The business networking industry in the US is vital for fostering connections among professionals. Companies in this sector range from social platforms like LinkedIn to startups developing niche collaboration tools. They offer services that enhance communication, facilitate partnerships, and support community engagement. Recent trends show an increasing shift towards digital networking solutions driven by technology advancements and global workplace changes. Virtual events and mobile networking applications are gaining traction, making it easier than ever for professionals to build relationships across geographical boundaries. This industry continues to evolve, promising more seamless connectivity in the business world.


This list features an eclectic mix of venture capital firms focused on business networking. Predominantly based in major cities like San Francisco and New York, these investors vary in size, with many managing investments ranging from dozens to hundreds of deals annually. Founded between the early 2000s to recent years, they have demonstrated a keen interest in startups looking to enhance networking capabilities. In 2024 alone, these investors were involved in numerous deals, emphasizing their active role in shaping the future of business connections.


Top 13 Business Networking Investors in the US


1. Y Combinator

  • Website: ycombinator.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 802
  • LinkedIn: y-combinator

Y Combinator is a prominent startup accelerator and venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2005. It provides funding and mentorship to early-stage technology companies, having successfully launched over 4,000 startups. Y Combinator operates a structured program that helps entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses, offering resources such as the Startup School and co-founder matching services. Among their notable transactions, they invested in Elpha, a professional network for women in tech, which raised $1.1 million in seed funding to enhance its platform and community. Additionally, they supported Women Who Code, which raised $120,000 in a seed round, further demonstrating their commitment to fostering networking and community-building in the tech industry. These investments reflect Y Combinator's active role in the business networking ecosystem, alongside their broader focus on technology startups.


2. 500 Global

  • Website: 500.co
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 98
  • LinkedIn: 500-startups

500 Global is a venture capital firm and startup accelerator based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, providing not only funding but also mentorship and resources to help founders scale their businesses. Among their notable transactions, they invested in FounderDating, which raised $1,200,000 in Series A funding in 2015, a platform aimed at connecting entrepreneurs with potential co-founders, highlighting their involvement in the business networking space. They also invested in Pineapple, which raised funds in Pre-Seed rounds in 2020 and 2022, and Aladdinb2b, which raised funds in a Seed round, indicating their active engagement in supporting innovative startups that may enhance networking opportunities. Their diverse portfolio reflects a commitment to fostering growth in various sectors, including those that facilitate business networking.


3. SV Angel

  • Website: svangel.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 44
  • LinkedIn: sv-angel

SV Angel is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2009. The firm focuses on early-stage and growth-stage technology companies, providing not only financial backing but also strategic advice and access to a vast network of industry experts. SV Angel has been involved in notable transactions in the business networking sector, including investments in Nextdoor, a social network for neighbors that raised significant funding to expand its services, and Yammer, an enterprise social networking platform that raised $10 million in its Series B round. These investments highlight SV Angel's commitment to fostering innovation in the technology sector, particularly in areas that enhance connectivity and collaboration among users.


4. Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)

  • Website: av.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2023
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 258
  • LinkedIn: deep-tech-fund-av-focused-fund

The Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund) is a venture capital firm founded in 2023, based in Manchester, New Hampshire. It provides accredited investors and institutions with access to professionally-managed, diversified venture portfolios. With a robust network of over 10,000 investors, the firm focuses on connecting them with high-quality investment opportunities in the startup ecosystem. Among its notable transactions, the fund participated in the funding of Key, a community and networking platform, which raised $4.3 million in 2024. Additionally, it was involved in funding influence.co, a platform designed for influencers and businesses, which raised $3 million in a seed round in 2020. These investments highlight the fund's commitment to supporting companies that enhance business networking and community engagement.


5. Accel

  • Website: accel.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Palo Alto, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1983
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 101
  • LinkedIn: accel-vc

Accel is a venture capital firm founded in 1983, based in Palo Alto, California, with additional offices in San Francisco, London, India, and China. The firm specializes in investing in startups and early-stage companies, primarily within the technology sector. Accel has been involved in several notable transactions that highlight its focus on business networking and collaboration tools. For example, they invested in Venue, a Toronto-based startup that raised $4 million to develop a video conferencing platform designed for larger team meetings, which includes features that enhance user interaction and engagement. Additionally, Accel's investment in Chief, a platform aimed at supporting women in leadership roles, reflects their commitment to fostering professional networks. These investments showcase Accel's strategic interest in companies that facilitate business networking and collaboration, reinforcing their relevance in this sector.


6. General Catalyst


General Catalyst is a venture capital firm founded in 2000, based in San Francisco, California. The firm specializes in early-stage and growth investments, providing capital and strategic guidance to startups across various industries, including technology and healthcare. Notably, General Catalyst has been involved in significant transactions within the business networking space, particularly with Chief, a NYC-based private network for women leaders. They co-led a $22 million Series A funding round for Chief in June 2019, followed by a $15 million venture round in May 2020, and a $100 million Series B round in March 2022. These investments highlight General Catalyst's focus on supporting platforms that enhance professional networking and community engagement, aligning with their broader investment strategy.


7. FJ Labs

  • Website: fjlabs.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 169
  • LinkedIn: fj-labs

FJ Labs is a venture capital firm based in New York, founded in 2015, that specializes in investing in marketplace and network effect businesses. With a team size of 11-50, they have made a significant impact in the startup ecosystem, having invested in over 1,000 companies, many of which have achieved unicorn status. In 2024 alone, FJ Labs has made 169 investments, showcasing their active role in the venture capital space. Some of their notable transactions include investments in companies like Boardy, which raised $3 million in a Pre-Seed round, and The Post, which secured funding in multiple Seed rounds. These transactions highlight their commitment to supporting innovative startups that may play a role in enhancing business networking capabilities. Their strategic guidance and capital support are crucial for entrepreneurs looking to build network-driven businesses.


