Seattle is experiencing a revitalization – and a major factor is investor support for early-stage founders. Many venture capitalists here prioritize traction over pedigree, with even major players like Microsoft (M12) and Amazon quietly funding local entrepreneurs. But the true stars are the local investors: a tight-knit community dedicated to uplifting founders and paying it forward.
The Emerald City is positioning itself for a renaissance, recognizing that attracting fresh talent and innovative founders is pivotal to its resurgence. Here are the top early-stage firms in Seattle.
1. Black Brilliance Fund
- Investment Range: $50K–$250K
- Key Sectors: Tech, healthcare, education, community impact
- Stage: Pre-seed to seed
- Notable Investments: Edible Hope, Community Passageways
- Total Investments: 25+
- Exits: 0 (long-term holds)
- Funds Raised: $10M
About
Black Brilliance Fund is Seattle’s pioneering firm supporting Black-led startups in tech/healthcare with pre-seed to seed funding. Combining equity and non-dilutive grants, it offers City contract access, legal/financial workshops, and mentorship from Black tech leaders – all backed by the City of Seattle and LISC.
Learn more here: blackbrilliancefund.org
2. Flying Fish Partners
- Investment Range: $500K–$5M
- Key Sectors: AI/ML, enterprise SaaS, cloud infrastructure, dev tools
- Stage: Pre-seed to Series A
- Notable Investments: Xembly, SeekOut, Lexion
- Total Investments: 50+
- Exits: 3
- Funds Raised: $300M+ (across multiple funds)
About
Flying Fish Partners is a Seattle fund powering technical founders with pre-seed to Series A investments. Focused on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and enterprise SaaS, women and BIPOC founders make up 60% of their portfolio. The firm offers hands-on engineering mentorship from ex-Microsoft and AWS leaders and their unique “Fish Tank” bootcamp ($50K grants).
Learn more here: flyingfish.vc
3. FUSE
- Investment Range: 250K–2M
- Key Sectors: B2B SaaS, vertical software, cloud infrastructure, AI applications
- Stage: Pre-seed to Series A
- Notable Investments: AgentSync, The Riveter, Flexe
- Total Investments: 60+ (Pacific Northwest focus)
- Exits: 4 (including 2 acquisitions by Seattle tech companies)
- Funds Raised: 200M+ (across multiple funds)
About
FUSE is Seattle’s premier VC for founders, focused on building the region’s next iconic companies through its unique 3-month Residency Program. Specializing in underrepresented B2B software founders (40% women/BIPOC in 2023), FUSE provides ideation-to-MVP support with Microsoft/Amazon partnerships and 150+ operator mentors.
Learn more here: fuse.vc
4. Intentional Ventures
- Investment Range: 100K–500K
- Key Sectors: Climate tech, health equity, sustainable consumer, edtech
- Stage: Pre-seed to seed
- Notable Investments: Earth Finance, Nurture Life, Brightloom
- Total Investments: 35+ (PNW focus)
- Exits: 1 (healthtech acquisition in 2023)
- Funds Raised: 75M (including impact-focused LP base)
About
Catering to Seattle and Portland, Intentional Ventures is the Pacific Northwest’s premier impact VC, investing in pre-seed to seed stage women/BIPOC founders driving climate, health and edtech innovation. With 80% local capital deployment, they offer housing-stipended programs and corporate partnerships, Their portfolio is filled with women-led (65%), BIPOC (50%), and rural-based (30%) startups.
Learn more here: intentional.vc
5. Founders’ Co-op
- Investment Range: $250K–500K
- Key Sectors: B2B SaaS, developer tools, marketplace platforms
- Stage: Pre-seed to seed (first institutional check for 60% of portfolio)
- Notable Investments: Remitly, Outreach, Flexe
- Total Investments: 80+ since 2008
- Exits: 10+ (including 2 unicorns)
- Funds Raised: 150M+ (across multiple funds)
About
Founders’ Co-op is Seattle’s original founder-led VC firm, backing “unsexy but profitable” PNW startups with $250K–500K first checks. Their mission: “Fuel the Pacific Northwest’s most resilient founders.” Veteran partners (ex-Redfin, ex-BigDoor) offer tough-love mentorship, no board seats, and a unique Scout Program for alumni investors. In 2024, 35% of deals went to underrepresented founders.
Learn more here: founderscoop.com
About the Author: Tess Danielson is a journalist and writer focusing on the intersection of technology and society.
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