Top 5 Austin venture capitalists

As one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States with a growing reputation as a tech startup hub, Austin is nicely poised to support its developing companies thanks to the presence of several reputable venture capital firms. 

 

Here, we provide an overview of Austin’s top five venture capitalists, listed in descending order beginning with the largest amount of investments.

 

 

“Perhaps no firm has the depth, or breadth of experience, in the Austin community as the synonymously named Austin Ventures. One of the oldest venture firms in the region, Austin Ventures has backed several of the most successful startups coming from Texas including many of the recent winners like HomeAway and RetailMeNot.” This quote comes from a TechCrunch article and it couldn't be more spot on. 

 

The VC firm has made 181 investments in 113 companies, as well as seven IPOs and 33 acquisitions. Its five most recent investments are Silvercar ($14 million with five other investors in September 2014), TrackingPoint ($29.1 million with two other investors in August 2014), Eagle Eye Networks (an undisclosed amount with one other investor in July 2014), Comfy ($600,000 with two other investors in July 2014) and Veros System ($3 million with three other investors in July 2014).

 

 

The Texas Emerging Technology Fund, or “TETF,” is a government office that couples matching and commercialization funds with additional federal and outside investments. It was founded in 2005 and subsequently reauthorized in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013. It has invested more than $205 million in 145 early stage companies. Its five most recent investments on record in CrunchBase are Admittance Technologies ($2 million in January 2013), Veros Systems ($1.5 million in August 2012), Ensynce Biosciences ($1 million in June 2012), Bi02 Medical ($13.7 million with one other investor in March 2012) and Leonardo Biosystems ($1.3 million in November 2011). 

 

 

Founded in 1981, Sevin Rosen Funds has been investing in Austin’s business community for 33 years, specializing in early stage venture, later stage venture, and debt financing investments in the mobile, software and semiconductor sectors. It has made 83 investments in 49 companies, as well as two IPOs and nine acquisitions. Its five most recent investments are Vidyo ($20 million with six other investors in July 2014), Hightail ($34 million with six other investors in November 2013), an earlier round with Vidyo ($17.1 million with five other investors in April 2013), Netsocket ($9.2 million with three other investors in April 2013), and Alder ($38 million with 6 other investors in April 2012). 

 

 

Silverton Partners specializes in seed, early stage venture, later stage venture, and debt financing investments in the software, enterprise software and identity management sectors. It has made 42 investments in 26 companies, as well as one IPO and three acquisitions. Its five most recent investments are Stack Engine ($1 million with one other investor in October 2014), Favor ($2 million with one other investor in September 2014), TurnKey Vacation Rentals ($3 million with 11 other investors in June 2014), TrendKite ($3.2 million with one other investor in June 2014) and StepOne ($4 million with one other investor in May 2014).

 

 

Although headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, Advantage Capital Partners’ main office is located in Austin. It primarily grants early stage, expansion, and later stage funding in the software, cleantech and biotechnology sectors. It has made 54 investments in 45 companies, with three IPOs and seven acquisitions. Its most recent investments include Nanomech ($12 million with two other investors in September 2014), Knoa Software ($5.1 million with three other investors in July 2014), Beehive Industries ($2.5 million in July 2014), Traxo ($4.2 million with two other investors in September 2013), and Knoa Software ($7.5 million with four other investors in December 2012).