📅 Last Updated: February 19, 2026 | New startups added weekly
Looking for recently funded San Francisco startups? This startup database tracks 3,000+ verified Bay Area companies with decision-maker contacts and funding details updated every week. The San Francisco startup ecosystem is ranked #1 worldwide, and SF startups raised a record $111.7 billion in the first nine months of 2025 alone—45% of all U.S. venture capital.
Our B2B lead database for San Francisco startups includes verified founder emails, funding amounts, investor details, and company intelligence—everything your sales team needs to reach recently funded companies before competitors do.
Below, you’ll find 100 recently funded San Francisco startups with actionable data you can use today.
👉 Jump to the List of 100 Funded SF Startups
Why San Francisco Dominates the Global Startup Ecosystem
Whether you’re tracking Series A funding rounds, researching AI startups, or building a funded San Francisco startups lead list for B2B outreach, San Francisco remains the undisputed epicenter of global venture capital.
According to StartupBlink’s 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index, San Francisco’s ecosystem is 170% stronger than New York, which ranks second nationally. Here’s what drives that dominance:
- Record Capital Inflows: The $111.7 billion raised through Q3 2025 exceeds the previous full-year record of $92.9 billion set in 2021—a 20% increase
- AI Leadership: San Francisco attracts over 50% of global AI funding, anchored by OpenAI (valued at $157B) and Anthropic alongside hundreds of emerging AI companies
- Startup Density: With 6,263 startups per 100,000 residents, SF has the world’s highest startup concentration—over 14,500 active San Francisco startups—creating unmatched deal flow for B2B sales teams
- Global Talent Magnet: Top engineers and founders continue relocating to SF, reversing pandemic-era remote trends
According to NVCA data, one in three venture dollars invested nationally in Q3 2025 went to San Francisco Bay Area companies.
Quick Stats: San Francisco Startup Funding in 2025
- 📍 Major hubs: SoMa, Mission Bay, Financial District, South Bay
- 💰 Total funding (9 months 2025): $111.7 billion—already a record year
- 🏢 San Francisco startups tracked: 3,053 companies in our database
- 📈 Year-over-year growth: 245% increase vs. first 9 months of 2024
- 🦄 Unicorns: 268 companies valued over $1 billion
- 🎯 Top sector: AI (52% of total funding)
Table of Contents
Recently Funded San Francisco Startups
| Name | Website | Industry | Country | Funding Amount (USD) | Funding Type | Last Funding Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decagon | decagon.ai | Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | $250,000,000 | Series D | February 2026 |
| Mesh | meshpay.com | Blockchain, Finance, FinTech | United States | $75,000,000 | Series C | February 2026 |
| Midship | midship.ai | Artificial Intelligence, Finance, Accounting, B2B Software, Data | United States | $4,150,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| Modelence | modelence.com | B2B Software, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing | United States | $3,000,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| Factory | factory.ai | Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | Venture - Series Unknown | February 2026 | |
| Foundry Robotics | foundryrobotics.ai | Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Hardware, Manufacturing | United States | $5,500,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| Auron Solutions | auron.solutions | Drones, Artificial Intelligence, Government, Hardware, Security | United States | $250,000 | Pre-Seed | February 2026 |
| Sentient | sentient.foundation | Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Data | United States | Seed | February 2026 | |
| Emobi | emobi.ai | EV, Automotive, Hardware, Manufacturing | United States | $3,400,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| Theorem | theoremlabs.com | B2B Software, Artificial Intelligence | United States | $6,000,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| Tradespace | tradespace.io | B2B Software, Artificial Intelligence, Legal | United States | $15,000,000 | Series A | February 2026 |
| Upwind Security | upwind.io | Cyber Security, B2B Software, Cloud Computing | United States | $250,000,000 | Series B | February 2026 |
| Span | span.io | Energy, Automotive, Electronics, EV, Hardware | United States | $163,252,859 | Venture - Series Unknown | February 2026 |
| Fulcrum | withfulcrum.com | Insurance, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | $25,000,000 | Series A | February 2026 |
