13 Esports Angel Investors You Should Know About

For founders in esports and competitive gaming, finding the right capital is a critical step. Knowing the key angel investors in your industry can give you a real advantage during your fundraise.

Angel investors often bring personal experience and invest their own funds, which can mean a different kind of partnership compared to traditional venture capital firms.

To help you prepare, we've curated this list of notable angel investors active in the esports space. Use this guide to identify individuals who might be a good fit for your company.

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Top eSports Angel Investors By Stage

Angel investors in the esports sector tend to invest in early-stage companies, often at the pre-seed or seed level.

Because they are typically investing their own funds, they want to support a company's growth from the beginning, so knowing who is active in the space helps you find the right fit.

Pre-seed Angel Investors in eSports

Pre-seed funding is the earliest capital a startup raises, often used to validate an idea before a product is fully built. For founders at this initial stage, investors like Donn Davis and Trevor McFedries have shown interest in pre-seed esports companies.

Seed Stage Angel Investors in eSports

The seed stage helps companies with product development, initial hiring, and establishing early market traction. You might consider investors such as Rick Thompson, Tyler Winklevoss, and Chris Paik, who are active in the seed-stage esports scene.

Series A Angel Investors in eSports

Series A funding is for businesses with a developed product and a consistent user base, focusing on scaling operations. Some investors who participate in this stage for esports include Joshua Kushner, Alex Taussig, and Phil Sanderson.

Series B Angel Investors in eSports

Companies seek Series B funding to expand their market reach and grow their teams after proving their business model. In the esports sector, investors like Sandy Miller, Doug Higgins, and Jeff Horing have experience with this growth stage.

Keep in mind that many investors are flexible and participate in multiple funding rounds, so this list is a starting point for your research.

Here is a closer look at some of the top angel investors in the esports sector. We’ve included key details on their investment stages, sector focus, and location to help you identify who might be a good fit for your company.

1. Joshua Kushner

Joshua Kushner is a founder and managing partner at Thrive Capital, a venture capital firm based in New York. He is known for backing some of the most significant technology companies of the last decade.

His investment activity shows a strong interest in consumer internet, SMB software, and gaming. He participates across multiple funding stages, from seed to Series B, with a notable capacity for larger investments.

Founders building ambitious software platforms, especially those with a clear path to scale, may find him to be a good match. His involvement suggests a preference for companies that can grow significantly with the right capital and support.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Sector focus: Consumer Internet, SMB Software, Gaming/eSports
• Geographical presence: New York, New York
• Investment range: $1M - $50M
• Notable investments: Databricks, Ramp, Essential AI
• Investor type: Founder of Thrive Capital

You can find more information about Joshua Kushner on his firm's website or on Twitter.

2. Tyler Winklevoss

Tyler Winklevoss, co-founder of Winklevoss Capital and CEO of the crypto exchange Gemini, is a prominent figure in the investment world. He is widely recognized for his early and significant activity in the web3 and crypto space.

His investment focus often centers on companies at the intersection of web3, gaming, and social networks, primarily at the seed and Series A stages. As a founder himself, he brings direct operational experience to his portfolio companies, with a typical investment sweet spot around $1.5M.

Founders building platforms in the web3, gaming, or media sectors may find him to be a valuable partner. His background is particularly relevant for teams seeking an investor with firsthand experience in building and scaling a company.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Sector focus: Web3/Crypto, Gaming/eSports, Social Networks, Media/Content
• Geographical presence: New York, New York
• Investment range: $100K - $5.0M
• Notable investments: Animoca Brands, Real Bedford FC, KresusLabs
• Investor type: Co-Founder of Winklevoss Capital & Gemini

You can find more information about Tyler Winklevoss on his firm's website or on Twitter.

3. Donn Davis

Donn Davis is an angel investor and advisor with a clear interest in early-stage companies. He often invests at the pre-seed and seed stages, supporting founders from the very beginning of their journey.

