The virtual reality hardware manufacturing industry in the US is a dynamic and rapidly evolving sector. It encompasses companies creating cutting-edge devices like headsets, controllers, and tracking systems that drive immersive experiences across entertainment, education, and enterprise training. The market is witnessing substantial growth, fueled by advancements in display technology and increasing adoption of VR applications. Innovative firms are now merging VR with artificial intelligence to enhance user interactivity and realism. As consumer demand rises, industry players are exploring new frontiers, looking to enhance accessibility, affordability, and integration with augmented reality, making VR an essential tool in various fields.

Investors in the virtual reality hardware manufacturing landscape comprise predominantly venture capital firms, collectively making a significant impact from their varied headquarters, primarily located in California. While some such as New Enterprise Associates and Khosla Ventures have been active since the 1970s, others like the Deep Tech Fund are fresh on the scene, founded just last year. These investors vary notably in size, with firms ranging from small teams to large entities managing extensive portfolios. In 2024 alone, they collectively participated in hundreds of deals, showcasing a robust interest in supporting groundbreaking VR technologies.

Top 16 Virtual Reality Hardware Manufacturing 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 through a structured program that helps entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. Y Combinator has successfully launched over 4,000 startups, making it a key player in the technology startup ecosystem. Among its notable transactions, Y Combinator has invested in Ramen VR, which raised $173,114 in a Pre Seed Round in August 2019, indicating its interest in virtual reality technology. Additionally, Y Combinator has invested in Niantic, a company known for its augmented reality games, further showcasing its engagement with immersive technologies. These investments highlight Y Combinator's commitment to supporting innovation in the virtual reality hardware manufacturing sector.

2. 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. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, with a focus on areas such as AI, cloud computing, and semiconductor technologies. In the realm of virtual reality hardware, Intel Capital has made significant investments, including a 30% stake in Vuzix, a manufacturer of smart eyewear, aimed at enhancing the development of Internet-connected glasses. They also led a $24 million Series B investment in Avegant, a company known for its wearable near-eye display technology. Furthermore, Intel Capital invested in WorldViz, which develops virtual reality applications for enterprise use, showcasing their commitment to advancing virtual reality hardware and applications. Through these investments, Intel Capital provides not only funding but also strategic support and access to Intel's extensive resources, helping startups innovate and scale within the tech ecosystem.

3. Sosv

• Website: sosv.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: United States (USA)
• Founded year: 1995
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 170
• LinkedIn: sosv

Sosv is a venture capital firm founded in 1995, based in the United States, that specializes in funding and supporting deep tech startups through its development programs. With a focus on sectors like health and climate technology, Sosv also invests in innovative companies in the virtual reality hardware manufacturing space. Notably, they have invested in Leap Motion, which raised a total of $50 million in a Series C funding round to advance its hand and finger tracking technology, essential for virtual reality applications. Additionally, Sosv has supported Looking Glass Factory, which is known for its work in holographic displays, further emphasizing their commitment to the virtual reality hardware sector. Through these investments, Sosv connects innovative companies with resources and investors, fostering growth in the virtual reality industry.

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, part of Alumni Ventures, is a venture capital firm founded in 2023, based in Manchester, New Hampshire. It provides accredited investors and institutions access to professionally-managed, diversified venture portfolios. With a network of over 10,000 investors, the firm focuses on connecting them with high-quality investment opportunities in the startup ecosystem. The fund has been involved in several notable transactions relevant to virtual reality hardware manufacturing, including investments in Looking Glass Factory, which specializes in holographic display technology, and STRIVR, a provider of immersive learning solutions. These investments highlight the fund's commitment to supporting innovative technologies that intersect with virtual reality.

5. Plug and Play Tech Center

• Website: plugandplaytechcenter.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Sunnyvale, California, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2006
• Headcount: 501-1000
• Number of deals in 2024: 253
• LinkedIn: 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 connect 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. Among their notable transactions, they invested in Brilliant Labs, a startup developing augmented-reality wearables powered by ChatGPT, which highlights their engagement in the virtual reality and augmented reality sectors. Other investments include Lumenora, MindCoord, and ASSEMBLR, which, while not all directly related to VR hardware, indicate a broader interest in technology startups that could intersect with the VR industry.

