Rhode Island has a growing tech scene, with a history of innovation and several successful startups. To support this thriving ecosystem, various investors and VC firms are actively funding early-stage ventures and growth opportunities in the state. We explored the investment landscape in Rhode Island and have compiled a list of the top 10 VC funds fueling the state’s expanding startup market.
Here's a table that summarizes the overall VC data for a quick overview:
| VC Firm | Ticket Size | Stages | Founding Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence Equity Partners | Up to $1.5B | Growth | 1989 |
| Slater Technology Fund | ~$1M | Seed | 1997 |
| RevUp Capital | $1M - $10M | Early Stage | 2014 |
| Brookside Private Equity | Up to $25M | Growth | 1917 |
| Nautic Partners | Undisclosed | Growth | 1986 |
| Van Wickle Ventures | Undisclosed | Early-stage | 2018 |
| AeroMed Group | Undisclosed | Early-stage | 2000 |
| Point Judith Capital | $500K – $10M | Early-stage | 2001 |
| Insight Partners | $1M – $100M+ | Growth | 1995 |
| Bellevue Capital Ventures | Undisclosed | Growth | 1996 |
1. Providence Equity Partners
Providence Equity Partners is a VC firm that invests in mid-sized companies across media, communications, education, and technology. They focus on helping businesses grow through strategic support and partnerships. Their goal is to create long-term success. With expertise in North America and Europe, Providence works closely with companies to help them succeed and achieve lasting impact.
- Website: provequity.com
- Founding Year: 1989
- Investment Range: Up to $1.5B (typically mid-market)
- Stage: Growth
- Sector: Media, Communications, Education, Technology
- Geography: Primarily U.S. and Europe
- Notable Investments: North Road Company, Sweetwater, Tempo, Worldwide Express, TopGolf
- Submit Pitch/ Contact:Link
2. Slater Technology Fund
Slater Technology Fund is a VC firm focused on early-stage tech startups in Rhode Island. They support founders with big ideas in software, energy, and life sciences. They provide funding and hands-on support to help them succeed. As Rhode Island’s most active seed-stage investor, Slater connects founders with partners, investors, and resources to make a lasting impact.
- Website: slaterfund.com
- Founding Year: 1997
- Investment Range: ~$1M
- Stage: Seed
- Sector: Technology, Life Sciences, Software
- Geography: Rhode Island
- Notable Investments: HappyNest, Illuminoss, CarbonPoint Solutions, Advanced Image Enhancement, RxVantage
- Submit Pitch/ Contact:Link
3. RevUp Capital
RevUp Capital is a VC firm that offers non-dilutive funding for early-stage companies. Focusing on B2B and B2C startups in the $1M - $10M revenue range, RevUp supports growth without taking equity. They let founders keep control. They combine funding with hands-on support and a digital marketing team to help entrepreneurs build successful, revenue-driven businesses.
- Website: revupfund.com
- Founding Year: 2014
- Investment Range: $1M - $10M
- Stage: Early Stage
- Sector: Industry Agnostic
- Geography: Rhode Island and U.S. Nationwide
- Notable Investments: BirdBrain Technologies, Cortex, Wicked Good Cookies, TreatSpace, Athlean-X
- Submit Pitch/ Contact:Link
4. Brookside Private Equity
Brookside Private Equity is a VC firm focused on investing in mid-sized companies, primarily in New England. They invest in sectors like consumer goods, manufacturing, health, and real estate. They work closely with management teams to drive long-term success. Brookside values strong partnerships, open communication, and offers hands-on support to help businesses grow and make a big impact in the community.
- Website: brooksideprivateequity.com
- Founding Year: 1917
- Investment Range: Up to $25M
- Stage: Growth
- Sector: Consumer Goods, Healthcare, Real Estate, Business Services
- Geography: New England, U.S.
