25 Enterprise AI VCs Writing Pre-Seed Checks in 2025
Posted by: AJ Smith
Posted on 07/8/2025
Posted by: AJ Smith
Posted on 07/8/2025
We’re witnessing the most consequential shift in enterprise software since the cloud migration. As compute costs plummet and GPU access becomes commoditized, a massive value capture opportunity is evolving in enterprise applications. Meta’s recent multi-billion dollar stake in Scale AI (a company we backed with their first VC check in 2016) signals what insiders already know: while infrastructure consolidates, the application layer is wide open for disruption.
But here’s the challenge every enterprise AI founder faces: navigating the fundraising maze at the idea stage. You’ll pitch dozens of firms, get enthusiastic meetings, only to hear “we love this, but you’re too early for us.” Many funds simply don’t write checks until seed or later, regardless of how compelling the opportunity.
The Outlander VC team has been backing idea-stage startups for 15 years. So, to help founders out there building towards an amazing vision…who want to know which VCs are actually cutting the early checks, we’ve put together a list of twenty-five VC funds backing enterprise AI companies at the pre-seed.
The Outlander VC team is known for making bold, founder driven bets pre-product and revenue, and has been a first or early investor in more than 15 unicorns, including Scale AI. As the first check in Scale AI in 2016, Outlander VC is a true pre-seed lead and has had a finger on the pulse of the enterprise AI space for a while and is actively deploying out of their third fund now.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Check Size: $750K–$2.5M
Focus: AI/ML, SaaS, Defense Tech, FinTech, Consumer Tech
Notable Investments: Scale AI, Rinse, Coco Robotics
Website: https://outlander.vc/
Apply: Click Here
A thesis-driven fund focused on exponential technologies including AI, deep tech, and automation. They back technical founders building enterprise solutions that leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Check Size: $300K–$600K
Focus: AI/ML, Fintech, Deep Tech, Health and Bio
Notable Investments: Airspace Link, Aerdome, GlossGenius
Website: https://www.2048.vc/
Apply: Click Here
Manufacturing and industrial automation investors focused on AI-driven production and smart factory technologies. They specialize in vertical SaaS solutions that leverage AI for industrial applications.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Check Size: $250K–$400K
Focus: AI-Driven Production, Vertical SaaS, Smart Factory Tech
Notable Investments: Melrose, Aurelius, Pet’s Table
Website: https://640oxford.com/
Apply: Contact form on their website
Originally focused on gaming, a16z’s accelerator program has expanded to include AI and tech companies, now investing up to $1M per company (increased from $750K). Their 12-week program has backed companies like Hedra (AI video creation) and k-ID, with applications open for their Fall/Winter 2025 cohort.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Check Size: $750K-$1M
Focus: AI, Gaming, Entertainment, Creative Tools
Notable Investments: k-ID, Hedra, Flat2VR Studios
Website: https://speedrun.a16z.com/
Apply: Click Here
Technical investors focused on AI/ML, SaaS, and FinTech with a particular emphasis on enterprise applications. They back founders building AI-powered solutions for business workflows and financial services.
Stage: Pre-Seed
Check Size: $500K–$2M
Focus: AI/ML, SaaS, FinTech
Notable Investments: Highlight, Kubecost, Factor
Website: https://www.afore.vc/
Apply: Apply
Founded by Andrew Ng, this unique venture studio doesn’t just invest—they co-found companies from scratch with entrepreneurs. With $370M+ raised and 35 portfolio companies, they actively participate in strategy, coding, and recruitment, recently launching companies like Gaia Dynamics (AI tariff compliance) and SkyFire AI (autonomous drones).
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Check Size: $250K–$1M
Focus: AI/ML, Enterprise Applications, Industry-Specific AI
Notable Investments: Gaia Dynamics, SkyFire AI, Workhelix, Profitmind
Website: https://aifund.ai/
Apply: Click Here
Enterprise technology investors with deep expertise in AI/ML, SaaS, and cybersecurity. They focus on technical founders building intelligent enterprise software and have a strong track record in AI applications.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Check Size: $500K–$3M
Focus: AI/ML, SaaS, Cybersecurity
Notable Investments: Hex, Hightouch, Runway
Website: https://www.amplifypartners.com/
A $150M pre-seed and seed stage fund dedicated to backing the most ambitious founders.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Check Size: $500K-$3M
Focus: AI/ML, B2B SaaS
Notable Investments: Jamix, Planette
Website: https://www.audacious.co/
Specialists in three specific vectors: Human Machine Interaction (HMI), Machine-to-Machine Learning (M2ML), and Biological Machines (BioM). Recent enterprise AI and industrial automation investments include companies like TensorStax and Sourcetable that align perfectly with their thesis.
