Most fundraising advice assumes you're raising $2M or more. In reality, thousands of founders every year raise $300K–$800K rounds, and the investors built for exactly that round size are micro VC; small, focused funds writing $100K–$500K checks, often as your very first institutional money.
This guide covers 25 active micro VC funds, all of which closed new vehicles recently and write checks in the $100K–$500K range. Data comes from the Everything Startups VC Funds database, which tracks newly announced funds weekly from around the world.
What Is a Micro VC?
A micro VC is a venture fund with typically under $50M in assets, writing small first checks, usually $100K–$500K, into pre-seed and seed rounds. Most are run by one or two general partners, often former founders or operators, and many are solo GP funds.
The small fund size shapes everything about how they invest. A $15M fund can return meaningful multiples on a $50M exit, so micro VCs can back companies and founders that larger funds pass on.
They decide faster, take less ownership, and rarely demand board seats. For founders raising a small first round, that combination makes them the most natural fit on the cap table.
Micro VCs sit between angels and institutional seed funds: they invest other people's money and run a real diligence process like a fund, but move with the speed and conviction of an angel.
How We Selected These Funds
Every fund on this list closed a new fund within roughly the last 12 months, writes checks inside or overlapping the $100K–$500K range, and invests at pre-seed or seed. Fund sizes, check sizes, and sector data come from the Everything Startups New VC Funds directory.
The 25 Best Micro VCs Writing $100K–$500K Checks
1. Right Side Capital Management
Fund Size: $55M
HQ: United States
Check Size: $150K – $300K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed
Sector Focus: SaaS, Fintech, Developer Tools
Right Side Capital Management runs a quantitative, data-driven model and has made over 2,000 pre-VC investments since 2012, one of the highest-volume early-stage investors in North America. The firm targets capital-efficient companies with early revenue, typically $5K–$30K MRR, and gives founders a decision within days rather than months.
2. Robin Capital
Fund Size: $13M
HQ: Germany
Check Size: $200K – $1M
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
Sector Focus: AI, Deeptech, Enterprise Software
Robin Capital is the solo GP fund of Robin Haak, a former SmartRecruiters executive and first-check investor in N26. Now on its second fund, the firm concentrates on B2B software founders in the DACH region and across Europe, backed by an LP base of operators who actively support portfolio companies.
3. Calm/Storm Ventures
Fund Size: $34M
HQ: Austria
Check Size: $50K – $300K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed
Sector Focus: Healthtech, Mental Health, FemTech
Calm/Storm Ventures, founded by ex-Speedinvest partner Lucanus Polagnoli, is Europe's most active specialist healthtech investor. The Vienna-based fund deliberately backs founders working on underserved and taboo areas of health, fertility, sexual wellness, mental health, chronic conditions — with small first checks and a founder-heavy LP network.
4. Remagine Ventures
Fund Size: $25M
HQ: Israel
Check Size: $100K – $1M
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed
Sector Focus: Consumer Tech, AI, SaaS
Remagine Ventures writes the first institutional checks into Israeli founders, led by Eze Vidra (former GV partner and founder of VC Cafe) and Kevin Baxpehler. Its $25M second fund focuses on AI infrastructure, agents, and applications, and several portfolio companies have gone on to raise from Andreessen Horowitz, General Catalyst, and Insight Partners.
5. Generationship
Fund Size: $2.7M
HQ: United States
Check Size: $50K – $300K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed
Sector Focus: AI, Developer Tools, Cloud Infrastructure
Generationship is run by Rachel Chalmers, who founded the infrastructure practice at 451 Research and was a partner at Heavybit before launching her own fund. The thesis is sharply defined: technical female founders building software infrastructure for the AI platform shift, backed at the earliest possible stage.
6. SuperAngel.Fund
Fund Size: $6M
HQ: United States
Check Size: $25K – $250K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
Sector Focus: PropTech, Future of Work, Consumer Tech
SuperAngel.Fund is the NYC-based fund of Ben Zises, who was the first investor and founding advisor to quip and Caraway before either company had a name. Zises aims to be a day-zero check and has built a portfolio of 125+ companies across consumer, proptech, and future of work.
7. Kiara Ventures
Fund Size: $25M
HQ: Spain
Check Size: $300K – $500K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed
Sector Focus: AI, Fintech, Enterprise Software
Kiara Ventures closed a $25M fund in July 2026 with a check range sitting precisely in micro VC territory. The Spain-headquartered firm invests in AI, fintech, and enterprise software companies targeting the North American market.
8. FIRSTPICK
Fund Size: $29M
HQ: Lithuania
Check Size: $100K – $500K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed
Sector Focus: AI, Generative AI, B2B SaaS
FIRSTPICK backs pre-seed and seed founders across Europe from its base in the Baltics, one of the continent's most capital-efficient startup regions. Its $29M fund concentrates on AI and B2B SaaS with checks from $100K to $500K.
