Boston is ranked the #3 top city in the United States for VC investment, following behind New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area. Several notable startups and unicorns were founded in Boston, such as HubSpot, Akamai, and Acquia. There are 11 active venture capital funds headquartered in Houston. Boston’s venture capital investment is projected to reach $8 billion in 2024, representing a 25% increase from the previous year.
As part of our going series of free fundraising resources and investor lists for founders, this article explores the top 15 active VC firms and investors based in Boston, including details regarding their fund size and history:
1. Battery Ventures
Battery partners with talented founders and teams building category-defining businesses at all stages of growth.Founded in 1983, Battery is a global, technology-focused investment firm with offices in the U.S., Europe and Israel. We practice a collaborative, research-focused style of investing and regularly make early, growth and buyout investments in the same tech sector. We are currently investing from our 14th flagship fund, Battery Ventures XIV, and companion fund Select Fund II, together capitalized at a combined $3.8 billion, and have raised more than $13 billion since inception. Our core focus areas are
- Founded: 1983
- Fund Size: 17700000000
- Website: battery.com
2. Polaris Partners
Polaris Partners has over 20-year history partnering with repeat entrepreneurs and innovators who are improving the way people live and work. The multibillion-dollar firm invests in healthcare and technology companies across all stages, from founding to profitable growth. Polaris has offices in Boston and San Francisco. Polaris Partners wasfounded in 1996 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.
- Founded: 1996
- Fund Size: $4B
- Website: polarispartners.com
3. Summit Partners
Summit Partners is an investment firm that is currently investing in to growth equity, fixed income, and public equity opportunities. Summit has invested in more than 460 companies in technology, healthcare, life sciences, and other growth industries. These companies have completed more than 140 public equity offerings, and more than 180 strategic mergers and sales. Summit Partners enhances the value of these companies through infrastructure development, executive and board recruiting, and strategic and operational advice. The firm also brings extensive experience in helping companies navigate the complex process of public offerings or strategic sales and mergers. Summit Partners was founded in 1984 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.
- Founded: 1984
- Fund Size: $35B
- Website: summitpartners.com
4. Flybridge
Flybridge is a seed-stage VC investing with entrepreneurs to leverage the power of the community. It prefers to invest in computer hardware, software, SaaS, and big data sectors. Founded in 2002, the company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.
- Founded: 2002
- Fund Size: $859M
- Website: flybridge.com
5. SV Health Investors
SV Health Investors, formerly SV Life Sciences, is a leading healthcare and life sciences venture capital and growth equity firm. Their goal is to transform healthcare – one investment at a time – by supporting the entrepreneurs who create and build breakthrough companies and treatments. With over $2 billion in capital under management in seven private healthcare funds, a 20-year track record in the US and Europe and offices in Boston, San Francisco and London, SV Health Investors drives game-changing innovation.
- Founded: 1993
- Fund Size: $2B
- Website: svhealthinvestors.com
6. RA Capital Management
RA Capital Management is an investment advisor based in Boston specializing in the life-sciences and drug development sectors. Their team has been investing since 2002 and is comprised of professionals with training in biology, chemistry, and medicine and also has industry and business development experience at the executive and board levels. They invest in companies with promising technologies and products. Their approach is to achieve a superior understanding of data, experimental/trial design, regulatory process, and commercial potential. When appropriate, they can offer their portfolio companies leads on in-licensing opportunities and strategic partnerships, as well as insight into the demands of the public markets.
- Founded: 2001
- Fund Size: $2B
- Website: racap.com
7. Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is dedicated to accelerating the success of clean energy development and implementation—while creating high-quality jobs and long-term economic growth in Massachusetts. MassCEC is the first state agency in the nation dedicated solely to facilitating the development of the clean energy industry. We are led by people who bring knowledge, experience and an entrepreneurial attitude to help clean energy companies take full advantage of all the state’s unique assets, to help accelerate the development of renewable energy generation projects, and to help develop a workforce that is ready to roll up its sleeves to ensure Massachusetts’ place as a national and global clean energy hub.
- Founded: 2008
- Fund Size: 600000
- Website: masscec.com
8. Wellington Management
Wellington Management focuses on investment management. The company applies its full resources to meet the needs of the institutional clients they serve. Their investment approaches span the global equity, fixed income, currency, commodity, and alternatives markets. They also offer asset allocation, multi-manager, and specialty approaches. It was founded in 1928 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.
- Founded: 1933
- Fund Size: $393M
- Website: wellington.com
9. .406 Ventures
.406 Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in innovative Information Technology and services companies founded by the finest entrepreneurs. They are a veteran team of industry entrepreneurs, operators and investors who apply real world experience, deep industry knowledge and networks, and strong company-building skills to create value for our entrepreneurs and investing partners. .406 Ventures typically are the lead, first institutional investor in early-stage and de novo investments in market-changing IT Security and Infrastructure, Technology-Enabled Business Services, and Next-Generation Software companies.
- Founded: 2005
- Fund Size: $853M
- Website: 406ventures.com
10. HLM Venture Partners
HLM Venture Partners is a proven, successful venture capital health care investor. Over 60 privately held health care companies have benefited from their expertise, resources and commitment. Emerging health care companies can be confident that HLM Venture Partners’ longevity, integrity and reputation will be invaluable assets as they work together to transform their innovative ideas into market-leading businesses.
- Founded: 1983
- Fund Size: $164M
- Website: hlmvp.com
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