10 Leading Angel Investors in Cybersecurity You Should Know
Finding the right angel investor for your security startup is key. Our guide details 10 active investors to know as you start your fundraising process.
Rho Editorial Team
Security angel investor funding can provide more than just capital; it often includes valuable industry guidance and connections to help your startup grow.
Some notable backers with experience in the security industry include Steve Abbott, Mike Volpi, Theresia Gouw, and Ping Li, who have supported various startups.
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For founders building a cybersecurity startup, finding the right early capital can make all the difference. Knowing which angel investors are active in the sector is a critical part of the fundraising process.
Angel investors often provide the first capital for a new company, and they invest their personal funds. This can create a different relationship dynamic compared to working with larger venture capital firms.
To help you get started, we've put together this overview of leading angel investors in cybersecurity. Our goal is to give you a quick reference for individuals who are actively funding companies in this space.
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Top Security Angel Investors By Stage
Many angel investors in security focus on pre-seed and seed rounds, as this is where their early capital and guidance can be most impactful.
Understanding which investors are active at these stages is a key part of building your fundraising strategy.
Pre-seed Angel Investors in Security
Pre-seed is the earliest funding stage, often used to validate an idea and build a minimum viable product (MVP). While the investors on our list tend to focus on later stages, this initial capital is crucial for getting a company off the ground.
Seed Stage Angel Investors in Security
Seed funding helps a startup grow, typically by financing initial product development and market research. For security startups at this stage, investors like Michael Fey and Theresia Gouw are active, as are others like Mike Volpi.
Series A Angel Investors in Security
Series A funding is for startups with a proven product and user base, focusing on scaling operations and optimizing the business model. You'll find investors such as Ping Li, Eric Wolford, and John O’Farrell participating in this round for security companies.
Series B Angel Investors in Security
Series B rounds are about taking the business to the next level by expanding market reach and building out the team. Some security investors active in this later stage include Steve Abbott, Greg Goldfarb, and David Krane.
Keep in mind that many investors aren't limited to a single stage and may invest across the spectrum from seed to later rounds. It's always a good idea to research individual investors to understand their current focus.
Top Angel Investors in Security
Here is a closer look at some of the leading angel investors in the security sector. We've gathered key details about their investment stages, areas of focus, and what makes each investor a notable partner for founders.
1. Steve Abbott
Steve Abbott is an investor at Sapphire Ventures, where he focuses on high-growth technology companies. He primarily participates in later funding stages, such as Series A and Series B, bringing the resources of a larger venture capital firm to his portfolio companies.
His investment interests are in enterprise software, including security, SaaS, and cloud infrastructure. Abbott tends to back companies that have already established some market traction and are ready to scale significantly.
Founders who have a proven product and are seeking substantial capital for expansion may find Abbott to be a good match. He is a suitable partner for companies moving beyond the early stages and preparing for major growth.
- Investment stages: Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Security, SaaS, Cloud Infrastructure, Hardware
- Geographical presence: Based in Austin, Texas
- Ideal investment range: $10.0M - $100.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Tonal, Recommind
You can find more information about Steve Abbott on his firm's website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
2. Mike Volpi
Mike Volpi is a partner at Index Ventures, a venture capital firm, and is also an active angel investor. He is well-regarded for his investments in enterprise infrastructure, open-source software, and AI-driven companies.
A key aspect of his investment approach is his activity across multiple funding stages, from Seed to Series B. He often backs companies building foundational technology, with portfolio companies like Kong and Temporal Technologies reflecting his interest in developer tools and cloud infrastructure.
Founders who are building technically deep products and are looking for a partner with experience in scaling enterprise software companies would be a good fit. His background makes him a valuable resource for teams moving from initial product to broader market adoption.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Security, Cloud Infrastructure, AI, Data Services
- Geographical presence: Based in San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $2.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Kong, Temporal Technologies, incident.io
You can find more information about Mike Volpi on his firm's website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
3. Theresia Gouw
Theresia Gouw is a co-founding partner at Acrew Capital and a prominent investor in the technology sector. She is well-known for her work with enterprise software companies, particularly in the security and AI domains.
