11 Angel Investors Real Estate Founders Should Know
Finding the right funding for your real estate company is a challenge. Our guide introduces 11 angel investors who are active in the proptech space.
Rho Editorial Team
For a startup, funding from a real estate angel investor means gaining not just capital, but also valuable guidance from someone with deep industry experience.
Some notable angel investors with experience in the real estate sector include Peter Kellner, Charlie Cheever, Ryan Hinkle, and Brett Brewer, who have backed a variety of small businesses and startups.
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For founders in the Real Estate and PropTech sectors, finding the right capital is a critical step. Knowing which angel investors are active in your industry can make your fundraising process much more effective.
Angel investors differ from venture capital firms by investing their own personal funds, often at the earliest stages. This can mean a closer partnership and mentorship based on direct experience.
We created this overview of notable angel investors to help you quickly identify individuals who are backing real estate startups. Consider this your starting point for building your investor list.
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Top Real Estate Angel Investors By Stage
Most angel investors in real estate prefer to get involved at the pre-seed or seed stage. Since they invest their own capital, they often take a more personal interest in a company's early development.
Knowing which investors are active at your particular stage is essential for creating a targeted and successful fundraising plan.
Pre-seed Angel Investors in Real Estate
Pre-seed is the earliest funding stage, often used to validate an idea and build a minimum viable product. For founders at this initial phase, investors like Charlie Cheever, Dave Eisenberg, and Barak Kaufman are known to invest in pre-seed PropTech companies.
Seed Stage Angel Investors in Real Estate
Seed funding helps a startup grow by financing initial operations, product development, and early market entry. You'll find that investors such as Peter Kellner, Darren Bechtel, and Brett Brewer often participate in seed rounds for real estate ventures.
Series A Angel Investors in Real Estate
A Series A round is typically for companies with a proven product and consistent revenue, aimed at scaling operations and optimizing the business model. Some investors active in this stage for real estate include Ryan Hinkle, Rob Ness, and Patrick Conroy.
Series B Angel Investors in Real Estate
Series B funding is focused on expansion, helping established startups grow their market share and scale the team significantly. Investors to consider for your Series B round include AJ Malhotra, Eylul Kayin, and Dave Eisenberg.
Keep in mind that many investors are flexible and participate in multiple funding rounds. An investor like Charlie Cheever, for example, invests across pre-seed, seed, and later stages in the PropTech sector.
Here are detailed profiles of top angel investors in the real estate sector. We've included key information on their typical investment stages, industry preferences, and location, along with what makes each investor a compelling partner for founders.
1. Peter Kellner
Peter Kellner is the Founder and Managing Partner of Richmond Global LLC, a venture capital firm with a worldwide investment scope. He is an active seed-stage investor who brings experience from founding and leading multiple investment groups.
Kellner invests across a broad set of industries, including Real Estate/PropTech, Impact, and ClimateTech, with a clear preference for the seed stage. His educational background, with a JD from Yale and an MBA from Harvard, points to a thorough and analytical investment style.
He is a compelling investor for seed-stage founders who value a partner with deep financial and legal expertise. Companies with global market ambitions may also find his perspective particularly useful.
- Investment stages: Seed
- Industries of focus: Real Estate/PropTech, Impact, ClimateTech/CleanTech, BioTech
- Geographical presence: Based in Boston, Massachusetts
- Ideal investment range: $200K – $2.0M
- Sweet spot: $600K
- Notable investments: Kueski, OpenSponsorship
You can find more information about Peter Kellner on his LinkedIn or the Richmond Global Ventures website.
2. Charlie Cheever
Charlie Cheever is an active angel investor with a wide-ranging portfolio. He invests as an individual, backing companies across several high-growth technology sectors, including Real Estate/PropTech.
A key trait is his flexibility, as he participates in rounds from pre-seed all the way to Series B. His investments in companies like Etched.ai and Harmonic show an interest in technically complex businesses within AI and software.
He could be a great partner for founders in PropTech, AI, or SMB software who need an investor that can support them through multiple funding stages. His broad check size also makes him accessible for companies raising smaller initial rounds.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Real Estate/PropTech, AI, Games, SMB Software
- Geographical presence: Based in Palo Alto, California
- Ideal investment range: $10K – $500K
- Sweet spot: $100K
- Notable investments: Etched.ai, Harmonic, Socket
You can find more information about Charlie Cheever on his website or LinkedIn.
3. Ryan Hinkle
Ryan Hinkle is a Managing Director at Insight Partners, a global venture capital and private equity firm. With a long tenure at the firm since 2004, he is known for backing high-growth software and internet companies.
He concentrates on later-stage investments, typically Series A and B, with a capacity for very large check sizes. His involvement with major companies like Checkout.com and Bubble signals an interest in businesses that have already demonstrated significant market traction.
Hinkle is a compelling investor for founders who have established product-market fit and are seeking a substantial capital partner to scale aggressively. Companies in SaaS, AI, or PropTech with strong metrics will find his experience particularly relevant.
