14 Top Ecommerce Angel Investors to Know
To help you find the right funding for your ecommerce startup, we've identified 14 active angel investors with a history of backing similar companies.
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For an eCommerce startup, angel investor funding provides the initial capital for growth and offers valuable mentorship from experienced individuals in the industry.
Examples of angel investors with activity in the eCommerce sector include Christopher Dean, Graham Brown, Connie Chan, and Eric Lefkofsky, who have backed a variety of startups.
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For founders in the direct-to-consumer (D2C) space, finding the right capital is crucial. Understanding who the key angel investors are in the ecommerce sector can give you a significant advantage when fundraising.
Unlike venture capital firms, angel investors often invest their own money and can bring personal expertise to the table, sometimes getting involved earlier in a company's life.
To help you get started, we've curated this overview of top angel investors active in ecommerce. Use this guide to identify individuals who might be a good fit for your startup.
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Top Ecommerce Angel Investors By Stage
Many angel investors in the ecommerce space prefer to invest early, typically at the pre-seed and seed stages, where their experience can be most valuable.
Knowing which investors are active at your stage will help you build a more effective fundraising strategy.
Pre-seed Angel Investors in Ecommerce
Pre-seed funding is the earliest capital a startup raises, often used to validate an idea and build a minimum viable product. For ecommerce founders at this initial stage, investors like Eric Lefkofsky, Ramanan Raghavendran, and Rick Lewis have participated in pre-seed rounds.
Seed Stage Angel Investors in Ecommerce
The seed stage helps your company refine its product, establish market presence, and begin to scale. You might consider reaching out to angels such as Brian Spaly, David Schwab, and Graham Brown, who are active in this phase.
Series A Angel Investors in Ecommerce
Series A funding is for companies that have demonstrated market fit and are ready to scale their operations significantly. Investors to look into for this round include Connie Chan, Tony Florence, and Seth Levine.
Series B Angel Investors in Ecommerce
A Series B round is focused on growing the business and expanding into new markets. For ecommerce companies at this growth stage, Christopher Dean and Alex Taussig are two investors with experience in Series B deals.
Keep in mind that many investors are flexible and participate in multiple funding stages, so it's always worth looking into their full portfolio.
To help you identify the right partners, we've compiled an overview of top angel investors in the ecommerce sector. You'll find information on their investment stages, primary areas of focus, and what makes each investor a valuable connection for founders.
1. Christopher Dean
Christopher Dean is a Managing Director at Summit Partners, a growth equity firm based in Boston. While he participates in angel investments, his primary role involves sourcing and executing significant investments for the firm.
He shows interest in both early-stage (Seed) and growth-stage (Series B) companies, with an investment sweet spot of $20 million. His portfolio includes notable ecommerce brands like Brooklinen and ShipMonk, indicating a focus on consumer-facing businesses with proven traction.
Founders with an established ecommerce business looking for substantial capital to scale would find a good potential partner in Dean. His experience in later-stage rounds suggests he can support companies through major growth phases.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series B
- Sectors of focus: E-commerce, FinTech, Consumer Internet, Digital Health
- Geographical presence: Based in Boston, Massachusetts
- Ideal investment range: $5.0M - $50.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Brooklinen, ShipMonk, SidelineSwap
You can find more information about Christopher Dean on his LinkedIn or the Summit Partners website.
2. Graham Brown
Graham Brown is a partner at Lerer Hippeau, a well-known early-stage venture capital firm based in New York. He invests as part of this larger institutional team, bringing the firm's extensive resources and network to his portfolio companies.
He concentrates on Seed and Series A rounds, with interests in ecommerce, media, and software for small businesses. His portfolio includes companies like the digital fitness platform Fitplan and the logistics software company MyCarrier, indicating an interest in both consumer and B2B models.
Founders building companies in his key sectors at the seed or Series A stage may find him to be a good match. His role at Lerer Hippeau suggests he can provide significant support beyond capital, particularly for startups in the New York tech scene.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Sectors of focus: E-commerce, Enterprise, SMB Software, Media/Content
- Geographical presence: Based in New York, New York
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $3.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Fitplan, MyCarrier, Expressable
You can find more information about Graham Brown on his LinkedIn or the Lerer Hippeau website.
3. Connie Chan
Connie Chan is a Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), where she is the head of the consumer sector. She invests as part of one of the most prominent venture capital firms, bringing its considerable resources to her portfolio companies.
