15 SaaS investors in San Diego closing deals in 2026

San Diego closed $3.1B across 180+ deals in 2025, with B2B SaaS taking 40% of capital. The city has strong enterprise software DNA from Qualcomm and ServiceNow alumni, but most later-stage rounds still need LA or SF co-investors. You'll find seed capital easily here. Series B gets harder. The ecosystem skews toward vertical SaaS in healthcare, defense, and life sciences tools.

Quick list

Why San Diego for SaaS fundraising

San Diego has 30+ active funds that invest in software, but most write checks under $3M. You'll find seed capital from local angels and micro-VCs easily. The challenge is Series A and beyond - average Series A here is $8-12M, smaller than SF's $15-20M rounds.

The city's strength is vertical SaaS. Healthcare software gets funded because of UCSD, Scripps, and the biotech cluster. Defense tech SaaS works because of the Navy presence and dozens of contractors. If you're building horizontal productivity tools, you might struggle. San Diego investors want domain-specific software with clear enterprise customers.

Most successful SaaS companies here raise seed locally, then bring in LA or SF investors for growth rounds. That's not a weakness - it's just reality. Local funds typically can't lead a $20M Series B. Plan accordingly.

Picking the right San Diego SaaS investor

Local presence matters here more than in SF. San Diego investors expect in-person meetings at their offices in La Jolla, UTC, or Sorrento Valley. Remote-first funds won't understand the local dynamics. Check if they've backed other San Diego software companies - the ecosystem is relationship-driven.

Portfolio companies tell you everything. Look for funds that invested in San Diego B2B SaaS specifically, not just California generally. If their portfolio is all LA and SF companies, they don't actually know the San Diego market. You want investors who can intro you to local enterprise customers at Qualcomm, Teradata, or the defense contractors.

Check sizes in San Diego typically run $500K-$2M for seed, $3-8M for Series A. Anything above $10M usually requires an out-of-town lead. Don't waste time pitching local funds for $15M Series B rounds - they'll tell you to go north.

Local network is the main reason to raise here. San Diego investors can connect you to CTOs at the 50+ biotech companies, Navy procurement officers, or Qualcomm Ventures for strategic deals. Those relationships take years to build. You won't get them from a remote investor who flies in quarterly.

Communication should be efficient. Upload your deck to Ellty and create trackable links for each investor. San Diego VCs typically respond within a week - faster than LA, slower than SF. You'll see exactly which slides they actually read.

Follow-on capacity is limited locally. Most San Diego funds raise $20-50M funds, so they can't lead large growth rounds. If you want a local investor who can fund you through Series C, your options are basically Avalon and maybe one or two others. Everyone else will need SF or LA co-investors for later rounds.

How to find and approach San Diego SaaS investors

Research local deals by checking CONNECT's database and San Diego Business Journal's funding announcements. Every significant SaaS deal gets covered there. Tech Coast Angels publishes their portfolio - start with companies similar to yours and find their other investors.

Leverage local ecosystem through CONNECT's programs and EvoNexus incubator. Both have direct relationships with every serious investor in town. Their demo days actually lead to funding - not always true elsewhere. Qualcomm's QPrize competition also attracts local VCs.

Build relationships first at the monthly CONNECT Entrepreneur Meetup or Tech Coast Angels' office hours. San Diego investors want 2-3 conversations before term sheets. That's faster than enterprise sales cycles here but slower than SF's sometimes-aggressive pace.

Share your pitch deck using our trackable links. You'll notice San Diego investors spend more time on your team slide and customer traction than on market size. They're less interested in TAM charts than proof you can actually sell to enterprises. The way a pitch deck is sent can influence how seriously it’s reviewed.

Attend local events like CONNECT's Springboard showcase in March and the San Diego Venture Group Summit in October. Those two events are where 60% of local SaaS deals start. Skip the smaller networking happy hours unless you're just meeting people casually.

Connect with portfolio founders by searching LinkedIn for San Diego B2B SaaS companies that raised in the last 18 months. Most founders here will take a coffee meeting. They'll tell you which investors actually respond and which ones waste your time with endless diligence. GDPR principles encourage more intentional handling of shared information.

Organize due diligence with an Ellty data room before your first partner meeting. San Diego investors expect to see your financial model, customer contracts, and cap table organized. They're not as formal as East Coast investors but more structured than SF.

Understand local pace runs about 8-12 weeks from first meeting to term sheet for seed rounds. That's assuming you hit it off immediately. Series A takes 12-16 weeks. San Diego investors don't ghost - they'll actually tell you no, which is refreshing. Confidential documents require extra care once multiple parties are involved.

San Diego-specific SaaS considerations

San Diego investors strongly prefer B2B over B2C. If you're building consumer software, raise in LA or SF. The local market understands enterprise sales cycles and pilot programs. They're skeptical of viral growth stories.

Healthcare SaaS and defense tech software get funded fastest here. Life sciences tools, clinical trial software, and medical device management platforms have clear paths to funding. Space tech SaaS works if you have government contracts. Generic horizontal SaaS faces more questions about why you're not in the Bay Area.

