The Top GovTech Investors of 2026

Discover the top GovTech investors in 2026.

Jennifer Jiao

Head of Marketing

If you’re building a GovTech company, you need to know who these investors are. The investors on this list understand your market. They know the sales cycles, the buyer complexity, the regulatory landscape. They’ve backed the winners. And they’re actively funding the next generation of companies solving real problems in government and public safety.

Today, we’re releasing the Starbridge Top GovTech Investors of 2026: a curated list of the venture capital firms fueling the next generation of government technology companies.

Why Investors Are Paying Attention to GovTech

GovTech has historically been underserved by venture capital. Long sales cycles, complex procurement, and the perception of slow-moving government buyers kept many mainstream investors on the sidelines for years.

That’s changed dramatically. The investors on this list recognized early that SLED markets (state, local, and education) offer reliable revenue, strong customer loyalty, and significant growth potential, and they’ve backed the companies proving it.

The investment thesis for government technology has never been stronger. SLED budgets are growing. Legacy systems are reaching end-of-life. And the companies serving this market are posting retention and expansion metrics that make any SaaS investor take notice.

Why We’re Publishing This List

At Starbridge, our mission is to help companies selling into government win more, with better timing and better data. But we also know that great GovTech companies need great capital partners to scale.

This list is built to help founders identify investors who truly understand the GovTech market. These are the capital partners working to accelerate government technology and deserve recognition for backing companies that directly impact how our government serves its citizens.

