From Bowling Green to Covington, innovative companies are growing all over the Kentucky. At the same time, the states startup ecosystem is growing as well. Key players, including firms like Keyhorse Capital and Radicle Capital, are leading the charge in this respect. To make things a bit easier, we've put together a comprehensive list of venture capital investors and curated the top 10 venture capital firms in Kentucky, especially for you. You can see more information about investment opportunities here:
Here's a table that summarizes the overall VC data for a quick overview:
| VC Firm | Ticket Size | Stages | Founding Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyhorse Capital | $100,000 to $5,000,000 | Pre-seed, Seed | 2002 |
| Chrysalis Ventures | $500,000 to $3 million | Series A | 1993 |
| Poplar Ventures | $100,000 to $5 million | Series A | 2016 |
| Radicle Capital | $1 million to $5 million | Seed, Series A | 2014 |
| Render Capital | Approximately $808,000 | Seed, Series A | 2019 |
| Connetic Ventures | $1 million to $5 million | Seed, Series A | 2015 |
| Access Ventures | Approximately $7 million | Pre-seed to Series B | 2013 |
| Bluegrass Angels | Approximately $1.5 million | Seed | 2004 |
| Epic Ventures | $500,000 to $10 million | Early-stage, Growth | 1994 |
| Questa Capital | $5 million to $50 million | Growth-stage | 2016 |
1. Keyhorse Capital
Keyhorse Capital is a venture capital firm committed to supporting Kentucky-based, early-stage startups with proven potential for scale and economic growth. Keyhorse targets high-growth, technology-enabled firms and invests in founders whose businesses have focused intent on making a material impact beyond their local market. Supported by the Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, Keyhorse works in close partnership with advisors and partners to support founders to achieve early success and long-term growth.
- Website : keyhorse.vc
- Founding Year : 2002
- Investment Range : $100,000 to $5,000,000
- Stage : Pre-seed and seed
- Sector : Innovative, technology-enabled startups
- Geography : Kentucky
- Notable Investments : Cloverleaf, C2 Keep, BrainSTEM, FlyWire, Gun Media
- Submit Pitch/ Contact : Link
2. Chrysalis Ventures
Chrysalis Ventures is a venture capital firm investing in technology-driven companies for growth and innovation, mainly in the Midwest and Southeast. With $400 million Under Management, they partner with established businesses and help them scale through technology and strategic acquisitions. Chrysalis seeks to find companies where their specific knowledge of technology optimization can come in handy. They commit to building enduring value in concert with proven management teams. Their hands-on approach enables them to actively support growth in the healthcare, technology, and education industries.
- Website : chrysalisventures.com
- Founding Year : 1993
- Investment Range : $500,000 to $3 million
- Stage : Series A
- Sector : Healthcare, media, communications, business services
- Geography : Mid-America, including Kentucky
- Notable Investments : Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Advanced Academics, Regent Communications, Genscape, Advanced Practice Strategies
- Submit Pitch/ Contact : Link
3. Poplar Ventures
Poplar Ventures is among those VC companies that invest in early growth, cloud-based software firms, especially in Middle America. They bring much experience in guiding B2B SaaS startups with recurring revenue models.They support founders who combine tenacity with a customer-driven approach. With deep operating experience, Poplar guides companies through scaling, emphasizes practical growth and adaptability. They value grounded, hardworking founders and they are dedicated to build tech companies that can thrive anywhere, with a special focus on nurturing innovation outside traditional hubs.
- Website : poplarventures.com
- Founding Year : 2016
- Investment Range : $100,000 to $5 million
- Stage : Series A
- Sector : Technology-enabled services, B2B software
- Geography : Kentucky and surrounding regions
- Notable Investments : VividCharts, SkuVault, BehaVR, QASymphony, Dvinci Energy
- Submit Pitch/ Contact : Link
4. Radicle Capital
Radicle Capital is a VC firm that supports early to growth-stage companies dedicated to social and environmental impact. They provide capital and strategic support. With a focus on responsible investment, Radicle’s portfolio includes businesses in sectors like health tech, renewable energy, and sustainable consumer goods. Their patient approach helps founders grow responsibly, supported by expertise in scalability, partnerships, and community impact. Headquartered in Louisville, they invest locally and globally.
- Website : www.radiclecapital.com
- Founding Year : 2014
- Investment Range : $1 million to $5 million
- Stage : Seed and Series A
- Sector : Technology-enabled and social/environmental impact
- Geography : Kentucky and beyond
- Notable Investments : Advanced Cancer Therapeutics, Ocean Organic Vodka, Stony Creek Colors, Sproutel, Patamar Capital
5. Render Capital
Render Capital is a VC fund focused on early-stage startups in the Midwest and South, with a commitment to hands-on, founder-first support. As Kentucky’s only institutionally-backed venture fund, they help startups with everything from de-risking technology to crafting investor-ready pitches. Render Capital targets sectors like health tech, CPG/eCommerce, logistics, B2B SaaS, and advanced manufacturing. Their goal is to drive a thriving regional economy by connecting founders to vital resources and networks for sustainable growth.
- Website : render.capital
- Founding Year : 2019
- Investment Range : Approximately $808,000.
