Founded in 2005, Y Combinator is a California-based startup accelerator and early-stage venture capital firm. It provides funding, mentorship, and resources to early-stage companies across various industries, with a focus on technology, healthcare, and finance. The organization helps founders refine their business models and products through an intensive three-month program in Silicon Valley, culminating in Demo Day presentations to investors.
Founded in 2006, Techstars is a global platform that supports and invests in early-stage technology companies. Through its mentorship-driven accelerator programs, seed investments, and venture capital fund, Techstars fosters innovation across various sectors worldwide.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency established in 1950 and based in Alexandria, Virginia. It is dedicated to supporting research and education in science and engineering across a wide range of disciplines. The NSF provides significant non-dilutive funding, up to $1.5 million, to startups and small businesses through its America's Seed Fund initiative, which is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program mandated by Congress. With an operating budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF is committed to advancing fundamental research and education, thus fostering innovation and technological development in the United States.
Google for Startups is an initiative supporting global startups. It offers access to Google's products, connections, and best practices through a network of partners in over 135 countries. The program aims to help determined startups succeed.
Founded in 2014, Owl Ventures is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm specializing in investments within the education technology sector. With over $600 million in assets under management, the firm actively invests across various educational stages, from early childhood to career mobility. Owl Ventures leverages its deep domain expertise and takes an active, hands-on approach to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses into category-leading companies.
Founded in 2010, 500 Global is a global venture capital firm with over $2 billion in assets under management. It invests in early-stage technology companies across 80+ countries, focusing on markets where technology and innovation can generate long-term value. With over 190 members based in more than 25 countries, the firm provides funding, mentorship, and connections to startups worldwide.
Founded in 2015, Reach Capital is a venture capital firm based in the United States. It specializes in early-stage investments in education technology (ed-tech) companies, focusing on tools and applications that improve educational opportunities for all learners.
Founded in 2016, GSV Ventures is a global venture capital firm focused on the digital education market. It invests in early and late-stage companies transforming the $7 trillion sector, with notable investments including Coursera, ClassDojo, Degreed, and Guild Education. The firm also convenes the annual ASU+GSV Summit, attracting over 35,000 attendees from around the world.
MassChallenge is a global startup accelerator supporting early-stage entrepreneurs across various industries. Founded in 2009, it provides mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities through its programs worldwide.
Founded in 2014, Goodwater Capital is a venture capital firm based in Burlingame, California. It empowers exceptional entrepreneurs globally to build consumer technology products and platforms that positively impact billions of lives.
Founded in Singapore in 2017, Antler is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests globally. It focuses on backing exceptional founders from day one, offering a global community network of co-founders, talent, advisors, expansion support, and capital across various sectors such as technology, healthcare, finance, consumer goods, and more.
Bossa Invest is a venture capital firm based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 2011, that manages investment portfolios and provides asset management services to clients across sectors, with a focus on software as a service companies, and analyzes market trends to inform its investment decisions while operating in finance, technology, and real estate.
Rethink Impact Management is a venture capital firm that invests in late seed through growth-stage opportunities with a gender lens and social impact focus. It targets tech-enabled sectors such as health, education, and environmental sustainability and backs companies pursuing systemic change aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The firm prioritizes entrepreneurs led by women or with women in senior leadership, and seeks to back mission-driven teams delivering scalable impact. Typical investments range from 2 million to 15 million, with annual recurring revenue in the 0.5 to 15 million range. Founded in 2016, the firm is based in the United States with offices in Washington, DC; New York; and San Francisco.
Google is a multinational technology company renowned for its search engine, offering services such as Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, and YouTube. It specializes in advertising solutions through Google Ads and mobile operating systems with Android, while actively innovating in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
A public business accelerator founded in 2010 by the Chilean government. It aims to attract global entrepreneurs to launch their businesses in Chile, offering a large portfolio of up to 160 startups annually through distinct programs tailored to different stages.