Stage: Pre-Seed
Check Size: $500K-$1.5M
Focus: HMI, M2ML, BioM
Notable Investments: TensorStax, Sourcetable, Deepscribe
Website: https://beepartners.vc/
Apply: Click Here
A hybrid venture capital firm and startup studio that has been building and investing in startups for over a decade. They focus on AI/ML applications and have a track record of early investments in platforms that became foundational internet infrastructure.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Check Size: $250K–$750K
Focus: AI/ML, Web3, Decentralization
Notable Investments: Airbnb, Kickstarter, Tumblr
Website: https://www.betaworks.com/
Apply: Click Here
SaaS and enterprise tooling investors with growing focus on AI applications through their operator community. They leverage their network of operators to identify and support AI-powered enterprise solutions.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Check Size: $100K–$1M
Focus: SaaS, FinTech, Digital Health, AI Enterprise Tools
Notable Investments: Pylon, Cassidy, Inngest
Website: https://comma.vc/
Platform economy and enterprise B2B investors with increasing focus on AI-powered tooling. They invest in companies building intelligent business solutions and AI-enhanced enterprise platforms.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Series A
Check Size: $500K–$3M
Focus: Platform Economies, FinTech, Enterprise B2B, AI Tooling
Notable Investments: Firsthand (AI agent platform), Rubie, DocJuris
Website: https://www.crossbeam.vc/
Enterprise AI specialists focusing on data science, ML infrastructure, and cybersecurity applications. They have deep technical expertise and focus on B2B companies building AI-powered enterprise solutions.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Check Size: $250K–$1M
Focus: Enterprise AI, Data Science, ML Infrastructure, Cybersecurity
Notable Investments: Ocrolus, Reonomy, EdgeIQ
Website: https://www.differential.vc/
B2B enterprise software investors with growing emphasis on AI/ML applications. They focus on technical founders building intelligent business solutions and have backed several AI-focused companies in their portfolio.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Check Size: $100K–$1M
Focus: B2B Enterprise Software, AI/ML
Notable Investments: Monterey AI, Coactive, LastMile AI, Gradient Labs
Website: https://www.exceptionalcap.com/
First Round has made 17 investments already in 2025 and focus exclusively on earliest-stage companies. With 14 unicorns in their portfolio including Notion and Uber, they back founders when they often have just an “imagine if.”
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Check Size: $250K–$1M
Focus: Enterprise, AI/ML, B2B SaaS, Hardware
Notable Investments: Notion, Uber, Roblox
Website: https://firstround.com
Enterprise-focused investors specializing in AI, cybersecurity, and B2B solutions. They partner with technical founders building intelligent enterprise software and have deep domain expertise in AI applications for business.
Stage: Seed, Series A
Check Size: $1M-$5M
Focus: AI/ML, B2B Enterprise, Cybersecurity
Notable Investments: Ship Angel, Retrocausal, Telmai
Website: https://glasswing.vc/
A people-first fund that leads ~40 deals per year with a founder-friendly 6-day decision process. They focus on pre-seed and seed companies across all technology sectors, with particular interest in AI/ML and data-driven companies, and have raised over $200M+ in committed capital.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Check Size: $200K–$1M
Focus: AI/ML, All Technology Sectors, Data-Driven Companies
Notable Investments: STRATxAI, GigEasy, Paratus Health
Website: https://www.goaheadvc.com/
Google’s AI-focused venture fund that invests in early-stage startups building with artificial intelligence. They provide unique access to Google’s AI research, infrastructure, and technical expertise.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Check Size: $750K–$8M
Focus: AI/ML, Automation, Enterprise AI
Notable Investments: Lambda, Streamlit, FlutterFlow
Website: https://www.gradient.com/
A diverse-focused fund that backs underrepresented founders at the pre-seed stage. They’ve been increasingly active in AI/ML investments and pride themselves on being founder-friendly with quick decision-making.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Check Size: $50K-$750K (Sweet Spot $150K)
Focus: AI/ML, FinTech, Healthcare
Notable Investments: Webflow, NerdWallet, Branch
Website: https://www.hustlefund.vc/
Apply: Click Here
A boutique fund known for early investments in transformative companies like OpenAI, Slack, and Airbnb. They focus on enterprise applications and AI/ML solutions, requiring warm introductions due to their selective approach.
Stage: Pre-Seed
Check Size: $100K-$750K (Sweet Spot $400K)
Focus: AI/ML, Healthcare, SaaS, Enterprise Applications
Notable Investments: OpenAI, Slack, Lyft
Website: https://www.k9ventures.com/
M25 is an early-stage venture firm based in Chicago, investing solely in tech startups headquartered in the Midwest.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Check Size: $250K-$1M
Focus: AI/ML, HealthTech, FinTech, Vertical SaaS
Notable Investments: Astronomer, Arrellio, Prediction Guard
Website: https://www.m25vc.com/
Early-stage investors focused on emerging technologies including AI/ML, blockchain, and health tech. They back technical founders building innovative solutions across these verticals.
Stage: Pre-Seed
Check Size: $400K–$750K
Focus: AI/ML, Blockchain, Health Tech
Notable Investments: Alice, Parsec, Solana
Website: https://notation.vc/
The pre-seed arm of Pear VC, focusing on the earliest stage investments in technical founders. They back companies at the idea stage with strong technical teams building in AI/ML, SaaS, and climate technology.
Stage: Pre-Seed
Check Size: $250K-$2M
Focus: AI/ML, SaaS, Climate Tech
Notable Investments: Affinity, Aurora, DoorDash
Website: https://pear.vc/pearx/
Apply: Get notified when applications open
Known for backing underrepresented founders and making 75-100 investments per fund, they focus on first institutional rounds for B2B and B2C software applications with a particular emphasis on diverse founding teams.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Check Size: $250K–$500K
Focus: B2B Software, B2C Software, Connected Hardware
Notable Investments: The Athletic, Bobbie, Carrot Fertility, Modern Health, Clearco
Website: https://precursorvc.com/
London-based early-stage fund with 20+ years of experience backing breakthrough companies like Revolut, Rippling, and Just Eat. While known for consumer successes, they actively invest in enterprise applications and recently backed AI companies like SponsWatch, with 10 investments in 2024 and continued deployment in 2025.
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Check Size: $500K-$2M
Focus: Enterprise Applications, Consumer Tech, AI/ML
Notable Investments: Revolut, Rippling, Just Eat, SponsWatch
Website: https://venrex.partners/
AI is evolving quickly, and the best investors are the ones who are willing to commit before the rest of the world catches on. The firms listed here are backing real companies, at the very beginning, with capital and conviction. If you are building something ambitious with artificial intelligence at its foundation, we at Outlander VC would love to hear about it. Apply now.
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