6 Angel Investors in the Payments Sector You Should Know
Searching for the right angel investor for your payments company? We've profiled six active investors to help you find a potential partner for your next round.
Rho Editorial Team
Angel funding in the payments sector provides startups with more than just capital; it often includes valuable industry expertise and connections from experienced backers.
Notable backers in the startup community, such as Steve Case, Ryan Sweeney, Randy Komisar, and Stan Miroshnik, have invested in companies within the payments industry.
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For founders in the payments and fintech space, finding the right early-stage capital is a crucial first step.
Angel investors often differ from venture capital firms by writing the first checks and offering direct mentorship based on their own operator experience.
To help you identify potential partners, we've curated this list of six notable angel investors active in the payments industry.
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Top Payments Angel Investors By Stage
Angel investors in payments often get involved at the pre-seed or seed stage, where they can offer direct support and guidance from the beginning.
Understanding who these investors are helps you connect with the right people for your company's current phase.
Pre-seed Angel Investors in Payments
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 stage, you might consider investors like Peter Kight and Stan Miroshnik.
Seed Stage Angel Investors in Payments
Seed funding helps your company with initial product development and achieving early market traction. Investors such as Steve Case, Ryan Sweeney, and Sim Blaustein are active at this stage.
Series A Angel Investors in Payments
A successful Series A round typically means you have a proven product and are ready to scale your operations and user base. Among the investors on our list, Randy Komisar, Steve Case, and Stan Miroshnik often participate in this growth phase.
Series B Angel Investors in Payments
Series B funding is about taking your business to the next level by expanding market reach and building out your team. You'll find that Ryan Sweeney and Randy Komisar are two examples of investors who get involved at this point.
Keep in mind that many investors are flexible and participate in multiple funding rounds. Their involvement often depends on the specific opportunity and their connection to the founding team.
Here is a closer look at some of the top angel investors in the payments industry. For each one, we've included key details on their investment stages, sectors of focus, location, and what makes them a notable consideration for founders.
1. Steve Case
Steve Case is widely recognized as the co-founder of AOL and currently serves as the Chairman and CEO of Revolution, a Washington, D.C.-based investment firm. Through Revolution, he invests in entrepreneurs building companies outside of major coastal tech hubs.
His investment approach often centers on supporting companies in sectors like FinTech and Payments at the seed and Series A stages. Revolution is known for its "Rise of the Rest" initiative, which actively seeks out and funds startups in developing technology ecosystems across the United States.
Founders building payment or FinTech solutions, especially those located outside of Silicon Valley or New York, may find a strong partner in Case. His firm values companies that are creating jobs and opportunities in their local communities.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Payments, FinTech, AI
- Geographical presence: Based in Virginia, with an interest in companies across the U.S.
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: FiscalNote, Class Technologies, FreightWaves
You can find more information about Steve Case on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
2. Ryan Sweeney
Ryan Sweeney is a partner at Accel, a prominent venture capital firm based in San Francisco. He is recognized for his investments in FinTech, SaaS, and cloud infrastructure companies.
He participates in funding rounds from seed to Series B, with a focus on larger check sizes, particularly in Series A and B. His portfolio includes high-growth companies like Xendit and Gopuff, indicating an interest in businesses with demonstrated traction.
Founders developing solutions in FinTech or SaaS and seeking substantial capital for scaling will find Sweeney a relevant investor. His involvement in later stages suggests he is a good partner for companies ready to accelerate their growth.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: FinTech, Payments, SaaS, Cloud Infrastructure
- Geographical presence: Based in San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $15.0M - $70.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Xendit, Gopuff, BrowserStack
You can find more information about Ryan Sweeney on Accel's website or his Twitter profile.
3. Randy Komisar
Randy Komisar is an angel investor based in Menlo Park, California, with a history of backing companies in the payments and online marketplace sectors. He often participates in growth-stage funding, particularly at the Series A and B rounds.
His investment activity shows a focus on companies ready to scale, with an investment sweet spot around $10.0M. His portfolio includes the payments company Veem, signaling an interest in businesses that are modernizing financial transactions.
Founders with a proven business model in payments or marketplaces seeking capital for expansion may find Komisar to be a good fit. His participation in multiple funding rounds for portfolio companies suggests he can be a supportive, long-term partner.
- Investment stages: Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Payments, Marketplaces
- Geographical presence: Based in Menlo Park, California
- Ideal investment range: $5K - $25.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Veem, Farmers Business Network
You can find more information about Randy Komisar on his AngelList or Crunchbase profiles.
4. Stan Miroshnik
Stan Miroshnik is a co-founder and managing partner at 10T Fund, an investment firm that concentrates on the digital asset economy. He is recognized for backing companies that operate at the intersection of traditional finance and Web3 technologies.