| Risotto | tryrisotto.com | B2B Software, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Information Technology | United States | $10,000,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| Zocks | zocks.io | FinTech, Finance, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | $45,000,000 | Series B | February 2026 |
| Sentra | sentra.app | B2B Software, Artificial Intelligence, Data | United States | $5,000,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| Fulcrum | withfulcrum.com | Insurance, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | $25,000,000 | Series A | February 2026 |
| Varo Bank | varomoney.com | FinTech, Finance, B2C Software, Mobile | United States | $123,900,000 | Series G | February 2026 |
| Turnstile | tryturnstile.com | B2B Software, Finance, FinTech, Sales | United States | $29,000,000 | Series A | February 2026 |
| TRM Labs | trmlabs.com | Blockchain, Finance, Analytics, B2B Software, FinTech | United States | $70,000,000 | Series C | February 2026 |
| Sorella Labs | sorellalabs.xyz | Blockchain, Finance, FinTech | United States | $5,185,180 | Venture - Series Unknown | February 2026 |
| Adaption Labs | adaptionlabs.ai | Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Data | United States | $50,000,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| Forerunner | withforerunner.com | Government, Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, B2B Software, Data, Environment | United States | $26,300,000 | Series B | February 2026 |
| Loop AI - Delivery Intelligence Platform | tryloop.ai | B2B Software, Artificial Intelligence, Food and Beverage | United States | $14,000,000 | Series A | February 2026 |
| Gruve | gruve.ai | Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Data, Professional Services | United States | $50,000,000 | Series A | February 2026 |
| GrubMarket | grubmarket.com | Marketplace, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, E-commerce, Food and Beverage | United States | $50,000,000 | Series H | February 2026 |
| Fieldguide | fieldguide.io | B2B Software, Finance, Accounting, Artificial Intelligence | United States | $75,000,000 | Series C | February 2026 |
| Sapiom | sapiom.ai | Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Cloud Computing | United States | $15,750,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| Deft Robotics | deftai.co | Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Hardware, Manufacturing | United States | Seed | February 2026 | |
| BizTrip AI | biztrip.ai | Travel, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | $1,500,000 | Pre-Seed | February 2026 |
| Goodfire | goodfire.ai | Artificial Intelligence | United States | $150,000,000 | Series B | February 2026 |
| Derapi | derapi.com | Energy, B2B Software, Cloud Computing, Data, Utilities | United States | $7,000,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| CNAPS.AI | cnaps.ai | Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | Seed | February 2026 | |
| BeConfident | beconfident.app | Education, Artificial Intelligence, B2C Software, Mobile | United States | $15,800,000 | Series A | February 2026 |
| Lotus AI | lotus.ai | Healthcare, Artificial Intelligence, B2C Software, Data, Mobile | United States | $35,000,000 | Series A | February 2026 |
| Bedrock Robotics | bedrockrobotics.com | Construction, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Hardware, Robotics | United States | $270,000,000 | Series B | February 2026 |
| Fundamental | fundamental.tech | Artificial Intelligence, Data | United States | $225,000,000 | Series A | February 2026 |
| Principle | futureprinciple.com | Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, B2B Software, Data, Professional Services | United States | $2,000,000 | Pre-Seed | February 2026 |
| Kindred | livekindred.com | Travel, Hospitality, Marketplace | United States | $85,000,000 | Series C | February 2026 |
| HYPR | hypr.ai | Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Hardware | United States | $3,205,444 | Venture - Series Unknown | February 2026 |
| Inertia | inertia.com | Energy, Environment, Hardware, Manufacturing | United States | $450,000,000 | Series A | February 2026 |
| Astro Health. ai | astrohealth.ai | Healthcare, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | $100,000 | Pre-Seed | February 2026 |
| Ever | evercars.com | EV, Automotive, E-commerce, Marketplace, Retail | United States | $31,000,000 | Series A | February 2026 |
| Manufact | mcp-use.com | Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Cloud Computing, Data | United States | $6,300,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| Loyal | loyalfordogs.com | Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, Pets | United States | $100,000,000 | Series C | February 2026 |
