For a relatively small city, Boulder punches well above its weight in the startup world. This is thanks in large part to a vibrant community of investors who are actively funding new companies.
You'll find deeply rooted firms like Foundry Group, which has backed over 370 companies and seen nearly 90 exits. Newer players are also making their mark, with firms like Matchstick Ventures funding more than 130 startups.
Below is our list of the best 11 VC firms in Boulder.
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Buy It For $97 $297 →Matchstick Ventures provides seed and early-stage capital to technology startups in rapidly growing yet underserved ecosystems. They focus on founders building in sectors like SaaS, fintech, and logistics, helping to cultivate new technology hubs outside of traditional venture markets.
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Natty Zola, Ryan Broshar |
| Total Funding | $90M |
| Average Check Size | $1.5M |
| Industries | API, Marketplace, Crypto & Blockchain, Supply Chain & Logistics, Fintech, Proptech & Real Estate, SaaS |
| Investment Stage | Convertible Note, Early Stage, Seed, Pre-Seed |
| Nº of Investments | 135 (20 as Lead Investor) |
| Nº of Exits | 18 |
| Top Portfolio Startups | Fivable, Coherent, Honest Jobs |
| Contact | ryan@matchstick.vc / (303) 919-6263 |
Markd backs early-stage Insurtech startups with the goal of modernizing the insurance industry. The firm partners closely with founders, frequently leading investment rounds to help build the next generation of insurance technology.
| Year Founded | 2022 |
| Founders | Parker Beauchamp |
| Investment Stage | Early Stage, Seed |
| Nº of Investments | 33 (25 as Lead Investor) |
| Nº of Exits | 1 |
Foundry Group invests in early-stage technology companies and participates in select growth-stage opportunities. Their distinct, network-driven philosophy also guides them to identify and support the next generation of venture fund managers.
| Year Founded | 2007 |
| Founders | Brad Feld, Jason Mendelson, Ryan McIntyre, Seth Levine |
| Investment Stage | Convertible Note, Early Stage, Late Stage, Private Equity, Seed |
| Nº of Investments | 376 (204 as Lead Investor) |
| Nº of Exits | 89 (7 IPO'd) |
Vision Ridge Capital Partners puts capital behind transformative growth companies building a more sustainable future. They advise and invest across the full company lifecycle, from early stage to private equity, to accelerate progress in sectors like clean energy, green building, and advanced transportation.
| Year Founded | 2008 |
| Founders | Reuben Munger |
| Investment Stage | Early Stage, Late Stage, Private Equity |
| Nº of Investments | 36 (8 as Lead Investor) |
| Nº of Exits | 16 (4 IPO'd) |
| Contact | info@vision-ridge.com / 720-616-6506 |
Boulder Ventures invests in early-stage information technology and life science companies, concentrating on startups in Colorado and the Mid-Atlantic. With a history dating back to 1995, they have a record of guiding companies like Rally Software to successful exits.
| Year Founded | 1995 |
| Founders | Kyle Lefkoff |
| Investment Stage | Debt, Early Stage, Late Stage, Seed |
| Nº of Investments | 108 (26 as Lead Investor) |
| Nº of Exits | 37 (8 IPO'd) |
| Contact | 301-913-0213 |
MergeLane backs early-stage companies and venture funds that include at least one woman in a leadership role. They connect these startups to a network of mentors and investors, aiming to show that diverse teams ultimately deliver better returns.
| Year Founded | 2014 |
| Founders | Sue Heilbronner |
| Investment Stage | Early Stage, Seed |
| Nº of Investments | 54 (4 as Lead Investor) |
| Nº of Exits | 5 |
| Contact | hello@mergelane.com |
As an early-stage investor, Frontier Venture Capital finances media and technology companies founded by passionate entrepreneurs. They provide hands-on assistance with strategy, hiring, and fundraising, supporting the growth of companies like Syndio and Project Canary.
| Year Founded | 2002 |
| Founders | David Cremin, Scott Lenet |
| Total Funding | $101M |
| Industries | AR & VR, Fintech, Healthcare, Energy |
| Investment Stage | Convertible Note, Early Stage, Private Equity, Seed |
| Nº of Investments | 118 (21 as Lead Investor) |
| Nº of Exits | 23 |
| Top Portfolio Startups | Project Canary, Syndio, Mystery |
| Contact | info@frontiervc.com / (424) 354-2244 |
BFG backs passionate entrepreneurs in the food and beverage consumer products space, focusing on early-stage companies with exceptional products and distinguished brands. They provide both the capital and the operational advice needed to help these companies achieve sustainable growth and outperform competitors.
Sweater opens up the exclusive asset class of venture capital to everyday investors through its mobile-first platform. They invest in early-stage startups, aiming to give more people a stake in the next generation of influential companies.
| Year Founded | 2019 |
| Founders | Chad Lewkowski, Jesse Randall, Matthew Klein |
| Investment Stage | Early Stage |
| Nº of Investments | 15 (1 as Lead Investor) |
| Nº of Exits | 2 |
| Contact | team@sweaterventures.com |
Ridgeline Ventures backs founders building the next generation of natural foods and active lifestyle brands, including well-known names like Cotopaxi and Simple Mills. As former operators themselves, they act as collaborative partners, offering strategic guidance and operational expertise to help their portfolio companies thrive.
| Year Founded | 2012 |
| Founders | Erich Tengelsen |
| Investment Stage | Early Stage, Late Stage, Private Equity, Seed |
| Nº of Investments | 14 (3 as Lead Investor) |
| Nº of Exits | — |
| Contact | (303)444-4420 |
1 Additional Boulder VC Worth Pitching
Our top picks represent some of the most established investors in the area. But the funding community in Boulder continues to grow with new players.
For example, Canopy Ventures has made its first couple of investments since opening in 2018. Here's a closer look at this additional firm funding what's next in town.