The executive coaching industry in the US focuses on enhancing individual and organizational performance through tailored coaching and mentoring services. Companies range from startups like BetterUp, which offers digital coaching solutions, to larger firms providing specialized leadership development programs. As the workforce evolves, the demand for executive coaching continues to rise, promoting skills crucial for remote work and emotional intelligence. According to recent studies, the industry is projected to grow dramatically over the next few years, aided by advancements in technology and an increasing awareness of mental wellness in corporate settings.


The list features 15 significant investors poised in the executive coaching sector, representing venture capital firms ranging from established names like Y Combinator to emerging players such as Deep Tech Fund. Most firms are headquartered in major tech hubs like San Francisco and New York, and range in size from small teams to large, multi-national organizations. These investors were active in 2024, with participation in numerous funding rounds that collectively exceeded 1,500 investments. Their deep engagement indicates a strong belief in the future implications of coaching and professional development in various industries.


Top 15 Executive Coaching 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. Among its notable investments is BetterUp, which focuses on personal and professional development through coaching, and Torch, a company that specializes in executive coaching. Torch has raised multiple rounds of funding with Y Combinator's participation, including a Seed Round in 2017 and a Series A round in 2019, where it raised $10 million. These transactions highlight Y Combinator's engagement in the executive coaching sector, reinforcing its role as a key player in supporting companies that enhance leadership and professional growth.


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. In recent years, 500 Global has demonstrated a commitment to the executive coaching industry through its investments in several relevant startups. For instance, they invested in Bonum Coaching, which focuses on personal and professional development, and Rising Team, which aims to enhance team performance and leadership skills. Additionally, their investment in NewCampus highlights their interest in innovative learning solutions that cater to professional growth. These transactions reflect 500 Global's strategic focus on companies that contribute to the executive coaching landscape, making them a notable player in this sector.


3. 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

Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund) is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, founded in 2023. It provides accredited investors and institutions with access to professionally-managed, diversified venture portfolios, leveraging a network of over 10,000 investors to connect them with high-quality investment opportunities in the startup ecosystem. Notably, the fund has participated in transactions such as Landit, a tech platform aimed at increasing success rates for women and diverse workplace groups, which raised $13 million in a Series A funding round. Additionally, it has invested in Limitless Minds, a company focused on mental performance and coaching, indicating a commitment to sectors that align with executive coaching principles. These transactions highlight the fund's relevance to the executive coaching industry.


4. Gaingels

  • Website: gaingels.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Burlington, Vermont, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 60
  • LinkedIn: gaingels

Gaingels is a venture capital firm founded in 2015, based in Burlington, Vermont, dedicated to investing in companies with diverse leadership. The firm focuses on providing capital and support to startups led by underrepresented groups, promoting diversity and inclusion in the innovation economy. Gaingels has been actively involved in the executive coaching industry, with notable investments in companies such as TaskHuman, which offers a digital coaching platform, and Sounding Board, a company specializing in leadership coaching. In 2022, Gaingels participated in a $20 million Series B funding round for TaskHuman and a $30 million Series B funding round for Sounding Board, showcasing their commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the coaching space. Additionally, they have invested in AceUp, Inc., which also operates in the coaching sector, further solidifying their presence in this industry.


5. 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 portfolio of over 1,000 companies, many of which have achieved unicorn status, FJ Labs provides capital and strategic guidance to entrepreneurs across various industries, including e-commerce and logistics. Notably, they have invested in Simundia, a French startup that offers innovative coaching solutions via video conferencing and e-learning modules, raising $10 million in funding in October 2021. This investment highlights their engagement in the executive coaching space, as Simundia has supported over 10,000 employees across numerous companies. Additionally, FJ Labs has participated in other funding rounds, demonstrating their active role in supporting startups that may intersect with the coaching and professional development sectors.