Her investment history shows a strong interest in consumer-facing companies, particularly in ecommerce, marketplaces, and media. She often participates in Series A and B rounds, as seen in her investments in the live shopping platform Whatnot and ecommerce tool Canal.
Founders with a proven consumer product ready for significant scaling at the Series A or B stage would be a good match. Her position at a16z is especially valuable for companies that can benefit from a powerful network and deep operational support.
- Investment stages: Series A, Series B
- Sectors of focus: E-commerce, Consumer Internet, AI, Marketplaces
- Geographical presence: Based in Saratoga, California
- Ideal investment range: $500K - $40.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Whatnot, Canal, Glorify
You can find more information about Connie Chan on her LinkedIn or the Andreessen Horowitz website.
4. Eric Lefkofsky
Eric Lefkofsky is a prolific founder and investor, known for co-founding major companies like Groupon and Tempus. He also invests through Lightbank, a venture firm he co-founded, which gives him a broad perspective on the startup ecosystem.
His experience shows a strong interest in both e-commerce and medical devices, with investments spanning from pre-seed to Series A. As a founder himself, he brings deep operational experience to his portfolio, which includes companies like SpotHero and Leap.
Founders in the e-commerce or medical device sectors seeking early-stage funding could find a strong partner in Lefkofsky. His track record of building and scaling businesses makes him a valuable resource for teams looking for hands-on guidance.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
- Sectors of focus: E-commerce, Medical Devices
- Geographical presence: Based in Chicago, Illinois
- Ideal investment range: $500K - $1.5M
- Notable portfolio companies: Groupon, Tempus, SpotHero, Leap
You can find more information about Eric Lefkofsky on his website or LinkedIn.
5. John Stokes
John Stokes is a Partner at Real Ventures and a Managing Partner at Montreal Startup, investing as part of these established firms. He has a long history in technology and venture capital, with experience spanning from co-founding startups to executive roles at public companies.
He primarily invests in Seed and Series A rounds, with a focus on e-commerce, HR tech, and AI. His background as a founder and operator, including roles at Livedoor and Forte Communications, suggests he can offer significant hands-on guidance to his portfolio companies.
Founders building companies in his key sectors at the seed or Series A stage may find him to be a good match. His operational experience is particularly valuable for teams looking for more than just capital, especially those connected to the Canadian tech ecosystem.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Sectors of focus: E-commerce, Human Capital/HRTech, AI
- Geographical presence: Based in Canada
- Ideal investment range: $500K - $2.5M
- Notable portfolio companies: Unsplash
You can find more information about John Stokes on his LinkedIn or the Real Ventures website.
6. David Schwab
David Schwab is a Managing Director at Sierra Ventures, an established venture capital firm. He brings decades of experience to his investments, focusing primarily on the seed stage.
He has a clear interest in technology-driven companies across e-commerce, AI, and health IT. His portfolio includes companies like Concert Health and OnsiteIQ, showing a preference for businesses that apply technology to traditional industries.
Founders building a seed-stage company in his areas of interest could find a strong partner in Schwab. His position at Sierra Ventures means he can offer the resources and network of a larger firm to help early-stage companies grow.
- Investment stages: Seed
- Sectors of focus: E-commerce, Health IT, AI, Social Networks
- Geographical presence: Based in Menlo Park, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $10.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Concert Health, OnsiteIQ, WhizAI
You can find more information about David Schwab on his LinkedIn.
7. Brian Spaly
Brian Spaly is a founder-turned-investor and a partner at Brand Foundry VC. He is well-known for co-founding two highly successful direct-to-consumer brands, Bonobos and Trunk Club.
His background gives him a distinct perspective, with a focus on seed-stage companies in consumer sectors like fashion, retail, and e-commerce. His portfolio, which includes brands like Crown Affair and Cann, reflects his interest in backing founders who are building the next generation of consumer products.
Founders building seed-stage consumer or retail companies could find an ideal partner in Spaly. His direct experience scaling major D2C brands makes him a valuable resource for teams seeking hands-on guidance.
- Investment stages: Seed
- Sectors of focus: Fashion, Retail, E-commerce, Food and Beverage
- Geographical presence: Based in Austin, Texas
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $10.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Crown Affair, Cann, BriteCo
You can find more information about Brian Spaly on his LinkedIn or the Brand Foundry VC website.
