VC in DC

Big thanks to Carta and Peter Walker for pulling together this deep dive on the #DC #startup and #venture landscape. Grateful to have data partners helping surface what many of us here already know: DC is building real momentum. 📈 VC in DC just wrapped our inaugural State of the Market event with nearly 100 GPs and we appreciate Peter and team for putting this report together for our group. Carta’s numbers show DC ranked # 9 nationally for venture capital raised in 2024, with $1.3–1.5B invested—outpacing Chicago and holding its own among top tech hubs. DC stands out in #SaaS, #healthtech, and #fintech, with #seed-stage SaaS valuations rivaling the Bay Area and New York. Early-stage deal activity is holding strong, especially in sectors where DC has a structural advantage. We’re seeing: • A surge in dual-use and defense tech • A wave of operator-led startups • More focused capital, fewer party rounds, and rising national interest 💡 Why it matters: DC isn’t just catching up—it’s carving out its own edge. From national security to public health to infrastructure, founders here are solving problems that matter. And they’re doing it with discipline, urgency, and increasingly, top-tier backing. Thanks again to Carta for helping shine a light on our region—and to everyone pushing this ecosystem forward. The momentum is real.

🚨 🚨 🚨 Calling all Dual Use/Defense Tech founders and VC's interested in the Defense Tech/Dual Use space. Please join us on 4/23 for the official Missions + Markets After Party info here: https://lnkd.in/e9HMU75f 🚀 🚀 🚀 Huge shoutout to our sponsors Arlington Economic Development Pillsbury Propel J.P. Morgan Cohn Reznick 🥂 🍻 Thank you to our event Host Committee Kaija Gisolfi-McCready Paladin Capital Group Isaac Carp, CFA Squadra Ventures Frank V. Taylor VIPC | Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation Angie Collier

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of hosting VC in DC’s inaugural State of the Market at our office, bringing together nearly 100 GPs and Partners from venture funds for an afternoon of insightful content and networking. One of the many highlights (in addition to the fancy lattes) was a panel featuring Steve Ryan, CFA, Sean Stone, and Mina Faltas who broke down market activity trends and cycles in today’s investment landscape. Thank you all of the panelists Dayna Grayson, Ryan Joyce, Bret Kugelmass, Haley Bryant, Phil Bronner, Scott Frederick, and Bobby Franklin! We’re grateful to be a part of this community that Matt Gittleman, Bill Collier, and Jarron H. Smith are continuing to build. Major gold stars to Steve Kaplan, James Keeratisakdawong, and Evan MacQueen for bringing this to life over a decade ago. Thanks for all that you guys do! Pillsbury Propel Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP Sam Lipson Lewis McCorkle Steve Meltzer Jordan Wimbish Kelsey Parker Matt Swartz Lindsey Livingston Rebecca Carr Rizzo

BIG Congrats to VC in DC Venture Partner Runtime Ventures on successfully raising their debut fund 🚀 🚀 🚀 Michael Sutton David Endler https://lnkd.in/gy5j3c3A

Excited to join VC in DC as a 2025 Venture Partner, and to attend the State of the Market event for investors. At Mercato Partners, we focus on growth equity in under-capitalized regions across the country—working closely with founders to scale great companies. We’re all-in on building meaningful relationships in markets like DC, which are full of talent and driving real innovation and growth. Also, #hometownpride 😎

2024 was an incredible year for Halcyon as we celebrated our 10th anniversary and a decade of resilience, creativity, and impact. In a moment when new solutions and new thinking are more critical than ever, our fellows continue to push boundaries. From raising over $850M+ to date to spearheading groundbreaking work in Climate, Health, and EquityTech across 30 countries worldwide, our Halcyon community of nearly 600 founders has never been more impactful. We invite you to read our 2024 Annual Report to see the full range of our work in 2024: https://ow.ly/zxmk50VjWwo

Mercato Partners HQ'd in #SaltLakeCity represents the extensive reach this region has on the national stage. We are humbled to include them as a #VenturePartner for 2025. If you’re investing in the dynamic and fast-growing DC region, you’re looking in the right place. The innovation, talent, and momentum here are impossible to ignore—and VC in DC is here to bring it all together. Thank you to Joe Kaiser, Tannaz Mohammadi, and Benjamin Lopez. Mercato is an established #growthequity firm dedicated to investing in high-growth, high-potential companies in under-served and under-capitalized geographies across North America. Founded in 2007, the firm is one of the country’s leading institutional providers of #growthstage capital beyond the Bay Area, partnering with CEOs and founders from Salt Lake City to DC and everywhere in between. Mercato’s investment strategy, combined with a concentrated approach to portfolio construction, provides its team with a deep understanding of the critical operational, financial, and revenue challenges involved in scaling #Midwest and #MidAtlantic companies from $10 million to over $100 million. As a result, the firm’s approach to value creation is highly tailored to each CEO and organization, integrating founder and executive support, governance excellence, domain expertise, and access to private networks. https://lnkd.in/eiBsN-gR VC in DC is on a mission to unite and catalyze the venture and startup ecosystem in the Greater #DC Region. Interested in joining our 25+ Venture Partners? Email us at partners@vcindc.org.

Mercato Partners HQ'd in #SaltLakeCity represents the extensive reach this region has on the national stage. We are humbled to include them as a #VenturePartner for 2025. If you’re investing in the dynamic and fast-growing DC region, you’re looking in the right place. The innovation, talent, and momentum here are impossible to ignore—and VC in DC is here to bring it all together. Thank you to Joe Kaiser, Tannaz Mohammadi, and Benjamin Lopez. Mercato is an established #growthequity firm dedicated to investing in high-growth, high-potential companies in under-served and under-capitalized geographies across North America. Founded in 2007, the firm is one of the country’s leading institutional providers of #growthstage capital beyond the Bay Area, partnering with CEOs and founders from Salt Lake City to DC and everywhere in between. Mercato’s investment strategy, combined with a concentrated approach to portfolio construction, provides its team with a deep understanding of the critical operational, financial, and revenue challenges involved in scaling #Midwest and #MidAtlantic companies from $10 million to over $100 million. As a result, the firm’s approach to value creation is highly tailored to each CEO and organization, integrating founder and executive support, governance excellence, domain expertise, and access to private networks. https://lnkd.in/eiBsN-gR VC in DC is on a mission to unite and catalyze the venture and startup ecosystem in the Greater #DC Region. Interested in joining our 25+ Venture Partners? Email us at partners@vcindc.org.

Don't miss this amazing opportunity for dual-use and defense startups! VC in DC is hosting 20 startups to meet the 20 top funders in this space! Apply by April 6 for a chance to attend. https://lnkd.in/ex_hCKkq

Join VVP host Tate Beasley tomorrow, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, for a Fireside Chat with Mehlam Shakir of Dreamit Ventures, Derren Burrell of Veteran Ventures Capital, and Matt Gittleman of JHH vc. They will discuss the key diligence items investors look for when evaluating startups, as well as the research entrepreneurs should conduct on potential investors before seeking funding. Register here: http://bit.ly/4haD7Vh