Sequoia Capital is a prominent venture capital firm founded in 1972 and based in Menlo Park, California. The firm specializes in investing across various stages of startups, including seed, early, and growth stages, and focuses on sectors such as technology, healthcare, financial services, internet, and mobile. Sequoia typically invests between $100,000 and $1 million in seed companies, $1 million to $10 million in early-stage ventures, and $10 million to $100 million in growth investments. The firm operates globally, with significant activities in regions like Israel, China, and India, where it partners with dynamic founders to build successful companies. Sequoia's extensive portfolio includes notable firms and offers valuable insights and resources, benefiting from decades of experience in the venture capital landscape.

Duke Energy is a major electric power holding company based in the United States, providing electric and natural gas services to approximately 7.5 million customers across six states, including Ohio and Kentucky. The company operates through two primary segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure, and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure. It generates electricity from a diverse mix of sources, including coal, nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, and natural gas, and boasts an electric generating capacity of about 35,000 megawatts in the Carolinas and the Midwest. In addition to electricity, Duke Energy also offers natural gas transportation and distribution services. The company is committed to sustainability and community support, further evidenced by its philanthropic efforts through the Duke Energy Foundation, which focuses on enhancing community vitality and promoting climate resilience. Founded in 1837 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Duke Energy continues to play a significant role in the energy sector.

Y Combinator is a startup accelerator based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2005. It has pioneered a new funding model for early-stage startups by investing a modest amount of capital, typically around $150,000, in a large number of companies twice a year. Over a three-month program, Y Combinator collaborates closely with these startups to prepare them for investor pitches and enhance their business strategies. Each funding cycle concludes with Demo Day, where startups present to an exclusive audience of investors. Y Combinator focuses on various sectors, including business software, education, healthcare, and financial technology, among others. In addition to initial funding, it offers ongoing support through its extensive alumni network. Since its inception, Y Combinator has funded over 630 startups, contributing significantly to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Silicon Valley and beyond.

FJ Labs is a U.S.-based investment firm established in 2015 by Fabrice Grinda. The firm operates with a stage-agnostic approach, primarily targeting marketplaces and consumer-facing startups. FJ Labs focuses its investments on seed and Series A rounds, with a financial commitment ranging from $50,000 to $5,000,000. The firm has invested in a variety of notable companies, including Alibaba Group, beepi, BrightRoll, Betterment, and ADORE ME.

Andreessen Horowitz LLC, founded in 2009 by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, is a venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California. The firm specializes in investing across various stages of company development, from seed and early-stage to growth and late-stage ventures. It primarily targets the technology sector, with a strong emphasis on software, cloud computing, and Internet infrastructure. The firm also explores opportunities in consumer and business Internet applications, mobile software, and data storage, as well as at the intersection of computer science and life sciences, particularly in areas like digital therapeutics and computational medicine. Andreessen Horowitz is known for its significant financial backing, with investments typically ranging from $50,000 to $50 million. The firm has established multiple funds, including early-stage funds that focus on a variety of sectors, while explicitly avoiding investments in clean energy, transportation, and certain life sciences domains.

Accel is a venture capital firm founded in 1983 and based in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in San Francisco, London, and Bangalore. The firm specializes in early and growth-stage investments, focusing on technology sectors such as software, big data, cloud technologies, fintech, healthcare, and digital media. Accel is known for backing innovative entrepreneurs and has a history of investing in notable companies including Facebook, Dropbox, and Spotify. With over three decades of experience, Accel employs dedicated teams that utilize market-specific strategies to identify and support the next generation of industry leaders. The firm manages approximately $9.6 billion and carries out investments typically ranging from $5 million to $15 million, aiming to foster the development of world-class, category-defining businesses globally.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a prominent grant-making organization co-founded by Bill and Melinda Gates in 2000, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with additional offices in Washington, D.C.; New Delhi, India; Beijing, China; and London, United Kingdom. The foundation focuses on improving global health, enhancing education, and providing support to at-risk families, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. It actively promotes strategies that assist low-income families and works towards greater equality in various sectors. The foundation is also involved in investment management, overseeing an endowment that includes a diverse portfolio primarily in public equity and fixed income markets, while excluding tobacco-related investments. Its trustees include Bill Gates, Melinda Gates, and Warren Buffett.

Lightspeed Ventures, LLC is a global venture capital firm founded in 2000, headquartered in Menlo Park, California, with additional offices in Beijing, Shanghai, New Delhi, and Herzliya Pituach. The firm specializes in early-stage and expansion-stage investments, focusing on a diverse range of sectors including consumer, enterprise technology, cleantech, financial technology, mobile, e-commerce, and biotechnology. Lightspeed engages in both equity and debt financing for startups and growth companies, as well as providing incubation services. It primarily invests in the United States, Europe, Israel, China, and India, with specific investment strategies tailored to different regions. In India, for instance, it focuses on advertising, healthcare, education, and retail, while in China, it targets both early and late-stage businesses across various technology sectors. The firm manages significant capital through its funds, actively participating in the growth of innovative companies across multiple industries.

Alumni Ventures Group, LLC is a venture capital firm founded in 2013 and based in Manchester, New Hampshire, with additional offices in North America. The firm specializes in seed, early-stage, and late-stage pre-IPO investments, focusing on companies that have an alumni connection and an institutional lead investor with relevant expertise. It offers high-quality, diversified venture portfolios to individual investors, particularly accredited alumni from top entrepreneurial schools, who previously lacked access to venture capital opportunities. Alumni Ventures Group invests between $0.01 million and $3 million in various sectors and geographies, without seeking board or observer seats. Additionally, the firm provides focused funds that enable any accredited investor to access a diverse venture portfolio, allowing for investment across different types, sectors, stages, and geographical locations.

General Catalyst Group Management, LLC is a private equity and venture capital firm founded in 2000 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with additional offices in North America and Europe. The firm specializes in early-stage and growth equity investments, focusing on a diverse range of sectors including technology, advanced materials, clean energy, cybersecurity, healthcare, and consumer services. General Catalyst seeks to invest in companies that demonstrate strong growth potential, typically targeting those with an EBITDA between $3 million and $30 million and minimum revenues of $10 million. The firm has managed eight venture capital funds with approximately $3.75 billion in capital commitments. It emphasizes building lasting relationships with entrepreneurs and provides mentorship to foster success, enabling companies to scale effectively. General Catalyst primarily invests in North America and Australia, with a preference for seed investments in Silicon Valley, New York, and Boston.