Lightspeed Venture Partners is a global venture capital firm that provides early to growth stage funding for technology-enabled opportunities. The firm invests across sectors including enterprise software, consumer technology, fintech, healthtech, cleantech, and infrastructure, spanning seed, early-stage, expansion, and growth rounds. It pursues opportunities worldwide with offices in Menlo Park, Beijing, Shanghai, New Delhi, and Herzliya, and has backed startups in the United States, Asia, and Israel. In addition to equity investments, Lightspeed has offered debt financing in some cases and supports portfolio companies through strategic guidance and resources to accelerate growth.
Newchip is a global remote startup accelerator that supports early-stage entrepreneurs in developing their business ideas and achieving growth. By offering a range of resources, mentorship, and educational programs, Newchip aims to equip startups with the necessary tools to navigate the challenges of launching and scaling a business. The accelerator's remote format allows participants from various geographical locations to access guidance and support without the constraints of physical attendance. Through its comprehensive approach, Newchip facilitates connections between startups and experienced industry professionals, fostering innovation and collaboration in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Right Side Capital Management is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage, pre-seed technology startups in underserved segments of the ecosystem. It invests in a high-volume, capital-efficient portfolio, typically funding rounds of 50,000 to 500,000 and making roughly 75 to 100 investments per year. The firm targets opportunities across the United States and internationally, including Canada, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, and Western Europe, prioritizing companies with scalable products and prudent capital use outside major metro hubs. Since its inception, it has built a broad portfolio across many states. It commits to a fast decision process, often delivering a yes or no within two weeks to help founders establish momentum.
Duke Energy is a leading U.S. energy company providing electric and gas services to approximately 7.9 million customers across six states. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company owns and operates diverse power generation assets, including renewable energy sources, with a focus on sustainability and community vitality.
Learn Capital is a venture capital firm focused on education technology and related human capital development, investing in early- to mid-stage startups that improve learning through innovative content, platforms, and services. The firm targets companies with scalable solutions across the global education sector and places particular emphasis on emerging markets, including Latin America. Founded in the late 2000s in California, Learn Capital maintains a national and international footprint with offices in Austin, Texas and Beijing, and it backs entrepreneurs who aim to reshape how people teach and learn using technology-enabled platforms and on-demand learning tools.
Sequoia Capital is a global venture capital firm, founded in 1972, specializing in early-stage and growth investments across technology, healthcare, and consumer sectors. With offices worldwide, Sequoia manages multiple funds and has invested in over 350 companies that have become public or achieved significant valuations.
FasterCapital is an online incubator, accelerator, and venture builder based in Dubai that supports startups and small businesses worldwide. It provides equity-based services, including technical development and business development, and assists ventures seeking funding from angels and venture capitalists. Founded in 2010, FasterCapital engages in a broad range of technology-driven sectors such as fintech, edtech, health tech, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and related fields.
Established in 2017 and based in Cape Town, South Africa, Injini is an Edtech incubator that supports promising founders aiming to enhance educational outcomes across Africa. It offers a five-month incubation program, providing funding and mentorship from industry experts.
LearnLaunch supports the growth of education technology companies in New England. It offers classes, peer learning, conferences, and networking opportunities to foster collaboration between educators, students, families, and organizations.
Founded in 2015, FJ Labs is a New York-based venture capital firm focusing on stage-agnostic investments in marketplaces and consumer-facing startups. Their investment range varies from $50,000 to $5,000,000, typically at seed or series A stages.
Ulu Ventures is a Palo Alto, California-based seed and early-stage venture capital firm that backs technology-driven startups across the United States. Founded in 2008, it focuses on internet-enabled consumer and business services and a broad range of sectors including EdTech, FinTech, healthcare, sustainability, enterprise IT, SaaS, IoT, digital media, mobile, agtech, and marketplaces. The firm emphasizes backing diverse entrepreneurial teams and typically engages in co-investments with other investors to pursue meaningful exits. It is described as the first Latina-led venture fund in Silicon Valley and is among the larger seed-focused vehicles in the region.
Emerge is a pre-seed fund with $70 million in capital, backed by over 100 prominent edtech and future of work founders and executives. Its mission is to democratize access to opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs focused on redefining learning and work.
Founded in 2007, Innovate UK is a non-profit organization based in Swindon, UK. It supports businesses across various economic sectors by offering funding services to promote science and technology innovations.