8. Rick Lewis
Rick Lewis is a partner at U.S. Venture Partners (USVP), an established firm based in Menlo Park. He invests as part of this larger institutional team, which provides founders with access to a broad network and significant resources.
He shows a strong interest in early-stage companies, participating in Pre-seed, Seed, and Series A rounds. His portfolio includes consumer-facing e-commerce brands like Primary and Oliver Space, alongside enterprise and SaaS companies, indicating a versatile investment approach.
Founders building an early-stage company in e-commerce or enterprise software may find a good partner in Lewis. His typical investment size suggests he can be a meaningful source of capital for companies ready to build a strong foundation.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
- Sectors of focus: E-commerce, SaaS, Enterprise, Cybersecurity, Media/Content
- Geographical presence: Based in Menlo Park, California
- Ideal investment range: $2.0M - $10.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Primary, Oliver Space, Territory Foods
You can find more information about Rick Lewis on his LinkedIn or the U.S. Venture Partners website.
9. Tony Florence
Tony Florence is a General Partner at New Enterprise Associates (NEA), one of the largest and most active venture capital firms. Based in New York, he heads the firm's consumer investing practice and is known for backing companies at the growth stage.
He has a clear interest in e-commerce, consumer internet, marketplaces, and SaaS businesses, typically participating in Series A and B rounds. His investment sweet spot of $25 million shows he supports companies that are ready for significant expansion, as seen in his portfolio with companies like Wizard and Snowplow.
Founders with an established business in his key sectors who are seeking substantial capital for a Series A or B round would be a good match. His role at NEA provides access to a powerful network and deep resources for companies looking to scale their operations and market presence.
- Investment stages: Series A, Series B
- Sectors of focus: E-commerce, Consumer Internet, Marketplaces, SaaS
- Geographical presence: Based in New York, New York
- Ideal investment range: $2.0M - $50.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Wizard, Snowplow, Clio
You can find more information about Tony Florence on his LinkedIn or the NEA website.
10. Alex Taussig
Alex Taussig is a Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, investing as part of a major firm rather than as a solo angel. He is recognized for his work with consumer-focused companies and often shares his insights on social commerce and media.
He shows flexibility by investing across Seed, Series A, and Series B rounds, with a sweet spot of around $15 million. His portfolio includes consumer brands like Daily Harvest and Archive, highlighting an interest in direct-to-consumer models and the creator economy.
Founders building consumer-facing businesses in e-commerce, social commerce, or media may find him to be a strong partner. His experience across multiple funding stages is particularly valuable for companies looking for support through significant growth phases.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Sectors of focus: E-commerce, Social Commerce, Consumer Health, Media/Content
- Geographical presence: Based in San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $3.0M - $20.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Daily Harvest, Archive, Frubana
You can find more information about Alex Taussig on his LinkedIn or the Lightspeed Venture Partners website.
11. Ramanan Raghavendran
Ramanan Raghavendran is a Managing Partner at Amasia, a venture capital firm with a global focus. He brings a wealth of experience from a long career in venture capital, including roles at Insight Venture Partners and General Atlantic.
He invests across a wide array of sectors, from e-commerce to AI, but shows a clear interest in companies addressing climate change, as seen in his investments in Joro and ClimateTrade. Raghavendran concentrates his efforts on the earliest stages of a company's life, primarily investing in pre-seed and seed rounds.
Founders building an early-stage company, particularly those with a global-from-day-one mindset, may find a strong partner in Raghavendran. His firm's focus on cross-border businesses makes him a valuable resource for startups aiming for an international presence.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
- Sectors of focus: E-commerce, ClimateTech/CleanTech, FinTech, SaaS, Digital Health
- Geographical presence: Based in San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Xendit, Super, Joro
You can find more information about Ramanan Raghavendran on his website or LinkedIn.
12. Seth Levine
Seth Levine is a partner at Foundry, a venture capital firm based in Boulder, Colorado. He invests as part of this larger institutional team, bringing decades of experience and a broad network to his portfolio companies.
His investment interests are notably broad, covering sectors from e-commerce and FinTech to Web3 and food and beverage. He concentrates on Seed and Series A rounds, backing companies like the artisan food platform Castiron and the financial wellness app FloatMe.
Founders building an early-stage company in one of his key sectors may find a good match in Levine. His position at Foundry suggests he can provide significant support for companies looking for an experienced partner to help them scale.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Sectors of focus: E-commerce, FinTech, SaaS, Food and Beverage, Web3/Crypto
- Geographical presence: Based in Boulder, Colorado
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Castiron, FloatMe, Sovrn
You can find more information about Seth Levine on his LinkedIn or the Foundry website.