6. Salesforce Ventures


Salesforce Ventures is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in investing in innovative enterprise software companies, providing funding, strategic guidance, and access to a network of industry leaders to help startups grow from seed to IPO. Salesforce Ventures has a diverse investment portfolio that spans various sectors, including AI, digital health, and climate technology. Notably, they have made significant investments in the executive coaching space, including BetterUp, which raised substantial funding in multiple rounds (including $300 million in Series E and $125 million in Series D) to enhance its coaching platform. Additionally, they participated in the funding round for Fingerprint for Success (F4S), which raised $6.5 million to expand its coaching services and insights integration on platforms like Slack and Zoom. These transactions highlight Salesforce Ventures' active role in supporting companies that contribute to the executive coaching industry.


7. Goodwater Capital

  • Website: goodwatercap.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Burlingame, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2014
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 41
  • LinkedIn: goodwater-capital

Goodwater Capital is a venture capital firm based in Burlingame, California, founded in 2014. The firm specializes in consumer technology and supports seed-stage entrepreneurs by providing investment, resources, and a community to help them grow. Goodwater Capital has a diverse investment portfolio that spans various sectors, including healthcare and financial services, with a mission to improve access to technology solutions for underserved communities. Notably, Goodwater has invested in companies like Ceresa, which raised funds to enhance leadership coaching, and Leland, which focuses on personalized coaching and mentorship. These transactions highlight Goodwater's engagement in the executive coaching space, showcasing their commitment to supporting innovative solutions that foster leadership development.


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. They specialize in connecting startups with corporations to foster growth and innovation, offering various programs including accelerator initiatives and investment opportunities. In 2021, they invested in Bessern, a company focused on personal and professional development, which is relevant to executive coaching. They also participated in funding rounds for FutureFit AI, which provides AI-powered tools for career navigation, partnering with organizations that focus on workforce development. These transactions highlight Plug and Play's commitment to supporting companies that enhance business development and personal growth, making them a significant player in the executive coaching landscape.


9. Liquid 2 Ventures

  • Website: liquid2.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 91
  • LinkedIn: liquid-2-ventures

Liquid 2 Ventures is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in investing in technology startups at the pre-seed and seed stages, as well as growth-stage companies. They provide capital, mentorship, and access to a vast network of industry insiders to help founders navigate their entrepreneurial journeys. In recent years, Liquid 2 Ventures has made several notable investments in companies relevant to the executive coaching sector, including Reboot, which raised funds in 2021 and focuses on leadership development, and Poised, which raised $2 million in 2022 and offers tools for enhancing communication skills. These investments highlight their commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the coaching and personal development space.


10. Learn

  • Website: learn.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Austin, Texas, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: learn-capital

Learn is a venture capital firm based in Austin, Texas, founded in 2009. They focus on providing capital and capabilities to entrepreneurs who are building human-centric companies. Learn supports startups across various sectors, particularly in technology and education, with a mission to help them scale and address significant societal challenges. Notable transactions include their investment in Pathrise, a mentorship and job placement platform that aids tech professionals, which raised $9 million in Series A funding. This platform is particularly relevant to executive coaching as it emphasizes mentorship and professional development. Additionally, Learn participated in the funding round for Section4, a business education startup that raised $30 million, further showcasing their commitment to educational initiatives that can enhance leadership skills. Their portfolio also includes investments in Scoutible, a company focused on AI for hiring, and Almas Insight, indicating a diverse approach to supporting innovative ventures that promote human flourishing.


11. Precursor Ventures

  • Website: precursorvc.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 30
  • LinkedIn: precursor-ventures

Precursor Ventures is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage companies, particularly in the pre-seed and seed stages. They focus on building long-term relationships with founders, providing not only financial support but also strategic guidance to help startups grow. Their portfolio includes a diverse range of innovative companies across various sectors, including executive coaching. Notably, Precursor Ventures has invested in Sounding Board, Inc., which raised a total of $13.1 million in Series A funding and has previously received seed and pre-seed investments from the firm. This involvement highlights their interest in the executive coaching space, as Sounding Board is dedicated to leadership development and coaching solutions. Additionally, their investment in Praxis Labs, which focuses on expanding teams and serving clients, further demonstrates their engagement with companies that may intersect with coaching and professional development.


