14 Leading AI Angel Investors Driving Innovation in Artificial Intelligence

For founders building in artificial intelligence, securing the right early-stage capital is a critical first step.

Angel investors can be valuable partners here. They often provide the first checks and hands-on guidance, a different approach than many venture capital firms.

To help with your search, we've put together this overview of leading angel investors in the AI and ML space.

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Top AI Angel Investors By Stage

Most angel investors in AI prefer to invest at the pre-seed and seed stages, where their hands-on support can be most effective.

Knowing which investors are active at this stage can help you find the right partners for your company.

Pre-seed Angel Investors in AI

Pre-seed is the earliest funding stage, often used to validate an idea and build a minimum viable product. For AI startups at this initial phase, investors like Gaurav Garg, Brian Reilly, and Ann Berry are known to be active.

Seed Stage Angel Investors in AI

Seed funding helps a company with initial market entry, product development, and hiring key team members. You might consider reaching out to investors like Steve Case, Theresia Gouw, and David Schwab, who have experience with AI companies at the seed stage.

Series A Angel Investors in AI

Series A funding is for startups with a proven track record and is used to scale the business and optimize the user base. Some investors with a history of Series A AI deals include Alexander Rosen, Tyler Winklevoss, and John Stokes.

Series B Angel Investors in AI

Series B is about taking the business to the next level, moving past the development stage to focus on expansion. Investors such as Peter Levine, Matt Murphy, and Connie Chan have participated in Series B rounds for AI companies.

Keep in mind that some angel investors don't stick to a single category. Many, including Charlie Cheever and Mike Volpi, invest across multiple funding stages, which can be valuable for building long-term partnerships.

Here is a closer look at some of the leading angel investors in AI.

We've included details on their investment stages, sectors of focus, location, and what makes each a compelling partner for founders.

1. Tyler Winklevoss

Tyler Winklevoss is a co-founder of Winklevoss Capital and the CEO of Gemini. He is widely recognized for his early and continued focus on the Web3 and crypto sectors.

He primarily invests at the Seed and Series A stages, with a clear interest in AI, gaming, and enterprise software. As a founder himself, his approach often includes operational guidance for companies in emerging technology markets.

Founders building in Web3, AI, or gaming may find him to be a good match. His experience scaling Gemini could be particularly valuable for startups facing complex regulatory or technical challenges.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Industries of focus: Web3/Crypto, AI, Gaming/eSports, Enterprise
• Geographical presence: New York
• Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Animoca Brands, Octane

You can find more information about Tyler Winklevoss on the Winklevoss Capital website or his LinkedIn profile.

2. Peter Levine

Peter Levine is a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), where he focuses on enterprise, cloud infrastructure, and AI investments. His background as a former CEO gives him a founder-centric perspective on company building.

He invests across Seed, Series A, and Series B rounds, often backing companies with deep technical foundations in data services and enterprise software. His portfolio includes high-growth companies like Figma, Pinecone, and Netlify, indicating a preference for businesses with strong product-market fit.

If you are a founder building a technical product for the enterprise market, particularly in cloud or data infrastructure, he could be a valuable partner. His role at a16z provides access to a broad network and significant operational support for scaling companies.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, Enterprise, AI, FinTech, Data Services
• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
• Ideal investment range: $50K - $50.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Figma, Pinecone, Netlify, Labelbox

You can find more information about Peter Levine on the a16z website or his LinkedIn profile.

3. Matt Murphy

Matt Murphy is a partner at Menlo Ventures, where he concentrates on enterprise software, AI, and cloud infrastructure. He has a reputation for backing companies that build foundational technology for modern businesses.

He invests from Seed to Series B, with a portfolio that includes developer tools like Harness and Semgrep. This indicates a preference for technically complex products with clear enterprise applications and a strong go-to-market strategy.

Founders building in the enterprise SaaS or developer tool space could find him to be a strong ally. His experience at a major firm like Menlo Ventures can provide significant support for scaling and market expansion.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: SaaS, Cloud Infrastructure, AI, Enterprise, Developer Tools
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Ideal investment range: $8.0M - $15.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Harness, Semgrep, Zylo, Envoy

You can find more information about Matt Murphy on the Menlo Ventures website or his LinkedIn profile.

4. Steve Case

As the Chairman and CEO of Revolution and co-founder of AOL, Steve Case is a prominent figure in the tech industry. He is particularly known for his "Rise of the Rest" initiative, which champions startups located outside of traditional tech hubs.

He typically invests at the Seed and Series A stages, with an interest in sectors like FinTech, payments, and AI. His portfolio includes companies such as FiscalNote and Pryon, reflecting a focus on businesses with significant growth potential.

If you are a founder building a company outside of the usual coastal tech centers, he could be a valuable partner. His experience scaling AOL offers a unique perspective on building a business for a mass market.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Industries of focus: Payments, FinTech, AI
• Geographical presence: Based in Virginia
• Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: FiscalNote, Pryon, Slingshot Aerospace

You can find more information about Steve Case on the Revolution website or his LinkedIn profile.

5. Connie Chan

Connie Chan is a partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), where she heads the consumer sector. She is recognized for her focus on consumer internet, e-commerce, and media companies.

