13 Social Media Angel Investors Every Startup Should Know

Raising capital for your social media startup means connecting with the right people. Understanding who the key angel investors are in this space is a critical first step.

Unlike venture capital firms, angel investors often bring personal experience and can make decisions more quickly. They can be valuable early partners for your company.

To help you get started, we've put together this overview of some of the most active angel investors in social media and related sectors. Think of it as a starting point for your research.

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Top Social Media Angel Investors By Stage

Most angel investors interested in social media tend to back companies at the pre-seed and seed stages. They are often looking to get involved with promising ideas from the very beginning.

Understanding which investors are active at your particular stage can help you focus your fundraising efforts more effectively.

Pre-seed Angel Investors in Social Media

The pre-seed round is often the very first capital a startup raises, typically to validate an idea and build a minimum viable product. For founders at this earliest stage, investors like Gaurav Garg and Trevor McFedries are known to be active.

Seed Stage Angel Investors in Social Media

Seed funding helps your company with initial product development and early market traction, representing one of the first major startup funding types. Some investors who participate in this stage include David Schwab, Ben Lerer, and Tony Conrad.

Series A Angel Investors in Social Media

A Series A round is for startups with a proven product and consistent user engagement, providing capital to scale operations and optimize the business model. You might find investors like Tyler Winklevoss, Puneet Agarwal, and Kevin Harvey participating in this phase.

Series B Angel Investors in Social Media

By the time you reach a Series B round, your business is established and ready for significant expansion into new markets. Investors such as Mary Meeker, Ryan Sweeney, and Todd Chaffee often get involved at this point to help companies grow.

Keep in mind that many investors are flexible and participate across multiple funding stages, depending on the opportunity.

Here is a more detailed summary of some of the top angel investors in the social media sector. We've outlined their investment stages, areas of focus, location, and what makes each a compelling partner for founders.

1. Tyler Winklevoss

As a principal at Winklevoss Capital and co-founder of the crypto platform Gemini, Tyler Winklevoss is a well-known figure in both the tech and finance industries. His background as an entrepreneur gives him a founder-centric point of view when evaluating new opportunities.

His investment history shows a clear focus on Web3, social networks, and gaming, typically at the Seed and Series A stages. With a background as both a founder and CEO, he brings operational experience to the companies he backs, not just capital.

Founders working on startups in the Web3, crypto, or social media sectors may find him to be a good match. His experience scaling a major company is especially relevant for early-stage teams preparing for significant growth.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Sectors of focus: Web3/Crypto, Social Networks, Gaming/eSports, AI, Media/Content
• Location: New York, New York
• Investment range: $100K – $5.0M, with a sweet spot around $1.5M
• Notable investments: Animoca Brands, KresusLabs, Real Bedford FC

You can find more information about Tyler Winklevoss on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.

2. Kevin Harvey

As a general partner at the venture capital firm Benchmark, Kevin Harvey is known for his successful track record with open-source software and cloud companies. His background as a founder himself gives him a practical perspective on the challenges of building a business.

He invests across Seed, Series A, and Series B stages, with an interest in SaaS, social commerce, and cloud infrastructure. His history of backing companies like Upwork and Proofpoint through multiple funding rounds suggests he is a long-term partner for the founders he supports.

Founders working in enterprise software or building marketplace platforms may find him to be a good fit. His experience guiding companies to significant scale is a clear benefit for teams planning for major growth.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Sectors of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, SaaS, Social Commerce, BioTech, Marketplaces, Social Networks
• Location: Menlo Park, California
• Investment range: $1M – $15.0M, with a sweet spot around $8.0M
• Notable investments: Upwork, Proofpoint, Boku

You can find more information about Kevin Harvey on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.

3. Mary Meeker

As a general partner at Bond, Mary Meeker is widely recognized for her influential annual "Internet Trends" report. Her extensive background includes roles at Kleiner Perkins and Morgan Stanley, giving her deep insight into technology and market shifts.