12. NFP, an Aon company

  • Website: nfp.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1998
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 14
  • LinkedIn: wearenfp

NFP, an Aon company, is a consulting firm based in New York, specializing in insurance brokerage and financial services. Founded in 1998, NFP offers a wide range of products, including property and casualty insurance, employee benefits, and wealth management solutions. The firm serves both businesses and individuals, helping them manage risks and plan for their financial futures. In recent years, NFP has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its service offerings. Notably, they acquired The HR Suite, a prominent Irish human resources consultancy and training specialist, in January 2025, which aims to bolster their HR division and potentially expand their executive coaching capabilities. Additionally, their acquisition of Juno Search Partners in November 2022 highlights their focus on human capital consulting, further aligning them with the executive coaching industry. These transactions indicate NFP's interest in areas that support leadership development and organizational effectiveness.


13. Silicon Valley Bank

  • Website: svb.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1983
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 31
  • LinkedIn: silicon-valley-bank

Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) is a commercial bank founded in 1983, located in Santa Clara, California. It specializes in providing financial services to the innovation economy, particularly tech startups and venture capital firms. SVB offers a range of products including business banking, global payments, and asset management, helping clients navigate financial challenges and support their growth. Notably, SVB has participated in significant funding rounds for companies in the executive coaching sector, such as CoachHub, a digital coaching platform that raised $200 million in Series C funding, and BetterUp, which secured $103 million in its Series C round. These investments highlight SVB's engagement in the executive coaching industry, as they support companies that focus on personal and professional development through coaching services.


14. 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 specializes in investing in 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's mission is to foster innovation and assist startups in navigating the challenges of business development. Notably, SV Angel has made significant investments in the executive coaching sector, including multiple rounds of funding for BetterUp, a leading platform in professional coaching and mental health support, where they participated in a Seed Round, Series A, and Series E, totaling over $300 million. Additionally, they invested in Coach.me, which raised $2.5 million in Series A funding, further demonstrating their commitment to the executive coaching industry.


15. Reach Capital

  • Website: reachcapital.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 17
  • LinkedIn: reach-capital

Reach Capital is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage startups within the learning, health, and work sectors. They provide funding, resources, and support to entrepreneurs, helping them to grow their businesses and tackle significant challenges. Notably, Reach Capital has invested in Hone, which raised $2.75 million in a seed round in April 2020 and $3.6 million in January 2019, both aimed at enhancing coaching and training solutions. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for BetterLesson, which focuses on professional development in education, raising $10 million in Series B funding in November 2017 and $6 million in Series A in February 2016. Their investment in AdmitHub, a college chatbot service, also reflects their interest in innovative educational solutions. Overall, Reach Capital's focus on empowering entrepreneurs in the learning and work sectors positions them as a relevant player in the executive coaching industry.



Executive Coaching 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
Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)51-2002023258
GaingelsBurlington, Vermont, United States (USA)11-50201560
FJ LabsNew York, New York, United States (USA)11-502015169
Salesforce VenturesSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)11-50200958
Goodwater CapitalBurlingame, California, United States (USA)51-200201441
Plug and Play Tech CenterSunnyvale, California, United States (USA)501-10002006253
Liquid 2 VenturesSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)1-10201591
LearnAustin, Texas, United States (USA)11-5020094
Precursor VenturesSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)1-10201530
NFP, an Aon companyNew York, New York, United States (USA)5001-10000199814
Silicon Valley BankSanta Clara, California, United States (USA)5001-10000198331
SV AngelSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)1-10200944
Reach CapitalSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)11-50201517


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