9 Top Angel Investors in EnergyTech
Looking for angel investors in EnergyTech? We've compiled a list of nine active investors to help you find the right funding partner for your startup.
Rho Editorial Team
Angel investor funding provides EnergyTech startups with essential early-stage capital and gives you access to an investor's industry experience and professional network.
Some notable backers supporting businesses in the EnergyTech sector include Christopher Dean, Scott Sandell, Michael Granoff, and Forest Baskett.
If you’re raising or have just closed a round, our platform at Rho helps you manage your new capital.
We provide FDIC-insured accounts, corporate cards with up to 2% cashback, automated bill pay, spend controls, and real-time accounting integrations.
For founders in EnergyTech, or CleanTech, finding the right early-stage capital is crucial. Understanding who the key angel investors are can give you a significant advantage in your fundraising process.
Unlike venture capital firms, angel investors often invest their own personal funds and can bring valuable individual expertise. They frequently get involved at the earliest stages of a company's life.
To help you get started, we've put together this overview of top angel investors active in the EnergyTech space. Use this guide to identify individuals who might be a good fit for your startup.
Just raised or about to? Set up your financial stack with Rho in minutes. Rho provides business banking, corporate cards, accounting integrations and more—built for startup teams moving fast.
Top EnergyTech Angel Investors By Stage
Most angel investors in the energy sector get involved at the pre-seed and seed stages. This allows them to support promising ideas from the very beginning and offer their direct experience.
Knowing which investors are active at these early stages helps you focus your fundraising and find the right partners for your company.
Pre-seed Angel Investors in EnergyTech
Pre-seed is the earliest funding stage, often used to validate an idea and build a minimum viable product. Some investors who may be open to pre-seed opportunities in EnergyTech include Mike Miskovsky and Neal Dikeman.
Seed Stage Angel Investors in EnergyTech
Seed funding helps a startup grow its team, refine its product, and establish early market traction. For EnergyTech companies at this stage, investors like Michael Granoff, David Coats, and Christopher Dean are active.
Series A Angel Investors in EnergyTech
A Series A round is typically for companies with a proven business model and is used to scale operations and optimize the user base. You might consider reaching out to Scott Sandell or Forest Baskett, who have experience with this stage in the energy sector.
Series B Angel Investors in EnergyTech
Series B funding is focused on taking a business to the next level by expanding market reach and building out the team. Investors such as Paul Furer and Ricardo Angel participate in Series B rounds for EnergyTech companies.
It's also worth noting that many investors are flexible and participate in multiple funding rounds, so their interests may span across different stages of a startup's growth.
Below is a closer look at some of the top angel investors in the EnergyTech sector. We've gathered important information on their typical investment stages, areas of interest, location, and what makes each a notable connection for founders.
1. Christopher Dean
Christopher Dean is a Managing Director at Summit Partners, a growth equity firm based in Boston. While he operates within a larger firm, his investment activity shows an interest in opportunities across various stages.
He demonstrates flexibility by participating in both Seed and Series B rounds, with a significant investment range. His portfolio includes companies in EnergyTech, FinTech, and E-commerce, such as the financial services platform Celcoin.
Founders with a proven concept who are preparing to scale might find a good partner in Christopher. His involvement in later stages suggests a focus on helping companies with established traction grow their market presence.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series B
- Industries of focus: EnergyTech, FinTech, E-commerce, Digital Health
- Geographical presence: Boston, Massachusetts
- Ideal investment range: $5.0M - $50.0M
- Notable investments: Celcoin, ShipMonk, Brooklinen
You can find more information about Christopher Dean on his LinkedIn or the Summit Partners website.
2. Scott Sandell
Scott Sandell is a Managing General Partner at New Enterprise Associates (NEA), one of the industry's largest and most active venture capital firms. His extensive experience at NEA means he has a long track record of supporting companies through major growth stages.
He has a clear interest in Series A and B rounds, with activity in EnergyTech, ClimateTech, and enterprise SaaS. His involvement in companies like VAST Data and Transfix points to a preference for businesses with strong technical foundations and the ability to operate at scale.
Founders with a proven product who are preparing for a significant Series A or B round could find a strong ally in Scott. Given his role at NEA, he is well-positioned to help companies that require substantial capital and institutional resources to expand their operations.
