11 Leading Angel Investors in the IoT Sector

For founders in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector, securing the right capital is a pivotal moment. Angel investors can be excellent early partners, often bringing personal experience and mentorship alongside their investment.

Because they invest their own funds, their approach can differ from that of larger venture capital firms. To help you identify the right individuals for your company, we've put together this overview of notable angel investors in the space.

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Top IoT Angel Investors By Stage

Angel investors in IoT often focus on pre-seed and seed stages, where they can provide foundational support and guidance.

Understanding who these investors are and what they look for is the first step in finding a good match for your company.

Pre-seed Angel Investors in IoT

Pre-seed funding is the earliest capital a startup raises, often used to validate an idea and build a minimum viable product. For this initial phase, an investor like Ed Ruth has shown interest in IoT companies.

Seed Stage Angel Investors in IoT

Seed funding helps a company with initial market entry and further product development. Investors who have participated in IoT seed rounds include Marvin Liao, Alexander Rosen, and Omar Hamoui.

Series A Angel Investors in IoT

Series A funding is for companies with a proven track record that need capital to scale their user base and revenue. Some investors to consider for this stage are Jason Krikorian, Ben Yu, and Steve Goldberg.

Series B Angel Investors in IoT

Series B rounds are for more established companies looking to expand their market reach and grow significantly. You might find investors like Mark Dyne, David Su, and Arun Chetty participating in this growth stage.

Keep in mind that many angel investors are flexible and participate across multiple funding stages, so it's always a good idea to research an investor's complete portfolio. Their involvement can span from a company's early days through its later growth.

To help you find the right partner, here is more information on notable angel investors in the IoT sector. We've included key details on their investment stages, sector interests, location, and what makes each investor a valuable connection for founders.

1. Alexander Rosen

Alexander Rosen is the Co-Founder and Managing Director at Ridge Ventures, bringing a venture capital perspective rather than that of a solo angel. His background combines an electrical engineering degree from MIT with an MBA from Stanford, giving him a strong foundation in both technology and business strategy.

His investment thesis appears centered on enterprise software, with a clear interest in SaaS, AI, data services, and cloud infrastructure. Rosen often invests in both Seed and Series A rounds, backing companies like data provider SafeGraph and cybersecurity firm Horizon3.ai.

Founders building technically complex, data-centric companies for the enterprise market may find Rosen to be a good match. His role at Ridge Ventures suggests he can provide support as a company scales from its early stages into significant growth phases.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Sectors of focus: Enterprise SaaS, AI, Data Services, Cloud Infrastructure, IoT
• Geographical presence: Based in San Francisco, California
• Typical investment size: $1M - $7M
• Notable portfolio companies: SafeGraph, Horizon3.ai, Outlier
• Firm: Co-founder and Managing Director at Ridge Ventures

You can find more information about Alexander Rosen on his LinkedIn or the firm's website.

2. Steve Goldberg

Steve Goldberg brings deep operational experience to his angel investments, stemming from his time as an Operating Partner at the venture capital firm Venrock. His investment activity shows a strong interest in companies building tangible products in the hardware, IoT, and robotics spaces.

A key characteristic of Goldberg's approach is his focus on later stages like Series A and B, which is less common for individual angel investors. This, combined with his background, suggests he provides valuable operational guidance to companies as they scale, rather than just early-stage capital. His portfolio includes companies like Quantenna Communications.

Founders with hardware-centric businesses who have already established some market traction may find Goldberg to be an excellent partner. He is a good fit for companies entering a growth phase that could benefit from his experience in scaling operations.

• Investment stages: Series A, Series B
• Sectors of focus: Hardware, IoT, Robotics
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Typical investment size: $10K - $100K
• Notable portfolio companies: Quantenna Communications, Canesta

You can find more information about Steve Goldberg on his LinkedIn or AngelList profile.

3. Ed Ruth

Ed Ruth is an angel investor with a clear interest in the IoT sector, particularly at its earliest stages. His background as an advisor suggests he takes a hands-on approach with the companies he backs.

While he primarily targets pre-seed and seed rounds, his portfolio includes participation in later rounds for companies like Filament and Veniam. This indicates a commitment to supporting founders beyond the initial investment.

Founders working on IoT solutions from the ground up could find a valuable partner in Ruth. He appears to be a good fit for teams looking for an investor who can provide both early capital and long-term strategic support.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
• Sectors of focus: IoT
• Geographical presence: Based in Menlo Park, California
• Notable portfolio companies: Filament, Veniam

You can find more information about Ed Ruth on his LinkedIn or Crunchbase profile.

4. Omar Hamoui

Omar Hamoui is a partner at Mucker Capital, bringing a venture capital perspective to his investments. He is known for backing companies in sectors like SMB software and the Internet of Things.