- Investment stages: Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Real Estate/PropTech, SaaS, AI, Cloud Infrastructure, Data Services
- Geographical presence: Based in New York, New York
- Ideal investment range: $10.0M – $350.0M
- Sweet spot: $25.0M
- Notable investments: Checkout.com, Bubble, Writer
You can find more information about Ryan Hinkle on the Insight Partners website or his LinkedIn.
4. Brett Brewer
Brett Brewer is a managing partner at CrossCut Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm. He has a broad investment portfolio that spans numerous technology sectors, including Real Estate/PropTech.
He primarily invests in seed and Series A rounds, showing a commitment to companies from their initial growth phases through to scaling. His portfolio, which includes PropTech company Radius Agent, indicates an interest in a variety of business models from SaaS to consumer internet.
Brewer could be a good partner for founders in sectors like PropTech, e-commerce, or SaaS who are looking for an investor with experience in both early and growth-stage funding. His wide investment range makes him a potential fit for companies with varying capital needs.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Real Estate/PropTech, SaaS, E-commerce, Digital Health, AI
- Geographical presence: Based in Turlock, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K – $5.0M
- Sweet spot: $1.5M
- Notable investments: Radius Agent, Branch, Omaze
You can find more information about Brett Brewer on the CrossCut Ventures website.
5. Dave Eisenberg
Dave Eisenberg is a founding partner at Zigg Capital and an active investor with a strong focus on PropTech. He has a track record of backing companies from their earliest stages through significant growth rounds.
A key characteristic is his flexibility across funding stages, participating in pre-seed, seed, and Series B rounds. His investments in companies like Kasa Living and Steadily highlight his commitment to the real estate technology sector.
Eisenberg is a compelling investor for founders in PropTech and enterprise software who need a partner for the long haul. His broad investment range and multi-stage support are well-suited for companies with ambitious growth plans.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series B
- Industries of focus: Real Estate/PropTech, Enterprise, Analytics
- Geographical presence: Based in New York, New York
- Ideal investment range: $100K – $10.0M
- Sweet spot: $1M
- Notable investments: Kasa Living, Steadily, Nooks
You can find more information about Dave Eisenberg on the Zigg Capital website or his LinkedIn.
6. Darren Bechtel
Darren Bechtel is the Founder and Managing Director of Brick & Mortar Ventures, a firm that invests in technology for the built world. He is known for his sharp focus on the real estate and construction industries.
A defining characteristic is his commitment to the seed stage, where he writes substantial checks for companies modernizing architecture, engineering, and construction. His portfolio, including companies like Levelset and Rhumbix, shows a clear pattern of backing startups that solve tangible industry problems.
Bechtel is an ideal investor for founders with deep knowledge in construction or real estate who are raising a seed round. His firm's specific focus suggests a partner who brings not just capital, but also a relevant network and understanding.
- Investment stages: Seed
- Industries of focus: Real Estate/PropTech, ConstructionTech
- Geographical presence: Based in San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $1M – $4.0M
- Sweet spot: $3.0M
- Notable investments: Levelset, Rhumbix, Stellar
You can find more information about Darren Bechtel on the Brick & Mortar Ventures website or his LinkedIn.
7. Eylul Kayin
Eylul Kayin is a Director at SoftBank Investment Advisers, bringing experience from one of the world's largest technology investment firms. Her background includes roles at New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and Morgan Stanley, giving her a strong foundation in venture capital and investment banking.
A key characteristic is her versatility, investing across Seed, Series A, and Series B rounds in a wide array of industries like PropTech, FinTech, and Enterprise software. This multi-stage approach suggests she can support companies from their early days through significant growth phases.
Kayin is a compelling investor for founders who are building businesses with large-scale potential and are looking for a partner with deep institutional experience. Her ability to invest across various stages makes her a good fit for companies planning a long-term funding strategy.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Real Estate/PropTech, FinTech, Enterprise, Health IT, Logistics
- Geographical presence: Based in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Ideal investment range: $100K – $10.0M
- Sweet spot: $1M
You can find more information about Eylul Kayin on the Vision Fund website or her LinkedIn.
8. Barak Kaufman
Barak Kaufman is an active angel investor with venture capital experience, backing companies across several technology sectors. He invests in a range of industries, including Real Estate/PropTech, FinTech, and Health IT.
A key characteristic is his involvement across early funding stages, from pre-seed to Series A, suggesting he can support a company's initial growth journey. His investments in companies like Adalo and Screenloop show an interest in SaaS and HR tech platforms that improve business operations.
Kaufman could be a great match for founders in PropTech, FinTech, or SaaS who are raising a pre-seed or seed round. His flexible stage approach and accessible check size make him a good potential partner for early-stage teams.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Real Estate/PropTech, FinTech, SaaS, Health IT
- Geographical presence: Based in the United States
- Ideal investment range: $25K – $150K
- Sweet spot: $75K
- Notable investments: Adalo, Screenloop, Compete HR
You can find more information about Barak Kaufman on his LinkedIn or Twitter.
