Top Venture Capital Firms in Houston

Houston has long been recognized as the energy capital of the world, but it's now gaining attention as a rising hub for startups, emerging technologies, and venture capital investment. 

Today, an expanding network of venture capital firms based in Houston are fueling innovation across cleantech, life sciences, enterprise software, and space tech.

In this article, we highlight a curated list of the top venture capital funds headquartered in Houston. You’ll get the firms that offer not just capital, but mentorship, networks, and deep operational support. Whether you're an early-stage startup or preparing for growth capital, these VC leaders are reshaping Houston's innovation economy.

1. Mercury Fund

Mercury Fund invests in promising software and data science startups. Managing over $400 million in assets, Mercury is an early-stage venture capital fund. 

It is known for backing founders outside the coastal tech hubs, with Houston being its strategic stronghold. The firm’s broader mission is to foster technology companies across the South and Midwest that are reshaping legacy industries.

This firm takes a hands-on, network-driven approach to investing, often participating in seed round capital deals and staying engaged through scale. Notable exits include Trendkite (acquired by Cision) and Apto, reflecting Mercury’s successful investment approach. 

With roots deeply embedded in Houston’s academic and startup ecosystems, Mercury is considered one of the top VC firms and a leader among active venture capital funds headquartered in Texas.

2. Goose Capital 

Goose Capital was founded by Rice University alumni, made up of successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and angel investors. 

Known for its founder-first philosophy, Goose operates as a network-driven venture capital firm. It provides not just funding but strategic guidance, mentoring, and long-term partnerships for early-stage startups.

Goose Capital has been especially active in venture investment tied to Houston’s innovation pipeline, including companies emerging from Rice Alliance and regional accelerators. 

Its portfolio includes Syzygy Plasmonics, Saranas, and Stellarray, reflecting its interest in energy transition, medtech, and advanced materials. For startups seeking the right venture capital partner, Goose stands out as one of Houston’s top VC firms.

3. Texas Halo Fund

Texas Halo Fund focuses on early-stage and seed round capital for high-growth startups across the southern U.S. and Texas. 

This venture capital fund backs passionate founders building scalable solutions in healthcare, software, edtech, and consumer tech. They often serve as the startup’s earliest institutional investor.

Its active involvement and clear investment themes target sectors with long-term transformation potential. Notable investments include MERIT, SpotOn Sciences, and Akesogen. 

The Halo Fund is an investment platform tailored for entrepreneurs seeking alternatives to coastal VC money. It connects them with capital funds that provide personalized backing and hands-on operational guidance.

4. EnCap Investments

EnCap Investments is one of the most prominent private equity and venture firms targeting the energy sector. EnCap has played a critical role in shaping the North American oil and gas landscape over the past three decades.

While traditionally known for its energy private equity legacy, EnCap has also expanded into cleantech and energy transition through its subsidiary, EnCap Investments Energy Transition. 

The firm targets capital-efficient, early-growth companies in grid infrastructure, energy storage, carbon management, and renewables. For founders in the Houston ecosystem building toward the future of energy, EnCap offers unmatched strategic capital and deep domain knowledge.

5. The Artemis Fund

The Artemis Fund is a women-led equity and venture capital firm dedicated to investing in diverse founding teams. Its mission is to close the gender wealth gap by supporting women-led startups with scalable, tech-driven models.

The firm specializes in early-stage venture capital and has invested in fintech, healthtech, and mission-driven platforms like Swaypay, Fleri, and CNote. 

Artemis brings operational support and strategic guidance, making it a standout among VC firms and investors committed to inclusive innovation.

6. HX Venture Fund

HX Venture Fund is a fund of funds that invests in top-tier national VC firms, aiming to redirect capital and connections to Houston’s ecosystem. 

Though it doesn’t invest directly in startups, HX is instrumental in building ties between founders and major venture capital funds nationwide.

By working with corporate venture capital partners and local institutions, HX helps bridge early- and growth-stage funding gaps.

It’s a catalyst for attracting 11 active venture capital funds to Houston, reinforcing the city’s role as a serious destination for venture-backed innovation.