His investment history shows a strong preference for the gaming and esports sectors, highlighted by his involvement with companies like Scopely. As an advisor, he likely provides more than just capital, offering strategic guidance to the companies he backs.

Founders building a gaming or esports venture at the pre-seed or seed stage may find a good partner in Donn Davis. His advisory role suggests he is a good fit for teams looking for hands-on support and industry experience.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
• Sector focus: Gaming/eSports
• Geographical presence: Virginia
• Notable investments: Scopely, Sweetgreen, Bedrock
• Investor type: Angel Investor, Advisor

You can find more information about Donn Davis on his LinkedIn profile or on Crunchbase.

4. Sandy Miller

Sandy Miller is a general partner at IVP, a later-stage venture capital and growth equity firm. He is known for backing high-growth technology companies, often participating in larger funding rounds.

His investment activity centers on Series A and Series B stages, with a focus on consumer internet, media, and gaming. With an investment range of $10M to $100M, he supports companies that are ready for significant expansion.

Founders with established market traction and a clear path to scaling may find him to be a good fit. He is a strong potential partner for companies seeking substantial growth capital to expand their market presence.

• Investment stages: Series A, Series B
• Sector focus: Consumer Internet, Media/Content, Gaming/eSports
• Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
• Investment range: $10.0M - $100.0M
• Notable investments: SoFi, Motive, Sauce Labs
• Investor type: General Partner at IVP

You can find more information about Sandy Miller on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.

5. Jeff Horing

Jeff Horing is a co-founder and managing director at Insight Partners, a global venture capital and private equity firm. He is known for his extensive experience investing in high-growth software and internet companies.

His investment activity spans from seed to Series B, with a wide investment range that suggests a capacity for significant, later-stage deals. He shows a broad interest in enterprise technology, including cloud infrastructure and AI, with notable investments in companies like Island and Aqua Security.

Founders with enterprise software or infrastructure companies that have demonstrated product-market fit may find him to be a good match. His experience with Series B rounds makes him a strong partner for businesses ready to scale their operations significantly.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Sector focus: Cloud Infrastructure, Generative Tech/AI, SaaS, Analytics, Gaming/eSports
• Geographical presence: New York, New York
• Investment range: $10.0M - $350.0M
• Notable investments: Island, Abnormal Security, Aqua Security
• Investor type: Co-Founder of Insight Partners

You can find more information about Jeff Horing on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.

6. Trevor McFedries

Trevor McFedries is an angel investor, CEO, and founder known for his work at the intersection of technology and culture. He is the co-founder of Brud, the company behind the virtual influencer Lil Miquela, giving him a unique perspective on media and social networks.

His investment activity shows a strong focus on pre-seed and seed-stage companies, with a typical check size of around $25K. He consistently backs founders in web3, AI, and gaming, signaling a clear interest in emerging technology platforms.

Founders working on early-stage projects in web3, gaming, or social media may find him to be a good fit. His background as a founder suggests he can offer practical support for teams looking for catalytic capital and industry experience.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B
• Sector focus: Web3/Crypto, AI, Gaming/eSports, Social Networks
• Geographical presence: Los Angeles, California
• Investment range: $5K - $50K
• Notable investments: The Fabricant, DIMO, Mad Realities
• Investor type: Angel Investor, CEO, Founder

You can find more information about Trevor McFedries on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.

7. Rick Thompson

Rick Thompson is a partner at Signia Venture Partners and a well-known investor with deep roots in the gaming industry. He is recognized for his focus on early-stage companies, often getting involved at the seed round.

His investment history shows a clear preference for seed-stage companies, with a portfolio that includes esports organization Cloud9 and game developer Super Evil Mega Corp. This indicates a strong interest in backing businesses with significant product potential in the gaming and consumer health sectors.

Founders building seed-stage companies in gaming, education, or consumer health may find him to be a good match. His background is especially relevant for teams seeking an investor with direct experience in the games industry.