Her investment activity shows an interest in consumer internet and social network companies, typically at the Series A and B stages. Investments in companies like Canva and Genies indicate a focus on platforms with strong user engagement and significant growth potential.

Founders with an established consumer product and clear metrics who are preparing for major scaling efforts may find her to be a good match. Her experience is particularly valuable for companies moving from product-market fit to market leadership.

• Investment stages: Series A, Series B
• Sectors of focus: Consumer Internet, Social Networks
• Location: Menlo Park, California
• Investment range: $100K – $25.0M, with a sweet spot around $8.0M
• Notable investments: Canva, Dapper Labs, Genies, Ironclad

You can find more information about Mary Meeker on her firm's website or her LinkedIn profile.

4. Ryan Sweeney

As a partner at the venture firm Accel, Ryan Sweeney has built a reputation for backing successful companies in the SaaS, fintech, and consumer internet spaces. His work focuses on helping founders scale their businesses into market leaders.

He participates in rounds from Seed to Series B, with a focus on companies poised for major growth. His involvement in multiple funding rounds for companies like Xendit and BrowserStack points to his role as a long-term partner for founders.

Founders with businesses in SaaS, fintech, or consumer internet that are ready to scale aggressively may find him to be a good partner. His experience and the large check sizes he writes are well-suited for companies moving into a major expansion phase.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Sectors of focus: SaaS, FinTech, Cloud Infrastructure, Consumer Internet, Payments, Social Networks
• Location: San Francisco, California
• Investment range: $15.0M – $70.0M, with a sweet spot around $25.0M
• Notable investments: Gopuff, BrowserStack, Xendit, Misfits Market

You can find more information about Ryan Sweeney on his firm's website or his Twitter profile.

5. Gaurav Garg

As a founding partner at Wing Venture Capital, Gaurav Garg concentrates on early-stage, business-focused technology. He is known for backing companies that are building the next generation of enterprise and cloud infrastructure.

He invests from the pre-seed stage through Series A, with an interest in SaaS, AI, and cybersecurity. His long-term involvement with companies like Cohesity, from its initial funding to later rounds, indicates he can be a committed partner for the long haul.

Founders developing business-focused technology, especially in data analytics or security, may find him to be a strong ally. His focus on the early stages suggests he is a good fit for teams seeking a hands-on investor from the start.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
• Sectors of focus: SaaS, Enterprise, Analytics, Cybersecurity, AI, Social Networks
• Location: Atherton, California
• Investment range: $100K – $20.0M, with a sweet spot around $1.5M
• Notable investments: Cohesity, Findem, Theom

You can find more information about Gaurav Garg on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.

6. Ravi Mhatre

As a founder and managing director at Lightspeed Venture Partners, Ravi Mhatre is known for backing enterprise and consumer technology companies. His experience as a founder himself gives him a practical understanding of the journey from an early idea to a market-leading business.

He tends to invest in Series A and Series B rounds, with an interest in cloud infrastructure, enterprise software, and consumer internet. His involvement with companies like Glean and Cato Networks suggests a focus on businesses with strong technical products and significant growth potential.

Founders with an established product in the enterprise or consumer tech sectors who are preparing for a major scaling phase may find him to be a good fit. His experience is well-suited for companies seeking substantial funding to accelerate their growth and market position.

• Investment stages: Series A, Series B
• Sectors of focus: Enterprise, Cloud Infrastructure, Consumer Internet, Social Networks, Health & Hospital Services
• Location: Redwood City, California
• Investment range: $3.0M – $20.0M, with a sweet spot around $15.0M
• Notable investments: Glean, Cato Networks, Snorkel AI, Udaan

You can find more information about Ravi Mhatre on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.

7. Scott Sandell

As a managing general partner at New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Scott Sandell is a prominent investor at one of the world's largest venture capital firms. He has a long history of supporting companies as they move into their major growth phases.

He primarily invests in Series A and Series B rounds, with an interest in enterprise software, consumer internet, and climate technology. His portfolio, which includes companies like VAST Data and Inkitt, shows he backs businesses with significant scaling potential.

