Marketing tech energizing 2025: Key investors in automation and analytics

Martech funding dropped from $10.8B in Q2 2024 to $1.5B in Q3 2024, but investors are still backing platforms that solve first-party data management and AI-powered marketing automation. Cookie deprecation and privacy regulation pushed VCs toward companies building customer data platforms, identity resolution, and consent management tools.

The investors below closed deals from 2023 through November 2025. Most focus on Series A and B rounds for SaaS platforms that help marketers automate campaigns, manage customer data, or measure attribution without third-party cookies.

Quick list

Finding investors who actually understand martech

Experience in SaaS doesn’t guarantee an understanding of martech business models. Look for VCs who’ve supported companies through the shift from MQLs to revenue attribution. Ask portfolio founders whether investors actually helped during pivots from lead gen to pipeline influence. The right venture capital partner should understand these transitions.

Network: Check if they can intro you to CMOs at portfolio companies. That's more valuable than generic "enterprise connections." Series A investors who've never sold to marketing teams won't understand your 6-month evaluation cycles.

Alignment: Seed funds often don't lead Series B rounds no matter how good your metrics look. Martech investors who backed email platforms in 2020 might not understand customer data platforms in 2025. Privacy regulation changed the entire category.

Track record: Look at whether portfolio companies raised follow-on rounds. Dead martech companies are everywhere - the 2021 funding boom left a lot of casualties. Use Ellty to share your deck with trackable links. You'll see who actually opens your unit economics vs just skimming the brand slides.

Communication: Investors who ghost after initial meetings aren't worth your time. If they can't respond in two weeks, they won't be helpful board members.

Value-add: Ask how they support companies during product-market fit—positioning, pricing validation, distribution strategies. Vague claims about “a strong network” don’t help you choose the right professional services partner.

Reaching martech investors without wasting time

• Identify potential investors: Use Pitchbook or Crunchbase to find recent martech deals. Don't pitch enterprise VCs with your seed-stage email automation tool. They won't lead $3M rounds.
• Craft a compelling pitch: Show customer acquisition payback period and net revenue retention. Martech investors are tired of TAM slides without cohort analysis. Lead with retention metrics - they know CAC is high.
• Share your pitch deck: Upload to Ellty and send trackable links. Monitor which pages investors spend time on. If they skip your data architecture slides but study financials, that tells you what questions they'll ask.
• Utilize your network: Message portfolio founders on LinkedIn before cold-emailing partners. Most will tell you if the investor actually helped or just showed up to board meetings. Ask about response times during fundraising.
• Attend networking events: SaaStr, MarTech Conference, and MozCon are where martech deals actually happen. Skip the small local startup events - you won't find Series A investors there.
• Engage on online platforms: Connect with partners on LinkedIn after getting a warm intro. Cold DMs to partners rarely work. Comment on their posts about martech trends but don't pitch in comments.
• Organize due diligence: Set up an Ellty data room with your financial model, cap table, and customer contracts before investors ask. It speeds up diligence by weeks. Don't wait until they request it.
• Set up introductory meetings: Lead with your most surprising growth metric. Don't waste 20 minutes on market size slides they've seen 100 times. They want to know why customers switch from incumbents.

Why martech investors matter in November 2025

Third-party cookie deprecation keeps getting delayed but smart investors know first-party data platforms will win. The martech market hit $670B in 2024, up 31.5% from 2023. VCs deployed $1.5B in Q3 2024 after a spike to $10.8B in Q2 (mostly from two large AI deals).

Investment is consolidating around AI-powered automation, customer data platforms, and privacy-compliant attribution. Email marketing still worked best for 25% of companies in 2023, but VCs are betting on platforms that unify email, SMS, social, and owned channels with proper consent management.

93% of CMOs see measurable ROI from generative AI initiatives in marketing. That's why investors prioritize platforms using AI for segmentation, content generation, and predictive customer scoring over traditional marketing automation that just sends scheduled emails.

25 top martech investors

1. Sequoia Capital

Sequoia backs data infrastructure that powers marketing analytics and customer platforms.