• Investment stages: Seed
• Sector focus: Games, Gaming/eSports, Education, Consumer Health
• Geographical presence: California
• Investment range: $250K - $2.5M
• Notable investments: Cloud9, Super Evil Mega Corp, Kush Marketplace
• Investor type: Partner at Signia Venture Partners

You can find more information about Rick Thompson on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.

8. Chris Paik

Chris Paik is a co-founder and general partner at Pace Capital, following his time as a general partner at Thrive Capital. He has experience backing companies in both the consumer internet and enterprise software spaces.

His investment activity is concentrated at the seed and Series A stages, with a portfolio that includes the creator platform Patreon. This signals an interest in product-led companies that build strong communities and have clear monetization paths.

Founders building businesses in consumer internet, gaming, or education may find him to be a good match. His background suggests he is a strong partner for teams looking for an investor with experience in scaling platforms.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Sector focus: Consumer Internet, Enterprise, Gaming/eSports, Education
• Geographical presence: New York, New York
• Investment range: $100K - $10.0M
• Notable investments: Patreon, SchoolHouse
• Investor type: Co-Founder of Pace Capital

You can find more information about Chris Paik on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.

9. Doug Higgins

Doug Higgins is a co-founder and partner at Sapphire Ventures, a firm that invests in growth-stage technology companies. He is known for backing businesses that are ready to scale significantly, often participating in larger funding rounds.

His investment activity is concentrated in Series A and B rounds, with a clear interest in gaming, media, and entertainment. His portfolio includes companies like the esports platform PlayVS, showing his experience in the sector.

Founders who have established a strong market presence and are seeking substantial capital for expansion may find him to be a good partner. His focus on later stages is ideal for companies ready to accelerate their growth.

• Investment stages: Series A, Series B
• Sector focus: Games, Gaming/eSports, Media/Content, Entertainment & Sports
• Geographical presence: Redwood City, California
• Investment range: $10.0M - $100.0M
• Notable investments: PlayVS, Manticore Games, Tonal

You can find more information about Doug Higgins on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.

10. Alex Taussig

Alex Taussig is a partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners with experience backing companies from seed to Series B. His background includes roles at other notable firms, giving him a wide-ranging view of the venture capital world.

He shows a strong interest in consumer-facing businesses, including e-commerce, social commerce, and gaming. With an investment sweet spot of around $15M, he often supports companies that are ready for significant growth, as seen in his backing of Daily Harvest.

Founders building consumer platforms with a clear path to scale may find him to be a good match. His experience is particularly relevant for teams seeking a partner to help them navigate from early-stage funding to larger growth rounds.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Sector focus: Consumer Internet, E-commerce, Gaming/eSports, Social Commerce
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Investment range: $3.0M - $20.0M
• Notable investments: Daily Harvest, Archive, All Day Kitchens
• Investor type: Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners

You can find more information about Alex Taussig on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.

11. Mark Dyne

Mark Dyne is an investor and a venture capitalist at Morpheus Ventures. He has experience backing companies across a range of industries, from gaming to financial technology.

A key aspect of his investment approach is his involvement across multiple funding stages, from seed to Series B. His portfolio, which includes companies like Bestow and RapidDeploy, indicates an interest in businesses with significant growth potential.

Founders building companies in sectors like gaming, fintech, or SMB software may find him to be a good partner. His experience with different funding rounds suggests he can support a company from its early days through to major scaling efforts.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Sector focus: FinTech, Games, Hardware, Data Services, SMB Software, Gaming/eSports, IoT
• Geographical presence: Los Angeles, California
• Investment range: $100K - $5.0M
• Notable investments: RapidDeploy, Bestow
• Investor type: Investor, VC

You can find more information about Mark Dyne on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.

12. Phil Sanderson

Phil Sanderson is a founder and venture capitalist at Griffin Gaming Partners, with a background in backing companies in both the gaming and health technology sectors.