| Upside Robotics | upsiderobotics.com | Agriculture, Artificial Intelligence, Hardware, Robotics | United States | $7,500,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| Newo.ai | newo.ai | Artificial Intelligence, Audio, B2B Software, Cloud Computing, Telecommunications | United States | $25,000,000 | Series A | February 2026 |
| Opaque Systems | opaque.co | Data, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security | United States | $24,000,000 | Series B | February 2026 |
| Seamflow | seamflow.com | Professional Services, B2B Software, Computer Engineering, Information Technology | United States | $4,510,828 | Seed | February 2026 |
| MightyFly | mightyfly.com | Drones, Artificial Intelligence, Aviation, Hardware, Logistics, Transportation | United States | $10,000,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| Trener Robotics | trener.ai | Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | $32,000,000 | Series A | February 2026 |
| Veria Labs | verialabs.com | Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | $3,200,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| Recruitable | recruitable.tech | Recruiting, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Blockchain | United States | Pre-Seed | February 2026 | |
| Anthropic | anthropic.com | Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Cloud Computing | United States | $30,000,000,000 | Series G | February 2026 |
| Bretton AI | greenlite.ai | FinTech, Finance, Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, B2B Software, Data | United States | $75,000,000 | Series B | February 2026 |
| Big Health | bighealth.com | Mental Health, Wellness, B2B Software, Healthcare | United States | $23,700,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | February 2026 |
| ZeroPath | zeropath.com | Cyber Security, Professional Services | United States | $5,000,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| SWOP | tryswop.com | Marketplace, Artificial Intelligence, B2C Software, E-commerce | United States | Pre-Seed | February 2026 | |
| ThirdAI Automation | thirdaiautomation.com | Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, B2B Software, Data, Manufacturing | United States | $3,000,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| Simple AI | usesimple.ai | Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Sales, Telecommunications | United States | $14,000,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| Monaco | monaco.com | Sales, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | $25,000,000 | Series A | February 2026 |
| Tomo Club | tomoclub.org | Mental Health, Wellness, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | Seed | February 2026 | |
| InScope | inscopehq.com | Accounting, Finance, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | $14,454,987 | Venture - Series Unknown | February 2026 |
| Meridian | meridian.ai | Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Data | United States | $17,000,000 | Seed | February 2026 |
| Hearth Property | hearthproperty.com | Property Management, Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, B2B Software, Real Estate | United States | $100,000 | Pre-Seed | January 2026 |
| Duckbill | duckbillhq.com | Cloud Computing, Analytics, B2B Software, Data, Finance, Information Technology | United States | $4,884,877 | Venture - Series Unknown | January 2026 |
| Amplify Life Insurance | getamplifylife.com | Insurance, Finance, FinTech, Investing | United States | $6,194,077 | Venture - Series Unknown | January 2026 |
| COYA | coya.gg | Social Network, B2C Software, Community, Gaming, Mobile | United States | Pre-Seed | January 2026 | |
| Obround | obround.com | Wearables, Artificial Intelligence, Consumer Goods, Electronics, Hardware, Mobile | United States | Pre-Seed | January 2026 | |
| Vanna Health | vanna.health | Mental Health, Wellness, Healthcare | United States | $6,000,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | January 2026 |
| HomeVision | homevision.co | Real Estate, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | Venture - Series Unknown | January 2026 | |
| Fintool | fintool.com | FinTech, Finance, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Data, Investing | United States | $6,739,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | January 2026 |
| Watershed | watershed.com | Environment, Analytics, B2B Software, Cloud Computing, Data | United States | $14,499,988 | Venture - Series Unknown | January 2026 |
| DeepSeq.AI | deepseq.ai | Biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence, Pharmaceuticals | United States | Venture - Series Unknown | January 2026 | |
| Anytool | anytool.sh | Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | $1,000,000 | Pre-Seed | January 2026 |
| GovDash | govdash.com | Data, Analytics, B2B Software, Government | United States | $25,426,233 | Series B | January 2026 |