• Recent Deals: Databricks $2B Series G (2025), HubSpot early investor (now public), Amplitude (analytics platform)
• LinkedIn: Sequoia Capital
• Sector Focus: SaaS, data infrastructure, enterprise applications, marketing analytics
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth
• Location: Menlo Park, California, USA
• Website: sequoiacap.com

2. Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)

a16z led 100 post-seed rounds in 2024, including multiple martech platforms integrating AI.

• Recent Deals: Kalshi $70M Series C (2025), HeyGen $60M Series A (June 2024 - AI video personalization for HubSpot integration)
• LinkedIn: Andreessen Horowitz
• Sector Focus: Enterprise software, AI, consumer, fintech, martech automation
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth
• Location: Menlo Park, California, USA
• Website: a16z.com

3. Salesforce Ventures

Corporate VC backing platforms that extend Salesforce's CRM ecosystem and marketing cloud.

• Recent Deals: fal $125M Series C (August 2025 - AI creative automation), OpenWeb participation, Anthropic $3.5B Series E participation
• LinkedIn: Salesforce Ventures
• Sector Focus: CRM, marketing automation, customer data platforms, AI marketing tools
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D, Growth
• Location: San Francisco, California, USA
• Website: salesforceventures.com

4. Accel

Accel's portfolio includes foundational martech tools for website building and data enrichment.

• Recent Deals: Webflow (no-code website builder), Clearbit (data enrichment), Iterable (cross-channel marketing)
• LinkedIn: Accel
• Sector Focus: SaaS, marketing technology, developer tools, data platforms
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C
• Location: Palo Alto, California, USA
• Website: accel.com

5. Bessemer Venture Partners

Bessemer backs CRM and vertical-specific marketing platforms for real estate, sales, and SMBs.

• Recent Deals: Pipedrive (CRM software), Luxury Presence $25.9M Series B (2021 - real estate marketing), Shopify early investor
• LinkedIn: Bessemer Venture Partners
• Sector Focus: SaaS, CRM, vertical marketing tools, e-commerce platforms
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C
• Location: Redwood City, California, USA
• Website: bvp.com

6. Insight Partners

Insight backs marketing operations platforms and marketing-as-a-service companies.

• Recent Deals: 2X strategic investment (March 2025 - marketing operations), Wiz $1B round participation (cybersecurity)
• LinkedIn: Insight Partners
• Sector Focus: SaaS, marketing operations, enterprise software, security
• Stage Focus: Series B, Series C, Growth, Late-stage
• Location: New York, New York, USA
• Website: insightpartners.com

7. Lightspeed Venture Partners

Lightspeed participated in 79 post-seed rounds in 2024, active in martech automation.

• Recent Deals: Fourthwall $17M round (creator commerce platform), Base Power $200M Series B co-lead (2025)
• LinkedIn: Lightspeed Venture Partners
• Sector Focus: Enterprise software, consumer, fintech, creator economy, martech
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C
• Location: Menlo Park, California, USA
• Website: lsvp.com

8. General Catalyst

General Catalyst made 84 post-seed investments in 2024, including enterprise marketing software.

• Recent Deals: Hippocratic AI $141M Series B (January 2025), enterprise software platforms
• LinkedIn: General Catalyst
• Sector Focus: Enterprise applications, healthcare tech, fintech, SaaS
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C
• Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
• Website: generalcatalyst.com

9. Index Ventures

Index increased deal activity in 2024 after slower 2023, backing European and US martech startups.

• Recent Deals: Active in European SaaS and martech platforms, portfolio includes multiple marketing automation tools
• LinkedIn: Index Ventures
• Sector Focus: SaaS, enterprise software, fintech, consumer internet
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C
• Location: London, United Kingdom / San Francisco, California, USA
• Website: indexventures.com

10. GV (Google Ventures)

GV backs martech platforms that integrate with Google's marketing and analytics ecosystem.