Miroshnik invests across multiple stages, from seed to Series B, showing a commitment to companies at various points of their growth. His portfolio, which includes companies like Figment and Figure, signals a clear interest in the blockchain and crypto infrastructure space.
Founders developing FinTech or payments solutions with a Web3 component may find Miroshnik to be a relevant investor. His activity in both early and growth stages suggests he can be a valuable partner for companies seeking capital to build and scale.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Payments, FinTech, Web3/Crypto, Web3/Blockchain
- Geographical presence: Based in Los Angeles, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Figment, Figure, Ithaca Finance
You can find more information about Stan Miroshnik on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
5. Peter Kight
Peter Kight is an angel investor and an advisor at Commerce Ventures, bringing extensive experience to the payments and FinTech sectors. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, he is an active participant in the early-stage funding ecosystem.
His investment approach is characterized by smaller, early-stage checks, typically ranging from $5K to $50K. With a portfolio that includes companies like BillGO, he shows a clear interest in businesses modernizing financial services across multiple funding stages.
Founders in payments or retail who are seeking an experienced advisor for early guidance and capital may find a strong ally in Kight. His involvement suggests a preference for providing foundational support rather than leading large rounds.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Payments, FinTech, Retail
- Geographical presence: Based in Scottsdale, Arizona
- Ideal investment range: $5K - $50K
- Notable portfolio companies: BillGO, Grow Credit, Urjanet
You can find more information about Peter Kight on his LinkedIn or Crunchbase profiles.
6. Sim Blaustein
Sim Blaustein is a partner at Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments (BDMI), a corporate venture capital firm based in New York. He invests across a wide range of sectors, with a notable interest in Payments, Retail, Enterprise, and Marketplaces.
He is active at both the seed and Series A stages, with an investment range that can extend up to $10.0M. His portfolio includes companies like Suzy and tvScientific, indicating a focus on businesses in the data services and media technology spaces.
Founders building companies in the payments or retail sectors, particularly those seeking seed or Series A funding, may find Blaustein to be a good match. His position at BDMI could also offer strategic value for startups that align with Bertelsmann's broader media and services ecosystem.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Payments, Retail, Enterprise, Marketplaces, Data Services
- Geographical presence: Based in New York
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $10.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Suzy, tvScientific, Antenna
You can find more information about Sim Blaustein on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
What Startup Founders Should Look for in a Payments Investor
When seeking a payments angel investor, look for more than just capital. The right partner should align with your company's current stage and have a genuine interest in your specific corner of the FinTech world. As the investors on our list demonstrate, there isn't a single mold; some actively look for opportunities outside of traditional tech hubs, while many have interests that intersect with payments, such as SaaS, retail, or Web3.
Consider an investor's typical check size and the kind of support they offer. An investor like Peter Kight, who provides early guidance with smaller checks, serves a different need than a partner who participates in larger growth rounds. Understanding these different startup funding types is key to finding the right fit.
Ultimately, your goal is to find a partner who can offer relevant advice and support your vision for the long term. For more tips, you can explore our guide on how to find angel investors.
Raise Confidently with Rho
Having a focused list of relevant investors saves critical time and energy during a fundraise. It allows you to concentrate on building relationships with partners who truly align with your vision.
Once your round is closed, the work of managing that capital begins. 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 to help you manage funds efficiently. This setup helps ensure your angel capital is directed toward growth, rather than lost to manual financial admin.
FAQs about Payments Angel Investors
Are there active payments angel investors outside of Silicon Valley?
Yes, many angel investors are active in emerging tech hubs. Cities like New York and Austin have growing communities of investors interested in FinTech and payments, offering capital and mentorship outside of traditional centers.
Do payments investors also invest in B2B SaaS?
Absolutely. Many payments solutions are built on a B2B SaaS model. Investors in this space often look for companies with strong recurring revenue and scalable software, making B2B SaaS a common area of interest for them.
What do payments investors look for in a founding team?
Investors seek teams with deep industry expertise and a clear vision. They value founders who understand the complexities of the financial services ecosystem and can demonstrate a unique insight for solving a specific customer problem.
How much equity do angel investors usually take?
The equity an angel takes varies, but it often ranges from 10% to 25% in an early-stage round. This depends on your startup's valuation, the investment amount, and the negotiation with your investor.
Can I get angel funding for a late-stage payments company?
While angels typically invest early, some participate in later rounds. However, late-stage funding is more commonly led by venture capital firms that can provide the larger capital amounts needed for scaling your business.
How can Rho help manage my new funding?
Once you've secured funding, our platform helps you manage it effectively. We offer integrated corporate cards, business banking, and automated payables to keep your finances organized so you can focus on growth. Get started with Rho today.