Founders with an established product and clear market traction who are preparing for a Series A or B round may find him to be a good partner. His experience is particularly relevant for companies that need substantial capital to scale.

• Investment stages: Series A, Series B
• Sectors of focus: SaaS, Enterprise, Consumer Internet, ClimateTech/CleanTech, Social Networks
• Location: United States
• Investment range: $2.0M – $50.0M, with a sweet spot around $25.0M
• Notable investments: VAST Data, Inkitt, Transfix, Orby AI

You can find more information about Scott Sandell on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.

8. David Schwab

As a managing director at Sierra Ventures, David Schwab has been investing in early-stage companies since 1996. His long tenure gives him a deep understanding of the challenges founders face when building a business from the ground up.

He primarily invests at the seed stage, with an interest in sectors like health tech, e-commerce, and AI. His investments in companies such as Concert Health and WhizAI point to a focus on businesses using technology to improve established industries.

Founders working on seed-stage startups in health or AI may find him to be a good match. His extensive experience suggests he can offer practical guidance that goes beyond just providing capital.

• Investment stages: Seed
• Sectors of focus: Health & Hospital Services, E-commerce, Health IT, AI, Social Networks
• Location: Menlo Park, California
• Investment range: $100K – $10.0M, with a sweet spot around $1.0M
• Notable investments: Concert Health, WhizAI, OnsiteIQ

You can find more information about David Schwab on his LinkedIn profile.

9. Puneet Agarwal

As a partner at True Ventures, Puneet Agarwal focuses on early-stage companies. His background includes roles in product management at companies like BEA and Geodesic Systems, giving him a strong product-oriented perspective.

He primarily invests in Seed and Series A rounds, with an interest in enterprise software, cloud infrastructure, and SMB tools. His investments in companies like Veza and Moderne suggest a focus on businesses with deep technical foundations that are solving complex problems.

Founders building early-stage enterprise or cloud software may find him to be a good partner. His product experience is particularly valuable for teams that are refining their initial offering and preparing for market entry.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Sectors of focus: Enterprise, Cloud Infrastructure, Social Networks, SMB Software
• Location: Palo Alto, California
• Investment range: $1M – $50.0M, with a sweet spot around $20.0M
• Notable investments: Veza, Moderne, Understory

You can find more information about Puneet Agarwal on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.

10. Trevor McFedries

As the founder and CEO of Brud, the company behind virtual influencer Lil Miquela, Trevor McFedries brings a unique perspective from the intersection of technology and culture. His work as an angel investor reflects his experience building at the forefront of digital media and entertainment.

He invests across a wide range of stages, from pre-seed to Series B, but his smaller check sizes suggest he is often a strategic early backer. His portfolio, which includes companies like Mad Realities and The Fabricant, shows a clear interest in Web3, AI, and the creator economy.

Founders building at the crossroads of culture and technology, particularly in Web3 or AI, may find him to be a valuable partner. His experience as a founder provides a practical, hands-on perspective for early-stage teams.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B
• Sectors of focus: Web3/Crypto, AI, Gaming/eSports, Marketplaces, Social Networks
• Location: Los Angeles, California
• Investment range: $5K – $50K, with a sweet spot around $25K
• Notable investments: Mad Realities, The Fabricant, DIMO

You can find more information about Trevor McFedries on his company's website or his LinkedIn profile.

11. Tony Conrad

As a partner at True Ventures and a serial entrepreneur, Tony Conrad brings experience from both sides of the table. He is a co-founder of companies like about.me and Sphere, giving him a deep operational background.

He typically invests in Seed and Series A rounds, with an interest in hardware, social networks, and local services. His portfolio includes companies like the social investing platform Stocktwits, showing his comfort with consumer-facing social products.

Founders building early-stage companies in social media or local services may find him to be a good fit. His background as a founder suggests he can provide practical guidance beyond just capital.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Sectors of focus: Hardware, Social Networks, Local Services
• Location: San Francisco, California
• Investment range: $1M – $50.0M, with a sweet spot around $20.0M
• Notable investments: Stocktwits, Holey Grail Donuts, Modern Animal

You can find more information about Tony Conrad on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.