| MilkStraw AI | milkstraw.ai | Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, B2B Software, Data | United States | $2,000,000 | Seed | January 2026 |
| Higgsfield | higgsfield.ai | Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Marketing, Media | United States | $80,000,000 | Series A | January 2026 |
| Predicate | predicate.io | Blockchain, B2B Software | United States | $7,999,997 | Venture - Series Unknown | January 2026 |
| Xella Health | joinxella.com | Healthcare | United States | $3,700,000 | Pre-Seed | January 2026 |
| Merge Labs | merge.io | B2B Software, Cloud Computing, Data, Information Technology | United States | $252,000,000 | Seed | January 2026 |
| Aegis Vitals | aegisvitals.ai | Healthcare, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Data | United States | $25,000 | Pre-Seed | January 2026 |
| Transition Biomining | transition.bio | Materials, Analytics, B2B Software, Data | United States | $6,000,000 | Seed | January 2026 |
| Searcle AI | searcle.ai | Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, B2B Software, Data, Marketing | United States | Pre-Seed | January 2026 | |
| Monnai | monnai.com | FinTech, Finance, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Data | United States | $12,000,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | January 2026 |
| Horizon3.ai | horizon3.ai | Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | Venture - Series Unknown | January 2026 | |
| Listen Labs | listenlabs.ai | B2B Software, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Data, Marketing | United States | $69,000,000 | Series B | January 2026 |
| Cumulus Labs | cumuluslabs.io | Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Data | United States | $500,000 | Pre-Seed | January 2026 |
| Amari AI | amari.ai | Logistics, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Data | United States | Seed | January 2026 | |
| Zendly Holdings Inc | zendly.ai | FinTech, Finance, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | $200,000 | Pre-Seed | January 2026 |
| Deconflict | deconflict.com | Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Cyber Security, Government | United States | $1,745,000 | Seed | January 2026 |
| LMArena | lmarena.ai | Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Analytics, Data | United States | $150,000,000 | Series A | January 2026 |
| Soley Therapeutics | soleytherapeutics.com | Biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals | United States | $200,000,000 | Series C | January 2026 |
| Deepgram | deepgram.com | Artificial Intelligence, Audio, B2B Software, Cloud Computing, Data | United States | $143,168,046 | Series C | January 2026 |
| Ammobia | ammobia.co | Chemicals, Energy, Environment, Manufacturing, Materials | United States | $7,500,000 | Seed | January 2026 |
| Prime Intellect | primeintellect.ai | Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Cloud Computing, Data | United States | $49,940,585 | Venture - Series Unknown | January 2026 |
| Nasdaq Private Market | nasdaqprivatemarket.com | FinTech, Finance, Investing, Marketplace | United States | $37,600,000 | Series C | January 2026 |
| depthfirst | depthfirst.com | Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | $40,000,000 | Series A | January 2026 |
| ditto | dittowords.com | B2B Software, Cloud Computing, Marketing | United States | $12,200,000 | Series A | January 2026 |
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San Francisco Startups at a Glance
- Number of San Francisco startups in our database: 3,053
- Number of verified email addresses in our database: 4,006
- Number of social profiles in our database: 8,330
- Other data points stored: 42,618
- Total funding raised in 2025: $102,445,591,694
- Total funding raised in 2026: $618,069,172
*Other funding includes private equity, debt financing, and various other types of capital.
San Francisco Startup Funding by Industry (2025)
| Industry | % of Total Funding | Notable Companies | Average Round Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence | 52% | OpenAI, Anthropic, Physical Intelligence | $250M+ (mega rounds) |
| Enterprise SaaS | 18% | Scribe, Gamma, Numeric | $50-75M (Series B/C) |
| FinTech | 12% | Ripple, Stripe, Kraken | $100M+ (late stage) |
| Biotech/HealthTech | 9% | Hermes Bio, Indomo | $25-50M (Series A) |
| CyberSecurity | 5% | Armis, Truffle Security | $25-40M (Series A/B) |
| Other | 4% | Gaming, Legal, Hardware | $5-20M (early stage) |
Top Industries Driving San Francisco’s Startup Growth
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
San Francisco has cemented its position as the global AI capital, attracting more than 50% of worldwide AI funding. The city hosts the world’s most valuable AI companies—including OpenAI (valued at $157B) and Anthropic—alongside hundreds of emerging AI startups building foundation models and vertical AI applications.