He primarily invests at the seed and Series A stages, with a portfolio that includes gaming companies like WinZO and Phoenix Labs. His focus suggests an interest in supporting companies from their early stages through initial growth.

Founders building businesses in gaming or digital health may find him to be a good partner. His experience is well-suited for teams seeking an investor who understands both product development and market scaling.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Sector focus: Gaming/eSports, Digital Health, SMB Software, Consumer Internet
• Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
• Investment range: $100K - $10.0M
• Notable investments: WinZO, Phoenix Labs, Harmony Games
• Investor type: VC, Founder, Investor

You can find more information about Phil Sanderson on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.

13. Arun Chetty

Arun Chetty is an investor at Intel Capital who supports technology companies at both the seed and Series B stages. His background suggests a focus on businesses building foundational technology in areas like cloud infrastructure and AI.

A key characteristic of his investment approach is his activity across different funding stages, from early seed rounds to larger Series B deals. His portfolio includes companies like Teikametrics and OXOS Medical, indicating an interest in enterprise and deep-tech ventures.

Founders building technology companies, especially in enterprise software, AI, or cloud infrastructure, may find him to be a good fit. He is a potential partner for teams seeking capital at either the seed stage or for a later Series B growth round.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series B
• Sector focus: Cloud Infrastructure, Enterprise, AI, Gaming/eSports, IoT
• Geographical presence: Saratoga, California
• Investment range: $1M - $20.0M
• Notable investments: Teikametrics, OXOS Medical, Cambridge Mechatronics
• Investor type: Investor at Intel Capital

You can find more information about Arun Chetty on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.

What Startup Founders Should Look for in a eSports Investor

When seeking an angel investor for your esports startup, it's important to look beyond just the capital they provide. The right partner brings strategic value, industry connections, and experience that aligns with your company's stage and long-term goals.

As our list shows, many investors active in esports also focus on related sectors like web3, AI, and consumer internet. This suggests that framing your company within a broader technology trend can be effective. While many of these investors are based in major tech hubs like New York and the Bay Area, their reach is often global.

To find the right fit, focus your research on a few key areas. A partner with a history in gaming ventures can offer invaluable guidance as you grow.

• Strategic Alignment: Focus on investors whose sector interests and stage focus match your company's needs
• Portfolio Synergy: Look for investors whose past investments show they understand your market
• Value Beyond Capital: Prioritize partners who can provide mentorship and valuable industry connections

Raise Confidently with Rho

Fundraising requires significant time and energy, so having a focused list of relevant angel investors is a major advantage. This guide is designed to help you target your outreach effectively and connect with the right partners for your esports company.

If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes. Our platform provides business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay solutions designed to help startups manage their capital efficiently.

This allows you to put your newly raised funds to work immediately on growth and operations. You can spend less time on manual financial administration and more on building your business.

FAQs about eSports Angel Investors

How do I find eSports angel investors?

Start by researching investors active in gaming and related sectors. Networking at industry events and using platforms like LinkedIn can help you make connections. A targeted approach is often more effective than broad outreach.

Are there eSports angel investors in emerging tech hubs?

Yes, while major hubs are prominent, you can find investors in cities like Austin and Boston. Many investors also look for opportunities globally, so your location does not have to be a limiting factor.

Do eSports investors fund companies using AI?

Many investors in the gaming space are also interested in how artificial intelligence can be applied. If your startup uses AI for analytics, player experience, or platform development, it can be a compelling angle for your pitch.

What's the difference between seed and Series A funding?

Seed funding typically helps you establish product-market fit, while Series A funding is for scaling your business once you have consistent traction. Each stage has different expectations for growth and key metrics.

How can Rho help after my eSports company raises funds?

Once you've secured capital, Rho helps you manage it effectively. Our platform offers integrated business banking, corporate cards, and expense management, letting you focus on growing your company instead of financial admin.