9. AJ Malhotra
AJ Malhotra is a Managing Director at Insight Partners, a global venture capital and private equity firm. He is known for backing high-growth software and internet companies during their expansion phases.
A key characteristic of his investment approach is a focus on Series B rounds, where he can write substantial checks. His involvement with companies like HqO and Chargebee indicates an interest in businesses that have already achieved significant market traction and are ready to scale.
Malhotra is a compelling investor for founders who have an established business and are seeking a major capital partner for their Series B round. Companies in PropTech, FinTech, and Enterprise software with strong growth metrics will find his experience particularly relevant.
- Investment stages: Series B
- Industries of focus: Real Estate/PropTech, FinTech, Digital Health, Enterprise
- Geographical presence: Based in Los Angeles, California
- Ideal investment range: $10.0M – $350.0M
- Sweet spot: $25.0M
- Notable investments: HqO, Chargebee, NYMBUS
You can find more information about AJ Malhotra on the Insight Partners website or his LinkedIn.
10. Patrick Conroy
Patrick Conroy is an investor at H.I.G. Growth Partners, where he focuses on growth-stage companies. With a background in growth equity, he is known for backing businesses in their expansion phases with significant capital.
A defining characteristic is his focus on Series A and B rounds, where he can deploy substantial capital to help companies scale. His investments in companies like Orchard and Talkspace highlight his interest in both the PropTech and Consumer Health sectors.
Conroy is a compelling partner for founders who have established product-market fit and are ready to accelerate their growth. If you are raising a Series A or B round in PropTech or Consumer Health, his experience and capital backing could be a strong fit.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Real Estate/PropTech, Consumer Health, Wellness & Fitness
- Geographical presence: Based in New York, New York
- Ideal investment range: $10.0M – $100.0M
- Sweet spot: $25.0M
- Notable investments: Orchard, Talkspace
You can find more information about Patrick Conroy on his LinkedIn or the H.I.G. Growth website.
11. Rob Ness
Rob Ness is a General Partner at Asymmetry Ventures, bringing a unique background that combines military service with experience at consulting firms like Capgemini and Booz Allen Hamilton. He invests across a wide range of technology sectors, including Real Estate/PropTech.
A notable aspect of his approach is the breadth of his industry interests, from deep tech areas like BioTech and Material Science to enterprise software. He invests in both seed and Series A rounds, indicating he can support companies from their initial stages through early growth.
Ness could be a strong partner for founders in technical fields who are raising seed or Series A funding. His diverse background in economics, development, and military service suggests a partner who brings a strategic and disciplined perspective.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Real Estate/PropTech, Material Science, BioTech, SaaS, AI, IoT
- Geographical presence: Based in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Ideal investment range: $125K – $500K
- Sweet spot: $250K
- Notable investments: Mycroft
You can find more information about Rob Ness on the Asymmetry Ventures website or his LinkedIn.
What Startup Founders Should Look for in a Real Estate Investor
When looking for a real estate angel investor, it's important to find a partner whose focus aligns with your company's stage and goals. As the profiles above show, capital is just one piece of the puzzle; the right investor also brings relevant industry experience and a network that can help you grow.
You'll notice many investors on our list have interests beyond PropTech, often in SaaS, AI, or FinTech. This can be a major asset, providing your startup with cross-industry insights. While many are based in major hubs like New York or the Bay Area, their investment reach is often global.
Pay close attention to an investor's typical stage and check size. An investor who specializes in large Series B rounds may not be the right fit for a pre-seed idea, and vice versa. Understanding the different funding rounds helps you target your outreach effectively and find a partner who can support your immediate needs.
Raise Confidently with Rho
Having a focused list of relevant angel investors is critical when your time and energy are limited during a fundraise. This approach helps you connect with partners who understand your vision for the real estate sector.
If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes. We offer business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay solutions built to help startups manage their capital.
Our platform assists in directing your angel capital toward growth and operations. This means less time spent on manual financial admin and more resources dedicated to building your company.
FAQs about Real Estate Angel Investors
Are there real estate angel investors outside of New York and California?
Yes, many angel investors operate across the US. While major hubs are prominent, you can find active investors in emerging tech cities like Austin and Chicago who are interested in PropTech and real estate innovation.
How do I contact a real estate angel investor?
A warm introduction is best. If that isn't an option, a concise, personalized message that clearly explains your value proposition is the next best step. Finding angel investors requires a targeted approach.
What if my PropTech startup also involves FinTech?
This can be a major strength. Many investors appreciate companies at the intersection of industries like PropTech and financial services, as it can signal a larger market opportunity and a more robust business model.
Why do so many real estate angels focus on the seed stage?
Angel investors often invest at the seed stage to help shape a company’s early trajectory. This stage allows them to apply their personal experience and capital to make a significant impact on a startup's foundation.
How can Rho help me manage my angel investment?
Once you've secured funding, Rho helps you manage it effectively. Our platform provides business banking, corporate cards, and expense management tools, allowing you to focus on growth. Get started with Rho today.