• Recent Deals: Listed among most active martech investors, portfolio includes data and analytics platforms
• LinkedIn: GV
• Sector Focus: Enterprise software, AI, healthcare, cybersecurity, martech
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C
• Location: Mountain View, California, USA
• Website: gv.com

11. Battery Ventures

Battery made 63 martech investments including consumer engagement and e-commerce platforms.

• Recent Deals: GroupOn investment, focus on consumer marketing and engagement tools
• LinkedIn: Battery Ventures
• Sector Focus: SaaS, consumer internet, infrastructure software, martech
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth
• Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Website: battery.com

12. 500 Global (formerly 500 Startups)

500 Global made 359 marketing-related investments globally with 80 specifically in martech.

• Recent Deals: Saucey, Lettuce, and numerous seed-stage martech startups worldwide
• LinkedIn: 500 Global
• Sector Focus: Consumer, SaaS, fintech, martech, e-commerce
• Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
• Location: San Francisco, California, USA
• Website: 500.co

13. First Round Capital

First Round invested in approximately 58 martech companies, industry-agnostic seed investor.

• Recent Deals: Pre-seed and seed investments in marketing automation and analytics platforms
• LinkedIn: First Round Capital
• Sector Focus: SaaS, consumer, enterprise, martech, developer tools
• Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
• Location: San Francisco, California, USA / New York, New York, USA
• Website: firstround.com

14. New Enterprise Associates (NEA)

NEA made over 53 martech investments despite primary biomedical focus.

• Recent Deals: Martech platforms alongside healthcare and enterprise software investments
• LinkedIn: NEA
• Sector Focus: Healthcare, enterprise software, consumer, martech
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth
• Location: Menlo Park, California, USA / Baltimore, Maryland, USA
• Website: nea.com

15. SV Angel

SV Angel made over 53 martech investments including logistics and delivery platforms.

• Recent Deals: DoorDash, ShipBob, and various seed-stage marketing technology companies
• LinkedIn: SV Angel
• Sector Focus: Consumer internet, SaaS, marketplace, logistics, martech
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
• Location: San Francisco, California, USA
• Website: svangel.com

16. Techstars

Techstars invested in approximately 65 martech companies through global accelerator programs.

• Recent Deals: Caravel, Fango, and portfolio of accelerator graduates in marketing technology
• LinkedIn: Techstars
• Sector Focus: SaaS, consumer, fintech, martech, enterprise software
• Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed
• Location: Boulder, Colorado, USA (global programs)
• Website: techstars.com

17. Hawke Ventures

Hawke Ventures provides portfolio companies access to hundreds of brand customers through Hawke Media.

• Recent Deals: Early-stage investments in commerce tech, martech, and adtech platforms
• LinkedIn: Hawke Ventures
• Sector Focus: Commerce tech, martech, adtech, creator economy
• Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
• Location: Santa Monica, California, USA
• Website: hawkeventures.com

18. Martech Ventures

Martech Ventures specializes in martech companies with $500k-$10M revenue.

• Recent Deals: PayByCar (April 2022), Good-Loop, Voicify - focused exclusively on martech space
• LinkedIn: Martech Ventures
• Sector Focus: Marketing technology, marketing automation, analytics, CRM
• Stage Focus: Early-stage, Series A, Series B
• Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Website: martechventures.com

19. Adobe Ventures

Adobe Ventures makes strategic investments in analytics, creative automation, and data enrichment.

• Recent Deals: Platforms that extend Adobe's marketing and creative ecosystem
• LinkedIn: Adobe
• Sector Focus: Creative automation, marketing analytics, customer data, digital experience
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth
• Location: San Jose, California, USA
• Website: adobe.com

20. Shasta Ventures

Shasta backed 3D visual commerce and customer experience platforms.

• Recent Deals: Threekit $35M Series B (participated 2021 - 3D product visualization for e-commerce)
• LinkedIn: Shasta Ventures
• Sector Focus: SaaS, enterprise software, consumer, e-commerce tech
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Location: Menlo Park, California, USA
• Website: shastaventures.com

21. Leaders Fund

Leaders Fund led growth-stage martech investments in visual commerce.