Key San Francisco startup AI funding highlights in 2025 include Anysphere’s $2.3 billion Series D for AI-powered developer tools, Physical Intelligence’s $600 million robotics round, and Mercor’s $350 million Series C for AI recruiting. For B2B sales teams, this concentration of newly funded AI companies represents a high-intent, high-budget prospect pool that a startup database can turn into actionable pipeline in minutes.
Enterprise SaaS & B2B Software
Enterprise software remains a cornerstone of Silicon Valley’s success, with SaaS startups raising billions in 2025. San Francisco’s proximity to enterprise customers and seasoned go-to-market talent creates ideal conditions for B2B companies. Notable 2025 rounds include Scribe’s $75M Series C, Campfire’s $65M Series B, and Gamma’s $48M Series B—each representing a company with fresh capital and active vendor buying cycles.
FinTech & Cryptocurrency
San Francisco continues to lead fintech innovation, with both traditional fintech and blockchain companies attracting late-stage capital. Newly funded San Francisco FinTech startups are prime targets for B2B outreach—they’ve just secured capital, are hiring aggressively, and have immediate needs for software tools, services, and data products.
Biotech & HealthTech
The Bay Area’s biotech corridor stretches from Mission Bay to South San Francisco, drawing significant venture investment. HealthTech and biotech startups that have recently secured Series A or B funding are actively evaluating new vendors as they scale their operations.
How San Francisco Compares to Other Major Startup Hubs
San Francisco vs. New York City
San Francisco raises roughly 3x more venture capital than New York despite having a smaller overall population. The Bay Area’s concentration of deep-tech, AI, and enterprise software companies drives significantly larger average round sizes. Teams selling to NYC startups will find a market focused on FinTech, media, and e-commerce, while SF skews heavily toward AI and enterprise infrastructure.
| Metric | San Francisco | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Funding (9 months) | $111.7B | ~$12B (estimated) |
| Global Rank | #1 | #2 |
| Ecosystem Strength | 100% (baseline) | 37% of SF |
| Startups per 100K people | 6,263 | ~1,200 |
| Unicorns | 268 | 146 |
| Top Sector | AI (52%) | FinTech (30%) |
San Francisco vs. Boston
Boston is the #2 U.S. biotech hub and home to strong enterprise software companies, but its total funding volume is roughly one-quarter of San Francisco’s. Teams covering both markets should track Boston startups alongside SF to maximize their total addressable prospect pool.
San Francisco vs. International Hubs
Globally, only London and Beijing approach San Francisco’s funding volumes in select sectors. For teams selling to UK startups or India startups, the ecosystems are growing but early-stage deal flow differs significantly from SF’s mega-round environment.
Key Investment Trends in San Francisco for 2026
Mega-Rounds Dominate the Landscape
The average Series B in San Francisco now exceeds $100 million, driven by AI infrastructure companies competing for compute and talent. For B2B vendors, this means San Francisco startups raising today have more budget authority.
AI-Everywhere Strategy
AI startups are no longer a vertical—they’re embedded across every sector. FinTech, HealthTech, SaaS, and even hardware companies are raising as AI companies. This creates more commercial buyers than ever across the SF ecosystem.
Return to San Francisco Momentum
After a pandemic-era dispersal, founders and investors are returning to San Francisco. New office leases by startups are at a 5-year high in SoMa and Mission Bay, reinforcing the city’s position as the world’s most important startup geography.
The San Francisco Startup Ecosystem: Accelerators, VCs & Resources
World-Class Accelerators & Incubators
San Francisco hosts the most prestigious startup accelerators globally:
- Y Combinator: The gold standard accelerator that has funded 5,000+ companies worth $700B+ combined, including Airbnb, Stripe, DoorDash, and Coinbase. Provides $500K for 7% equity.
- 500 Global: One of the world’s most active early-stage investors with $150K for 6% equity across 4-month programs
- Alchemist Accelerator: Exclusively serves enterprise B2B startups with 6-month intensive programs
- Techstars San Francisco: Deep tech and enterprise AI focus with $220K total investment
Dominant Venture Capital Presence
San Francisco is home to the world’s most prominent venture capital firms:
Tier 1 VCs:
Multi-stage investors:
Specialized funds:
- AI-focused (Radical Ventures, Innovation Endeavors)
- Crypto (Paradigm, a16z crypto)
- Enterprise (Craft Ventures)
These firms collectively manage over $200 billion in assets and set the pace for global venture investing.