8. Plug and Play Tech Center


Plug and Play Tech Center is an innovation hub and venture capital firm based in Sunnyvale, California, founded in 2006. The firm connects startups with corporations to foster growth and innovation, offering various programs including accelerator initiatives and investment opportunities. In 2024 alone, they have made 253 investments, showcasing their active role in the venture capital landscape. Notable transactions include LeadrPro, which raised $1,059,654 in a seed round, and Brella, which also secured funding in a seed round. Their investment in Relay Platform, a Canada-based insurtech venture, further highlights their commitment to diverse sectors while still focusing on technology-driven solutions. These transactions illustrate their active engagement in facilitating business development and networking opportunities within the startup ecosystem.


9. New Enterprise Associates (NEA)

  • Website: nea.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1977
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 57
  • LinkedIn: new-enterprise-associates

New Enterprise Associates (NEA) is a prominent venture capital firm founded in 1977, based in Menlo Park, California. With a focus on investment management and advisory services for startups, NEA specializes in technology and healthcare sectors. The firm is known for its collaborative approach, emphasizing long-term relationships with founders to help them navigate the challenges of building successful businesses. Among their notable transactions, NEA participated in the funding of Vina, a platonic friend-finding app for women, which raised $1.4 million to support its launch in over 500 cities. Additionally, NEA was involved in the funding of Shoptalk, a retail and e-commerce conference platform, showcasing their interest in business networking initiatives. These investments highlight NEA's commitment to supporting innovative platforms that facilitate networking and community engagement.


10. Tiger Global

  • Website: tigerglobal.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 25
  • LinkedIn: tiger-global-management

Tiger Global Management, LLC is a prominent investment firm based in New York, specializing in both public and private equity investments. Founded in 2001, the firm manages approximately $50 billion and focuses on innovative companies leveraging technology. Among its notable transactions, Tiger Global invested in LinkedIn, raising $51.6 million in a secondary market transaction in December 2009, which underscores their engagement in the business networking domain. Additionally, they led a Series A funding round for Circle, a company that facilitates peer-to-peer payments and has implications for networking in financial transactions. Furthermore, Tiger Global has been involved in multiple funding rounds for Nextdoor, a local platform that connects neighbors and fosters community engagement, including a $270 million post-IPO equity investment in November 2021. These transactions reflect Tiger Global's strategic interest in companies that enhance business and community networking, aligning with their investment philosophy.


11. Bessemer Venture Partners

  • Website: bvp.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1911
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 78
  • LinkedIn: bessemer-venture-partners

Bessemer Venture Partners is a prominent venture capital firm founded in 1911, based in San Francisco, California. The firm specializes in providing funding and investment management services to startups and growth-stage companies across various sectors, including technology and healthcare. Notably, Bessemer has made significant investments in the business networking space, particularly with LinkedIn, where they participated in multiple funding rounds, including a $53 million Series D round in 2008 and a $12.8 million Series C round in 2007. These investments have supported LinkedIn's growth and expansion as a leading professional networking platform. Additionally, Bessemer invested in Discoverly, a startup focused on social enterprise applications, indicating their interest in innovative networking solutions. Their diverse portfolio and active engagement in the business networking industry highlight their capability and commitment to fostering growth in this sector.


12. Cisco

  • Website: cisco.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: San Jose, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1984
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: cisco

Cisco Systems, Inc. is a leading technology company based in San Jose, California, specializing in digital communications and cybersecurity solutions. Founded in 1984, Cisco has established itself as a key player in providing networking hardware, software, and security services to businesses across various sectors. In recent years, Cisco has made strategic investments and acquisitions that align with its focus on enhancing business networking capabilities. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Sedona Systems in 2021 for $100 million, which strengthens Cisco's networking solutions, and the acquisition of Tandberg in 2009 for $3.4 billion, which expanded their video conferencing and collaboration offerings. Cisco has also participated in funding rounds for startups like Explore Life Traveling and StartX, indicating their commitment to fostering innovation in the business networking space.


13. Intel Capital

  • Website: intelcapital.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1991
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 23
  • LinkedIn: intelcapital

Intel Capital is a venture capital firm based in Santa Clara, California, founded in 1991. It specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on areas such as AI, cloud computing, and semiconductor technologies. The firm provides funding, strategic support, and access to Intel's extensive resources to help startups scale and innovate within the tech ecosystem. Among its notable transactions, Intel Capital led a $7.3 million Series A funding round for Webinar.ru, a Russian web-conferencing company, which is directly relevant to business networking as it provides a platform for online communication and collaboration. Additionally, their investment in Explore Life Traveling, a travel-tech startup, showcases their interest in technology that enhances connectivity and networking in various sectors. Overall, Intel Capital's diverse portfolio and strategic investments position it as a relevant player in the business networking landscape.



Business Networking Insights: Key Investors in the US


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Y CombinatorSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002005802
500 GlobalSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)201-500201098
SV AngelSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)1-10200944
Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)51-2002023258
AccelPalo Alto, California, United States (USA)51-2001983101
General CatalystSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002000144
FJ LabsNew York, New York, United States (USA)11-502015169
Plug and Play Tech CenterSunnyvale, California, United States (USA)501-10002006253
New Enterprise Associates (NEA)Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)51-200197757
Tiger GlobalNew York, New York, United States (USA)51-200200125
Bessemer Venture PartnersSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)11-50191178
CiscoSan Jose, California, United States (USA)10001+19845
Intel CapitalSanta Clara, California, United States (USA)11-50199123


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