Her investment activity is concentrated in Seed and Series A rounds, where she can apply her experience to help companies grow. Her portfolio includes security firms like Exabeam and data privacy platform Ketch, highlighting her focus on these critical areas.
Founders developing enterprise or AI-driven security solutions may find her to be an excellent partner. She is a good match for teams seeking an investor with a strong track record and deep operational knowledge in scaling software businesses.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Enterprise, AI, Security
- Geographical presence: Based in Palo Alto, California
- Ideal investment range: $1.0M - $7.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Exabeam, Ketch, HYCU
You can find more information about Theresia Gouw on her firm's website or connect with her on LinkedIn.
4. Ping Li
Ping Li is a partner at Accel, where he concentrates on enterprise technology companies. He is recognized for his work with businesses in the security, cloud infrastructure, and SaaS sectors.
He is active across multiple funding stages, from Seed to Series B, and his portfolio includes security firms like Snyk and Sysdig. This pattern suggests a focus on foundational enterprise technology and companies with deep technical expertise.
Founders developing scalable enterprise software, particularly in security or cloud infrastructure, may find him to be a strong ally. He is a suitable partner for companies that have established market traction and are preparing for significant growth.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Enterprise, Cloud Infrastructure, SaaS, Security
- Geographical presence: Based in San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $15.0M - $70.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Snyk, Sysdig, Klaviyo, ConductorOne
You can find more information about Ping Li on his firm's website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
5. Michael Fey
Michael Fey is an angel investor with a clear focus on the cybersecurity sector. He operates as an individual investor, making him a direct point of contact for founders.
His investment history shows a strong preference for early-stage security companies, often participating in Seed and Series A rounds. His portfolio includes companies like Cycode, Bionic, and Demisto, all of which he backed at their early stages.
Founders building a cybersecurity company and seeking initial capital would find Fey to be a relevant investor. His typical investment range suggests he is a good source for early, foundational funding.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Cybersecurity, Security
- Geographical presence: Based in Texas
- Ideal investment range: $5K - $50K
- Notable portfolio companies: Cycode, Bionic, Demisto, Axis Security
You can find more information about Michael Fey on his LinkedIn or Crunchbase profile.
6. Eric Wolford
Eric Wolford is a partner at the venture capital firm Accel, where he invests in enterprise software companies. He is known for his work with businesses in the security, SaaS, and cloud infrastructure sectors.
His investment activity spans from Seed to Series A rounds, and his portfolio includes notable security companies like Netskope, Corelight, and CyCognito. This shows a clear interest in foundational enterprise technology and security platforms.
Founders who are developing scalable enterprise software, particularly in the security or cloud space, may find him to be a strong partner. He is a good match for teams seeking substantial funding and the support of a major venture firm.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Security, SaaS, Cloud Infrastructure
- Geographical presence: Based in Danville, California
- Ideal investment range: $15.0M - $70.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Netskope, Corelight, CyCognito, Veza
You can find more information about Eric Wolford on his firm's website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
7. David Krane
David Krane is the CEO and Managing Partner at GV, formerly Google Ventures, and brings the resources of a major venture firm to his investments. His long career at Google, which began in 2000, provides him with deep institutional knowledge and a vast network.
His investment approach is marked by its breadth, spanning stages from Seed to Series B and a wide range of sectors including FinTech, AI, and security. His involvement in backing category-defining companies like Uber highlights his ability to support businesses aiming for massive scale.
Founders with ambitious goals in high-growth tech sectors could find Krane to be a valuable partner. His role at GV makes him a good fit for companies that need significant capital and strategic guidance for long-term growth.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Health & Hospital Services, FinTech, Robotics, SaaS, AI, Security
- Geographical presence: Based in San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $250K - $50.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Uber, Kitchen United, CircleUp
You can find more information about David Krane on his firm's website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
8. Nick Grossman
Nick Grossman is the General Manager of Special Projects at Union Square Ventures, a prominent venture capital firm. He is known for his investments in emerging technology sectors, particularly Web3, data services, and security.
Grossman primarily invests in Seed and Series A rounds, showing a preference for early-stage companies. His portfolio, which includes companies like Reservoir and Anon, indicates a focus on foundational technologies and decentralized systems.
