14 Nan Angel Investors in the Developer Tools Sector
Looking for funding for your developer tools startup? We've compiled a list of 14 active angel investors to help you find the right financial partner.
Rho Editorial Team
For developer tools startups, angel funding provides not just essential capital but also valuable guidance from investors with deep industry experience.
The developer tools sector attracts notable backers, with investors like Matt Murphy, Alfred Lin, Richard Wells, and Ilya Sukhar participating in funding rounds for various startups.
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For founders building in the Developer Tools space, finding the right early capital can feel like a major hurdle. Knowing which angel investors are active in your sector helps you connect with the right people from the start.
Unlike large venture capital firms, angel investors are individuals who invest their own capital. They often bring direct operational experience and can make decisions more quickly.
To help with your search, we've put together this overview of notable angel investors in the DevTools ecosystem. Our goal is to help you quickly understand who is active in the space as you prepare to raise.
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Top Developer Tools Angel Investors By Stage
Most angel investors in the developer tools space get involved at the pre-seed and seed stages, where their operational experience can be most helpful.
Knowing which investors are active at each stage allows you to connect with the right people for your company.
Pre-seed Angel Investors in Developer Tools
Pre-seed funding is the initial capital raised to validate an idea and build a minimum viable product. For founders at this very early point, investors like Stan Reiss and Marvin Liao are known to be active in the developer tools space.
Seed Stage Angel Investors in Developer Tools
The seed stage is typically when you'll refine your product and begin to establish market fit. Some notable investors who participate in seed rounds for DevTools companies include Alfred Lin, Ilya Sukhar, and John O’Farrell.
Series A Angel Investors in Developer Tools
Series A funding helps startups with an established user base to scale their operations and optimize their go-to-market strategy. You might consider connecting with investors like Rama Sekhar, Creighton Hicks, and Dan Scholnick, who have experience with this stage.
Series B Angel Investors in Developer Tools
By Series B, a company is looking to expand its market reach and move beyond its initial user base. Investors active at this stage, such as Matt Murphy, Richard Wells, and Nikitas Koutoupes, often help companies prepare for significant growth.
It's also common for investors to participate in multiple funding rounds, so their focus may shift depending on the opportunity.
To help with your search, here is a closer look at some of the top angel investors in the Developer Tools sector. We've included details on their typical investment stages, areas of interest, and what makes each investor a notable connection for founders.
1. Matt Murphy
Matt Murphy is a partner at Menlo Ventures, bringing the resources of a larger firm to his investments. He has a strong reputation in the enterprise, SaaS, and infrastructure software sectors.
He often invests from Seed to Series B, with a focus on companies building foundational technology. His portfolio includes notable developer tools like Harness and Semgrep, indicating a preference for product-led companies with deep technical expertise.
Founders building for the enterprise market, particularly in cloud infrastructure or AI, may find him to be a valuable partner. He is a good match for teams looking for support in scaling and navigating the go-to-market for technical products.
- Investment stages: Series A, Series B, and Seed
- Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, AI, Developer Tools, SaaS, Enterprise
- Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
- Ideal investment range: $8.0M - $15.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Harness, Semgrep, Envoy, Cleanlab
You can find more information about Matt Murphy on his website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
2. Alfred Lin
Alfred Lin is a partner at Sequoia Capital and is known for his extensive operational experience. Before joining Sequoia, he was the COO of Zappos and held leadership roles at other successful startups that were acquired by Microsoft and Amazon.
He typically invests in Seed and Series A rounds, with a focus that includes FinTech, Enterprise, and Developer Tools. His background as an operator suggests he provides hands-on support to founders, particularly those scaling their companies for growth.
Founders building in his areas of interest who are looking for a partner with deep operational knowledge may find him to be a good fit. His experience guiding companies through major acquisitions is valuable for teams with high-growth ambitions.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: FinTech, Enterprise, Developer Tools, SMB Software, Retail
- Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
- Ideal investment range: $1.0M - $10.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Kalshi, Collaborative Robotics, Formation Bio
You can find more information about Alfred Lin on his website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
3. Richard Wells
Richard Wells is a managing director at Insight Partners, a global venture capital and private equity firm. He is known for his work with high-growth software companies, particularly in the enterprise and infrastructure sectors.