7. Soul Venture Partners

Soul Venture Partners is an emerging early-stage venture capital firm with a mission-driven investment thesis. Intent on backing visionary founders building human-centered technologies, the firm supports startups in digital health, enterprise SaaS, sustainability, and wellness innovation.

With a strong focus on social impact and purpose-aligned innovation, Soul Venture Partners seeks companies that combine strong unit economics with meaningful human outcomes. Its presence in the region underscores the growing demand for capital partners who prioritize both performance and purpose in startup development.

8. TMC Venture Fund

TMC Venture Fund is a prominent player in Houston’s venture capital and private equity crossover space. 

Backed by the Texas Medical Center, it invests in early-stage startups working in life sciences, digital health, medical devices, and clinical tech.

Notable investments include Alleviant Medical, Noninvasix, and Cognita Labs. TMC Venture Fund benefits from its proximity to the world’s largest medical campus and close relationships with leading researchers. 

These connections give its portfolio companies go-to-market advantages that few other investment and advisory firms can match.

9. BP Ventures

BP Ventures, the investment division of British Petroleum, is a globally active venture capital firm that invests in clean energy, digital optimization, and industrial efficiency. 

With a major presence in Houston, BP has committed more than $500 million globally and plays a key role in funding technology companies solving pressing climate challenges.

Investments include Xpansiv, Chargify, and Blueprint Power. Like Chevron Technology Ventures, BP Ventures brings corporate venture capital firepower to Houston’s innovation scene, making it a valuable ally for scaling deep-tech startups.

10. Chevron Technology Ventures

Chevron Technology Ventures (CTV) is the corporate venture capital arm of Chevron, and one of the most influential strategic investors in Houston’s energy innovation space.

Founded in 1999, CTV champions the development and deployment of emerging technologies within Chevron's core operations; spanning carbon capture, hydrogen, energy storage, and digital optimization.

As a venture capital firm that invests with long-term industrial application in mind, CTV plays a key role in Houston’s energy transition. It actively supports tech startups through its Catalyst Program and strategic pilots, often co-investing with traditional VC firms.

For founders looking to scale energy innovations in real-world settings, Chevron Technology Ventures champions innovation with unmatched resources and credibility.

11. Knightsgate Ventures

Knightsgate Ventures has a dual mission: generating strong financial returns and supporting solutions that create social impact.

As a values-aligned investor, Knightsgate is an early-stage venture firm that invests in companies improving access, efficiency, and equity across sectors such as healthcare, education, and financial inclusion.

The firm maintains an active presence in Houston, backing tech startups with measurable, mission-aligned outcomes. With a hands-on model and institutional co-investors, Knightsgate’s portfolio includes scalable businesses that balance innovation with public good.

It’s an ideal partner for purpose-driven founders seeking capital with conscience and one of the more unique players among Houston’s venture capital funds.

12. New Climate Ventures

New Climate Ventures focuses on investing in climate tech and sustainable innovation.

Founded with the mission of accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy, it invests in startups addressing decarbonization, circular economy, and clean energy solutions.

With Houston’s strategic location, New Climate Ventures is uniquely positioned to bridge legacy infrastructure with breakthrough environmental technologies.

The firm targets tech startups with scalable impact, supporting both B2B and B2C models that address pressing environmental challenges.

From carbon utilization to sustainable food systems, New Climate Ventures blends financial rigor with climate urgency. Its portfolio reflects Houston’s growing momentum in cleantech and its shift toward becoming a global leader in sustainable innovation.

Let's Wrap: Choosing Venture Capital Firms in Houston

Houston’s venture capital ecosystem is no longer under the radar, it’s rapidly emerging as a serious player in the national funding landscape.

From seed round capital to growth capital, and from corporate venture capital to equity and venture capital firms, the city’s deal volume, startup density, and institutional support are all on the rise.

If you're an entrepreneur or a business owner looking to take your company to the next level, identifying the right VC firm is crucial. Private Equity List makes this process easier by providing a fast and easy-to-use platform to identify relevant venture capital firms for your project.

Whether you're a startup or a growth-stage company, Private Equity List connects you with the right investors.

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