8 Leading Angel Investors in DeepTech Sector
Seeking funding for your DeepTech startup? Our list covers 8 active angel investors to help you find the right partner for your company's growth.
Rho Editorial Team
Securing funding from a DeepTech angel investor provides more than just capital; it often brings valuable industry expertise and connections to help your startup grow.
Some angel investors active in the DeepTech sector include Brian Reilly, Betsy Cohen, Rick Lewis, and Michael Granoff, who have backed various startups.
If you’re raising or have just closed a round, Rho’s platform helps you manage your new capital.
Our platform gives you access to FDIC-insured accounts through partner banks, corporate cards with up to 2% cashback, automated bill pay, spend controls, and real-time accounting integrations.
For founders in the DeepTech and hard tech sectors, finding the right early-stage capital can be a challenge. Understanding who the key angel investors are is a critical first step in your fundraising process.
Angel investors often operate differently than venture capital firms, frequently providing the very first check based on their belief in a founding team and its vision.
To help you connect with the right people, we've put together this overview of leading angel investors in DeepTech. Use this guide to identify individuals who may be a good fit for your company.
Just raised or about to? Set up your financial stack with Rho in minutes. Rho provides business banking, corporate cards, and accounting integrations built for startup teams moving fast.
Top DeepTech Angel Investors By Stage
Many angel investors in DeepTech focus on the earliest pre-seed and seed rounds. This is because they are often backing the strength of the founding team and the vision for the technology before there is significant market validation.
Understanding who these individuals are can help you target your fundraising efforts more effectively.
Pre-seed Angel Investors in DeepTech
Pre-seed is often the first money a startup raises, typically used to validate an idea and build a minimum viable product (MVP). For founders in DeepTech, investors like Mike Sherbakov and Brian Reilly are known to invest at this very early stage.
Seed Stage Angel Investors in DeepTech
Seed funding helps companies with product development and initial market entry once they have some traction. DeepTech founders might find a good fit with investors such as Michael Granoff, Ilya Sukhar, and Kiersten Stead.
Series A Angel Investors in DeepTech
Series A funding is for startups with a proven business model and consistent revenue, aimed at scaling operations and optimizing the user base. Some notable investors in this space include Rick Lewis and Greg Papadopoulos, who have experience backing companies at this growth phase.
Series B Angel Investors in DeepTech
Series B rounds are designed for companies that are already well-established and are looking to expand their market reach significantly. Investors like Betsy Cohen and Greg Papadopoulos participate in these later-stage rounds to help businesses scale.
Keep in mind that many investors are flexible and participate in rounds across different stages of a company's growth.
To help you find the right partners, here is a closer look at some of the leading angel investors in DeepTech. We've gathered key details on their investment stages, sectors of focus, and what makes each of them a compelling choice for founders.
1. Brian Reilly
Brian Reilly is a partner at WILL Ventures, a firm that invests in companies at the intersection of sports, health, and technology. He brings experience as both a founder and an investor to his role, giving him a valuable perspective for early-stage teams.
He concentrates on pre-seed and seed-stage companies, with an investment sweet spot around $1.5M. His portfolio indicates a thematic interest in AI, digital health, and wellness platforms, with investments in companies like Aktivate and Ness.
Founders working on early-stage DeepTech or AI applications within the health, wellness, or sports sectors may find Reilly to be a good match. His background suggests an appreciation for teams that are just starting to build their product and find market fit.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
- Sectors of focus: Health & Hospital Services, Digital Health, Wellness & Fitness, DeepTech, Entertainment & Sports, AI
- Investment range: $100K - $5.0M
- Location: Brooklyn, New York
- Notable investments: Aktivate, Fanki, Ness, Looped
You can find more information about Brian Reilly on his firm's website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
2. Betsy Cohen
Betsy Cohen is a prominent investor and the Chairman of FinTech Masala, a firm that sponsors special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs). She is widely recognized for her extensive experience and influence within the financial technology sector.
Her investment activity shows a focus on both FinTech and DeepTech, with a notable flexibility in funding stages from pre-seed to Series B. Her portfolio includes companies like Arta Finance and Railsr, indicating an interest in businesses that are scaling within the financial services industry.