Unmatched Talent Density
San Francisco’s talent advantages include:
- Universities: Stanford, UC Berkeley, and dozens of other institutions producing thousands of CS/engineering graduates annually
- Big Tech Alumni: Former employees from Google, Meta, Apple, and other giants frequently launch startups
- Global Talent Magnet: Top engineers relocate from around the world for SF opportunities
- Specialized Expertise: Deep pools of talent in AI/ML, distributed systems, security, and other cutting-edge domains
Notable San Francisco Startup Exits & Success Stories
San Francisco startups have produced more billion-dollar exits than companies from any other city in history. San Francisco’s exit track record demonstrates ecosystem maturity:
- 2024-2025 IPOs: Databricks (expected $43B valuation), Stripe (potential 2026 IPO at $70B+)
- Major Acquisitions: Figma by Adobe ($20B, blocked by regulators), Splunk by Cisco ($28B)
- Notable Secondary Sales: OpenAI employees selling shares at $157B valuation
What SF Startups Pay: Salary & Equity Benchmarks
| Role | Seed Stage | Series A | Series B+ | Typical Equity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI/ML Engineer | $180-220K | $220-300K | $300-450K | 0.1-0.5% |
| Senior Engineer | $150-180K | $180-220K | $220-280K | 0.05-0.25% |
| VP Sales | $150-180K + comm. | $180-220K + comm. | $220-300K + comm. | 0.5-1.5% |
| VP Marketing | $140-170K | $170-210K | $210-270K | 0.25-1% |
| Product Manager | $130-160K | $160-200K | $200-250K | 0.05-0.2% |
Monthly Burn Rate: What It Costs to Run an SF Startup
Understanding SF’s cost structure is critical for runway planning:
- Pre-seed (2-3 people): $15-25K/month (salaries, co-working, tools)
- Seed stage (5-10 people): $100-200K/month (salaries dominate at 70-80%)
- Series A (15-30 people): $400-800K/month (adding sales, marketing, customer success)
- Series B+ (50-100 people): $1.5-3M/month (full go-to-market motion)
Office space costs $60-90/sq ft annually. A 5,000 sq ft office runs $25-40K/month. Many startups delay office leases until Series A to preserve runway.
San Francisco vs. Silicon Valley: What’s the Difference?
While often used interchangeably, San Francisco and Silicon Valley are distinct regions with different characteristics:
San Francisco (the city proper) hosts primarily early-stage startups, AI companies, consumer tech, and fintech. The city’s 47 square miles contain the highest density of startups globally, with neighborhoods like SoMa, Mission, and Financial District serving as startup hubs.
Silicon Valley (South Bay: Palo Alto, Mountain View, San Jose, Menlo Park) traditionally hosts more mature tech companies and enterprise-focused startups. Google, Apple, Meta, and other tech giants maintain headquarters here.
Our database covers both regions comprehensively, tracking San Francisco startups, San Jose startups, Palo Alto companies, and the entire Bay Area ecosystem. When searching for “San Francisco startups,” you’re accessing the broader Silicon Valley network—over 14,500 active companies.
Using Startup Databases for SF B2B Outreach
Finding recently funded San Francisco startups manually—through TechCrunch, Crunchbase alerts, and LinkedIn research—is time-consuming and often incomplete. A comprehensive San Francisco startups database delivers verified contacts, funding details, and decision-maker information on a weekly cadence, so your team spends time selling, not researching.
When evaluating B2B lead databases for the SF market, prioritize:
Data freshness — Weekly updates vs. quarterly refreshes matter in a market that moves this fast
Contact verification — Direct founder and C-suite emails vs. generic info@ addresses
Funding intelligence — Round size, investors, date of close (higher recency = higher buying intent)
Decision-maker access — Founders and VPs, not just company profile data
Growth List maintains the most current database for B2B sales teams targeting San Francisco startups, with 100 new funded companies added every week and verified contact data across 3,000+ Bay Area companies.