The Top GovTech Investors in 2026

*Not in order

#	VC Fund	Description
1	First Round Capital	First Round Capital is a seed-focused venture firm. Its govtech portfolio includes Promise, which provides payment solutions for government agencies and utilities, Prepared, whose livestreaming technology modernizes 911 dispatch centers, and Swift Navigation, which supplies GNSS and navigation technology used in public sector and dual-use applications.
2	Thrive Capital	Thrive Capital is a generalist investment firm with notable activity in the govtech sector. Its portfolio includes OpenGov, which provides cloud-based budgeting and ERP solutions for government agencies, and Anduril, a defense technology company delivering AI-powered systems for national security and border protection.
3	Enlightenment Capital	Enlightenment Capital is a private investment firm focused on technology-driven businesses serving the defense, intelligence, and federal sectors. Key govtech investments include Fenix Group, which provides tactical communications networks to the Department of Defense; Boecore, specializing in space and missile defense engineering; and Auria, which delivers software and cyber solutions for space operations and national security.
4	Govtech Fund	Govtech Fund is a venture capital fund exclusively focused on startups building technology for government agencies. Notable portfolio companies include Mark43, which provides records management and computer-aided dispatch systems to law enforcement; SeamlessDocs (now GovOS), which digitizes government forms and workflows; and SmartProcure, which offers procurement intelligence for public agencies.
5	Lux Capital	Lux Capital is a venture firm with a significant track record in defense and government technology, backing companies that deliver core platforms and intelligence solutions for U.S. agencies. Notable portfolio companies include Anduril, which develops autonomous defense systems and Primer, specializing in AI-powered intelligence analytics for government.
6	Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)	Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)’s American Dynamism Fund is an active investor in govtech. Notable investments include Skydio, which manufactures autonomous drones for public safety and defense applications; Flock Safety, which offers automated license plate recognition and crime analytics tools for law enforcement; and OpenGov, delivering financial management and permitting solutions to state and local governments.
7	General Catalyst	General Catalyst is a leading venture capital firm with an active focus on defense and government technology. Notable govtech portfolio companies include Helsing, offering AI-powered mission software for defense applications; Vannevar, specializing in intelligence software for the Department of Defense and intelligence community; and Mark43, which provides cloud-native records management and computer-aided dispatch for law enforcement.
8	8VC	8VC is a prominent venture fund in govtech, actively investing in critical technologies for government and defense. Its portfolio includes OpenGov, which provides budgeting and ERP software for state and local governments; Epirus, delivering directed energy counter-drone systems to the Department of Defense; and Anduril, a leader in autonomous defense and surveillance systems.
9	Bessemer Venture Partners	Bessemer Venture Partners is a prominent investor with a defined but diversified focus that includes significant GovTech and defense technology investments. Notable portfolio companies include Auterion, which develops open-source software for advanced autonomous systems used by defense and government agencies; Optibus, a cloud-based platform for public transit planning and operations; and Spire Global, delivering satellite data to agencies such as NOAA and the Department of Defense.
10	Insight Partners	Insight Partners is a global software investor with a defined focus on government technology. Its govtech portfolio includes CivicPlus, which provides municipal website and citizen engagement solutions; RapidSOS, delivering emergency data integration for 911 centers; PayIt, powering digital payments and licensing for government agencies; and Rebellion Defense, which builds AI-driven tools for defense missions.
11	DCVC (Data Collective)	DCVC is a leading deep-tech venture firm recognized for its significant investments supporting government agencies, particularly in defense, intelligence, and security technology. Notable portfolio companies include Capella Space, which provides Earth observation imagery for defense and intelligence agencies; Rocket Lab, offering launch services and satellite solutions for government space missions; and Primer, whose AI-powered intelligence analysis tools are used in national security.
12	Felicis Ventures	Felicis Ventures is a prominent Silicon Valley venture fund with a strong track record in defense and govtech. Its portfolio includes Vannevar Labs, which provides defense intelligence software to the U.S. Department of Defense; Dedrone, a leader in counter‑UAS airspace security technology for public safety and defense; and Planet, a provider of satellite imagery and geospatial intelligence for government agencies.
13	Y Combinator	Y Combinator is an early-stage venture fund and accelerator with a notable presence in govtech, backing startups whose products serve government agencies across public safety and operations. Portfolio companies include Flock Safety, which provides license plate recognition and public safety technology to law enforcement; Binti, delivering software for child welfare and adoption services to government agencies; and Permitify, offering AI-based building plan review tools for city permitting departments.
14	GovTech Ventures	GovTech Ventures backs early-stage govtech founders building across the public-sector stack, from citizen services to critical infrastructure protection. Their network combines strategy, capital, and deep government sales expertise to help founders build scalable foundations, accelerate growth, and reach meaningful exits. Portfolio companies include Streamline, Polco, and Ladris.
15	Draper Associates	Draper Associates is a generalist venture fund with a notable presence in the govtech space, backing companies that sell technology directly to government agencies. Its portfolio includes OpenGov, which provides cloud-based budgeting and permitting solutions for cities and states and was acquired for $1.8 billion in 2024, and Cognitive Space, which supports satellite tasking and domain awareness for defense agencies.
16	Techstars	Techstars operates accelerator programs that target the government and defense sectors, notably through partnerships with the U.S. Air Force, Space Force, and NASA. Its portfolio includes Slingshot Aerospace (space domain intelligence for government agencies), Mesodyne (compact power generators for unmanned defense systems), and MSBAI (AI-driven engineering for DoD).
17	Sequoia Capital	Sequoia Capital is an influential venture fund with direct engagement in the govtech sector through select investments. Its portfolio includes Kela, which develops command platforms for border security and defense applications sold to government clients, and Peregrine Technologies, a provider of intelligence and analytics software for law enforcement agencies.
18	Commonweal	Commonweal Ventures is an early-stage fund with a track record of investing in technology companies serving government customers, with a focus on public safety and defense. Notable portfolio companies include Multitude Insights, which provides collaboration and case management tools for law enforcement; Deckard Technologies, which offers AI-driven compliance and tax tools to municipal governments; GridAero, developing autonomous logistics aircraft for defense; and Sharp Performance, a performance platform for law enforcement and first responders.
19	Avalanche	Avalanche is an early-stage venture fund active in govtech, focusing on technology that improves delivery of public services. Its portfolio includes Civic Marketplace, which streamlines local government procurement; USLege, offering AI-driven legislative workflow tools for government agencies; and Odyssey, which powers state benefits and education savings account (ESA) administration.
20	Union Square Ventures (USV)	Union Square Ventures (USV) is a venture capital firm with a selective but impactful footprint in the govtech sector. Notable portfolio companies include Chainalysis, whose blockchain investigation tools are used by law enforcement; Mark43, which provides cloud-based record management and dispatch software for police departments; RapidSOS, which integrates data into 911 call centers to assist in emergency response; and goTenna, offering mesh networking technology for public safety and defense.
21	Founders Fund	Founders Fund is a prominent venture capital firm known for investments in companies delivering advanced technology solutions to government agencies. Notable govtech portfolio companies include SpaceX, which provides launch services to NASA and the Department of Defense; Palantir, whose intelligence and data platforms are widely used by government clients; and Anduril, which develops autonomous defense systems and border security technology.
22	Kapor Capital	Kapor Capital is a venture firm with a broad social impact strategy that includes targeted investments in government technology. Its govtech portfolio features Promise, a platform that helps governments improve payments compliance and offer flexible payment plans; Aclima, which provides air quality monitoring technology for regulators and municipalities; and Edovo, which delivers technology for corrections facilities.
23	Emerson Collective	Emerson Collective is an impact-focused investor with a modest but meaningful track record in govtech. Its portfolio includes OpenGov, a leader in cloud-based ERP and budgeting solutions adopted by hundreds of state and local governments, and Neighborly, a platform that enabled cities to access capital markets through innovative municipal bond issuance before ceasing operations.
24	Socium Ventures	Socium Ventures is an investor with an explicit focus on technology solutions for the public sector, notably public safety. Its portfolio includes Carbyne, which delivers next-generation 911 and incident response platforms to emergency call centers and public safety agencies.
25	NEA	NEA is an established venture firm active in government technology, noteworthy for leading investments in companies enabling core government functions. Notable portfolio companies include Second Front Systems, which delivers software accreditation and tools for secure government and defense technology deployment, and Aurelian, an AI-driven platform assisting 911 and public safety call-takers.