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The most active VC investors in autonomous vehicle tech

Investment in the self-driving car space took a huge leap last year, with more than $4 billion invested globally, per the PitchBook Platform. We’ve taken a look at the top investors in the industry.


It’s no secret that venture capitalists are keen on technology related to self-driving cars. Global investment in the space took a huge leap last year, with more than $4 billion invested across 69 deals, per the PitchBook Platform, up from roughly $626 million over 34 deals in 2016.

The deals that took place in 2017 represent more than half of the total number of transactions since the beginning of 2012. Since then, 302 venture capital investors around the world have participated in at least one of 131 deals in the autonomous vehicle space.

Of the 15 most active VC investors in the sector, just a handful are devoted to backing companies in the transportation space. The group is rounded out by powerhouses like NEA and Andreessen Horowitz, which has invested in rounds for five companies in the industry, including mapping startup DeepMap.

Here are the top 15 VCs in autonomous vehicle tech since 2012, including investment count (and excluding accelerator rounds):

View the full PitchBook dataset on VC investors in autonomous vehicles right here.

Related read: How self-driving cars will change cities

Related read: Dude, where’s my-self driving car? A Lyft letdown

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    About Dana Olsen

    Dana Olsen was a senior writer at PitchBook, covering all things venture capital. She has a BA from UC Santa Barbara and a JD from Loyola Law School.

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