Los Angeles, in particular, offers an enticing mix of resources and opportunities that make it a magnet for startups. Its proximity to Hollywood positions it as a global leader in entertainment tech, while the city’s diverse and creative talent pool provides fertile ground for fresh ideas. Moreover, notable universities like UCLA and USC play a pivotal role as well, serving as incubators for entrepreneurial talent and research-driven innovation. The city also boasts a robust investor ecosystem, with venture capital firms actively seeking to fund the next big thing.
Several industries are propelling the growth of LA’s startup ecosystem—entertainment technology leads the charge, with companies developing groundbreaking tools and platforms that merge technology with storytelling. Health and wellness startups are also making waves, focusing on biotech breakthroughs, mental health solutions, and fitness innovations. Sustainability is another driving force, with cleantech companies working on solutions to combat climate change and promote renewable energy adoption.
With that as a backdrop, and based on our insights from a decade-plus of supporting LA startups, we’re going to dive into the top early-stage technology startups (Seed – Series B) in LA that we think may take off in 2025.
B Generous is a California-based fintech startup revolutionizing the nonprofit sector. Founded in 2021, the company has developed the nation’s leading credit marketplace for nonprofits, providing immediate access to capital to help organizations focus on their missions rather than fundraising challenges.
The company’s innovative platform has garnered significant attention and support. Backed by six investors, including Freesearch Ventures and Silicon Valley Syndicate Club, B Generous has successfully raised $10M in funding to date.
Bobsled, a Los Angeles-based startup founded in November 2021, is transforming how data is shared in the cloud. Recognizing that traditional methods can be manual, expensive, and fragile, Bobsled eliminates these inefficiencies with its no-code platform. Bobsled’s platform is designed to empower data teams, handling every aspect of cloud data sharing, including distribution, security, updates, versioning, entitlements, telemetry, and more. This streamlined approach allows teams to focus on high-value tasks instead of logistical hurdles.
Founded by Andrew Jefferson, Jake Graham, and Joshua Neckes, Bobsled remains active and innovative. It has secured significant backing through a Series A funding round as it continues to redefine the data-sharing landscape.
Charlie is setting a new standard for financial services tailored to individuals aged 62 and older. This innovative startup provides retirees with tools to maximize their resources and achieve financial peace of mind. Charlie offers a suite of user-focused features, including faster access to Social Security checks, competitive earnings on deposits, no monthly fees or minimums, and US-based customer support. Its digital platform is simple, transparent, and specifically designed to address the unique needs of the 62+ demographic.
Since its inception, Charlie has attracted significant investor interest, raising $30.5M to date. Backed by seven investors, including Better Tomorrow Ventures and FPV Ventures, Charlie is transforming how retirees manage their finances, providing a sense of security for both the present and the future.
Electrum is revolutionizing the adoption of sustainable technologies by empowering communities with transparency and choice. The company’s mission is to improve quality of life through accessible and efficient solutions.
Electrum’s platform simplifies the journey for homeowners exploring sustainable technology projects. Users are guided through online education and an easy registration process, creating a project that invites certified and vetted installers to place bids. After the bidding period closes, a proprietary algorithm analyzes the bids, selecting the top three. These are presented in a user-friendly format, enabling homeowners to compare options and select the best fit. Contracts can be finalized on the site with an e-signature, streamlining the entire process.
The company has raised $19M in funding, supported by investors such as Renewal Funds and E8 Angels. By simplifying access to sustainable technologies, Electrum is making it easier for communities to embrace a greener future.
Galvanick is redefining cybersecurity for industrial operations by combining advanced technology with human oversight. Recognizing that actions in the cyber-physical world have real-world consequences, Galvanick emphasizes keeping humans in the loop while addressing the growing threat landscape.
The company’s cloud-native Intelligence Augmentation platform serves as a “cyber-sidekick” for industrial organizations, enhancing their ability to detect anomalous behavior on sensitive assets. By aggregating telemetry from industrial environments and hosting systemic models, Galvanick enables operators to distinguish between normal and abnormal activity quickly, providing critical context for swift decision-making.