Frequently Asked Questions About San Francisco Startups
Why does San Francisco have more startup funding than any other city?
San Francisco dominates global startup funding due to five key factors: (1) Concentration of venture capital—the city hosts the world’s top VC firms managing $200B+ in assets, (2) Ecosystem network effects—with 6,263 startups per 100K people creating unmatched collaboration opportunities, (3) Talent density—Stanford, UC Berkeley, and Big Tech alumni provide deep expertise pools, (4) AI leadership—SF attracts 50%+ of global AI funding with companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, and (5) Exit track record—268 unicorns and countless successful exits create reinvestment cycles. In 2025, SF startups raised $111.7 billion through Q3 alone—nearly 8x New York’s total.
What is the best startup database for San Francisco B2B sales?
The best startup database for SF sales teams provides verified decision-maker contacts, real-time funding updates, and filtering by industry, funding stage, and location. Growth List specializes in recently funded companies with weekly updates, offering verified founder and C-suite emails alongside funding intelligence. Other options include Crunchbase (broader but less contact detail) and PitchBook (enterprise-focused with higher pricing).
Where can I find verified San Francisco startup decision-maker contacts?
Verified contacts for SF startup founders and executives are available through specialized B2B lead databases like Growth List, which maintains direct email addresses for founders and C-suite at funded companies. LinkedIn Sales Navigator provides contact discovery but requires manual verification. AngelList offers company profiles but limited contact export.
How do I build a B2B lead list for San Francisco startups?
Building a startup lead list for San Francisco manually—through Crunchbase alerts, TechCrunch funding announcements, and LinkedIn research—typically takes 15–20 hours per 100 leads. Automated startup databases like Growth List provide pre-verified, weekly-updated lists, cutting that time to minutes. Filter by funding stage, industry vertical, and recency of funding round to prioritize highest-intent prospects.
How much funding do San Francisco startups typically raise by stage?
Based on our 2025 data tracking 2,129 SF startups: Seed rounds average $3-8 million (AI companies raise higher at $5-9M), Series A rounds range from $15-50 million with AI/enterprise companies at the higher end, Series B rounds typically fall between $40-75 million, and Series C+ rounds often exceed $100 million. Mega-rounds of $500M+ are increasingly common for category-defining companies. The median seed round is $5.5M—about 57% higher than the national average of $3.5M, reflecting SF’s premium valuations and competitive funding environment.
Which industries are getting the most funding in San Francisco right now?
Artificial Intelligence absolutely dominates SF startup funding in 2025, accounting for 52% of all capital raised—over $58 billion through Q3. This includes foundation models, AI infrastructure, and vertical AI applications across every industry. Enterprise SaaS captures 18% ($20B+), particularly companies adding AI capabilities. FinTech and crypto represent 12% ($13.4B), driven by mega-rounds at Ripple and Kraken. Biotech/HealthTech accounts for 9% ($10B), especially computational biology and AI-driven drug discovery. CyberSecurity rounds out the top five at 5% ($5.6B). Traditional sectors like e-commerce and consumer apps now represent less than 4% combined.
How do I get my startup funded in San Francisco?
The most effective path to SF funding: (1) Join Y Combinator or top accelerators—YC-backed companies have 70%+ success rates for Series A, (2) Build in public and gain traction—demonstrate product-market fit with revenue or strong user growth metrics, (3) Leverage warm introductions—VCs rarely fund cold outreach; get intros from founders, other VCs, or advisors, (4) Target the right investors—research which firms invest in your stage, sector, and check size, (5) Relocate to SF—proximity dramatically increases your chances as VCs prefer local investments. The average time from founding to first institutional funding is 12-18 months for SF startups. Consider starting with Y Combinator, 500 Global, or Alchemist Accelerator.
What’s the success rate for San Francisco startups compared to other cities?