6. 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 based in Menlo Park, California, founded in 1977. NEA specializes in investment management and advisory services for startups, particularly in the technology and healthcare sectors. The firm partners with entrepreneurs to provide funding and strategic guidance, helping them navigate the challenges of building successful businesses. NEA operates through a collaborative approach, emphasizing long-term relationships with founders. Notably, NEA has been actively investing in the virtual reality hardware manufacturing space, particularly through their involvement with Mojo Vision. They participated in multiple funding rounds for Mojo Vision, including a Series A round raising $43.5 million in October 2023, and a Series C round that raised $22.4 million in April 2023, focusing on micro-LED display technology for AR/VR applications. This consistent investment in a company dedicated to VR hardware highlights NEA's relevance in this sector.

7. Boost VC

• Website: boost.vc
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: San Mateo, California, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2012
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 18
• LinkedIn: boost-vc

Boost VC is a venture capital firm based in San Mateo, California, founded in 2012. The firm connects accredited investors with innovative deep tech startups through events like the Deep Tech Demo Day. Boost VC has a diverse investment portfolio, focusing on various high-tech industries. Notably, they have invested in several companies within the virtual reality space, including QuarkXR, which raised $217,164 in a seed round in 2016, and 8i, a virtual reality startup that raised $13.5 million in a Series A round in 2015. Additionally, they invested in Realities.io, which raised $100,000 in a pre-seed round in 2016. These transactions highlight Boost VC's active role in supporting the development of virtual reality technologies.

8. Hax

• Website: hax.co
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2012
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 55
• LinkedIn: hax

Hax is a venture capital firm and startup incubator based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2012. They specialize in supporting hard tech startups by providing funding, engineering support, and access to manufacturing resources. Hax's program is designed to accelerate the growth of early-stage companies through a collaborative environment and extensive networks. Notably, Hax has been involved in several transactions that could relate to virtual reality hardware manufacturing, such as WearPoint, which raised $25,000 in a Seed Round in 2013. This investment suggests an interest in wearable technology, a key component of virtual reality. Other transactions include investments in companies like LightUp and Blinkiverse, which, while not explicitly focused on virtual reality, indicate Hax's engagement with innovative tech solutions. Their recent investments in Sharper Sense further demonstrate their ongoing commitment to supporting emerging technologies.

9. Qualcomm Ventures

• Website: qualcommventures.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: San Diego, California, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2000
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 18
• LinkedIn: qualcomm-ventures

Qualcomm Ventures is a venture capital firm based in San Diego, California, founded in 2000. The firm specializes in investing in early to growth stage technology companies, particularly within the wireless ecosystem. They provide capital and strategic support to startups across various sectors, including automotive, digital health, and IoT. Notably, Qualcomm Ventures has made significant investments in the virtual reality space, including a Series B investment in Magic Leap, which raised $542 million in 2014, and a Series A investment in Owlchemy Labs, which raised $5 million to develop original VR content and technologies. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for THE VOID, a company focused on immersive VR experiences. These transactions highlight Qualcomm Ventures' commitment to supporting innovation in the VR hardware and software sectors.

10. 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 participated in the Series A funding round for Avegant, a developer of wearable near-eye displays, which raised $9.37M. This investment highlights their engagement in the virtual reality hardware sector. Additionally, they have been involved in various other technology investments, indicating a broad interest in innovative startups that require support in navigating growth challenges.

11. Samsung Ventures

• Website: samsungventures.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 1999
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 13
• LinkedIn: samsung-venture-investment-america

Samsung Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California, founded in 1999. The firm focuses on providing investment and strategic consulting services to startups and companies across various sectors, including semiconductors, healthcare, fintech, and biotechnology. Notably, Samsung Ventures has made significant investments in the virtual reality hardware manufacturing space. They participated in a $50 million Series C funding round for DigiLens, a company that develops augmented reality and virtual reality technologies. Additionally, they invested in Fove, a Japanese company known for its eye-tracking technology for VR headsets, contributing to a $11 million Series A funding round. These transactions highlight Samsung Ventures' engagement in the VR hardware sector, showcasing their interest in supporting innovative technologies within this field.

