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.

Valar Fund V is an early-stage venture capital fund managed by Valar Ventures, a firm founded in 2010 and based in New York City. The fund focuses on investing in technology companies, particularly in the fintech sector, with a global outlook. Valar Ventures, backed by Peter Thiel, aims to partner with entrepreneurs around the world, recognizing the potential for transformative technology startups to emerge outside of traditional hubs like Silicon Valley. The firm seeks to provide support and insight to founders, addressing their unique challenges and opportunities as they navigate the early stages of their businesses.

SV Angel is a San Francisco-based seed fund founded in 2009, specializing in early-stage investments primarily within the Internet software sector. The firm adopts a portfolio approach to seed investing, distinguishing itself from traditional venture capital firms by not taking board seats and investing in a larger number of companies, often exceeding 100 annually. SV Angel leverages an extensive network to assist startups with business development, financing, mergers and acquisitions, and other strategic advice. This approach, pioneered by founder Ron Conway over 20 years ago, has enabled SV Angel to invest in and advise numerous successful companies, including notable names like Facebook, Google, and Airbnb. The firm continues to focus on providing support to technology-focused consumer and enterprise sectors across the United States.

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.

Thrive Capital is a New York-based venture capital investment firm founded in 2009. The firm specializes in investing in internet, software, and technology-enabled sectors, and it also offers venture-building services. Thrive has successfully attracted funding from notable institutional investors, including Princeton University, Wellcome Trust, and Hall Capital. A significant milestone for the firm was its participation in Instagram's $50 million Series B funding round, where it joined other leading firms and subsequently saw a substantial return on investment when Instagram was acquired by Facebook. Co-founded by Josh Kushner and Mario Schlosser, Thrive Capital has established itself as a prominent player in the venture capital landscape.

Techstars Central LLC, founded in 2006 and based in Boulder, Colorado, operates as a startup accelerator and venture capital firm focused on supporting early-stage technology-oriented companies. It specializes in a mentorship-driven accelerator program, selecting ten startups each summer to participate in a three-month incubation period, offering funding of $120,000 in exchange for equity. Techstars invests primarily in sectors such as fintech, artificial intelligence, blockchain, augmented reality, and IoT, while avoiding investments in medical devices, healthcare technology, and local service-oriented businesses. In addition to its primary accelerator, Techstars has various specialized programs, including those focused on music, retail, mobility, and social impact, with global reach extending to regions such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The firm prefers taking minority stakes, typically between six and ten percent, without seeking board representation or investor rights. Techstars has built a robust network of entrepreneurs, mentors, and corporate partners to foster innovation and growth within its portfolio, which includes over 1,000 companies with a significant collective market capitalization.

ICONIQ Capital, LLC is a global multi-family office and investment firm based in San Francisco, California, with additional offices in New York and Singapore. Established in 2001, ICONIQ Capital originally served as the family office for Mark Zuckerberg but has since expanded its clientele to include influential families and organizations from Silicon Valley and beyond. The firm specializes in direct investments, particularly in technology growth equity, venture capital, middle market buyouts, and real estate. Its investment focus includes sectors such as enterprise software, financial technology, and information technology, primarily within North America and Europe. In addition to investment management, ICONIQ offers financial advisory and family office services, aiming to facilitate strategic relationships and governance for its clients.

Founders Fund is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm established in 2005, specializing in investments across various stages, from seed to growth. The firm focuses on transformative technologies and seeks to address significant global challenges through its investments in sectors such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, aerospace, cybersecurity, and consumer internet. With over $2 billion in capital under management, Founders Fund has a history of backing notable companies, including SpaceX, Palantir, and Facebook, emphasizing a founder-friendly investment strategy that provides substantial support with minimal interference. The firm typically invests between $500,000 and $300 million, targeting innovative companies worldwide.

Goldman Sachs is a global investment banking, securities, and investment management firm headquartered in New York City. Established in 1869, it provides a wide range of financial services to corporations, financial institutions, governments, and high-net-worth individuals. The firm operates through several segments, including Investment Banking, which offers financial advisory services related to mergers and acquisitions, and underwriting services for public and private offerings. Its Institutional Client Services segment facilitates client transactions across various asset classes and provides services like securities lending. The Investing & Lending segment focuses on long-term loans and investments in debt and equity securities, while the Investment Management segment offers portfolio management and wealth advisory services. Additionally, Goldman Sachs engages in private equity investments across multiple sectors and geographies, reinforcing its position as a leading investor in both public and private markets.

Spark Capital Partners, LLC is a venture capital and private equity firm founded in 2005, with offices in Boston, New York, and San Francisco. The firm specializes in growth capital investments across a wide range of sectors, including media, entertainment, technology, education services, consumer goods, fintech, and software. Spark Capital focuses on investing in various stages, from seed and early-stage startups to mid and late-stage companies, with investments typically ranging from $0.5 million to $30 million in firms generating up to $1 billion in revenue. The firm takes an active role in its portfolio by seeking board seats and aims to support founders in achieving their unique visions. Spark Capital is particularly interested in businesses at the intersection of technology and entertainment, as well as those in internet services, digital marketplaces, and consumer health.