Founders in the FinTech space, particularly those with a proven model seeking Series A or B funding, may find her a strong potential partner. Her experience with SPACs could also be valuable for companies with long-term plans for the public markets.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Series A, Series B
- Sectors of focus: FinTech, DeepTech
- Investment range: $100K - $5.0M
- Location: United States
- Notable investments: Arta Finance, Railsr, Resonance
You can find more information about Betsy Cohen on her firm's website or connect with her on LinkedIn.
3. Rick Lewis
Rick Lewis is a partner at U.S. Venture Partners (USVP), where he focuses on early-stage companies. His background as a venture capitalist gives him experience in helping startups navigate from their initial stages toward significant growth.
He invests across pre-seed, seed, and Series A rounds, with a particular interest in enterprise SaaS, cybersecurity, and e-commerce. His portfolio includes companies like Darwinium and Oliver Space, reflecting his focus on these sectors.
Founders building companies in SaaS or cybersecurity may find a good partner in Rick. His involvement from the earliest stages through Series A suggests he is a good fit for teams looking for a long-term capital partner.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
- Sectors of focus: E-commerce, Media/Content, DeepTech, Enterprise, SaaS, Cybersecurity
- Investment range: $2.0M - $10.0M
- Location: Menlo Park, California
- Notable investments: Darwinium, Oliver Space, TaskHuman, Territory Foods
You can find more information about Rick Lewis on his firm's website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
4. Michael Granoff
Michael Granoff is the founder of Maniv, a venture capital firm dedicated to the future of mobility. He is a well-known investor in the transportation technology space, backing companies that are creating new solutions for how people and goods move.
He concentrates on seed and Series A rounds, showing a commitment to companies in their early stages. His portfolio, which includes investments in companies like Revel and Harbinger, points to a clear interest in AutoTech, EnergyTech, and logistics.
Founders building businesses in the mobility or energy sectors may find Granoff to be a valuable partner. His focus on these industries suggests he brings deep domain knowledge in addition to capital for companies with a strong technical foundation.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Sectors of focus: EnergyTech, AutoTech, TransportationTech, Logistics, DeepTech
- Investment range: $1.0M - $5.0M
- Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
- Notable investments: Revel, Harbinger, Terraline, Aurora Labs
You can find more information about Michael Granoff on his firm's website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
5. Ilya Sukhar
Ilya Sukhar is a General Partner at Matrix Partners, bringing a valuable perspective as both a successful founder and an experienced engineer. He co-founded Parse, a mobile backend-as-a-service company acquired by Facebook, giving him direct insight into building and scaling a tech startup.
He concentrates on seed and Series A rounds, with a clear interest in technically-driven companies in sectors like developer tools, cloud infrastructure, and AI. His background suggests a product-focused approach, and his portfolio includes notable companies like Flock Safety and Parabola.
Founders with strong technical backgrounds building for the enterprise or developer communities may find a good partner in Ilya. His operational experience is a significant asset for early-stage teams working through product development and initial growth.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Sectors of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, Developer Tools, AI, Enterprise SaaS, DeepTech
- Investment range: $100K - $10.0M
- Location: San Francisco, California
- Notable investments: Flock Safety, Parabola, Speckle, Mashgin
You can find more information about Ilya Sukhar on his website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
6. Greg Papadopoulos
Greg Papadopoulos is a venture partner at New Enterprise Associates (NEA), bringing decades of experience as a technologist, executive, and academic. His background includes serving as the CTO of Sun Microsystems and as an associate professor at MIT, giving him a deep understanding of complex technologies.
He invests across seed, Series A, and Series B stages, with a clear interest in companies building foundational technology in enterprise and DeepTech. His portfolio includes investments in companies like advanced manufacturer ARRIS and AI platform AI Squared, signaling a focus on businesses with strong technical moats.
Founders with deep engineering or scientific expertise may find a valuable partner in Greg. His background is particularly well-suited for teams tackling difficult problems in enterprise SaaS, AI, and other technically demanding fields.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Sectors of focus: Enterprise, DeepTech, SaaS, Consumer Internet
- Investment range: $2.0M - $50.0M
- Location: San Francisco Bay Area
- Notable investments: ARRIS, AI Squared, Union.ai, Fabric8Labs
You can find more information about Greg Papadopoulos on his firm's website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
7. Mike Sherbakov
Mike Sherbakov is an active early-stage investor with roles at several firms, including The Veteran Fund and Republic. He is primarily known for his focus on pre-seed companies and his work with accelerator programs like Techstars and the Founder Institute.