He primarily invests in Series A and Series B rounds, with a broad investment range that suggests participation in significant funding rounds. His portfolio includes developer-focused companies like Sonar and enterprise platforms such as commercetools.
Founders who have achieved product-market fit and are ready to scale aggressively may find him to be a good partner. His focus on later stages is well-suited for companies needing substantial capital for market expansion.
- Investment stages: Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, Enterprise, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools, Health IT
- Geographical presence: New York, New York
- Ideal investment range: $10.0M - $350.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Sonar, commercetools, OneTrust
You can find more information about Richard Wells on his website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
4. Ilya Sukhar
Ilya Sukhar is a General Partner at Matrix Partners who brings a founder's perspective to his investments. He is well-known for co-founding Parse, a mobile backend-as-a-service platform that was acquired by Facebook.
He primarily invests at the Seed and Series A stages, with an interest in areas like Developer Tools, AI, and Enterprise Infrastructure. His background as a founder and product leader suggests he provides deep technical and product guidance to the companies he backs, which include Parabola and Speckle.
Founders building highly technical products may find him to be a strong partner. His operational experience is particularly valuable for teams looking for support with product strategy and scaling.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Developer Tools, AI, Cloud Infrastructure, Enterprise, SaaS
- Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $10.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Parabola, Speckle, Flock Safety
You can find more information about Ilya Sukhar on his website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
5. John O’Farrell
John O’Farrell is a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), one of the most well-known firms in venture capital. He has a background in enterprise software and has been involved with several high-profile companies.
He invests at the Seed and Series A stages, with interests in SaaS, cloud infrastructure, and developer tools. His portfolio includes foundational companies like Slack and IFTTT, showing an eye for products that become integral to how teams work.
Founders building tools for the enterprise or developer communities may find him to be a strong ally. His experience with companies that have achieved massive scale is valuable for teams with ambitious growth plans.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, SaaS, Enterprise, Security, Developer Tools
- Geographical presence: Sunnyvale, California
- Ideal investment range: $1.0M - $100.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Slack, IFTTT, GoodData
You can find more information about John O’Farrell on his website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
6. Nikitas Koutoupes
Nikitas Koutoupes is a managing director at Insight Partners, a global venture capital and private equity firm. He is recognized for his work with high-growth software companies, particularly in the enterprise and developer tools sectors.
He primarily invests in Series A and Series B rounds, often participating in significant funding rounds for companies that are ready to scale. His portfolio includes developer-focused companies like Copado and enterprise platforms such as CommerceIQ.
Founders who have established product-market fit and are seeking substantial capital for market expansion may find him to be a good partner. His focus on later stages is well-suited for companies preparing for significant growth.
- Investment stages: Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Developer Tools, SaaS, Enterprise, Health IT, Data Services
- Geographical presence: New York, New York
- Ideal investment range: $10.0M - $350.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Copado, CommerceIQ, RapidSOS
You can find more information about Nikitas Koutoupes on his website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
7. Rama Sekhar
Rama Sekhar is a partner at Norwest Venture Partners, where he concentrates on investments in enterprise, cloud infrastructure, and developer tools. He is known for backing companies that build foundational technologies for modern software development and data management.
He invests across multiple stages, from Seed to Series B, showing a willingness to support companies throughout their early growth. His portfolio includes notable companies like Harness, Dremio, and InfluxData, which points to an interest in technically complex products with strong enterprise adoption potential.
Founders building in the cloud infrastructure, security, or developer tools sectors may find him to be a good match. He is particularly well-suited for teams that have a clear technical vision and are looking for a partner to support them through significant funding rounds.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, Enterprise, Cybersecurity, AI, Developer Tools
- Geographical presence: Palo Alto, California
- Ideal investment range: $1.0M - $30.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Harness, Dremio, InfluxData, Veza
You can find more information about Rama Sekhar on his website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
8. Joseph Ansanelli
Joseph Ansanelli is a venture capital investor who primarily participates in Series A and Series B rounds. His investment range suggests he is part of a larger firm, bringing significant capital and resources to the companies he backs.