- Investment stages: Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: EnergyTech, ClimateTech/CleanTech, SaaS, Enterprise, Consumer Internet
- Geographical presence: United States
- Ideal investment range: $2.0M - $50.0M
- Notable investments: VAST Data, Transfix, Inkitt
You can find more information about Scott Sandell on his LinkedIn or the NEA website.
3. Michael Granoff
Michael Granoff is the founder of Maniv, a venture capital firm dedicated to mobility and transportation technology. He is a well-known figure in the sector, investing from his base in Tel Aviv.
His investment activity shows a clear preference for companies in TransportationTech, AutoTech, and Logistics, often at the Seed and Series A stages. His portfolio includes companies like the electric moped sharing service Revel and electric vehicle platform Harbinger, indicating an interest in businesses that are redefining movement.
Founders developing new technologies for the transportation industry could find a valuable partner in Michael. His focus on early-stage companies suggests he is open to backing new ideas and supporting them as they grow.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: EnergyTech, TransportationTech, AutoTech, Logistics, DeepTech
- Geographical presence: Tel Aviv, Israel
- Ideal investment range: $1.0M - $5.0M
- Notable investments: Revel, Harbinger, Aurora Labs
You can find more information about Michael Granoff on his LinkedIn or the Maniv website.
4. Forest Baskett
Forest Baskett is a General Partner at New Enterprise Associates (NEA), bringing decades of experience from both the corporate and venture capital worlds. His background includes senior R&D roles at major tech companies, giving him a strong foundation in technology.
He primarily invests in Series A and B rounds, with an interest in companies in EnergyTech and SaaS. His portfolio, which includes the batteryless IoT platform Everactive, shows a preference for businesses with deep technical components.
Founders with a technically complex product who are seeking a substantial Series A or B round may find a good partner in Forest. His position at NEA and extensive experience suggest he can provide both significant capital and strategic guidance for scaling.
- Investment stages: Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: EnergyTech, SaaS, Consumer Internet
- Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $2.0M - $50.0M
- Notable investments: Everactive, Timescale, Beyond Identity
You can find more information about Forest Baskett on his LinkedIn or the NEA website.
5. Neal Dikeman
Neal Dikeman is a Partner at Energy Transition Ventures and is based in Houston. He is a long-time figure in the clean technology sector, having served as Chairman of Cleantech.org since 2006.
His investment activity shows a focus on early-stage companies, primarily at the Seed and Series A rounds. He has a clear interest in EnergyTech, AgTech, and TransportationTech, with investments like Smart Wires reflecting his commitment to the space.
Founders with early-stage companies in the energy transition or related fields may find Neal to be a good fit. His background suggests he can offer both capital and significant industry insight.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: EnergyTech, AgTech, TransportationTech, Web3/Blockchain
- Geographical presence: Houston, Texas
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M
- Notable investments: Smart Wires
You can find more information about Neal Dikeman on his LinkedIn or the Energy Transition Ventures website.
6. David Coats
David Coats is a Managing Partner at both Correlation Ventures and Hamilton BioVentures, based in San Diego. His dual roles at established venture firms mean he can provide startups with significant institutional support and a broad network.
He primarily invests in Seed and Series A rounds across a range of industries, including EnergyTech, BioTech, and Health IT. His portfolio includes companies like Lemonaid Health, showing an interest in businesses that apply technology to traditional sectors.
Founders with early-stage companies in the health or energy fields may find a good match in David. His experience across two venture firms makes him a valuable connection for startups seeking capital and strategic guidance to grow.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: EnergyTech, ClimateTech/CleanTech, BioTech, Health IT, Enterprise
- Geographical presence: San Diego, California
- Ideal investment range: $250K - $4.0M
- Notable investments: Lemonaid Health, Mercato
You can find more information about David Coats on his LinkedIn or the Correlation Ventures website.
7. Paul Furer
Paul Furer is a Vice President at Summit Partners, a Boston-based growth equity firm. Working within a major firm allows him to support companies with substantial capital and resources.
He shows interest across multiple funding stages, including Seed, Series A, and Series B rounds. His activity spans a broad set of industries, from EnergyTech and FinTech to Digital Health and BioTech.
