9 Space Angel Investors Shaping the Future of the Space Sector
Searching for funding for your space startup? We've identified nine active angel investors who are helping to build the future of the space industry.
Rho Editorial Team
For space startups, angel investor funding often provides more than just initial capital; it can also bring critical industry expertise and network access.
Some notable angel investors active in the space sector include Jordan Noone, Jenna Bryant, Neal Bloom, and Matt Wyndowe, who have backed various startups.
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For founders in the space tech sector, finding the right early-stage capital is a pivotal step. Understanding who the key angel investors are can significantly shape your fundraising journey.
Angel investors often bring a different approach than venture capital firms, investing their personal funds and frequently offering direct mentorship.
To help you connect with relevant backers, we've put together this guide on some of the most active angel investors in the aerospace and space industry.
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Top Space Angel Investors By Stage
Most angel investors in the space sector participate in pre-seed and seed rounds. This early involvement allows them to provide valuable guidance and industry connections in addition to capital.
Understanding which investors are active at your stage helps you build a more targeted fundraising plan.
Pre-seed Angel Investors in Space
Pre-seed funding is typically the first capital a startup raises, often to develop an initial concept or prototype. For space tech founders at this very early stage, investors like Mike Sherbakov and Neal Bloom are known to participate in pre-seed rounds.
Seed Stage Angel Investors in Space
Seed funding is crucial for startups ready to refine their product, establish market fit, and grow their team. You might find investors such as Jordan Noone, Jenna Bryant, and Matt Wyndowe participating in seed stage rounds for space companies.
Series A Angel Investors in Space
Series A funding supports companies that have demonstrated traction and are looking to scale their operations significantly. Angel investors who also participate in this later stage include Ryan Shmeizer, Cyril Ebersweiler, and Shelley Zhuang.
Series B Angel Investors in Space
Series B funding is for companies past the development stage that are focused on scaling and expanding their market reach. While it's less common for individual angels to invest this late, some do participate in Series B rounds, including Sven Strohband.
It's also worth noting that some investors are multi-stage and may invest across pre-seed, seed, and later rounds, offering support throughout a company's growth.
To help you find the right partners, here are more details on some of the top angel investors in the space sector. We've included information on their investment stages, sector focus, and location, along with what makes each investor a compelling option for founders.
1. Jordan Noone
Jordan Noone is a General Partner at Embedded Ventures and a co-founder of Relativity Space. His experience building a major space company from scratch gives him a founder-centric perspective that is highly valuable in the investment world.
He maintains a strong focus on seed-stage companies in the space industry, with investments in companies like Pixxel and Slingshot Aerospace. His approach is informed by his deep technical background, allowing him to support founders on both product and strategy.
Founders with strong engineering backgrounds who are building technically complex solutions may find Noone to be an excellent partner. His direct experience scaling an aerospace startup is a significant asset for early-stage teams facing similar challenges.
- Investment stages: Seed
- Industries of focus: Primarily space
- Geographical presence: Based in Los Angeles, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Danti, Pixxel, Slingshot Aerospace, Inversion
You can find more information about Jordan Noone on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
2. Jenna Bryant
Jenna Bryant is an investor who brings her experience as a founder and CEO to her investment decisions. This background provides her with a practical understanding of the challenges that early-stage companies face.
She primarily focuses on seed-stage investments, with a clear interest in the space sector. Her support for companies like Slingshot Aerospace and Inversion highlights her commitment to this industry.
Founders building space technology companies who value an investor with direct operational experience may find Bryant to be a strong partner. Her perspective as a former CEO can be a significant asset for teams navigating early growth.
- Investment stages: Seed
- Industries of focus: Primarily space
- Geographical presence: Based in Los Angeles, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Slingshot Aerospace, Inversion, Skyryse
You can find more information about Jenna Bryant on her website or LinkedIn profile.
3. Neal Bloom
Neal Bloom is an investor, founder, and operator with Interlock Capital, bringing a multifaceted perspective to his investments. He is recognized for his activity across a wide range of sectors, including space, fintech, and digital health.
Bloom focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage companies, indicating a preference for getting involved early in a startup's journey. His portfolio includes companies like Trust & Will and Concert Health, demonstrating his support for businesses from their initial stages.