12. Khosla Ventures

• Website: khoslaventures.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2004
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 97
• LinkedIn: khosla-ventures

Khosla Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California, founded in 2004. The firm specializes in providing funding and strategic guidance to startups, particularly in technology, healthcare, and sustainability sectors. Khosla Ventures has been actively investing in companies that are at the forefront of technological innovation. Among their notable transactions, they have invested in Mojo Vision, which raised significant funding rounds to develop micro-LED display technology aimed at consumer and enterprise applications, including AR/VR. Additionally, Khosla Ventures participated in funding Light Field Lab, a company focused on creating holographic display systems, which are relevant for location-based entertainment and enterprise applications in the virtual reality space. These investments highlight Khosla Ventures' commitment to supporting advancements in virtual reality hardware manufacturing.

13. Samsung Next

• Website: samsungnext.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Mountain View, California, United States (USA)
• Founded year: 2012
• Headcount: 51-200
• Number of deals in 2024: 49
• LinkedIn: samsung-next

Samsung Next is a venture capital firm based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2012. The firm invests in technology startups across various sectors, including Artificial Intelligence, Healthtech, and Consumer Services. Notably, Samsung Next has made significant investments in the virtual reality sector, including a Series D funding round for Survios, which raised $16.7 million and is known for its VR titles such as The Walking Dead: Onslaught and Creed: Rise to Glory. Additionally, they participated in funding rounds for Spatial, an AR/VR startup that raised $14 million in Series A funding. These transactions highlight Samsung Next's commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the virtual reality hardware manufacturing space, positioning them as a key player in this industry.

14. 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 aims to foster diversity and inclusion in the innovation economy by providing capital and support to startups, particularly those led by underrepresented groups. In 2024, Gaingels has made 60 investments, showcasing their active role in the venture capital landscape. Notably, they have been involved in transactions relevant to the virtual reality sector, such as their investment in Strivr, a prominent platform for enterprise-scale VR solutions, which raised $35 million in a Series B extension round. This involvement highlights Gaingels' engagement in the virtual reality hardware manufacturing context, alongside their broader mission of promoting diversity in leadership.

15. 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 is a commercial bank founded in 1983, specializing in providing financial services to the innovation economy, particularly tech startups and venture capital firms. With a strong presence in Santa Clara, California, SVB offers a range of products including business banking, global payments, and asset management. In 2021, SVB Ventures participated in a $36 million Series B funding round for AppliedVR, a company developing virtual reality solutions for therapeutic applications, showcasing their commitment to the virtual reality space. Additionally, SVB has been involved in various funding rounds for tech companies, including LensVector, which raised $30 million to scale its manufacturing capacity, indicating their support for innovative technologies that may intersect with virtual reality hardware. Overall, SVB's investment strategy reflects a focus on supporting growth in the tech sector, including virtual reality.

16. 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. Notably, Liquid 2 Ventures has invested in several companies relevant to the virtual reality industry, including STRIVR, which focuses on VR training solutions, and Vivid Vision, which develops VR treatments for lazy eye. Other investments include Supermedium, Escher Reality, and Pointcloud, all of which are involved in various aspects of virtual reality technology. This diverse portfolio highlights their commitment to supporting exceptional founders in the VR space and building lasting companies that leverage cutting-edge technology.

Virtual Reality Hardware Manufacturing Insights: Key Investors in the US

Investor	Headquarter	Size	Founded	Deals 2024
Y Combinator	San Francisco, California, United States (USA)	51-200	2005	802
Intel Capital	Santa Clara, California, United States (USA)	11-50	1991	23
Sosv	United States (USA)	51-200	1995	170
Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)	Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)	51-200	2023	258
Plug and Play Tech Center	Sunnyvale, California, United States (USA)	501-1000	2006	253
New Enterprise Associates (NEA)	Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)	51-200	1977	57
Boost VC	San Mateo, California, United States (USA)	1-10	2012	18
Hax	San Francisco, California, United States (USA)	11-50	2012	55
Qualcomm Ventures	San Diego, California, United States (USA)	10001+	2000	18
500 Global	San Francisco, California, United States (USA)	201-500	2010	98
Samsung Ventures	Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)	51-200	1999	13
Khosla Ventures	Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)	51-200	2004	97
Samsung Next	Mountain View, California, United States (USA)	51-200	2012	49
Gaingels	Burlington, Vermont, United States (USA)	11-50	2015	60
Silicon Valley Bank	Santa Clara, California, United States (USA)	5001-10000	1983	31
Liquid 2 Ventures	San Francisco, California, United States (USA)	1-10	2015	91

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