The Seed 40: The best women early-stage investors of 2026

In a landscape historically dominated by men, the Seed 40 of 2026 shines a spotlight on women who are revolutionizing the venture capital sector. This annual list, presented by Business Insider, highlights female investors who are not only identifying promising startups but also nurturing them into future tech giants. Among the noteworthy names is Janet Bannister, founder of Staircase Ventures, based in Toronto. With a keen eye for potential, her investments include AI biotech firm Biossil and Fillip Fleet, marking her firm as a critical player in the early-stage investment arena. Austin's Lily Lyman makes her mark with Awesome People Ventures, focusing on health and wellness startups. Known for her networking prowess, she's earned the nickname 'the Kevin Bacon of tech' due to her extensive connections that help drive funding and talent acquisition for her portfolio companies. Julia Lipton, an angel investor, has made significant strides through Awesome People Ventures, where her focus on AI and healthtech led to substantial investments, including in Ambience, an AI medical scribe startup that achieved a $1.25 billion valuation in 2025. On the West Coast, Varsha Rao, the former CEO of telehealth platform Nurx, is making waves as an angel investor and part-time executive partner at Flare Capital Partners. Her recent investments aim to bolster the next wave of consumer tech and healthcare innovators. The list also features seasoned investors like Ann Miura-Ko, co-founding partner at Floodgate, who has a reputation for spotting disruptive startups early on, including Lyft and Okta. Her analytical approach merges technical expertise with a founder-first mentality, ensuring her investments are not only profitable but also impactful. With a commitment to uplifting underrepresented founders, this year's Seed 40 demonstrates how women are increasingly taking the reins in venture capital, fostering innovation, and reshaping industries. Their diverse backgrounds and unique insights are essential as they guide the next generation of startups toward success, proving that gender diversity can lead to groundbreaking advancements in technology and beyond. As the venture capital landscape evolves, these women not only pave the way for future investors but also contribute to a richer, more inclusive ecosystem that benefits all.