San Francisco startups demonstrate significantly higher success rates than other ecosystems. The city hosts 268 unicorns (companies valued over $1 billion)—more than double NYC’s 146 and over 5x Boston’s 50. According to PitchBook data, SF startups have a 15-20% probability of raising Series A after seed (vs. 10-12% nationally), and a 40-45% probability of reaching Series B after Series A (vs. 30-35% nationally). The 10-year survival rate for SF startups is approximately 35%, compared to 25% nationally. However, SF also has higher failure rates for companies that don’t achieve product-market fit within 18-24 months, as the cost structure and competitive intensity force faster pivots or shutdowns.
How can I connect with recently funded San Francisco startups for business development?
The most effective approach is reaching out within 30 days of a funding announcement, when startups are actively hiring, buying tools, and expanding operations. Growth List maintains a database of 2,129 San Francisco startups with 2,894 double-verified email addresses reaching founders and decision-makers directly. We track funding announcements weekly and send fresh leads every Monday. For B2B sales, prioritize: (1) Series A companies (budget allocated, hiring), (2) AI/ML startups (buying infrastructure/tools), and (3) Enterprise SaaS (need go-to-market services). Sign up to receive 100 SF startup leads free with complete contact info, funding amounts, and company details.
Should I relocate my startup to San Francisco in 2025?
The data strongly supports relocating to SF if you’re raising institutional capital, especially for AI, enterprise SaaS, or deep tech. In 2025, San Francisco startups raised 245% more capital year-over-year, and prominent accelerators like Y Combinator now strongly encourage in-person participation. Benefits of relocating include: access to the world’s top VCs (most prefer local investments), unmatched talent pools (especially AI/ML engineers), customer concentration (many enterprise buyers are local), and serendipitous networking opportunities. However, consider the tradeoffs: SF has the highest startup operating costs ($15K-25K/month burn rate vs. $8K-12K remotely), intense competition for talent (AI engineers command $300K+ salaries), and requires 18-24 month runway minimums. Remote-first works for bootstrapped or capital-efficient businesses, but venture-scale companies increasingly need SF presence.
What neighborhoods should startups office in San Francisco?
The best SF neighborhoods for startups depend on your stage and industry: SoMa (South of Market) remains the traditional tech hub with the highest startup density, hosting companies from seed to unicorn stage with average office costs of $75-90/sq ft. Mission District attracts creative and consumer-focused startups with a younger vibe and slightly lower costs ($60-75/sq ft). Financial District suits fintech and enterprise companies wanting proximity to corporate customers ($70-85/sq ft). Dogpatch is emerging for hardware and biotech startups needing lab/manufacturing space ($55-70/sq ft). Many early-stage startups now use co-working spaces like WeWork, Spaces, or industry-specific hubs. Post-Series A, most companies lease dedicated offices in SoMa near Moscone Center, optimizing for talent recruitment and VC accessibility.
How to Use This San Francisco Startup Data
Whether you’re selling to San Francisco startups or recruiting from Silicon Valley companies, timing matters. Recently funded San Francisco startups have fresh budgets and immediate hiring needs. This database is updated weekly and designed for multiple use cases:
- For Sales Teams: Target recently funded SF startups when budgets are fresh. Our verified emails reach founders and decision-makers directly. Check out our guide on how to sell to recently funded startups.
- For Investors: Track emerging trends in AI, enterprise SaaS, and other hot sectors. Identify promising companies before they become oversubscribed.
- For Job Seekers: Recently funded companies are actively hiring across engineering, sales, marketing, and operations. Time your applications to funding announcements.
- For Service Providers: Law firms, accounting firms, recruiters, and marketing agencies can identify companies needing professional services post-funding.
- For Founders: Research competitors, identify acquisition targets, or track funding benchmarks in your sector.
Related Startup Ecosystems
Exploring startup ecosystems beyond San Francisco? Our San Francisco startups database is updated weekly, but we also cover:
- Recently funded startups in New York City
- Recently funded startups in Los Angeles
- Recently funded startups in Boston
- Recently funded startups in San Diego
- Recently funded startups in Chicago
- Recently funded startups in Seattle
- Recently funded startups in Austin
- Recently funded startups (all USA)
- Recently funded startups (all countries and industries)
Industry-Specific Startup Lists
Looking for startups in specific sectors? Explore our industry-focused databases:
