The Founder’s Guide to San Antonio’s Top VC Firms and Startup Resources
Imagine San Antonio as a hidden oasis for startups, where the cost of living is low, the talent pool is deep, and the community rallies behind every bold idea. If you’re building a startup in San Antonio, you’re in the right place- the city’s vibrant tech ecosystem, supportive community, and growing investor network are creating new opportunities for ambitious entrepreneurs.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the top venture capital firms actively funding startups in San Antonio, along with practical insights on how to connect with investors, leverage local resources, and make the most of the city’s unique advantages.
Top VCs in San Antonio
Active Capital
About: Active Capital is a venture firm focused on leading seed rounds for B2B SaaS companies outside of Silicon Valley.
Sweetspot check size: $ 750K
Traction metrics requirements: Pre-Seed: Product built and in market with users. Pre-revenue is ok. Seed: $20k MRR and growing swiftly each month (flexible)
Thesis: Active Capital is a venture firm designed to lead seed rounds for B2B SaaS companies outside of Silicon Valley.
Texas Next Capital
About: Texas Next Capital is a private equity partnership of like-minded Texas leaders and investors dedicated to building the next generation.
Thesis: Texas Next brings together decades of Texas business influence, know-how and values from our partners and advisors to help portfolio companies succeed in Texas and the global economy.
Scaleworks
About: Scaleworks coined the term Venture Equity — and manages three funds totaling $150M to invest on the venture equity thesis. Essentially that means Scaleworks invests for controlling stakes in B2B SaaS companies and operates them for high–growth.
Thesis: Scaleworks invests in and operates SaaS companies.
Geekdom Fund
About: Geekdom Fund is a venture capital fund that invests in early stage tech startups led by the strongest founders. Our partners are in the trenches with our companies. From weekly calls to biannual deep dives, we are always looking for ways to help out our portfolio companies. Whether it be pitch meetings, talents referrals, or grant writings.
Thesis: Though we focus on B2B SaaS we are also very interested in backing teams working on big ideas that take longer to come to market but have huge potential such as Robotics, Exoskeletons, Autonomous Machines, Blockchain and others. We’re normally writing $50k-$500k checks into Pre-seed and Seed tech startups. We hope to support you in your A round, as well. We rarely do Series A investments for new companies.
Alamo Angels
Alamo Angels is a fund + angel community of 135+ investors that invests and supports early-stage companies.
Holt Ventures
About: Holt Ventures is the venture capital firm that invests in the construction technology sector, infrastructure, and manufa
cturing sectors.
The San Antonio Startup Ecosystem
San Antonio has seen a 20% surge in new tech startups, with the ecosystem attracting over $300 million in investments in the past year alone. This momentum is reflected in the city’s vibrant event calendar, with San Antonio Startup Week drawing record crowds and offering more than 90 sessions for founders and tech professionals. The average tech salary in the city has also jumped to $112,057, a 13.3% increase from the previous year, signaling strong demand for talent and a healthy job market for tech workers.
Key Growth Sectors
- Cybersecurity: Bolstered by significant defense contracts and a strong military presence, San Antonio is often referred to as “Cyber City USA.”
- Biosciences and Healthcare Innovation: Startups like Hera Biotech are revolutionizing diagnostics and drug discovery, while the city’s established healthcare infrastructure supports ongoing innovation.
- Artificial Intelligence and Robotics: Companies such as Plus One Robotics and Darkhive are at the forefront of AI and robotics, attracting both talent and capital.
- PropTech and HealthTech: Real estate and healthcare technology startups are gaining traction, with platforms like Developmate and LASO Health streamlining processes and improving access to services.
Notable Exits
San Antonio’s startup scene has produced several notable exits and high-growth companies, including Xenex (germ-zapping robots), 6Connex (virtual event platforms), and Plus One Robotics. These success stories are fueling further interest from both local and national investors.
Funding Volume and Capital Access
The city’s small business landscape is projected to grow by 25% by 2025, supported by $26.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding and new zero-interest loan programs. However, there remains an annual unmet capital demand of $8.3 billion, especially in underserved communities, highlighting the ongoing need for improved access to funding and coordinated stakeholder support.