She invests primarily at the Series A and Series B stages, with a clear interest in marketplaces and consumer technology. Her portfolio includes companies like Whatnot, indicating a preference for businesses with strong community features.

Founders building consumer-facing companies that are ready to scale may find her to be a good match. Her role at a16z offers significant operational resources for growth-stage startups.

• Investment stages: Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: E-commerce, Media/Content, Consumer Internet, AI, Marketplaces
• Geographical presence: Saratoga, California
• Ideal investment range: $500K - $40.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Whatnot, KoBold Metals, Canal

You can find more information about Connie Chan on the a16z website or her LinkedIn profile.

6. Alexander Rosen

Alexander Rosen is a co-founder and Managing Director at Ridge Ventures, an enterprise-focused venture firm. His background includes roles at General Atlantic and Sprout Group, giving him extensive experience in venture capital and growth equity.

He invests primarily at the Seed and Series A stages, with a clear interest in enterprise software, SaaS, and data services. His portfolio, which includes companies like SafeGraph and OfferFit, shows a preference for businesses that use data and analytics to solve complex problems.

If you are a founder building an enterprise SaaS or data-intensive company, Rosen could be a strong partner. His firm's focus on early-stage enterprise startups means he can provide relevant guidance for finding product-market fit and scaling.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Industries of focus: Enterprise, SaaS, AI, Data Services, Cloud Infrastructure
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Ideal investment range: $1M - $7.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: SafeGraph, OfferFit, Uplift

You can find more information about Alexander Rosen on the Ridge Ventures website or his LinkedIn profile.

7. Mike Volpi

Mike Volpi is a partner at Index Ventures with deep roots in enterprise technology, drawing from his previous leadership roles at Cisco. He is known for backing companies that build foundational infrastructure for modern businesses.

He invests across Seed, Series A, and Series B rounds, showing a clear interest in technically complex products. His portfolio includes companies like Kong and Temporal Technologies, which points to a focus on cloud infrastructure, data services, and security.

If you are building an enterprise software company, particularly in a technical area, he could be a valuable partner. His experience scaling infrastructure companies and his position at a major firm can provide significant operational support.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, Data Services, Security, FinTech, AI
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Ideal investment range: $100K - $2.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Kong, Temporal Technologies, incident.io

You can find more information about Mike Volpi on the Index Ventures website or his LinkedIn profile.

8. Theresia Gouw

Theresia Gouw is a co-founder of Acrew Capital and a prominent investor with a focus on enterprise software, security, and AI. She is known for backing companies that address complex technical challenges in these sectors.

She primarily invests at the Seed and Series A stages, often supporting companies with strong security or data-centric products. Her portfolio includes security company Exabeam and AI platform Arthur, highlighting her interest in businesses with deep technical foundations.

If you are a founder building an enterprise or security company with an AI component, she could be a great partner. Her experience as a founding partner at Acrew Capital suggests she can provide both capital and strategic guidance for early-stage growth.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Industries of focus: Enterprise, AI, Security
• Geographical presence: Palo Alto, California
• Ideal investment range: $1M - $7.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Exabeam, Arthur, Ketch

You can find more information about Theresia Gouw on the Acrew Capital website or her LinkedIn profile.

9. Gaurav Garg

Gaurav Garg is a founding partner at Wing Venture Capital, a firm that backs early-stage, business-focused technology companies. He is known for his work with startups in the enterprise and cybersecurity sectors.

He invests from the pre-seed to Series A stages, with a focus on SaaS, AI, and analytics. His involvement with companies like Cohesity points to an interest in businesses that build foundational enterprise technology.

Founders developing B2B software, particularly in cybersecurity or data analytics, may find him to be a good fit. His experience with early-stage companies suggests he can provide guidance on building a strong product and go-to-market strategy.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
• Industries of focus: SaaS, Enterprise, Analytics, Cybersecurity, AI
• Geographical presence: Based in Atherton, California
• Ideal investment range: $100K - $20.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Cohesity, Findem, Theom

You can find more information about Gaurav Garg on the Wing VC website or his LinkedIn profile.

10. John Stokes

John Stokes is a partner at Real Ventures and has a long history as an operator and founder in the tech industry. His work is closely tied to the Canadian startup scene, particularly through his role as Managing Partner at Montreal Startup.

He tends to invest in Seed and Series A rounds, with an interest in e-commerce, HR tech, and AI. His background as a founder and executive at multiple companies suggests he can offer practical operational support, a valuable asset for early-stage teams.

If you're a founder in Canada building in his areas of interest, he could be a good fit. His experience scaling companies and his focus on the early stages make him a relevant partner for startups looking for more than just a check.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Industries of focus: E-commerce, Human Capital/HRTech, AI
• Geographical presence: Canada
• Ideal investment range: $500K - $2.5M
• Notable portfolio companies: Unsplash

You can find more information about John Stokes on the Real Ventures website or his LinkedIn profile.

11. Charlie Cheever

Charlie Cheever is an active angel investor who backs companies across a notable range of industries and growth phases. He invests as an individual rather than through a large fund, which often allows for a more direct relationship with founders.