- Notable Investments: Prism Hardscapes, Wide World of Indoor Sports, Tradesource, Corona Curtain, Robertson Factories
- Submit Pitch/ Contact:Link
5. Nautic Partners
Nautic Partners is a VC firm that specializes in growth investments for healthcare, services, and industrial companies. They target mid-market businesses with values ranging from $100 million to $1 Billion. Nautic works with companies to create value through strategic guidance and support. Nautic values long-term partnerships and works closely with management teams to drive revenue growth and strengthen company performance in competitive markets.
- Website: nautic.com
- Founding Year: 1986
- Investment Range: Undisclosed
- Stage: Growth
- Sector: Healthcare, Industrials, Services
- Geography: U.S. Nationwide
- Notable Investments: Spartech, Oasis, GCA Services, Endries, Theorem
- Submit Pitch/ Contact:Link
6. Van Wickle Ventures
Van Wickle Ventures is a student-run VC fund that invests in startups connected to Brown University. Inspired by Brown's spirit of innovation, VWV supports students, faculty, and alumni through all growth stages. Van Wickle Ventures reinvests its gains to continue supporting Brown’s community of entrepreneurs and keep advancing its support for new ideas.
- Website: vanwickleventures.com
- Founding Year: 2018
- Investment Range: Undisclosed
- Stage: Early-stage
- Sector: Tech Startups, Venture Capital Curriculum
- Geography: Rhode Island
- Notable Investments: Not publicly listed
- Submit Pitch/ Contact:Link
7. AeroMed Group
Aeromed Group is a VC firm that invests in distribution companies in the aerospace and defense sectors. They focus on fast growth and strong customer support. They help businesses with sales, marketing, and operations. Aeromed provides freedom to work independently, encourages innovation and delivers custom supply chain solutions worldwide.
- Website: aeromedgroup.com
- Founding Year: 2000
- Investment Range: Undisclosed
- Stage: Early-stage
- Sector: Aerospace, Defense
- Geography: Rhode Island
- Notable Investments: Not publicly listed
- Submit Pitch/ Contact:Link
8. Point Judith Capital
PJC is a venture capital firm focused on backing founders at the earliest stages of their journey. They invest in pre-seed, seed, and Series A rounds across North America, prioritizing creative entrepreneurs with big ideas and the drive to make an impact. PJC values collaboration, honesty, and custom support. They are committed to be a reliable partner through both successes and challenges, helping startups build strong foundations for growth.
- Website: pjc.vc
- Founding Year: 2001
- Investment Range: $500K – $10M
- Stage: Early-stage
- Sector: SaaS, Tech-Enabled Services
- Geography: U.S. Northeast and Nationwide
- Notable Investments: Edgewise Networks, Spotlight Media, GetWellNetwork, Nexamp, SheerID
- Submit Pitch/ Contact:Link
9. Insight Partners
Insight Partners is a VC firm that helps ambitious software companies scale at every stage of growth. With deep experience and a dedicated team of over 130 professionals, Insight provides flexible capital, operational expertise, and valuable network connections. Their approach enables founders to confidently navigate challenges, grow efficiently, and become leaders in their industries. Insight Partners focuses on more than just funding. it’s a committed partner for long-term success.
- Website:insightpartners.com
- Founding Year: 1995
- Investment Range: $1M – $100M+
- Stage: Growth
- Sector: Technology, SaaS, Digital Transformation
- Geography: North America and Global
- Notable Investments: Shopify, DocuSign, Qualtrics, Monday.com, WalkMe
- Submit Pitch/ Contact:Link
10. Bellevue Capital Ventures
Bellevue Capital Ventures is a VC firm focused on helping financial startups grow through strategic consulting and funding. Led by experienced professionals, Bellevue Capital supports ventures in areas like online financial marketing and wealth management. With a commitment to innovation and deep industry expertise, they back founders with unique insights and help them achieve long-term growth by providing both capital and guidance.
- Website: bellevuecapital.com
- Founding Year: 1996
- Investment Range: Undisclosed
- Stage: Growth
- Sector: Business Consulting, Marketing, IP Investments
- Geography: Rhode Island
- Notable Investments: Not publicly listed
- 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.