-seed and pre-product stage, while Bessemer and Two Sigma Ventures also participate in later Series B rounds as companies scale.

How do I get in front of a New York VC firm?

Start by matching your startup to firms that invest in your sector and stage. A warm introduction from a founder or investor in their network helps most. You can also research and shortlist firms using a VC search tool, then reach out with a clear, concise pitch.

Are these New York firms angel investors or venture capital firms?

All seven are venture capital firms that invest institutional funds, not individual angels. If you are looking for individual angel investors in New York, see our separate guide to the best angel investors in New York.