13. Brett Brewer
Brett Brewer is a managing partner at CrossCut, a venture capital firm based in California. He invests as part of this institutional team, which provides founders with access to a broad network and significant resources.
He shows interest in a wide range of sectors, from e-commerce and consumer internet to enterprise SaaS and digital health. His portfolio includes well-known consumer brands like The Black Tux and Omaze, and he participates in both Seed and Series A rounds.
Founders building companies at the seed or Series A stage across various technology sectors could find a good partner in Brewer. His role at CrossCut makes him a valuable connection for teams seeking institutional backing and an experienced operator.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Sectors of focus: E-commerce, SaaS, Consumer Internet, Digital Health, AI
- Geographical presence: Based in California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: The Black Tux, Omaze, Branch
You can find more information about Brett Brewer on the CrossCut website or his Crunchbase profile.
14. Paul Ferri
Paul Ferri is a co-founder and general partner at Matrix Partners, one of the industry's long-standing venture capital firms. As a founding figure of the firm since 1977, he operates as an institutional investor with deep roots in the tech sector.
He shows an interest in early-stage companies from Pre-seed to Series A, particularly within enterprise software, SaaS, and e-commerce. His background as a founder of both a tech company and a VC firm suggests he brings significant operational and industry experience to the table.
Founders building early-stage enterprise or SaaS companies could find a valuable partner in Ferri. His extensive history and role at an established firm like Matrix Partners are a great asset for teams seeking a seasoned investor.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
- Sectors of focus: Enterprise, E-commerce, SaaS
- Geographical presence: Based in Boston, Massachusetts
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $10.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Verivue, Veveo, Winphoria Networks
You can find more information about Paul Ferri on the Matrix Partners website or his Crunchbase profile.
What Startup Founders Should Look for in a Ecommerce Investor
Finding the right ecommerce investor is about more than securing capital; it's about a partner who aligns with your company's stage and vision. As this list shows, many prominent "angels" are partners at venture capital firms, bringing institutional resources. Consider whether your startup needs the hands-on guidance of a former operator or the broad network of a large VC.
Notice the patterns in their focus areas. Many investors combine an interest in ecommerce with other sectors like SaaS or FinTech. This suggests that companies with a unique technological angle on retail may have an advantage. Your research should go beyond an investor's ecommerce portfolio to understand their broader interests.
Ultimately, the best partner is one whose expertise fills a gap in your team. Before you begin your outreach, define what you need most—is it operational advice, connections to enterprise clients, or help with future funding rounds? Knowing this will help you target your search and craft a more compelling pitch. For more ideas, see our guide on how to find angel investors.
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Fundraising is a full-time job, and your time is one of your most valuable assets. A focused list of relevant investors helps you direct your energy where it will have the greatest impact.
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Our platform helps you put your new capital to work on growth and operations. This setup helps direct your angel investment toward building your business, rather than losing it to manual financial admin.
FAQs about Ecommerce Angel Investors
How do I find ecommerce angel investors in emerging tech hubs?
Look beyond traditional hubs like SF and NY. Cities like Austin and Miami have growing investor communities. Research local angel networks and attend regional startup events to connect with investors interested in supporting local growth.
Do ecommerce angels invest in B2B or only D2C companies?
While many ecommerce angels are known for backing D2C brands, there is significant interest in B2B models. Companies providing software, logistics, or other services to other businesses are attractive investment opportunities for many angels.
What do pre-seed ecommerce investors look for?
At the pre-seed stage, investors focus heavily on the founding team's expertise and vision. They also want to see a clear understanding of the target market and a compelling idea, even before you have significant traction.
Are there angel investors who focus on sustainable ecommerce?
Yes, a growing number of investors are dedicated to sustainability. Founders building ecommerce brands with ethical sourcing or a reduced environmental footprint can attract angels specifically looking to fund impactful companies.
What if my ecommerce startup also involves hardware?
Ecommerce companies with a physical product or hardware component can be very appealing. Investors will look for a strong product-market fit, a clear supply chain strategy, and a plan for scaling production alongside your online presence.
How can Rho help after I receive angel funding?
Once funded, you need to manage your capital efficiently. Rho provides an all-in-one platform with corporate cards, business banking, and AP automation to help you put your new investment to work on growing your business.