9. Baobab Ventures
Fund Size: $15M
HQ: United Kingdom
Check Size: $100K – $500K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed
Sector Focus: AI, Robotics, Defense
Baobab Ventures invests globally from London, its mandate spans North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and South America. The $15M fund writes $100K–$500K first checks into AI, robotics, and defense startups.
10. Onstage Fund
Fund Size: $11M
HQ: United Kingdom
Check Size: $100K – $500K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
Sector Focus: Generative AI, B2C Marketplaces, B2B SaaS
Onstage Fund is an $11M European fund writing $100K–$500K checks across generative AI, marketplaces, and B2B SaaS. Its size keeps it focused on the earliest rounds, where a small check still buys meaningful ownership.
11. Tramlines Ventures
Fund Size: $13M
HQ: United Kingdom
Check Size: $100K – $300K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed
Sector Focus: Fintech, AI, Enterprise
Tramlines Ventures is a pure pre-seed fund, deploying $100K–$300K checks into European fintech, AI, and enterprise startups. Funds this concentrated on pre-seed are rare in Europe, which makes Tramlines a useful first call for UK founders raising under $1M.
12. Twin Track Ventures
Fund Size: $5.8M
HQ: United Kingdom
Check Size: $100K – $650K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed
Sector Focus: Defense, Dual-Use Technology, National Security
Twin Track Ventures is a specialist micro fund for defense and dual-use technology, investing across Europe and North America. For founders in national security tech, a category most generalist micro VCs avoid, it fills a genuine gap at the earliest stage.
13. Arāya Sie Fund
Fund Size: $10.2M
HQ: United Kingdom
Check Size: $100K – $500K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed
Sector Focus: AI, Deeptech, Fintech
Arāya Sie Fund closed a $10.2M vehicle in May 2026 to write $100K–$500K checks into European AI, deeptech, and fintech startups. Its fund size keeps incentives aligned with founders raising modest first rounds.
14. Vanagon Ventures
Fund Size: $23M
HQ: Germany
Check Size: $100K – $500K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed
Sector Focus: AI Infrastructure, Edge Computing, Data Infrastructure
Vanagon Ventures invests in the infrastructure layer, AI infrastructure, edge computing, and data infrastructure, from its base in Germany. Its $23M fund targets European technical founders at pre-seed and seed with $100K–$500K checks.
15. Nordic Web Ventures
Fund Size: $6M
HQ: Denmark
Check Size: $150K – $250K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed
Sector Focus: AI, Generative AI, Robotics
Nordic Web Ventures is a $6M micro fund backing Nordic and European founders in AI and robotics with tightly scoped $150K–$250K checks. Its narrow check band makes it easy to slot into any pre-seed round without cap table complications.
16. makesense
Fund Size: $17M
HQ: France
Check Size: $200K – $500K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed
Sector Focus: Climate Tech, Clean Tech, Sustainability
makesense invests $200K–$500K into European climate tech and sustainability startups at pre-seed and seed. Climate founders raising small first rounds have far fewer options than their AI counterparts, and makesense addresses that gap directly.
17. Time4
Fund Size: $57M
HQ: France
Check Size: $100K – $1M
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed
Sector Focus: Future of Work, Women-Focused, Inclusive Finance
Time4 closed a $57M fund in March 2026 with a mandate spanning future of work, women-focused ventures, and inclusive finance across Europe. Checks start at $100K, keeping it accessible to founders raising lean early rounds.
18. Mother Ventures
Fund Size: $10M
HQ: United States
Check Size: $100K – $500K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed
Sector Focus: FemTech, Consumer Tech
Mother Ventures is a $10M fund writing $100K–$500K checks into US femtech and consumer startups. Specialist capital at this check size barely exists in femtech, which makes the fund a priority conversation for founders in the category.
19. Articulate
Fund Size: $10M
HQ: United States
Check Size: $200K – $500K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed
Sector Focus: Enterprise Software, Fintech
Articulate is a pre-seed-only fund deploying $200K–$500K into US enterprise software and fintech companies. Its June 2026 close means the fund is early in its deployment cycle, with most of its capital still available for new investments.
20. Redbud VC
Fund Size: $25M
HQ: United States
Check Size: $250K – $500K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed
Sector Focus: AI, Generative AI, Manufacturing
Redbud VC closed a $25M pre-seed fund in March 2026, writing $250K–$500K checks into AI and manufacturing startups across North America. The fund's pre-seed-only mandate means every check is a genuine first check.
21. Karman Ventures
Fund Size: $40M
HQ: United States
Check Size: $100K – $500K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed
Sector Focus: AI, Applied AI, AI Infrastructure
Karman Ventures is a $40M fund concentrated entirely on AI — applied AI and AI infrastructure — at pre-seed and seed. Its $100K–$500K check range covers everything from a small first check to anchoring a lean pre-seed round.
22. Superorganism
Fund Size: $25.9M
HQ: United States
Check Size: $250K – $500K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed
Sector Focus: Climate Tech, Tech-Enabled Services, Deeptech
Superorganism writes $250K–$500K checks into climate tech and deeptech startups across North America and Europe. Its January 2026 close of $25.9M keeps the fund squarely in micro VC territory, with incentives built around small first rounds.
23. Background Capital
Fund Size: $10.85M
HQ: United States
Check Size: $100K – $500K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A
Sector Focus: SaaS, Fintech, Crypto
Background Capital is a $10.85M fund investing $100K–$500K across SaaS, fintech, and crypto in North America. Its flexibility across pre-seed to Series A means it can follow on as portfolio companies grow.
24. Park Rangers Capital
Fund Size: $4.3M
HQ: United States
Check Size: $100K – $200K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed
Sector Focus: AI, Enterprise Software, Tech-Enabled Services
Park Rangers Capital is one of the smallest funds on this list at $4.3M, writing $100K–$200K checks exclusively at pre-seed. Funds this size behave much like institutional angels: fast decisions, founder-friendly terms, and no pressure for board control.
25. Yonder
Fund Size: $4.64M
HQ: United States
Check Size: $50K – $200K
Stage Focus: Pre-Seed
Sector Focus: AI, Consumer, Future of Work
Yonder writes $50K–$200K pre-seed checks into US startups across AI, consumer, and future of work. Its February 2026 close makes it one of the freshest micro funds in the market, with a full deployment cycle ahead.
Micro VCs vs Angels vs Seed Funds
Angels invest their own money, decide alone, and typically write $10K–$100K checks. They're the fastest capital available but the least structured, no reserves for follow-ons, no formal support, and highly variable engagement.
Micro VCs invest LP capital through a fund structure, which means a real (if fast) diligence process, some follow-on reserves, and a GP whose full-time job is supporting the portfolio. Checks run $100K–$500K, and most micro VCs happily co-invest alongside angels and other small funds rather than demanding to lead.
Institutional seed funds manage $100M+ vehicles, lead $2M–$5M rounds, take 10–20% ownership, and usually want a board seat. They bring more capital and infrastructure but slower processes and higher expectations on traction.
For a founder raising $500K–$1M, the practical playbook is stacking: one or two micro VCs as anchors, angels filling the rest, and institutional seed funds saved for the next round. Several funds on this list — Right Side Capital, Robin Capital, Calm/Storm, are built precisely for that anchor role.
How to Pitch Micro VCs
Micro VCs run lean, so respect for their process gets rewarded with speed. A few things consistently improve outcomes:
Match the thesis exactly. A $15M fund makes 25–40 investments total, so every check must fit the mandate. Pitching a consumer app to an AI infrastructure fund wastes everyone's time. Filter your list by sector and check size first — the Everything Startups New VC Funds directory lets you do exactly that.
Right-size your ask. If a fund writes $200K checks, don't ask them to lead your $3M round. Frame the ask around their check size: "We're raising $750K and looking for $150K–$250K partners."
Show capital efficiency. Micro VCs back companies that can hit meaningful milestones on small budgets. A plan showing what $500K unlocks over 18 months lands better than a vision requiring $5M to test.
Expect fast answers and give fast responses. Many micro VCs decide within one or two weeks. Founders who reply quickly, share data rooms without friction, and close cleanly build reputations that travel through the tight-knit micro VC community.
Get the full database with contact details of Pre-seed to Series A investors here.
FAQ: Micro VC Funds
How big is a typical micro VC fund?
Most micro VCs manage $5M–$50M. Below roughly $5M the fund behaves like a structured angel; above $50M–$100M the economics push firms toward larger checks and lead positions.
Do micro VCs lead rounds?
Some do, particularly at pre-seed where a $300K–$500K check can anchor the round. Many prefer to co-invest alongside a lead, which makes them ideal for filling out a round that already has momentum.
Do micro VCs take board seats?
Rarely. Most take information rights and pro-rata rights instead, keeping governance light until an institutional lead joins at seed or Series A.
Are micro VCs a good fit for first-time founders?
Usually, yes. Small funds live on picking founders before consensus forms, they decide quickly, and their GPs are frequently former founders themselves. The trade-off is limited follow-on capital, so you'll still need to build relationships with larger seed funds for the next round.
Data sourced from the Everything Startups VC Funds database, tracking newly announced venture funds weekly across the world.
