5 Leading Generative AI Angel Investors You Should Know
Raising funds for your generative AI startup? We've compiled a list of five angel investors who are actively writing checks in the field.
Rho Editorial Team
Angel investor funding in Generative AI provides early-stage capital and crucial validation from experienced backers who understand the sector's potential.
Many experienced angel investors have shown interest in the Generative AI space, with notable backers like Patrick Grady, Jeff Horing, Terrence Rohan, and Ilya Sukhar supporting a variety of new companies.
If you are raising capital or have just closed a round, Rho’s platform helps you manage your new funds with 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 building in Generative AI, knowing the key angel investors can make a significant difference when you're raising capital. These early backers often provide more than just money.
Unlike many venture capital firms, angel investors are individuals who typically invest their own funds. They often get involved at the earliest stages, providing foundational support and mentorship.
To help you identify the right people for your startup, we've put together this overview of notable angel investors in the GenAI and large language model space. Think of it as a starting point for your fundraising research.
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Top Generative AI Angel Investors By Stage
Angel investors in Generative AI often participate in the earliest funding rounds, like pre-seed and seed, where they can offer foundational support beyond just capital.
Knowing which investors are active at your particular stage helps you connect with people who can provide the most relevant guidance.
Pre-seed Angel Investors in Generative AI
Pre-seed is the earliest funding stage, typically for validating an idea and building a first product. Based on our review, Stan Reiss is one investor who is active at this initial phase in Generative AI.
Seed Stage Angel Investors in Generative AI
Seed funding helps a startup with initial market entry and team expansion. For GenAI startups at this point, investors like Jeff Horing, Terrence Rohan, and Ilya Sukhar are known to participate.
Series A Angel Investors in Generative AI
Series A funding is for companies with a proven track record, used to scale operations and optimize the business model. As you look to grow, you might connect with investors such as Ilya Sukhar and Stan Reiss, who are active in Series A rounds.
Series B Angel Investors in Generative AI
The Series B round is focused on expanding market reach and scaling the business significantly. For companies entering this major growth phase, investors like Patrick Grady and Jeff Horing often get involved.
It's also worth noting that some angel investors are flexible and participate across multiple funding stages.
They can support a company from its earliest days through to more established growth rounds.
Here is a more detailed look at several notable angel investors in the Generative AI sector. We've included key information on their investment stages, areas of focus, and location, along with what makes each a compelling partner for founders.
1. Patrick Grady
Patrick Grady is a Partner at Sequoia Capital, one of the most well-known venture capital firms. His investments are made through the firm, targeting companies that are ready for significant expansion.
He shows a strong interest in enterprise software and Generative AI, backing notable companies like Hugging Face and Harvey. His focus is primarily on Series B rounds, indicating he gets involved once a company has found its footing and is ready to scale.
If you are a founder with a proven product in the AI or enterprise sector preparing for a Series B round, he could be a good connection. His role at Sequoia means he can bring substantial resources to help your company grow its market share.
- Investment stages: Primarily Series B
- Industries of focus: Generative Tech/AI, Enterprise, FinTech, Cloud Infrastructure
- Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
- Ideal investment range: $10.0M - $200.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Hugging Face, Harvey, Amplitude
- Current Role: Partner at Sequoia Capital
You can find more information about Patrick Grady on his website or LinkedIn profile.
2. Jeff Horing
As a co-founder of Insight Partners, Jeff Horing is a prominent figure in the software investment world. He has a long track record of backing companies from their early stages through significant growth.
A key aspect of his approach is his flexibility across funding stages, with involvement in rounds from Seed to Series B. His portfolio shows a clear interest in enterprise-focused areas like Generative AI and cloud infrastructure, with investments in companies such as Abnormal Security and Island.
He could be a strong partner if you're building an enterprise or AI company with high-growth potential. His role at Insight Partners means he can bring substantial resources and experience to help you scale your business.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Generative Tech/AI, SaaS, Cloud Infrastructure, Enterprise Infrastructure
- Geographical presence: New York, New York
- Ideal investment range: $10.0M - $350.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Abnormal Security, Island, Aqua Security
- Current Role: Co-Founder and Managing Director at Insight Partners
You can find more information about Jeff Horing on his website or LinkedIn profile.
3. Terrence Rohan
Terrence Rohan is an angel investor and the co-founder of Otherwise Fund. His background includes significant roles at Index Ventures, YouTube, and Google, giving him a deep operational perspective on building and scaling tech companies.
He invests across a wide range of sectors, including Generative AI, SaaS, and Web3, and is active from Seed to Series B rounds. His experience in product development and marketing at major tech firms suggests a product-centric approach, and his portfolio includes AI-focused companies like Wordware and /dev/agents.