• Recent Deals: Threekit $35M Series B lead (2021 - 3D visual commerce platform)
• LinkedIn: Leaders Fund
• Sector Focus: SaaS, e-commerce technology, enterprise software
• Stage Focus: Series B, Series C, Growth
• Location: London, United Kingdom
• Website: leaders.com

22. Innovation Endeavors

Innovation Endeavors led AI-powered marketing automation investments.

• Recent Deals: Anyword $21M Series B lead (AI copywriting and campaign optimization)
• LinkedIn: Innovation Endeavors
• Sector Focus: AI, SaaS, deep tech, marketing automation
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Location: Palo Alto, California, USA
• Website: innovationendeavors.com

23. Bregal Sagemount

Bregal Sagemount backs content intelligence and SEO platforms for enterprise marketers.

• Recent Deals: Conductor $150M round lead (content marketing and SEO intelligence platform)
• LinkedIn: Bregal Sagemount
• Sector Focus: Software, business services, healthcare IT, martech
• Stage Focus: Growth, Late-stage
• Location: New York, New York, USA
• Website: bregalsagemount.com

24. Georgian Partners

Georgian Partners backed social engagement and community platforms for publishers.

• Recent Deals: OpenWeb $150M Series E co-lead (social engagement platform for publishers)
• LinkedIn: Georgian Partners
• Sector Focus: SaaS, AI, security, enterprise software
• Stage Focus: Series B, Series C, Growth
• Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Website: georgian.io

25. Y Combinator

Y Combinator made 697 seed investments in 2024 including martech startups from accelerator batches.

• Recent Deals: Multiple martech companies per batch, Statsig $185M Series C (2025 - A/B testing platform)
• LinkedIn: Y Combinator
• Sector Focus: SaaS, consumer, fintech, developer tools, martech
• Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed
• Location: Mountain View, California, USA
• Website: ycombinator.com

How Ellty helps martech founders track investor outreach

These 25 investors closed deals from 2023 to November 2025. Before reaching out, set up proper tracking so you know which investors actually engage with your materials.

Upload your deck to Ellty and create a unique link for each investor. You'll see exactly which slides they view and how long they spend on your customer acquisition economics. Most founders are surprised when investors skip market size but spend 5+ minutes studying cohort retention curves and payback periods.

When investors ask for more materials during diligence, share an Ellty data room instead of email attachments. Your cap table, financial model, customer contracts, and product roadmap in one secure place with view analytics. You'll know if they forwarded your materials to their investment committee or if they're just collecting information.

Common questions

How do I know if an investor is still active in martech?

Check recent deals on Crunchbase or Pitchbook from the past 12 months. If their last martech investment was 2021, they probably moved to AI infrastructure or fintech. Look at their portfolio page - do they list any martech companies prominently?

Should I cold email investors or get introductions?

Warm intros work better but don't wait months for the perfect connection. If you have strong metrics (>100% net revenue retention, <12 month payback), send a concise cold email with your deck link. Include one surprising metric in the subject line.

What's the difference between seed and Series A martech investors?

Seed investors back you with $500k-$3M pre-product-market fit. Series A investors lead $8M-$15M rounds after you prove repeatable customer acquisition and retention. Don't pitch Series A investors if you haven't crossed $1M ARR with solid unit economics.

How many investors should I reach out to?

Target 15-20 investors who've backed similar companies at your stage in the past 24 months. Track every interaction in Ellty so you know who's engaged. If 5 investors pass with the same feedback, fix that issue before continuing outreach.

When should I set up a data room?

Before you start investor meetings. Investors move fast when they're interested - having your data room ready speeds up diligence by 2-3 weeks. Include financial model, cap table, customer contracts, and product roadmap. Don't wait until they ask.

Do investors actually care about pitch deck analytics?

Yes. Tracking shows which investors forward your deck to partners vs which ones ghost you after 30 seconds. If an investor spends 8 minutes on your deck but doesn't respond, follow up - they're probably discussing internally or waiting for a partner meeting.