Backed by 14 investors, including Shrug Capital and Alumni Ventures, Galvanick has raised $10M to date. Galvanick’s innovative approach is empowering industrial companies to secure their operations in an increasingly complex and fast-paced threat landscape.
Groundswell is revolutionizing corporate philanthropy with its innovative SaaS platform. The company enables businesses to empower their employees with personal donor-advised funds, fostering a culture of giving and social impact.
Employees using Groundswell’s platform gain access to a suite of tools designed to simplify and enhance their charitable contributions. These include tax-free investment opportunities, tailored giving options, seamless donation processes, and centralized impact reporting, making philanthropy accessible and effective for everyone involved.
With backing from seven investors, including Equable Capital and Human Ventures, Groundswell has raised $15M to date. It is setting a new standard for how companies and employees collaborate to make a difference in the world.
Kindo is redefining how organizations adopt and manage AI. By offering a unified interface for accessing commercial, open-source, and private AI models, Kindo enables businesses to pay once for AI access while seamlessly integrating with over 200 SaaS platforms. The platform enhances workforce productivity by centralizing AI tools in a secure and compliant environment. Kindo empowers teams to harness the full potential of AI without compromising on safety or efficiency, making it easier for organizations to innovate at scale.
Supported by 12 investors, including Marlinspike Capital and Riot Ventures, Kindo has raised $27.6M to date. With its focus on accessibility, security, and compliance, Kindo is paving the way for the future of enterprise AI.
MarqVision is a leading force in online brand protection, helping global brands combat counterfeiting on over 1,500 platforms and thousands of rogue websites across 118 countries. Founded in 2020 by Harvard Law graduates, MarqVision’s mission is to protect and nurture a future driven by original ideas, innovations, and creativity.
At a time when counterfeiting is an ever-growing threat, MarqVision combines legal expertise with cutting-edge generative AI technology to safeguard the hard work of inventors, developers, and artists. The company’s platform provides comprehensive solutions for detection, monitoring, and enforcement to protect brands at scale, ensuring high-quality products remain safe from imitation.
MarqVision has raised $41M in funding, with key investors such as Hillspring Investment (HSI) and Altos Ventures. It has earned recognition, including a prestigious 2022 Innovation Award from LVMH Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy and inclusion in their La Maison des Startups program at Station F. Through its technology, MarqVision is shaping a safer, more secure future for global brands.
PeakMetrics is a pioneering force in the field of narrative intelligence. The company’s platform helps enterprises and governments identify and mitigate emerging online narrative threats by leveraging advanced machine learning technology.
PeakMetrics monitors over 1.5 million media sources and 10 different social media platforms in real time, detecting media manipulation and adversarial attacks before they can cause significant damage. The platform enables organizations to assess source credibility, track the spread of narratives, and quantify risks and responses, all without the need for expensive crisis communication or manual sentiment analysis.
Backed by seven investors, including CEAS Investments and York IE, PeakMetrics has raised $5.7M to date. With its innovative approach to detecting online threats, PeakMetrics is transforming how organizations safeguard their reputation and manage risks in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
Talkshoplive is the leading livestream commerce network, transforming the way transactions happen online. The platform features a patent-pending embeddable video player that enables sales execution and allows transactions to be processed directly within the video player, wherever it is embedded.
This innovative network and app provide a comprehensive range of services for both buyers and sellers, from live show creation to order processing, shipping, and payouts, making it easier for brands to engage with customers and drive sales in real-time.
With 15 investors, including TuneIn and Progress Partners, talkshoplive has raised $18M to date. The company’s most recent Seed funding round closed on October 16, 2023. talkshoplive is at the forefront of live stream commerce, offering a seamless shopping experience that bridges entertainment and e-commerce in a dynamic new way.