Building Hope’s expertise is in finance, real estate, and charter school operations. They offer finance, real estate, services, and a charter support unit. They provide schools with the advantage of having a professional partner with a shared mission of creating charter schools. Their financing through direct investment, loans, and bonds at below-market rates frees charter schools.
Educapital is a Paris-based venture capital firm founded in 2017 that invests in early-stage edtech companies across Europe and Israel. It combines strong financial and entrepreneurship backgrounds to back innovative education technology firms with high potential to scale into European and global leaders. The firm supports its portfolio companies with access to a large edtech community and pursues impact investments in education.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) leads initiatives in food, agriculture, natural resources, and rural development. It aims to expand markets for agricultural products globally, foster alternative markets domestically, improve rural infrastructure, enhance food safety, promote nutrition education, and manage public lands collaboratively.
The U.S. Department of Education is a federal agency responsible for establishing policies and administering most federal assistance programs related to education. Its mission is to promote student achievement and ensure equal access to education for all individuals. The Department supports the implementation of education policies set by the President and Congress, coordinating efforts among various stakeholders, including state and local education systems, private educational institutions, and community organizations. It oversees programs that serve millions of students across public and private schools and provides financial assistance through grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. Additionally, the Department enforces civil rights laws to eliminate discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funding, thereby fostering an inclusive educational environment. Established in 1979, the agency aims to enhance the quality and effectiveness of education, improve management of federal education activities, and increase accountability to the public and government entities.
Kapor Capital is a venture capital firm based in Oakland, California, founded in 1999. Specializing in seed and early-stage investments, the firm focuses on tech-enabled startups that aim to address significant social needs while transforming industries. Kapor Capital invests primarily in sectors such as education, health, finance, justice, and communication, and emphasizes the importance of diversity in its portfolio companies. The firm seeks to leverage information technology to create innovative solutions that generate positive social impact. Recognizing the potential of startups to drive meaningful change, Kapor Capital operates as a Registered Investment Adviser and primarily invests in the United States.
The U.S. Department of Energy is a government agency established in 1977, located in Washington, D.C. Its primary mission is to ensure the security and prosperity of the nation by tackling energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges. The Department focuses on promoting transformative scientific and technological solutions to address these issues, thereby supporting the country's energy needs and environmental sustainability.
Founded in 1998, NewSchools Venture Fund is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to transforming public education. It invests in innovative educational solutions and supports entrepreneurs focused on improving outcomes for disadvantaged students, particularly those from low-income and minority backgrounds. The fund blends philanthropy and venture capital approaches, investing in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations across various stages of development.
Founded in 2003, TAL Education Group is a leading provider of education services in China, offering a range of programs including K-12 tutoring, English language learning, STEAM education, and study abroad consultation. The company, formerly known as Xueersi, went public on the NYSE in 2010. TAL Education Group is committed to integrating technology into education, empowering students with innovative learning solutions.
Established in 2017 by Nahdet Misr Publishing House, EdVentures is a corporate venture capital firm based in Giza, Egypt. It focuses on investing in early-stage startups specializing in education, culture, and innovative learning solutions across Egypt, Africa, and the Arab World.
Bpifrance is a financial institution dedicated to supporting companies throughout their development stages, particularly those preparing for stock market listing and seeking credit equity. The organization provides a range of financial solutions, including financing, innovation assistance, and capital investment. By integrating various entities such as OSEO and CDC Entreprises, Bpifrance aims to deliver tailored financial support that addresses the specific needs of businesses. The institution is committed to fostering innovation and helping companies transition toward sustainable growth, ensuring they are well-equipped to face future challenges.
Founded in 1983, Accel is a venture capital firm dedicated to helping entrepreneurs build world-class technology-focused companies. It invests in early and growth-stage startups across sectors such as software, cloud technologies, mobile, consumer services, and others.
Plug and Play Tech Center is a global accelerator and venture capital platform based in Sunnyvale, California, founded in 2006. It runs twelve industry-focused accelerator programs twice a year, connecting startups with corporate partners, investors, and universities to accelerate growth. The organization provides funding and accelerator resources, mentorship, and access to office space, data center services, recruiting, and executive-in-residence programs. It supports seed and early-stage companies across sectors including brand and retail, financial technology, health, information technology, mobility, energy and sustainability, supply chain and logistics, and the Internet of Things, with additional verticals such as travel and hospitality and food and beverage. In addition to its accelerators, Plug and Play collaborates with a broad network of venture and corporate partners to co-invest and help startups scale globally. The company maintains a global footprint with locations and programs across multiple regions, fostering a platform that connects entrepreneurs with large corporations and investors to drive innovation.