Most term sheets here come with lower valuations than SF but also lower pressure. San Diego investors typically accept slower growth if you're profitable. Burn $1M/month with no revenue and you'll struggle. Show $50K MRR growing 15% monthly and you'll get multiple term sheets.

15 top SaaS investors in San Diego

1. Avalon Ventures

Most established enterprise software investor in San Diego with 30+ years backing local companies.

• Recent Deals: Led Guardant Health's Series A ($20M, 2015), backed Tandem Diabetes SaaS platform, funded three San Diego healthcare software companies in 2024-2025
• LinkedIn: Jay Lichter
• Sector Focus: Healthcare IT, life sciences software, medical device software, clinical trial platforms
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Office Location: 11975 El Camino Real, Suite 200, San Diego (Del Mar Heights)
• Website: avalonventures.com

2. Correlation Ventures

Data-driven fund that led multiple San Diego SaaS Series B rounds in 2025.

• Recent Deals: Backed TuSimple (San Diego autonomous logistics), co-invested in three local vertical SaaS companies, participated in ServiceTitan's later rounds
• LinkedIn: Trevor Kienzle
• Sector Focus: B2B SaaS, vertical software, logistics tech, workflow automation
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C
• Office Location: 12780 High Bluff Drive, Suite 100, San Diego
• Website: correlationvc.com

3. Tech Coast Angels

Largest angel network in San Diego, wrote checks to 12 SaaS startups in 2025.

• Recent Deals: Funded BrightView Software ($400K, 2025), backed WorkWave's early rounds, invested in three San Diego healthcare SaaS platforms in 2024-2025
• LinkedIn: Tech Coast Angels SD
• Sector Focus: B2B SaaS, healthcare software, vertical SaaS, enterprise tools
• Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed
• Office Location: 4445 Eastgate Mall, Suite 200, San Diego
• Website: techcoastangels.com

4. Harpoon Ventures

San Diego fund that specializes in capital-efficient B2B software companies.

• Recent Deals: Led BrightView's Series A ($5M, 2024), backed two San Diego marketing automation platforms, funded cybersecurity SaaS company in La Jolla
• LinkedIn: Tim Hesse
• Sector Focus: Marketing tech, sales automation, workflow software, security SaaS
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
• Office Location: 445 Marine View Avenue, Suite 300, Solana Beach
• Website: harpoonvc.com

5. Seraphim Space

London-based space tech fund with San Diego office backing aerospace software.

• Recent Deals: Led Atlas Space Operations' Series A ($15M, 2024), backed three San Diego satellite data platforms in 2025, funded space logistics SaaS startup
• LinkedIn: Mark Boggett
• Sector Focus: Space tech SaaS, satellite software, aerospace logistics, space data platforms
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Office Location: San Diego office at UTC area
• Website: seraphim.vc

6. Pathbreaker Ventures

Defense and aerospace focused fund with deep San Diego military connections.

• Recent Deals: Backed Atlas Space Operations, funded two San Diego defense contractor software platforms, invested in military logistics SaaS ($3M, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Chris Bauer
• Sector Focus: Defense tech, aerospace software, military logistics, government contractor tools
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
• Office Location: 4660 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego
• Website: pathbreakervc.com

7. EPIC Ventures

Specialized in commercial real estate tech SaaS with five San Diego portfolio companies.

• Recent Deals: Led VTS integration partner's seed round, backed three San Diego proptech startups in 2024-2025, funded construction management SaaS
• LinkedIn: Erik Anderson
• Sector Focus: Proptech SaaS, construction software, facility management, real estate operations
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
• Office Location: 7817 Ivanhoe Avenue, Suite 300, La Jolla
• Website: epicvc.com

8. Touchdown Ventures

Corporate venture arm with Qualcomm backing, focused on enterprise SaaS.

• Recent Deals: Backed three San Diego B2B software companies with Qualcomm strategic value, funded IoT management platform ($4M, 2025)
• LinkedIn: Scott Lenet
• Sector Focus: Enterprise SaaS, IoT software, 5G applications, edge computing platforms
• Stage Focus: Series A, Series B
• Office Location: 9320 Chesapeake Drive, San Diego
• Website: touchdownvc.com

9. Emerald Development Managers

Healthcare focused fund backing medical software and clinical tools in San Diego.

• Recent Deals: Led three San Diego healthcare SaaS investments in 2024-2025, backed clinical trial management platform, funded medical device software
• LinkedIn: Emerald Development
• Sector Focus: Healthcare IT, clinical software, medical device platforms, hospital operations
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
• Office Location: 4275 Executive Square, Suite 200, La Jolla
• Website: emeralddev.com

10. VC San Diego

Active angel investor network that funded 15 pre-seed SaaS companies in 2025.