- Stage : Seed and Series A
- Sector : Innovative startups targeting large markets
- Geography : Kentucky and Southern Indiana
- Notable Investments : Forecastr, Switcher Studio, FreshFry, WeatherCheck, Moolathon
6. Connetic Ventures
Connetic Ventures is a digital-first VC firm using AI to make venture funding accessible, transparent, and inclusive. By replacing traditional pitch meetings with a data-driven approach, Connetic removes bias, funding women and minority founders at a rate 8x higher than industry norms. With a focus on early-stage software, data, fintech, and consumer startups across North America, Connetic Ventures evaluates founders based on analytics. They ensure every applicant has a fair shot at investment, regardless of their location or background.
- Website : www.connetic.ventures
- Founding Year : 2015
- Investment Range : $1 million to $5 million
- Stage : Seed and Series A
- Sector : Technology startups
- Geography : Kentucky and surrounding regions
- Notable Investments : Abre, Cloverleaf, Fireroad, Narratize, AppHarvest
- Submit Pitch/ Contact : Link
7. Access Ventures
Access Ventures is a venture fund focused on creating a positive societal impact by blending economic prosperity, social equity, and environmental sustainability. With a bold approach to capital, they support transformative projects and people who drive lasting change. Beyond funding, they are dedicated to inspiring next-generation leaders and navigate complex challenges with an emphasis on inclusivity. By viewing capital as a catalyst for social good, Catalytic Capital empowers communities and companies to build a flourishing, sustainable future.
- Website : accessventures.org
- Founding Year : 2013
- Investment Range : Approximately $7 million
- Stage : Pre-seed to Series B
- Sector : Technology for social good, real estate, finance
- Geography : Kentucky and beyond
- Notable Investments : Forecastr, Switcher Studio, FreshFry, WeatherCheck, Moolathon
- Submit Pitch/ Contact : Link
8. Bluegrass Angels
Bluegrass Angels is the most active in-state angel investing group in the state of Kentucky. They bring investment and mentorship to early-stage, high-tech startups that have demonstrated potential for adding value in economic growth and job creation for the Commonwealth. They are led by a council of visionary business leaders who believe in the role of being active in support of early-stage ventures in different fields of healthcare, agriculture, biotech, and FinTech. Headquartered in Lexington, BGA serves startups through the setup of deal structures, board assembly, and syndication to position companies toward long-term success and impactful exits. In support of local innovation, BGA serves a vital role in developing Kentucky's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Website : www.bluegrassangels.com
- Founding Year : 2004
- Investment Range : Approximately $1.5 million.
- Stage : Seed
- Sector : Innovative, high-tech startups
- Geography : Kentucky
- Notable Investments : Hippo Manager Software, Summit Biosciences, Smart Farm Systems, SuperFanU, Seikowave
- Submit Pitch/ Contact : Link
9. Epic Ventures
EPIC Ventures is a VC firm based in Salt Lake City. They invest in early-stage startups. They help founders grow their businesses. EPIC Ventures supports entrepreneurs with big ideas and helps them succeed.They are committed to building strong, successful companies.
- Website : epicvc.com
- Founding Year : 1994
- Investment Range : $500K – $10M
- Stage : Early-stage, Growth-stage
- Sector : SaaS, Cloud, Tech
- Geography : U.S. Nationwide, including Kentucky
- Notable Investments : Instructure, Ancestry.com, JobNimbus
- Submit Pitch/ Contact : Link
10. Questa Capital
Questa Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in healthcare companies with high growth potential. They focus on businesses that bring innovative solutions to healthcare which improve both quality and efficiency of care. Questa partners with strong leadership teams and helps them scale and build market-leading companies. Their goal is to generate strong returns while supporting the next wave of healthcare leaders making a real difference in the industry.
- Website : questacapital.com
- Founding Year : 2016
- Investment Range : $5M – $50M
- Stage : Growth-stage companies
- Sector : Healthcare, technology
- Geography : U.S., including healthcare investments in Kentucky
- Notable Investments : Medrio (healthcare IT), DispatchHealth (on-demand healthcare), Aledade (healthcare technology), Upward Health (home health), Wellframe (digital health)
- Submit Pitch/ Contact : Link
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Is VC high risk?
Venture capital is a type of investment that can be risky but has the potential for high returns. However, there is no guarantee of success. Investing in startups is always uncertain, and you might lose your money. Even though VC firms try to minimize risks, investing in startups is always uncertain, and you might lose your money. - What is the best country to set up a VC fund?
If you’re looking to set up a VC fund, many people think the United States has the best venture capital (VC) funds worldwide. This is because the US has a big economy, lots of money available, and many successful startups. - What cities have the most VC investments?
The top five cities for venture capital investment are San Francisco, New York City, Boston, San Jose, and Los Angeles. These cities together receive more than two-thirds (67.5%) of all venture capital investments. - What is the minimum amount for a VC fund?
Venture capital funds usually ask for a minimum investment of $250,000 to $500,000, and sometimes even more. Investing a small amount of money can still cost a lot. These funds are usually only open to wealthy people and big organizations that have a lot of money. - How do I choose a VC fund?
To choose a VC fund, check how much experience and success the venture capital firm has had before. Look at the companies they’ve invested in before to see if they match what your business does. This can help you figure out if they’re a good match for you.
Best of luck with your amazing ventures.
Please note that this list is filtered by various metrics, and all the data are collected through various third-party websites, mostly the VC website. Since data such as ticket size or industry may change, you are requested to visit the official website given in the blog for the latest and updated information.