Top 7 Venture Capital Firms in Oakland (2026)

Oakland has a vibrant community of founders, and the local venture firms are right there with them. These investors are backing companies tackling a wide range of challenges.

Some firms have been especially active, with Kapor Capital making nearly 300 investments since it started. Others, like NewSchools Venture Fund and Kaiser Permanente Ventures, have each supported well over 100 companies.

Below is our list of the best 7 VC firms in Oakland.

Failory's Top 7 Picks

1. Powerhouse Ventures

Powerhouse Ventures provides seed-stage capital to founders building software to rapidly decarbonize global energy and mobility systems. They support early-stage companies developing technology that accelerates the transition to a clean energy economy.

2. Kapor Capital

Kapor Capital provides early-stage funding to tech startups that address urgent social needs while transforming industries. Their portfolio features companies like Uber and Life360, reflecting a commitment to ventures that generate positive social impact.

3. 1517 Fund

1517 Fund provides pre-seed and seed capital to technology startups, focusing on hardware, deep tech, and hard science. They champion founders who have chosen to build their companies outside of traditional academic tracks, backing makers, hackers, and scientists who learn by doing.

4. Powerhouse

As an innovation firm and venture fund, Powerhouse connects global corporations to startups in clean energy, mobility, and climate. They back these entrepreneurs with strategic partnerships and capital to accelerate the development of a decarbonized economy.

5. Better Ventures

Better Ventures provides seed and early-stage funding to technology startups addressing critical challenges in work, education, health, and sustainability. They support mission-driven entrepreneurs who are building profitable companies designed to create a positive impact on the world.

6. NewSchools Venture Fund

Working to close the achievement gap in public education, NewSchools Venture Fund is a not-for-profit that funds and supports entrepreneurs with innovative solutions. They blend private charity with capital market approaches to ensure all children have the opportunity to succeed in college and beyond.

7. Kaiser Permanente Ventures

As the corporate venture capital arm of Kaiser Permanente, they invest in companies focused on healthcare IT, services, diagnostics, drug delivery, and medical devices. This connection to the larger health system gives portfolio companies direct access to industry expertise and strategic partnership opportunities.