The Government of Canada provides a centralized online platform for accessing government information and services, ensuring accessibility via any internet-connected device. It offers insights into the government's operations, priorities, laws, finances, transparency initiatives, digital governance, and policies.
Microsoft is a multinational corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells software products and services. Its offerings include the Windows operating system, Microsoft Office suite, server products like Windows Server and SQL Server, business solutions such as Dynamics, cloud services through Azure, hardware devices like Surface and Xbox, and online advertising platforms.
SoftBank Robotics Europe designs and manufactures humanoid robots for education, research, health, distribution, tourism, and business applications, as well as for family and personal use. The company serves customers worldwide and is based in Paris, France, with additional offices in Japan, the United States, and China.
Founded in 1995, SOSV is a global venture capital firm headquartered in New Jersey. It focuses on seed-to-growth stage investments in deep tech innovations, primarily in bio-tech/life sciences and hardware/robotics sectors, with a commitment to human and planetary health.
GGV Capital is a global venture capital firm that invests in technology companies across various stages and sectors. Established in 2000, the firm has offices in Silicon Valley, Singapore, and Beijing, providing expansion capital ranging from $5 to $25 million for initial investments. GGV Capital focuses on companies operating in the U.S., China, India, Southeast Asia, Japan, Australia, Europe, and Israel.
Founded in 2000, General Catalyst is a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage and growth equity investments. It focuses on accelerating ideas, careers, and companies towards success by providing ongoing momentum and mentorship based on deep experience.
Wayra UK is the corporate venture arm and accelerator of Wayra, the global open-innovation program of Telefónica. It runs accelerator programs for early-stage technology startups across industries including health care, information technology, cybersecurity, smart transport and smart city, and 5G, providing investment and acceleration support. The unit connects startups with Telefónica’s networks and partners to enable collaboration and scale opportunities, aiming to generate joint business opportunities between innovators and Telefónica. As part of a worldwide network spanning multiple countries, Wayra UK positions itself as a bridge between entrepreneurs and corporate-scale opportunity, facilitating access to capital, mentorship, and business development.
Founded in 1998, Tencent is a leading global technology company based in China. It operates the world's largest game publishing business and owns WeChat, one of the most widely used messaging apps globally with over 1 billion users. The company offers a range of services including social networking, gaming, fintech, cloud computing, online advertising, and digital content.
ZhenFund is a Beijing-based venture capital firm focused on seed and early-stage investments in China. It was founded in 2011 by entrepreneurs Bob Xiaoping Xu and Victor Qiang Wang in collaboration with Sequoia Capital China. The firm backs a broad range of sectors including e-commerce, consumer, education, artificial intelligence, enterprise services, mobile internet, media, entertainment, sports, virtual reality, fintech, and healthcare. ZhenFund supports its portfolio companies with mentorship and resources such as biannual demo days for top Chinese VCs, ZhenHR services, marketing and PR consulting, and fundraising assistance, complemented by a large CEO network facilitated through a WeChat platform. It maintains a sizable portfolio network with hundreds of companies and more than 30 unicorns, and has been recognized as a leading early-stage investor in China for multiple years.
Alumni Ventures Group is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, with offices across North America. It provides access to venture investing for individual accredited investors, particularly alumni networks, by offering diversified portfolios of venture opportunities and allowing members to invest alongside fellow alumni in ventures led by peers. The firm backs early-stage and later-stage opportunities across technology, consumer, healthcare, financial services, and other sectors, with a sector- and geography-agnostic approach. It typically invests between $10,000 and $3 million per deal and emphasizes the involvement of alumni connections and an institutional lead investor in opportunities. Alumni Ventures also offers focused funds to broaden participation, enabling accredited investors to access venture portfolios diversified by type, sector, stage, and geography. The model aims to democratize access to venture capital while maintaining rigorous selection standards through alumni networks.