His investment activity shows a pattern of supporting companies at the seed and Series A stages. He has an interest in both consumer-facing and business-oriented software, with portfolio companies like Resilia and Emotive.

Founders building software for small-to-medium businesses or developing consumer internet products may find Hamoui to be a good fit. His position at Mucker Capital suggests he can provide support beyond the initial check as a company grows.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Sectors of focus: SMB Software, IoT, Consumer Internet
• Geographical presence: Based in Santa Monica, California
• Typical investment size: $10K - $50K
• Notable portfolio companies: Resilia, Emotive, LoudCrowd
• Firm: Partner at Mucker Capital

You can find more information about Omar Hamoui on his LinkedIn or the firm's website.

5. David Su

David Su is a Partner at Apax, bringing a venture capital background to his investments. He previously spent over a decade as a Partner at Norwest Venture Partners, indicating his experience is rooted in institutional investing rather than solo angel checks.

A notable aspect of his investment approach is the wide range of stages he covers, from seed to Series B. His portfolio includes companies like Swing Education and Classy, showing an interest in both enterprise and consumer-focused businesses.

Founders building companies in the enterprise, FinTech, or consumer internet spaces could find a good partner in Su. His experience at large venture firms suggests he is well-suited for founders seeking significant capital and strategic support for growth.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series B
• Sectors of focus: Enterprise, IoT, FinTech, Consumer Internet
• Geographical presence: Based in Palo Alto, California
• Typical investment size: $1M - $30M
• Notable portfolio companies: Swing Education, Classy, GAN Integrity
• Firm: Partner at Apax

You can find more information about David Su on his LinkedIn or the firm's website.

6. Ben Yu

Ben Yu is a partner at Sierra Ventures, bringing a venture capital framework to his investments. He has a clear interest in companies building foundational technologies for the enterprise market.

His investment thesis is centered on deep tech, with a focus on sectors like AI, semiconductors, and cloud infrastructure at the seed and Series A stages. His portfolio, which includes companies like Invisible AI and Q-CTRL, highlights a preference for businesses with significant technical depth.

Founders with a strong engineering background who are creating solutions for complex enterprise problems may find Yu to be a good match. He is well-suited for teams seeking an investor who understands technically challenging products and can support them through early growth.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Sectors of focus: AI, Cloud Infrastructure, Semiconductors, AR/VR, IoT
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Typical investment size: $500K - $15M
• Notable portfolio companies: Invisible AI, Q-CTRL, Podcastle

You can find more information about Ben Yu on his LinkedIn or the firm's website.

7. Jason Krikorian

Jason Krikorian is a General Partner at the venture capital firm DCM. He brings direct founder experience to his role, having co-founded Sling Media, the company that created the Slingbox.

His investment activity shows a clear interest in companies where hardware and software intersect, particularly in the digital health, IoT, and media sectors. He tends to invest in seed and Series A rounds, with portfolio companies like Matterport and Siren Care reflecting his focus.

Founders building consumer hardware or media technology products could find a strong partner in Krikorian. His background as an operator suggests he can offer practical guidance on product development and go-to-market strategy, beyond just providing capital.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Sectors of focus: Digital Health, IoT, Media/Content
• Geographical presence: Redwood City, California
• Typical investment size: $250K - $15M
• Notable portfolio companies: Matterport, Siren Care, Kespry

You can find more information about Jason Krikorian on his LinkedIn or the firm's website.

8. Mark Dyne

Mark Dyne is an investor with the firm Morpheus Ventures, bringing a venture capital perspective to his investments. He is active across a wide range of funding stages, from seed rounds to later Series B investments.

A key aspect of his approach is his broad sector interest, which includes FinTech, hardware, gaming, and IoT. His portfolio includes companies like Bestow and RapidDeploy, and his participation in multiple rounds for these companies suggests a commitment to supporting them through significant growth.

Founders building companies in the FinTech or hardware spaces could find a good match in Dyne. He appears to be a good fit for teams looking for a long-term partner who can provide capital across multiple growth stages.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Sectors of focus: FinTech, Games, Hardware, Data Services, SMB Software, IoT
• Geographical presence: Based in Los Angeles, California
• Typical investment size: $100K - $5.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: RapidDeploy, Bestow
• Firm: Morpheus Ventures

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

9. Arun Chetty

Arun Chetty is an investor with a corporate venture capital background, connected to Intel. He invests across a range of technology sectors, including enterprise software, AI, and cloud infrastructure.

A key characteristic of his investment approach is the wide range of stages he covers, from seed to Series B, often with substantial capital. His portfolio, which includes companies like Teikametrics and Avaamo, shows an interest in businesses with strong technical foundations.