12. Todd Chaffee

As a general partner at Institutional Venture Partners (IVP), Todd Chaffee is a well-established investor known for backing companies as they enter their major growth phases. He focuses on later-stage rounds, providing the substantial capital needed to scale.

His investment activity is concentrated in Series A and B, with an interest in SaaS, social networks, and media. His involvement with companies like Klarna and Compass indicates a pattern of supporting businesses with demonstrated traction that are ready for significant expansion.

Founders with an established company in his sectors of focus who are preparing for a large growth round may find him to be a good match. His experience is particularly relevant for teams looking to accelerate their market position.

• Investment stages: Series A, Series B
• Sectors of focus: SaaS, Social Networks, Media/Content, Travel
• Location: San Francisco Bay Area
• Investment range: $10.0M – $100.0M, with a sweet spot around $25.0M
• Notable investments: Skydio, Klarna, Compass, Domo

You can find more information about Todd Chaffee on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.

13. Ben Lerer

As a managing partner at Lerer Hippeau, Ben Lerer is a key figure in New York's early-stage investment scene. His experience as the founder of Thrillist and Group Nine Media gives him a practical, founder-centric perspective.

He concentrates on seed-stage companies, with an interest in enterprise software, health services, and social networks. His investments in companies like Air and Lil Snack show a focus on businesses with clear product appeal and growth potential.

Founders working on seed-stage startups, especially those based in New York, may find him to be a good match. His operational background is particularly valuable for teams seeking guidance beyond just capital.

• Investment stages: Seed
• Sectors of focus: Enterprise, Health & Hospital Services, Social Networks
• Location: New York, New York
• Investment range: $100K – $3.0M, with a sweet spot around $1.5M
• Notable investments: Air, Lil Snack, Haven Energy

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

What Startup Founders Should Look for in a Social Media Investor

Finding the right investor for your social media startup goes beyond securing capital. It's about finding a partner whose expertise, network, and investment stage align with your company's current needs and future goals.

As you've seen, many prominent investors are based in major tech hubs like the Bay Area and New York, and a significant number are former founders. This operational experience can be just as valuable as their financial backing, offering practical guidance as you grow.

It's also important to look at their specific sector interests. While all are active in social media, their focus might be on Web3, enterprise SaaS, or consumer platforms. Doing your research on how to find investors who match your niche is a critical step before you start outreach. When evaluating a potential partner, consider their:

• Stage alignment
• Sector expertise
• Past operational experience
• Portfolio synergy

Raise Confidently with Rho

Having a focused list of potential investors is a huge advantage. It lets you direct your limited time and energy toward the conversations that matter most for your social media startup.

Once you've secured funding, 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 offers business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay solutions to help you manage your new capital efficiently. This setup helps direct your angel investment toward growth and operations, rather than getting lost in manual financial admin.

FAQs about Social Media Angel Investors

Are there social media angel investors outside of California and New York?

Yes, while major hubs dominate, thriving tech ecosystems exist elsewhere. Cities like Boston and Austin have active angel investors interested in social media and related tech sectors. Researching local networks is a great starting point.

What metrics do social media investors look for at the seed stage?

At the seed stage, investors focus on early engagement, like daily active users and retention rates. A clear plan for future monetization and a strong founding team are also critical factors for securing their support.

Which angel investors focus on AI-powered social platforms?

Many investors are interested in the intersection of AI and social media. Investors like Gaurav Garg and Trevor McFedries, mentioned earlier, have shown interest in generative AI. Always check an investor's recent portfolio for their current focus.

Do angel investors participate in later funding rounds?

While most active at pre-seed and seed, some angels do participate in later rounds, often as follow-on investments. However, late-stage funding is typically led by larger venture capital firms, not individual angels.

How can I manage my angel investment effectively?

Once funded, use a financial platform built for startups. Rho provides banking, corporate cards, and expense management in one place, helping you put your new capital to work on growing your business efficiently.