Founders building companies in the Web3 or data infrastructure space may find Grossman to be a good partner. He is well-suited for teams seeking an investor with experience in new technology frontiers and the support of an established venture firm.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Web3/Crypto, Data Services, Security
- Geographical presence: Based in Boston, Massachusetts
- Ideal investment range: $1.0M - $6.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Reservoir, Leap, Ostrom
You can find more information about Nick Grossman on his website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
9. John O’Farrell
John O’Farrell is a general partner at the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), where he invests in enterprise technology. He is known for backing companies in sectors like cloud infrastructure, SaaS, and security.
A key part of his track record is his involvement with category-defining companies, including Slack, which demonstrates his experience in helping businesses achieve massive scale. He primarily invests in Seed and Series A rounds, bringing the significant operational resources of a16z to early-stage founders.
Founders building ambitious enterprise software or developer tools may find O’Farrell to be a strong partner. He is a good match for teams looking for substantial capital and the strategic support of a major venture firm.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Enterprise, SaaS, Cloud Infrastructure, Security, Developer Tools
- Geographical presence: Based in Sunnyvale, California
- Ideal investment range: $1.0M - $100.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Slack, IFTTT, GoodData
You can find more information about John O’Farrell on his firm's website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
10. Greg Goldfarb
Greg Goldfarb is an investor at the venture capital firm Summit Partners. He focuses on growth-stage technology companies across a variety of sectors, including enterprise applications, cloud infrastructure, and security.
His investment activity is concentrated in Series A and Series B rounds, backing companies that are ready to scale. His portfolio includes businesses like Jamf and Visier, indicating an interest in enterprise platforms with an established market presence.
Founders who have moved past the initial startup phase and are seeking significant capital for expansion may find Goldfarb to be a good fit. He is a suitable partner for companies in sectors like security and cloud infrastructure that are prepared for their next stage of growth.
- Investment stages: Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Security, Cloud Infrastructure, Enterprise Applications, AI
- Geographical presence: Based in Colorado
- Ideal investment range: $5.0M - $50.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Jamf, Visier, onxMaps
You can find more information about Greg Goldfarb on his firm's website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
What Startup Founders Should Look for in a Security Investor
When seeking a security angel investor, it's crucial to look beyond the capital they provide. The right partner brings relevant industry experience and a network that can open doors. Your goal is to find an investor who understands your specific vision and can offer guidance as you grow.
As our list shows, many leading security investors are partners at major venture firms, often concentrated in tech hubs like the Bay Area. Their interests frequently blend security with related enterprise sectors like AI, SaaS, and cloud infrastructure, reflecting the integrated nature of modern technology stacks.
This means founders should seek alignment on multiple fronts. Look for an investor with a portfolio that shows experience in your niche. Also, consider their typical investment stage and check size to ensure it matches your company's current needs and future fundraising plans. Many investors focus on B2B opportunities, which is a common model for security startups.
Raise Confidently with Rho
Having a focused list of relevant angel investors is a significant asset during a fundraise. It helps you direct your limited time and energy toward the conversations that are most likely to be productive.
If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes. Our platform offers business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay solutions built for growing startups.
This allows you to manage your new capital efficiently from day one. It helps direct your angel investment toward growth and operations, rather than losing it to manual financial administration.
FAQs about Security Angel Investors
Are there security angel investors outside of the Bay Area?
Yes, while the Bay Area is a major hub, security investors are active in other tech centers. Cities like New York and Austin have growing ecosystems with investors interested in cybersecurity opportunities.
Do security investors fund AI or FinTech companies?
Many do, as security is often integrated with other sectors. Investors may look for security startups that support generative AI platforms or provide solutions for the financial services industry, where security is critical.
What is the difference between an angel investor and a seed-stage VC?
Angel investors use their personal funds, while seed-stage VCs invest capital from a larger fund. Angels often engage more personally, while VCs may offer more structured resources from their firm.
How important is having a B2B focus for a security startup?
A B2B model is common in security, as businesses are major buyers. However, investors may also fund consumer-focused security products if the market opportunity is compelling and clearly defined.
How can I manage my angel investment effectively?
Once you secure funding, use a financial platform built for startups. Rho offers banking, corporate cards, and expense management to help you put your new capital to work efficiently from day one.