5 Angel Investors in Social Commerce You Should Know
Looking for funding for your social commerce startup? We identified five active angel investors backing companies in your field. Find out who you should know.
Rho Editorial Team
Angel funding in Social Commerce provides early-stage capital and crucial industry validation from experienced backers.
Notable angel investors with experience in the Social Commerce space include Kevin Harvey, Drew Oetting, Alex Taussig, and Eric Hippeau, who have backed a variety of startups.
Once you've secured funding, our team at Rho can help you manage it effectively. Our platform provides FDIC-insured accounts, corporate cards with up to 2% cashback, automated bill pay, and spend controls, all integrated with your accounting software in real time.
For founders raising capital in social commerce, identifying the right investors is a critical first step. Understanding who the key players are can give you a significant advantage in your fundraising process.
Angel investors differ from venture capital firms, as they typically invest their own personal funds and can become valuable early partners. Their involvement often goes beyond just capital.
To help you connect with the right people, we've curated this guide to some of the top angel investors in the social shopping sector. Use it to quickly get familiar with individuals who are active in your industry.
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Top Social Commerce Angel Investors By Stage
Angel investors in social commerce typically invest during the pre-seed and seed rounds. They aim to get involved early, providing foundational capital and guidance before larger venture firms step in.
Understanding who these individuals are and what they look for will help you target your outreach more effectively and find the right partners for your startup.
Pre-seed Angel Investors in Social Commerce
Pre-seed is the earliest funding stage, often used to validate an idea and build a minimum viable product (MVP). For social commerce startups at this stage, investors like Jeff Pomeranz and Eric Hippeau are known to provide this initial capital.
Seed Stage Angel Investors in Social Commerce
Seed funding helps a startup with initial market entry and growth, moving beyond the MVP to acquire its first users. When you look for investors, you'll find that individuals like Eric Hippeau, Kevin Harvey, and Alex Taussig are active at this stage for social commerce companies.
Series A Angel Investors in Social Commerce
A Series A round is focused on scaling the business, optimizing the product, and establishing a clear revenue model. In the social commerce space, you might connect with investors such as Drew Oetting, Kevin Harvey, and Alex Taussig for this round.
Series B Angel Investors in Social Commerce
Series B funding is about taking the business to the next level by expanding market reach and building out the team. Some notable investors for a Series B in social commerce are Kevin Harvey, Drew Oetting, and Alex Taussig.
It's also important to note that many angel investors are flexible and participate in multiple funding rounds. Their involvement can span from the earliest stages through to later growth phases.
Here is a closer look at some of the top angel investors in the social commerce sector. We've included key details about their typical investment stages, areas of interest, location, and what makes each a compelling partner for founders like you.
1. Kevin Harvey
Kevin Harvey is a general partner at Benchmark, a prominent venture capital firm. With experience as a founder himself, he brings a valuable operator's perspective to his investment decisions.
He typically invests from seed to Series B, with an investment sweet spot around $8.0M. His portfolio includes well-known companies like Upwork and Proofpoint, showing his interest in businesses that can achieve significant scale.
Founders working in social commerce, SaaS, or marketplaces who need a partner for long-term growth may find him to be a strong match. His history of participating in multiple funding rounds for his portfolio companies suggests a commitment to supporting them over time.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Social Commerce, SaaS, Marketplaces, Cloud Infrastructure
- Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
- Ideal investment range: $1M - $15.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Upwork, Proofpoint, Boku
You can find more information about Kevin Harvey on the Benchmark website or his LinkedIn profile.
2. Drew Oetting
Drew Oetting is a founding partner at 8VC, a venture capital firm with a significant presence in Austin. His background as a founder gives him an operator's understanding of the challenges startups face.
He invests from seed to Series B, showing interest in sectors like social commerce, FinTech, and SaaS. His portfolio includes notable companies like Karat and Resilience, which points to a focus on businesses capable of substantial growth.
Oetting may be a good match for founders who are looking for a partner to support them through multiple funding stages. His role at 8VC means he can provide access to the resources and network of a larger firm.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Social Commerce, FinTech, SaaS, BioTech, Enterprise
- Geographical presence: Austin, Texas
- Ideal investment range: $3.0M - $30.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Karat, Resilience, Crunchbase
You can find more information about Drew Oetting on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.
3. Alex Taussig
Alex Taussig is a partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, bringing experience from previous roles at firms like Highland Capital Partners. His background also includes time at McKinsey and the World Economic Forum, giving him a broad, strategic view on market trends.