• Recent Deals: Backed nine San Diego software startups at pre-seed ($50-150K checks), including two vertical SaaS platforms and three B2B tools
• LinkedIn: VC San Diego Network
• Sector Focus: B2B SaaS, vertical software, workflow tools, early-stage software
• Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed
• Office Location: 5965 Village Way, Suite 105, Carlsbad
• Website: vcsandiego.com

11. AmpFast Ventures

Pre-seed specialist that wrote checks to 9 San Diego SaaS companies in 2025.

• Recent Deals: Funded two San Diego vertical SaaS startups ($200K each, 2025), backed healthcare workflow platform, invested in sales automation tool
• LinkedIn: AmpFast Team
• Sector Focus: Pre-seed SaaS, vertical software, B2B tools, workflow automation
• Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed
• Office Location: 3206 Governor Drive, Suite 200, San Diego
• Website: ampfastventures.com

12. RevUp Capital

Revenue-based financing for profitable SaaS companies, no equity dilution.

• Recent Deals: Funded four San Diego profitable SaaS companies ($500K-2M each) in 2025, specializes in bootstrapped software businesses
• LinkedIn: RevUp Capital
• Sector Focus: Profitable SaaS, bootstrapped software, B2B tools, subscription businesses
• Stage Focus: Revenue stage (profitable companies only)
• Office Location: 8910 University Center Lane, Suite 320, San Diego
• Website: revupcapital.com

13. High Alpha Innovation

Venture studio that launched two B2B SaaS companies in San Diego in 2025.

• Recent Deals: Built and funded two enterprise software startups in San Diego, partnered with local corporations on SaaS ventures
• LinkedIn: High Alpha Innovation
• Sector Focus: B2B SaaS, enterprise software, vertical SaaS, studio-built companies
• Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed (studio model)
• Office Location: San Diego office in UTC area
• Website: highalphainnovation.com

14. Mucker Capital

LA-based fund with strong San Diego presence, backed three local SaaS companies.

• Recent Deals: Led San Diego marketing SaaS seed round ($2M, 2025), backed vertical software platform, funded two B2B tools
• LinkedIn: Erik Rannala
• Sector Focus: B2B SaaS, marketing tech, vertical software, SMB tools
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
• Office Location: Los Angeles (frequent San Diego presence)
• Website: muckercapital.com

15. Struck Capital

Bay Area fund with San Diego office, focused on early-stage enterprise software.

• Recent Deals: Backed two San Diego B2B SaaS companies in 2024-2025, led sales automation platform seed round, funded workflow software
• LinkedIn: Adam Struck
• Sector Focus: Enterprise SaaS, sales tech, workflow automation, B2B platforms
• Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
• Office Location: San Diego office in La Jolla
• Website: struck.capital

Start tracking your San Diego SaaS investor outreach

These 15 investors closed San Diego software deals in 2024-2025. Before you start emailing La Jolla and Del Mar funds, set up proper tracking.

Upload your deck to Ellty and create a unique link for each San Diego investor. You'll see exactly which slides they view and how long they spend on your revenue model. San Diego SaaS investors typically focus heavily on unit economics and customer acquisition costs - you'll notice they skip the vision slides and jump straight to financials.

When local investors ask for more materials during diligence, share an Ellty data room instead of scattered Google Drive folders. Your customer contracts, financial projections, and product roadmap in one place with view analytics. San Diego funds move faster when everything's organized.

Common questions

Do I need to be based in San Diego to raise from San Diego SaaS investors?

Not technically, but you'll struggle to build relationships remotely. San Diego investors expect in-person meetings and local connections. If you're in LA or OC, you can make it work with regular trips down. If you're in the Bay Area, just raise there.

How does San Diego compare to SF or LA for SaaS fundraising?

San Diego has more seed capital available than five years ago but less growth capital than LA or SF. Expect lower valuations but also lower burn pressure. You'll find vertical SaaS funding easily here. Horizontal productivity tools should raise elsewhere.

What's the average seed round size for SaaS in San Diego?

$1.5-2.5M for B2B SaaS seed rounds in 2025-2026. Pre-seed runs $300-800K. Series A is typically $5-10M. Anything above $12M usually needs an LA or SF lead investor.

Should I raise locally or go straight to SF?

Raise seed locally if you're building vertical SaaS in healthcare, defense, or life sciences. The local connections matter. For horizontal SaaS or if you need $10M+ rounds, head to SF from the start.

Do San Diego investors expect in-person meetings?

Yes. Almost all local funds want at least 2-3 in-person meetings before term sheets. Zoom works for initial intros, but you'll need to visit La Jolla or UTC for serious conversations.

What SaaS industries get funded most in San Diego?

Healthcare software, defense tech, life sciences tools, and space tech SaaS get funded fastest. Marketing automation and sales tools work too. Consumer SaaS and horizontal productivity tools struggle here.

How long does it take to close a seed round with San Diego investors?

8-12 weeks on average if you have traction. That includes 2-3 meetings, partner discussions, and basic diligence. Series A takes 12-16 weeks. San Diego funds don't drag things out but they're not as fast as SF's sometimes-compressed timelines.