Founders building solutions in AI, cloud infrastructure, or IoT may find Chetty to be a good match. His position within a large corporate VC suggests he can provide strategic value beyond capital for companies ready to scale.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series B
• Sectors of focus: AI, Cloud Infrastructure, Enterprise, IoT, Gaming/eSports
• Geographical presence: Based in Saratoga, California
• Typical investment size: $1M - $20.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Teikametrics, Avaamo, OXOS Medical

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

10. Rob Ness

Rob Ness is a General Partner at Asymmetry Ventures, bringing a venture capital structure to his investments. His background is distinctive, combining a long career in the U.S. Army with experience at consulting firms like Booz Allen Hamilton and Capgemini.

Ness shows interest across a wide array of sectors, from deep tech like AI and material science to applied fields like PropTech and healthcare. He primarily invests in seed and Series A rounds, with his portfolio including the open-source AI company Mycroft.

Founders building companies in technically complex industries who are seeking a strategic partner may find Ness to be a good fit. His operational background suggests he could be a valuable resource for teams navigating early-stage growth.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Sectors of focus: AI, IoT, SaaS, Enterprise, BioTech, Material Science
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Typical investment size: $125K - $500K
• Notable portfolio companies: Mycroft
• Firm: General Partner at Asymmetry Ventures

You can find more information about Rob Ness on his LinkedIn or the firm's website.

11. Marvin Liao

Marvin Liao is an active seed-stage investor with a background that includes venture capital. He is known for his broad investment appetite, backing companies across many sectors including consumer internet, developer tools, and IoT.

A key characteristic of Liao's approach is his consistent focus on a company's earliest stages, primarily participating in pre-seed and seed rounds. His portfolio shows significant breadth, with investments in companies like the metaverse platform Ready Player Me and maintenance management software Infraspeak.

Founders at the pre-seed or seed stage, regardless of their industry, may find Liao to be a good potential partner. He appears well-suited for teams looking for an investor with a wide-ranging perspective and a clear commitment to early-stage growth.

• Investment stages: Seed
• Sectors of focus: IoT, Developer Tools, Consumer Internet, MarketingTech, Food and Beverage
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Typical investment size: $10K - $500K
• Notable portfolio companies: Ready Player Me, Infraspeak, Obie

You can find more information about Marvin Liao on his LinkedIn or personal website.

What Startup Founders Should Look for in a IoT Investor

When seeking an IoT investor, it's important to look beyond the check size and consider strategic alignment. As the list above shows, many investors in this space also have deep interests in related fields like enterprise software, AI, and hardware. Finding someone whose expertise matches your company's specific focus can provide valuable guidance.

You may also notice a strong geographical pattern, with a significant number of investors based in the San Francisco Bay Area. While capital is increasingly global, this concentration highlights the area's importance as a hub for tech and hardware innovation.

Finally, consider the investor's background. Many individuals on this list are partners at venture capital firms, not solo angels. This can be a significant advantage, bringing the network and operational support of an established institution. Understanding the different types of funding available will help you target the right partners for your growth stage.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Fundraising requires significant time and energy, so having a targeted list of investors is a major advantage. It allows you to focus your efforts on the partners most likely to be a good fit for your IoT company.

If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes. Our platform offers business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay designed for growing startups.

This setup helps you manage your new capital efficiently, directing your angel investment toward growth and operations rather than manual financial administration.

FAQs about IoT Angel Investors

Are there IoT angel investors outside of California?

Yes. While the Bay Area is a major hub, thriving tech ecosystems with angel investors exist in cities like New York and Austin. Researching local investor networks can uncover valuable partners in your region.

How do angel investors evaluate IoT startups?

They often look for a strong founding team, a clear problem you're solving, and a large market opportunity. For IoT, they also assess the technical feasibility of your hardware and software, and your plan for manufacturing and distribution.

What funding stages follow a seed round for an IoT company?

After a seed round, IoT companies typically pursue Series A, B, and C rounds to scale manufacturing, expand their team, and enter new markets. Each stage comes with higher valuation and capital to fuel growth.

Do IoT investors fund software-only companies?

Yes, many do. Investors often back companies creating SaaS platforms for managing connected devices or analyzing IoT data. These SaaS-focused investors value the recurring revenue models and scalability common in software businesses.

How can I find angel investors for my specific IoT niche?

Look at investors who have backed companies in related fields like hardware or enterprise software. Attend industry-specific events and use professional networks to find individuals whose portfolio aligns with your company's focus.

How can Rho help after I raise from an angel investor?

Once you've secured funding, our platform helps you manage it effectively. Rho provides business banking, corporate cards, and expense management tools, allowing you to focus on growing your business instead of administrative tasks.