Founders with a proven business model seeking capital to scale would be a good match for Paul. His position at a growth equity firm and his investment range suggest a focus on helping established companies expand their market reach.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: EnergyTech, FinTech, Digital Health, BioTech, Education
- Geographical presence: Boston, Massachusetts
- Ideal investment range: $5.0M - $50.0M
- Notable investments: 48forty
You can find more information about Paul Furer on his LinkedIn or the Summit Partners website.
8. Ricardo Angel
Ricardo Angel is the Founder and Managing Partner at Piva Capital, a venture firm based in San Francisco. His background includes experience as a Managing Director at GE Ventures, giving him a corporate venture capital perspective.
His investment activity shows an interest in companies at the Seed, Series A, and Series B stages within EnergyTech and Manufacturing. Portfolio companies like the energy storage firm Malta and 3D printing company Velo3D point to a focus on businesses with industrial applications.
Founders developing technologies for the energy and manufacturing sectors could find a valuable partner in Ricardo. His experience suggests he is well-equipped to support companies with complex technical products as they scale.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: EnergyTech, Manufacturing
- Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M
- Notable investments: Malta, Velo3D
You can find more information about Ricardo Angel on his LinkedIn or the Piva Capital website.
9. Mike Miskovsky
Mike Miskovsky is an angel investor with deep roots in the clean energy sector, based in the San Francisco Bay Area. His career includes numerous CEO and leadership positions, particularly within solar technology companies like Zep Solar, which was acquired by SolarCity.
He has a clear interest in early-stage EnergyTech and ClimateTech companies, typically investing at the Seed and Series A stages. His background suggests he provides significant operational experience, not just capital, to the founders he backs.
Founders with very early-stage startups in the solar industry could find an ideal partner in Mike. His smaller check size and extensive hands-on experience are well-suited for companies needing strategic guidance alongside initial capital.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: EnergyTech, ClimateTech/CleanTech
- Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
- Ideal investment range: $5K - $50K
- Notable investments: Pegasus Solar
You can find more information about Mike Miskovsky on his LinkedIn or the Powerhouse website.
What Startup Founders Should Look for in a EnergyTech Investor
When seeking an EnergyTech angel investor, it's important to look beyond the check size. The right partner brings relevant industry experience and a network that can help you grow. Review an investor's portfolio to see if their focus aligns with your company's specific goals and technology.
As the investors on our list show, many have interests in related fields like SaaS, transportation, and manufacturing, which can be a major asset. While many are located in hubs like the Bay Area or Boston, specialized expertise can also be found in industry-specific centers like Houston.
Consider what kind of support you need. An investor with a deep technical background or past operational roles can provide invaluable guidance, especially for early-stage companies. This strategic partnership is often as crucial as the funding itself for navigating the complexities of the energy sector.
Raise Confidently with Rho
Having a focused list of potential investors is a powerful tool when your time and resources are limited during a fundraise. This allows you to direct your energy toward the conversations that matter most for your company.
If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes. Our platform offers business banking through partner banks, corporate cards, and automated bill pay built for startups.
This setup helps ensure your angel capital is directed toward growth and operations, rather than lost to manual financial admin. It keeps your focus on building the company you pitched to investors.
FAQs about EnergyTech Angel Investors
How do I find EnergyTech angel investors?
You can find angel investors through industry events, professional networks, and online platforms. A targeted approach, focusing on individuals whose investment history aligns with your sector, is often more effective than broad outreach. Finding the right investors requires careful research.
Are there EnergyTech investors in cities like New York or Austin?
Yes, while traditional hubs are strong, cities like Austin and New York have growing communities of investors interested in EnergyTech. Look for local pitch events and venture firms with a focus on deep tech or sustainability.
Do angel investors invest in specific sub-sectors like sustainability?
Many angel investors develop a focus on specific sub-sectors within EnergyTech. Some may concentrate on sustainability-focused startups, while others might prefer industrial applications, grid technology, or new battery chemistries. Researching their portfolio is key.
What is the typical check size for an EnergyTech angel investor?
Check sizes vary widely, from a few thousand dollars at the pre-seed stage to several million in later rounds. It depends on the investor's capacity, the startup's needs, and the specific funding round.
How can I manage my finances after securing angel funding?
Once you secure funding, it's crucial to have a strong financial foundation. A unified platform for banking, cards, and payments helps you manage capital efficiently. Get started with Rho to build your financial operations.