He shows a strong interest in consumer-focused companies, particularly in e-commerce, social networks, and marketplaces, investing from seed to Series B. His portfolio includes consumer brands like Daily Harvest and tech platforms like Archive, pointing to a focus on businesses with clear product-market fit.
Founders building consumer internet companies who are preparing for a Seed, Series A, or Series B round may find him to be a valuable partner. His position at a major firm like Lightspeed suggests he can offer significant resources beyond just capital.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Social Commerce, E-commerce, Consumer Internet, Marketplaces, Social Networks
- Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $3.0M - $20.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Daily Harvest, Frubana, Archive, All Day Kitchens
You can find more information about Alex Taussig on the Lightspeed website or his LinkedIn profile.
4. Eric Hippeau
Eric Hippeau is a managing partner at Lerer Hippeau, a prominent New York-based venture capital firm. He is well-regarded for his early-stage investments and has a background that includes leadership roles at major media companies.
He primarily invests in seed and Series A rounds, with a focus on sectors like social commerce, media, and advertising. His portfolio includes companies such as WorkJam and BLADE, showing an interest in businesses that connect people and services.
Founders building companies in the media, content, or social commerce sectors may find him to be a strong ally. If you're looking for an investor with operational experience in media and a focus on early-stage growth, he could be a great fit.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Social Commerce, Media/Content, Advertising, Social Networks
- Geographical presence: New York, New York
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $3.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: WorkJam, BLADE, RebelMouse
You can find more information about Eric Hippeau on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
5. Jeff Pomeranz
Jeff Pomeranz is the Managing Director at Right Side Capital Management, a San Francisco-based investment firm. He is known for his work in the earliest stages of a startup's journey, providing foundational capital to get new ideas off the ground.
His investment approach is marked by a broad interest across many industries, including social commerce, retail, and ClimateTech. He concentrates on pre-seed and seed rounds, with a typical investment size between $50K and $200K.
Pomeranz may be a good match for founders who are at the idea or MVP stage and need an initial check to validate their concept. His wide-ranging sector interests suggest he is open to pitches from many different types of businesses.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
- Industries of focus: Social Commerce, Media/Content, Retail, SMB Software, ClimateTech/CleanTech
- Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $50K - $200K
- Notable portfolio companies: TradingView
You can find more information about Jeff Pomeranz on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
What Startup Founders Should Look for in a Social Commerce Investor
When seeking an angel investor for your social commerce startup, it's crucial to look beyond the check size. The investors highlighted here often bring valuable experience as founders or operators themselves. This background means they can offer practical guidance and mentorship that is just as important as the initial capital.
Alignment on industry and stage is also key. As you've seen, many investors active in social commerce also focus on related sectors like consumer marketplaces and SaaS. Finding an investor who understands your specific niche and consumer focus can make a significant difference in your growth trajectory.
Notice the geographical patterns. While talent is everywhere, a high concentration of these investors are based in major hubs like New York and the San Francisco Bay Area. Consider this when building your networking and fundraising strategy, as proximity can sometimes facilitate stronger relationships.
Ultimately, your goal is to find a partner who is committed to your long-term vision. Research their portfolio, understand their typical investment range, and tailor your pitch to show how your company fits into their thesis.
Raise Confidently with Rho
Having a targeted list of investors saves you valuable time and energy during a fundraise. This focus allows you to direct your efforts toward building relationships with people who genuinely understand your space.
Once you've secured that investment, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes. Our platform combines business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay, all designed for startups.
This integrated setup provides the tools to manage your funds with clarity, helping you direct your angel capital toward growth. You can spend less time on manual financial admin and more on building your company.
FAQs about Social Commerce Angel Investors
Are there social commerce angel investors outside of New York and California?
Yes, while major hubs are prominent, cities like Austin and Boston have growing investor communities. Founders can find active angel investors in Austin and other tech centers who are interested in consumer-focused startups.
How do I pitch if my social commerce startup has a SaaS component?
Highlight how the SaaS element creates recurring revenue and customer stickiness. Many social commerce investors also have experience with SaaS business models and will understand the value of this hybrid approach to building your company.
What do pre-seed investors look for versus seed stage investors?
Pre-seed investors often focus on the founding team and the market opportunity. At the seed stage, investors will want to see more validation, such as an MVP and early signs of user traction or product-market fit.
Do angel investors in social commerce also invest in marketplaces?
Yes, there is significant overlap. Many investors active in social commerce also show a strong interest in consumer marketplaces, as both models often rely on network effects and community building for growth.
How can I manage my funds after a successful angel round?
Once you secure funding, it's important to have a solid financial system. Our platform helps you manage your new capital with integrated banking, cards, and spend controls. Get started with Rho today.