Key Advantages of Building a Startup in San Antonio
Affordable Cost of Living
San Antonio offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to other major tech hubs like Austin, Dallas, or San Francisco. This affordability allows startups to stretch their runway further, attract top talent, and invest more in growth rather than overhead.
Diverse and Growing Talent Pool
With a 25% projected growth in software development roles through 2031 and a strong pipeline of graduates from local universities, San Antonio provides access to a skilled and diverse workforce. The city’s collaborative culture, exemplified by organizations like Geekdom and RealCo Accelerator, fosters mentorship and knowledge sharing.
Supportive Community and Ecosystem
San Antonio’s startup community is known for its collaborative spirit. Founders, investors, and established companies work together to build a supportive environment. Major events like San Antonio Startup Week, Tech Fuel pitch competitions, and ongoing workshops provide ample opportunities for networking, learning, and fundraising.
Strategic Location and Economic Stability
San Antonio’s central location in Texas, combined with its robust economic base (including military, healthcare, tourism, and education), provides stability and access to a wide range of customers and partners. The city’s population growth and economic resilience further enhance its appeal for startups looking to scale.
Local Resources and Programs for San Antonio Founders
San Antonio’s startup ecosystem boasts a robust network of accelerators, incubators, coworking spaces, and government-backed initiatives, all designed to support founders in launching, growing, and scaling their ventures. Here’s a closer look at the most impactful resources available to local entrepreneurs:
Accelerators and Incubators
- Geekdom
- Geekdom is San Antonio’s flagship startup incubator and coworking space, located in the heart of downtown. It offers affordable workspace, mentorship, and a collaborative community for early-stage founders. Geekdom’s Pre-Accelerator and Community Fund programs provide seed funding, business development workshops, and access to a network of experienced mentors and investors. Geekdom has played a pivotal role in launching companies like Plus One Robotics and FloatMe.
- Founder Institute San Antonio
- The Founder Institute is a global pre-seed accelerator with a San Antonio chapter. It offers a structured program for idea-stage founders, connecting them with local and international mentors, and helping them build fundable companies.
Coworking Spaces
- Geekdom (also an incubator, as above)
- Geekdom’s downtown campus is the city’s largest coworking space, offering flexible memberships, private offices, and a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, freelancers, and tech professionals.
- Venture X San Antonio
- Venture X provides modern coworking and private office solutions for startups and small businesses, with amenities like high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and networking events.
- The Impact Guild
- A coworking space focused on social impact, The Impact Guild offers workspace, community events, and resources for mission-driven entrepreneurs and nonprofits.
Government-Backed Funding Initiatives
- State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
- Texas has received $472 million through the SSBCI, with $354.1 million allocated to the Loan Guarantee Program. This initiative is designed to increase access to capital for small businesses, especially those in underserved communities. San Antonio startups can leverage these funds for working capital, equipment, and expansion.
- City of San Antonio ARPA Small Business Grants
- The city has allocated $26.8 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support local small businesses through grants and a zero-interest loan program, in partnership with organizations like LiftFund.
Additional Support Organizations and Programs
- Alamo Angels
- Alamo Angels is a network of accredited investors supporting early-stage companies in San Antonio through capital, mentorship, and networking opportunities. They host regular pitch events and educational workshops for founders.
- UTSA Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
- The SBDC at the University of Texas at San Antonio offers free business advising, training, and resources for startups and small businesses, helping with everything from business planning to accessing capital.
- San Antonio Economic Development Department
- The city’s Economic Development Department provides incentives, business support services, and connections to local resources for startups and growing companies.
Connect With Investors in San Antonio Using Visible
At Visible, we often times compare a fundraise to a B2B sales and marketing funnel. At the top of your funnel, you are finding new investors. In the middle, you are nurturing and pitching potential investors. At the bottom of the funnel, you are working through diligence and ideally closing new investors.
With the introduction of data rooms, you can now manage every aspect of your fundraising funnel with Visible.
- Find investors at the top of your funnel with our free investor database, Visible Connect and find a filtered list of San Antonio's investors here.
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- Share your pitch deck and monthly updates with potential investors
- Organize and share your most vital fundraising documents with data rooms
Manage your fundraise from start to finish with Visible. Give it a free try for 14 days here.
