Top Angel Investors in Richmond
Richmond, the capital of Virginia, is home to major employers like CarMax and a large Capital One technology operation and its startup scene has grown right alongside them. Over the years, the city has drawn investors and founders who keep building out the local entrepreneurial community.
The most active investors backing Richmond and Virginia startups include New Richmond Ventures (NRV), Virginia Venture Partners, Blue Heron Capital, 757 Angels, and Riverbend Capital (now Okeanos). It is a mix of Richmond-area venture capital firms, a statewide seed fund, and a Virginia angel group, so the "angel investor" label only fits part of the list.
Richmond has hundreds of startups, many of them backed by the venture capital firms and angel groups below. Several of these firms are headquartered outside of Richmond, but they actively fund Richmond-based and Virginia-based companies.
Here is the list of some of the great
angel investors and venture capitalists in Richmond, Virginia. You can also access and browse over
600+ investors across Virginia.
Top 5 Angel Investors and VC Firms in Richmond
Most of the names below are venture capital or growth-equity firms, plus one active angel group. A few are not headquartered in Richmond but fund Richmond-based startups through statewide or regional programs.
New Richmond Ventures (NRV)
- Website: NRV
- Investor Type: Venture Capital
- Investment Interests: Tech, healthcare, food and beverage, e-commerce
New Richmond Ventures, known as NRV, is one of Richmond's best-known venture capital firms. It was founded in 2011 by entrepreneurs and investors Bob Mooney, Jim Ukrop, and Ted Chandler. Ted Chandler brings decades of C-suite experience, strategic leadership, and board service.
NRV backs high-growth companies led by strong teams. It typically makes its first investment at the Series A stage and reserves follow-on capital for later rounds. Beyond the check, the firm connects founders with its Richmond-area network of operators and mentors.
NRV leans toward companies based in Virginia so they can benefit from its local counsel and connections. One company in its portfolio is:
Ario: an information technology company that combines scalable web and mobile technologies with augmented reality for the industrial workforce.
Virginia Venture Partners
- Website: Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation
- Investor Type: Venture Capital (statewide seed fund)
- Investment Interests: Technology, life science, clean tech, fintech
Virginia Venture Partners (VVP) is the seed and early-stage investment arm of the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC). Built by Tom Weithman, it traces back to the CIT GAP Funds launched in 2004 and adopted the Virginia Venture Partners name in 2021. It invests across the whole Commonwealth rather than from Richmond alone.
VVP places seed and early-stage equity in Virginia technology, life science, and clean tech companies with strong teams and clear growth potential. Once it invests, VVP supports founders with coaching and access to its statewide network, which can help startups when things aren't going their way.
Across its funds, VVP has backed more than 240 Virginia companies. Companies in its portfolio include:
Tidal Cyber: a cybersecurity company that helps organizations define and improve their defenses against adversary behaviors.
Rendyr: a robotics company that improves access to rapid prototyping and digital fabrication.
ThinkGenetic: a digital health company that provides validated algorithms and expertise in rare diseases, with digital tools to detect patients for evaluation, treatment, and clinical trials.
Blue Heron Capital
- Website: Blue Heron Capital
- Investor Type: Growth Equity / Venture Capital
- Investment Interests: Healthcare, enterprise technology, tech-enabled services
Blue Heron Capital is a Richmond-based growth-equity firm. It was founded in 2006 by Tom Benedetti and Andrew Tichenor and funds big ideas in healthcare and enterprise technology, often companies with $2M or more in recurring revenue.
The firm has made more than 40 investments and pairs its capital with hands-on operating support. Recent and notable portfolio companies include:
Tava Health: a virtual mental-health platform. Blue Heron Capital took part in its $20M Series B round.
STARC Systems: a maker of reusable containment systems for the construction industry, backed by Blue Heron Capital.
757 Angels
- Website: 757 Angels
- Investor Type: Angel Group
- Investment Interests: Cybersecurity, SaaS, Software, Healthcare, Consumer Products, Food and Beverage
Based in the Hampton Roads region, 757 Angels is one of Virginia's most active angel groups and has been recognized as a top angel group nationally by the Angel Capital Association. It was co-founded in 2015 by Paul Hirschbiel, John Paris, and Monique Adams, who served as its longtime executive director. Paul Nolde now leads the group as executive director.
With more than 100 members, 757 Angels backs early-stage companies that show strong growth potential and coachable teams ready to work with advisors and a board. Over its first decade it has deployed more than $130 million into startups, and in 2023 it partnered with regional angel network VentureSouth to widen access to capital.
The group runs pitch events each year where accepted founders present to its members. A few companies tied to 757 Angels include:
Embody: a Norfolk-based regenerative medicine company that raised a Series A with 757 Angels' participation.
Corsha: a cybersecurity company that built API security technology designed for easy deployment to commercial and government customers.
Edconnective: an online video coaching platform for teachers that offers personalized support from expert instructional coaches.
Riverbend Capital (now Okeanos)
- Website: Okeanos (formerly Riverbend Capital)
- Investor Type: Angel Group / Venture Capital
- Investment Interests: Software, Fintech, Healthcare, Robotics
Riverbend Capital began as a DC-metro angel group founded by Mark Dumas, where members pooled their knowledge and connections and met at monthly pitch dinners. Managing Partner Aaron Berkey later broadened the group's thesis to include later-stage, high-growth deals, and the firm has since restructured and rebranded as Okeanos.
Riverbend grew to more than 100 members who together closed roughly 100 investments across stages and sectors. The group invests at early and growth stages and, like several firms above, runs most of its events outside Richmond.
Companies associated with Riverbend and Okeanos include RoundlyX, Lora DiCarlo, and VEDA Data Solutions.
Wrap Up
That is the rundown of the top investors backing Richmond and Virginia startups.
Most of these firms invest across Virginia, and several sit outside Richmond itself, so do your homework before you pitch. Understanding an investor's portfolio and how their past companies won funding goes a long way.
From there, focus on building a compelling pitch deck, then start reaching out to investors to get your round moving.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do angel investors in Richmond and Virginia typically invest?
It varies by investor. An individual angel might write a check in the tens of thousands, while an organized angel group like 757 Angels pools its members and can back a company in a round reaching several million dollars. Venture firms on this list, such as NRV and Blue Heron, invest larger amounts at the Series A and growth stages.
Which industries do Richmond and Virginia investors focus on?
Healthcare and digital health, cybersecurity, fintech, SaaS and enterprise software, robotics, and clean tech come up most often among the region's active firms. Blue Heron and NRV lean into healthcare and tech, Virginia Venture Partners funds technology, life science, and clean tech, and 757 Angels has backed cybersecurity and consumer companies.
What is the difference between an angel group and a VC firm?
An angel group is a network of individual investors who review deals together and invest their own money, usually at the earliest stages. A venture capital firm invests a managed fund raised from outside partners, typically writing larger checks from Series A onward. This Richmond list mixes both, so match the type to your stage.
How can startups get in front of Richmond and Virginia investors?
Warm introductions still work best, but many groups take direct applications too. 757 Angels runs pitch events where accepted founders present to members. Most of these investors fund early-stage startups, so a clear pitch deck, real traction, and a coachable team matter more than a perfect idea.
