Top New York Software VC investors

The state of New York has grown into a gigantic tech hub with firms like Google and Facebook and 9,000 small startups raising more than $10 billion in venture capital. 

Tech jobs are growing at a rate of 30 percent compared to the last decade and all this growth didn’t just happen with a coincidence. This exceptional growth has been backed by hundreds of VC firms that fund numerous startups every year.

Do you also have a startup that needs funding but is stuck with finding the right investors in New York?

Let us help with the list of top VC firms in New York that invest in the software sector. 

Find Out The Top VC Firms in New York Who Fund Software Startups

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
• Total Investments: 1,760

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 over 1,700 companies with over 655 successful exits, supporting prominent brands 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
• Total Investments: 805

Founded in 2009 by David Tisch and Adam Rothenberg, BoxGroup is known for its founder-friendly philosophy. BoxGroup emphasizes partnerships with innovative founders and disruptive startups. With a portfolio of over 800 companies and more than 90 exits, 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
• Total Investments: 710

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 invests in about 50 to 70 startups annually, 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
• Total Investments: 394

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 over 300 startups, achieving more than 20 high-profile exits, 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, scalable models, and a potential for exponential growth, particularly those that can generate 8-10x returns on investment.

Boldstart Ventures

• Website: Boldstart Ventures
• Focused Sectors: Cloud Infrastructure, Developer Tools, Cybersecurity, AI
• Funding Stages: Early and Growth
• Notable Investments: Snyk, BigID, SecurityScorecard
• Total Investments: 213

Boldstart Ventures has earned a reputation as a “day one partner” for technical founders building enterprise software. Founded in 2010 by Eliot Durbin and 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 significant exits, including acquisitions by Google, Cisco, and IBM. 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
• Total Investments: 215

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 notable exits, including 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
• Total Investments: 162

Tribeca Venture Partners, founded in 2011 by Brian Hirsch and Chip Meakem, focuses on early-stage tech companies with high growth potential. The firm has invested in over 150 startups, with ticket sizes ranging from $1 million to $8 million in early stages and up to $30 million for growth-stage investments. 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 sparking idea. 

But! The question is, will these VC firms recognize your startup as the next big thing? 

That's where your research will play its part. As you prepare a final list of VC firms to pitch, focus on sector fit. The size and scope of the firm also matter as larger VCs may offer bigger checks but have more competition, while smaller firms often provide closer mentorship and faster decision-making.