A key characteristic is his flexibility, with investments spanning from Pre-seed to Series B. His portfolio, including companies like Etched.ai and Logseq, shows an interest in AI and developer-focused software.

Founders building in AI, SMB software, gaming, or proptech could find him to be a good match. His willingness to invest across multiple funding rounds suggests he can be a long-term partner as a company scales.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: AI, SMB Software, Games, Real Estate/PropTech
• Geographical presence: Palo Alto, California
• Ideal investment range: $10K - $500K
• Notable portfolio companies: Etched.ai, Logseq, Harmonic

You can find more information about Charlie Cheever on his personal website or LinkedIn profile.

12. Brian Reilly

Brian Reilly is a partner at Will Ventures, a firm that invests in companies at the intersection of sports, health, and entertainment. He is known for backing founders at the earliest stages of company building.

He primarily invests at the Pre-seed and Seed stages, with a clear interest in health tech, wellness, and sports. His portfolio includes companies like Ness and Aktivate, which points to a focus on businesses with consumer applications in these sectors.

If you are a founder building a company in health, wellness, or sports tech, he could be a relevant partner. His position at a venture firm suggests he can provide both capital and strategic support for early-stage growth.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
• Industries of focus: Health & Wellness, Sports Tech, AI, Digital Health
• Geographical presence: Brooklyn, New York
• Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Ness, Aktivate, Looped

You can find more information about Brian Reilly on the Will Ventures website or his LinkedIn profile.

13. David Schwab

David Schwab is a Managing Director at Sierra Ventures, where he has been an investor since 1996. He primarily concentrates on seed-stage companies, bringing decades of venture experience to his portfolio.

His investment focus often lies at the intersection of technology and specific industries, including Health IT, AI, and e-commerce. Portfolio companies like the AI-powered analytics platform WhizAI and health tech provider Concert Health highlight his interest in businesses with clear enterprise or healthcare applications.

Founders building a seed-stage company in health tech or B2B AI may find him to be a strong partner. His extensive background in venture capital can be a significant asset for early-stage teams navigating product development and initial market entry.

• Investment stages: Seed
• Industries of focus: Health IT, AI, E-commerce, Health & Hospital Services
• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
• Ideal investment range: $100K - $10.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: WhizAI, Concert Health, OnsiteIQ

You can find more information about David Schwab on his LinkedIn profile or Crunchbase profile.

14. Ann Berry

Ann Berry is an angel investor, advisor, and former CEO who backs companies at their earliest stages. She invests as an individual, which can allow for a more direct relationship with the founders she supports.

A key aspect of her approach is her focus on pre-seed and seed rounds with smaller, targeted checks. Her portfolio includes companies like Ellevest and the Drone Racing League, showing an interest that spans across different sectors.

Founders at the very beginning of their journey, who are looking for initial capital and guidance from an experienced operator, may find her to be a good partner. Her background as a CEO can be particularly helpful for navigating early business challenges.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
• Industries of focus: AI, FinTech, Sports Tech
• Geographical presence: New York
• Ideal investment range: $5K - $50K
• Notable portfolio companies: Ellevest, Drone Racing League, Pressto

You can find more information about Ann Berry on her LinkedIn or Crunchbase profile.

What Startup Founders Should Look for in a AI Investor

When seeking an AI angel investor, look beyond the capital. The ideal partner brings relevant industry experience and a network that can accelerate your growth. Consider whether you need operational guidance, customer introductions, or technical expertise, and find an investor who matches those needs.

Our list highlights a few trends: many investors specialize in enterprise SaaS or data infrastructure, and most are active at the pre-seed and seed stages. This suggests you should target investors with a track record in your specific application of AI and whose funding stage aligns with yours.

Ultimately, finding the right angel is about building a long-term relationship. Look for someone with direct operational experience who believes in your vision. Their guidance and connections can be just as valuable as the funding they provide.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Fundraising is a full-time job, and your time is your most valuable asset. A focused list of relevant investors helps you direct your energy where it counts most.

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This allows your angel capital to be directed toward growth and operations, rather than being lost to manual financial admin.

FAQs about AI Angel Investors

Are there many AI angel investors in Boston?

Yes, Boston has a strong ecosystem of angel investors focused on deep tech and AI, often with ties to local universities. The city is a major hub for Boston angel investors interested in B2B and life sciences.

Do AI angel investors fund generative AI startups?

Absolutely. Many investors are specifically looking for opportunities in generative AI. Founders should highlight their unique model, data advantage, or specific application to capture the attention of investors in this competitive space.

What do pre-seed AI investors look for?

At the pre-seed stage, investors focus heavily on the founding team's expertise and vision. A compelling idea and a basic prototype or clear technical plan are often more important than early traction or revenue.

How much equity do AI angel investors typically take?

This varies based on your company's valuation and the investment size. For seed rounds, angels might collectively take 10-20% equity. It's crucial to understand valuation to negotiate fair terms for your early-stage funding.

How can I manage my finances after closing an angel round?

Once funded, you need a financial stack that scales. Our platform offers banking, corporate cards, and expense management in one place. You can get started with Rho to manage your new capital efficiently.