A key aspect of his investment approach is a clear concentration on the pre-seed stage across a broad range of sectors, from FinTech and SaaS to Space and GovTech. His background as a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and his role at The Veteran Fund also suggest a potential interest in supporting founders with military experience.
Founders at the very beginning of their journey, particularly those building in GovTech, Cybersecurity, or AI, may find him to be a good match. His connections to multiple venture firms and mentorship programs indicate he can offer significant network access and guidance.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed
- Sectors of focus: FinTech, Space, GovTech, DeepTech, SaaS, Cybersecurity, AI
- Investment range: $100K - $1M
- Location: San Diego, California
- Notable investments: Neurohacker Collective, VATN Systems
You can find more information about Mike Sherbakov on his website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
8. Kiersten Stead
Kiersten Stead is a managing partner at DCVC (Data Collective), where she is known for investing in DeepTech companies that are solving complex problems. Her work often centers on businesses at the intersection of technology and life sciences.
A key characteristic of her investment approach is a focus on Seed and Series A rounds, combined with a substantial investment range that suggests she often leads funding rounds. Her portfolio, which includes companies like Latus Bio and Novome Biotechnologies, shows a clear interest in businesses built on a strong scientific or technical foundation.
Founders with deep expertise in biotechnology or AgTech who are seeking a lead investor with domain knowledge for their early-stage rounds may find a strong partner in Kiersten. Her background is well-suited for companies that have long research and development cycles.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Sectors of focus: BioTech, AgTech, DeepTech, Enterprise, Food and Beverage
- Investment range: $5.0M - $25.0M
- Location: San Francisco, California
- Notable investments: Latus Bio, Totus Medicines, Novome Biotechnologies, Creyon Bio
You can find more information about Kiersten Stead on her firm's website or connect with her on LinkedIn.
What Startup Founders Should Look for in a DeepTech Investor
When you find an angel investor, look for more than just a source of capital. For DeepTech founders, the right partner often brings significant technical or operational experience, which can be invaluable for navigating long development cycles and complex engineering problems.
The investors highlighted here demonstrate the importance of domain alignment. Whether it's mobility, enterprise SaaS, or biotechnology, an investor with specific industry knowledge can provide more targeted guidance and a more relevant network. Your goal is to find a partner who understands the intricacies of your field.
Pay attention to an investor's typical stage and check size to ensure they fit your company's current needs. While many investors are concentrated in established tech hubs like the Bay Area, their focus on specific early stages—from pre-seed to Series A—is a more critical filter for your search.
Raise Confidently with Rho
A focused list of potential investors helps you save time and energy during your fundraise. We hope this overview gives you a strong starting point for your outreach.
If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes. Our platform offers integrated business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay designed for startups to manage capital efficiently.
This lets you put your newly raised capital to work on growth and operations, not manual financial tasks. With your finances organized, you can focus on building your company.
FAQs about DeepTech Angel Investors
Are there DeepTech angel investors in Boston?
Yes, many DeepTech angel investors are active in tech hubs beyond the Bay Area. Cities like Boston have strong ecosystems for founders seeking capital for technically complex companies, particularly in biotech and robotics.
Do angel investors fund biotech and life sciences?
Absolutely. Many DeepTech investors specialize in biotechnology and life sciences, backing companies with strong scientific foundations. These investors often have specific domain expertise to evaluate long research and development cycles.
How early will an angel investor fund a DeepTech startup?
Many angel investors focus on the earliest stages of a company's life. They often provide the first capital at the pre-seed stage, backing a strong founding team and vision before a product is fully built.
Are there DeepTech angel investors in New York?
Yes, New York has a growing community of angel investors focused on DeepTech. The city's diverse economy supports startups in sectors from FinTech to AI, making it a key hub for fundraising.
What do DeepTech investors look for besides a strong idea?
Beyond the technology, investors look for a credible founding team with deep domain expertise. They want to see a clear vision for the product and a realistic understanding of the market you are trying to enter.
How can I manage my funds after raising from an angel?
Once you've secured funding, Rho provides an all-in-one platform to manage your capital. You can open business bank accounts, issue corporate cards, and automate payments to put your new funds to work immediately. Get started with Rho.