He has a strong interest in enterprise software, with a particular focus on data services, analytics, and developer tools. His portfolio includes companies like Sumo Logic and Trifacta, indicating experience with businesses that manage and analyze large-scale data.
Founders who have established early traction and are ready to scale their go-to-market efforts may find him to be a good partner. He is particularly well-suited for teams building enterprise or data infrastructure products that require substantial funding for growth.
- Investment stages: Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Enterprise, Data Services, Developer Tools, SaaS, Security
- Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $4.0M - $40.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Sumo Logic, Trifacta, Gladly
You can find more information about Joseph Ansanelli on his website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
9. Marvin Liao
Marvin Liao is a prolific angel investor and a former partner at the global venture capital firm 500 Startups. He is known for his extensive activity at the earliest stages of a company's life, backing a high volume of startups.
His investment thesis is exceptionally broad, covering sectors from Developer Tools and SaaS to Consumer Internet and BioTech. He concentrates on the seed stage, often writing some of the first checks for pre-seed companies to help them get started.
Founders across a wide variety of industries who are raising an initial round may find him to be a good connection. His focus is well-suited for teams looking for an experienced, early-stage partner to help get an idea off the ground.
- Investment stages: Seed
- Industries of focus: Developer Tools, MarketingTech, Sales & CRM, Consumer Internet, IoT
- Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
- Ideal investment range: $10K - $500K
- Notable portfolio companies: Ready Player Me, Obie, Infraspeak
You can find more information about Marvin Liao on his website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
10. Zach Malone
Zach Malone is a Principal at Draper Triangle Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Pittsburgh. His position indicates he brings the resources and network of an established firm to his investments.
He invests across a wide range of industries, from SaaS and developer tools to robotics and medical devices. His focus on Seed and Series A rounds, with a typical investment range of $500K to $3.0M, suggests a clear strategy for early-stage companies.
Founders building in both software and hardware sectors, particularly those located outside of traditional tech hubs, may find him to be a good connection. He is a good match for teams raising an early round that falls within his stated investment range.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Developer Tools, SaaS, Cloud Infrastructure, Robotics, FinTech
- Geographical presence: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Ideal investment range: $500K - $3.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Locomation, Ikos, Thread
You can find more information about Zach Malone on his firm's website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
11. Avery More
Avery More is a venture partner at Menlo Ventures, bringing the resources and network of an established firm to his investments. He is recognized for his work with companies in enterprise software, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity.
He typically invests in Seed and Series A rounds, with a significant investment range that suggests participation in substantial funding rounds. His portfolio includes companies like Vidyo and AeroScout, showing a history of backing businesses with deep technical foundations.
Founders building enterprise or infrastructure software who are raising a large Seed or Series A round may find him to be a good fit. His experience is well-suited for teams that are ready for significant growth and require a partner with access to a broad network.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, SaaS, Enterprise, Cybersecurity, AI, Developer Tools
- Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $8.0M - $20.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Vidyo, AeroScout
You can find more information about Avery More on his firm's website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
12. Dan Scholnick
Dan Scholnick is a co-founder of Four Rivers Group, bringing over a decade of experience as a former General Partner at Trinity Ventures. He is known for investing in early-stage companies, focusing on Seed and Series A rounds.
His investment interests include both developer tools and health tech, with portfolio companies like Gatsby and Scarf showing his activity in the developer ecosystem. An investment sweet spot of around $1.5M indicates he can lead or be a significant participant in early funding rounds.
Founders building in cloud infrastructure, developer tools, or health IT may find him to be a strong partner. He is a good match for teams raising a Seed or Series A round who are looking for an investor with deep venture experience.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Developer Tools, Cloud Infrastructure, Health IT, FinTech, SMB Software
- Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Gatsby, Scarf, EdgeRunner AI
You can find more information about Dan Scholnick on his firm's website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
13. Stan Reiss
Stan Reiss is a general partner at Matrix Partners, bringing the resources of an established firm to his investments. His strong technical background, with degrees from MIT and Cornell, informs his focus on deeply technical sectors.