Terrence could be a great match if you are a founder who would benefit from an investor with hands-on experience in product growth. His broad focus makes him a potential partner for early-stage companies across several high-growth technology areas.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Generative Tech/AI, SaaS, Web3/Crypto, Marketplaces
- Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $1M
- Notable portfolio companies: Wordware, /dev/agents, Browser Use
- Current Role: Angel and Co-Founder at Otherwise Fund
You can find more information about Terrence Rohan on his website or LinkedIn profile.
4. Ilya Sukhar
Ilya Sukhar is a General Partner at Matrix Partners who brings a founder's perspective to his investments. With a background as the co-founder and CEO of Parse, which was acquired by Facebook, he has firsthand experience building and scaling a successful company.
His investment activity shows a clear interest in technically complex areas like developer tools, AI, and enterprise infrastructure, often at the Seed and Series A stages. His portfolio includes companies like Parabola and Mashgin, reflecting his interest in businesses with strong product foundations.
You might find him to be a good partner if you are a founder with a deep technical background building for developers or enterprise customers. His experience suggests he can offer valuable guidance on product development and early growth challenges.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Generative Tech/AI, Developer Tools, SaaS, Enterprise Infrastructure
- Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $10.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Parabola, Mashgin, Flock Safety
- Current Role: General Partner at Matrix Partners
You can find more information about Ilya Sukhar on his website or LinkedIn profile.
5. Stan Reiss
Stan Reiss is a General Partner at Matrix Partners who brings a deep technical background to his investments, with degrees in Electrical Engineering from Cornell and MIT. He is active across a broad spectrum of funding stages, from pre-seed all the way to Series B.
His investment activity shows a clear interest in technically complex areas like semiconductors, cloud infrastructure, AI, and developer tools. He often supports companies throughout their lifecycle, participating in early and later growth rounds for businesses like LogRocket.
Founders with strong technical backgrounds building in enterprise infrastructure or other hardware- and software-intensive fields may find him to be a good match. His experience suggests he can offer guidance from a company's initial stages through to significant scaling.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Generative Tech/AI, Cloud Infrastructure, Semiconductors, Robotics, Developer Tools
- Geographical presence: Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $10.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: LogRocket, Acacia
- Current Role: General Partner at Matrix Partners
You can find more information about Stan Reiss on his website or LinkedIn profile.
What Startup Founders Should Look for in a Generative AI Investor
When seeking a Generative AI investor, it's helpful to look beyond the check size. The right partner often brings relevant operational experience and a network that can help you grow. Many of the investors we've highlighted have backgrounds as founders or operators, giving them a practical understanding of the challenges you face.
As you may have noticed, many of these investors are based in major tech hubs like the Bay Area and New York, with a focus on enterprise applications, SaaS, and developer tools. This suggests a strong interest in B2B companies with clear use cases. Understanding how to find angels who align with your specific niche is a critical first step.
Use this list as a starting point for your own research. Look for investors whose portfolio and expertise match your company's stage and long-term vision. The goal is to find a strategic partner who can provide guidance as you scale, not just capital for the next round. For more investor ideas, you can review other VCs in Generative AI.
Raise Confidently with Rho
Raising capital is an intense process where your time is limited. A focused list of relevant angel investors helps you direct your energy toward the conversations that matter most.
Once you've secured funding, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes. We provide business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay to help you manage your new capital efficiently.
This setup helps put your angel capital to work on growth and operations, rather than getting it tied up in manual financial tasks.
FAQs about Generative AI Angel Investors
Are there Generative AI angel investors outside of New York and California?
Yes, while major tech hubs are prominent, you can find angel investors in other growing ecosystems. Cities like Austin and Boston have active early-stage investors interested in AI and deep tech.
Which sectors do Generative AI angels focus on?
Many investors are interested in B2B applications like enterprise software and SaaS. However, some also back consumer-facing products, especially in areas like content creation, gaming, and personalized experiences.
How do I get a warm introduction to a Generative AI angel?
The best approach is through a mutual connection. Use professional networks to see who in your circle knows the investor. Founders they've previously backed or partners at their firms are often great sources for an introduction.
What is the difference between an angel and a pre-seed VC?
Angels typically invest their own money, while pre-seed VCs invest from a fund. Angels may offer more personal mentorship, while VCs often provide more structured support and follow-on funding opportunities.
What should I prepare before meeting a GenAI angel investor?
Have a clear pitch deck and a deep understanding of your market. Be ready to discuss your technical approach, team, and go-to-market strategy for your specific funding round.
How can I manage my startup's finances after raising from an angel?
Once funded, a unified financial platform is key. Rho helps you open business bank accounts, issue corporate cards, and automate bill pay, so you can put your new capital to work immediately.