United States / Funding / Wyoming Venture Capital (WYVC)

Wyoming Venture Capital (WYVC)

State venture fund co-invests in Seed and Series A rounds for Wyoming startups, plus invests in regional VC funds backing them.

Open nowEquity, up to $5MChecked Sep 24, 2026 on the official site

What you get: Up to $5 million per company (never more than 50% of a round; extra due diligence above $2 million)
Sectors: cross-sector
Where: Wyoming
When to apply: rolling

About this programme

Wyoming Venture Capital (WYVC) is a quasi-governmental venture capital fund run through the Wyoming Business Council, built to support and capitalize Wyoming entrepreneurs. WBC received $58.4 million through the U.S. Treasury's State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) in 2022, which let WYVC start taking applications on April 2, 2023. SSBCI overall provides nearly $10 billion across states to increase access to capital and promote entrepreneurship.

WYVC runs two strategies. The Direct Strategy invests straight into Wyoming-based seed and Series A companies. The Funds Strategy makes limited-partner investments into regional and Wyoming-focused venture capital funds, which then invest in Wyoming companies on WYVC's behalf.

Beyond capital, WYVC offers portfolio companies board observation, help sourcing additional funding, founder introductions, intern recruitment support, and job placement help through its own jobs board.

How it works

Direct Strategy: WYVC can invest up to $5 million per company across multiple rounds, but never acts as the lead investor and will only consider up to 50% of the total funds raised in a round. Investments above $2 million trigger additional due diligence. WYVC will not invest more than 100% of the funds a company has already received from other investors.

Funds Strategy: WYVC contributes up to $5 million per fund, targeting about 20% of a fund's size and considering up to 50% of the total fund. Management fees are capped at a 1.71% annualized average. These funds must focus on Pre-Seed, Seed and Series A rounds, target 5 to 7 year return horizons, direct at least 80% of their investments to Wyoming companies, and cannot buy secondary-market shares.

Who can apply

For Direct Strategy, the company must be Wyoming-headquartered, have its principal operations in Wyoming, or employ 60% or more of its staff in-state; a company planning to relocate to Wyoming within one year also qualifies.

The company must have 200 employees or fewer. Company age does not affect eligibility.

At least 60% of the company's equity must be owned by Wyoming residents. Having existing investors or existing debt does not disqualify an applicant.

Frequently asked

How much can WYVC invest in my company?

Up to $5 million per company across multiple rounds under the Direct Strategy, though WYVC never leads a round and will only consider up to 50% of the total round.

Does WYVC help me find other investors?

WYVC cannot guarantee fundraising introductions, but it may provide letters of intent to help attract other investors. It does not cover attorney fees.

Do I need to be majority Wyoming-owned to qualify?

Yes, at least 60% of the company's equity must be owned by Wyoming residents, alongside being Wyoming-headquartered, principally operating there, or employing 60%+ of staff in-state.

How does the Funds Strategy differ from investing directly in my company?

Under the Funds Strategy, WYVC invests as a limited partner in a venture fund (up to $5 million, targeting about 20% of the fund), and that fund then makes the actual investment decisions in Wyoming companies.