He is active across a wide range of funding stages, from pre-seed to Series B, which is a notable characteristic. His portfolio includes developer tools like LogRocket, alongside investments in hardware and semiconductors, signaling a preference for companies with a strong engineering foundation.
Founders building technically complex products, especially in cloud infrastructure, AI, or hardware, may find him to be a good partner. He is well-suited for teams looking for an investor who can provide support from the earliest idea stage through significant growth rounds.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, AI, Developer Tools, Semiconductors, Enterprise
- Geographical presence: Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $10.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: LogRocket, Acacia
You can find more information about Stan Reiss on his firm's website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
14. Creighton Hicks
Creighton Hicks is a partner at LiveOak Venture Partners, bringing experience from his previous roles at Dell Technologies Capital and Kleiner Perkins. His background is rooted in enterprise software, with technical and product marketing roles at IBM and VMware.
He focuses on Seed and Series A investments, often in sectors like cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and developer tools. His portfolio, which includes companies like DryRun Security and Fastn, suggests an interest in technically-focused products for developers and enterprise teams.
Founders building enterprise or developer-focused software who are looking for a partner with deep product and go-to-market experience may find him to be a good fit. He is well-suited for teams raising a Seed or Series A round that can benefit from his operational background.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, Enterprise, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools
- Geographical presence: Austin, Texas
- Ideal investment range: $250K - $4.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: DryRun Security, Fastn, Passage Identity
You can find more information about Creighton Hicks on his firm's website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
What Startup Founders Should Look for in a Developer Tools Investor
When evaluating an investor for your developer tool startup, look for more than just capital. The right partner often brings deep operational experience, especially if they've been a founder or product leader themselves. This background can be invaluable for navigating product strategy and early go-to-market challenges.
As the list above shows, many active investors in this space are partners at larger firms, blending angel-like engagement with institutional resources. Common areas of interest include cloud infrastructure, AI, and enterprise SaaS, which frequently intersect with developer tooling. While many are based in traditional tech hubs, there are notable investors in other regions as well.
Ultimately, the best fit depends on your company's specific stage and needs. Align your fundraising strategy with investors whose portfolio and expertise match your product and vision. A methodical approach to finding angel investors can help you connect with partners who offer more than just a check, whether they're in a major hub like the San Francisco area or elsewhere.
Raise Confidently with Rho
Fundraising is a demanding process, and your time is limited. A focused list of relevant investors helps you connect with the right people more efficiently, saving valuable energy during your raise.
If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes. Our platform offers business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay to help you manage your new capital.
This setup allows your angel investment to be directed toward growth and operations, rather than being consumed by manual financial admin.
FAQs about Developer Tools Angel Investors
Are there DevTools angel investors in emerging tech hubs?
Yes, while many investors are in the Bay Area and New York, active angels can be found in other cities. Hubs like Austin and Boston have growing ecosystems for developer-focused startups, offering more localized funding opportunities.
Do DevTools investors also fund AI or FinTech startups?
Many do. Investors often see developer tools as foundational for other sectors. A strong tool can have applications in generative AI, FinTech, and enterprise SaaS, making your company attractive to a broader investor base.
Can I get funding for a pre-product developer tool?
Yes, some angels specialize in early-stage investments, including pre-seed. For this stage, they often focus on the strength of the founding team, your technical expertise, and the potential market for your idea.
What is the difference between an angel and a VC partner?
An angel invests their own money, while a VC partner invests from a fund. However, many partners on our list make angel-like early investments, bringing both personal expertise and the resources of their larger firm to the table.
How should I prepare before contacting an investor?
Research their portfolio to confirm alignment with your company. Prepare a concise pitch deck that clearly explains the problem you solve, your solution, and your team's background. A warm introduction is almost always more effective than a cold email.
What should I do after securing angel investment?
Once funded, you need a financial stack to manage your capital. Rho provides banking, corporate cards, and expense management in one platform, helping you put your new investment to work efficiently.