Founders in emerging tech hubs, especially in Southern California, may find Bloom to be a valuable connection. His broad industry interests suggest he is a good match for strong founding teams with compelling ideas, even outside of traditional tech verticals.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
- Industries of focus: Space, FinTech, Digital Health, AgTech, AI, Cybersecurity
- Geographical presence: Based in San Diego, California
- Ideal investment range: $50K - $1M
- Notable portfolio companies: Trust & Will, Concert Health, Acquire.com
You can find more information about Neal Bloom on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
4. Matt Wyndowe
Matt Wyndowe is a Partner at Graph Ventures who brings experience from key product and partnership roles at major tech companies like Uber and Facebook. His background gives him a strong perspective on scaling products and businesses.
He invests at the seed stage across a broad range of industries, including space, SaaS, AI, and enterprise software. His history in product development at large tech firms suggests he offers valuable operational support and strategic guidance.
Founders who are building companies in sectors like SaaS or AI and could benefit from an investor with deep product and growth experience may find Wyndowe to be a good match. His wide-ranging interests indicate he is open to strong teams across many fields.
- Investment stages: Seed
- Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, Space, SaaS, Enterprise, AI, TransportationTech
- Geographical presence: Based in San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $10K - $300K
- Notable portfolio companies: Disco, Walnut, Grabr
You can find more information about Matt Wyndowe on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
5. Sven Strohband
Sven Strohband is a partner at Khosla Ventures, a prominent venture capital firm. His investment activity spans from very early pre-seed rounds to later Series B stages, indicating a flexible, multi-stage approach.
A key characteristic of his investment thesis is a focus on technically complex sectors like AI, robotics, and enterprise infrastructure. His portfolio, which includes companies like Collaborative Robotics and WindBorne Systems, shows a commitment to businesses building foundational technologies.
Founders developing deep-tech solutions, particularly in AI and robotics, may find Strohband to be a good fit. His involvement in both early and growth stages suggests he can support companies throughout their lifecycle.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: AI, Robotics, Space, Enterprise Infrastructure, SMB Software, Impact
- Geographical presence: Based in Mountain View, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $50.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Collaborative Robotics, WindBorne Systems, Daedalus
You can find more information about Sven Strohband on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
6. Ryan Shmeizer
Ryan Shmeizer is a General Partner at GreenPoint Partners, bringing extensive experience from his previous roles at firms like Thrive Capital and Spark Capital. This background in venture capital informs his investment approach, particularly at the early stages.
He concentrates on seed and Series A rounds, with an interest in space, education, and SMB software. His portfolio includes companies like OpenSpace and Guru, which have gone on to raise substantial later-stage funding.
Founders building companies in his focus sectors who are looking for an investor with a strong VC track record may find Shmeizer to be a good partner. His typical investment size suggests he can be a valuable early check in a funding round.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Space, Education, SMB Software
- Geographical presence: Based in New York, New York
- Ideal investment range: $10K - $50K
- Notable portfolio companies: OpenSpace, Guru, Monta
You can find more information about Ryan Shmeizer on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
7. Cyril Ebersweiler
Cyril Ebersweiler is a General Partner at SOSV, a venture firm known for its deep-tech and life sciences focus. He is a highly active investor, often backing companies that build complex hardware and software solutions.
He primarily invests in seed and Series A rounds, with a clear interest in robotics, hardware, and biotech. His portfolio includes companies like Particle, which highlights his support for businesses creating foundational technologies.
Founders building tangible products in sectors like space, robotics, or consumer health may find him to be a strong ally. His connection to SOSV suggests he can provide operational support beyond just capital for early-stage teams.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Hardware, Robotics, BioTech, Space, Digital Health
- Geographical presence: Based in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Ideal investment range: $250K - $5.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Particle, xRobotics, Samphire Neuroscience
You can find more information about Cyril Ebersweiler on his firm's website or his LinkedIn profile.
8. Shelley Zhuang
Shelley Zhuang is a founder and investor at 11.2 Capital, where she supports companies building deep-tech solutions. Her background includes a long-standing role as an angel investor with the Berkeley Angel Network.
She has a clear focus on seed and Series A rounds, with an interest in sectors like AI, robotics, and space. Her portfolio includes companies such as Coalesce Automation, reflecting her commitment to businesses with strong technical foundations.
Founders developing complex technologies in her areas of interest may find Zhuang to be a valuable partner. Her ability to invest across both early and growth stages makes her a good fit for teams with long-term ambitions.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: AI, Robotics, Space, BioTech, Security
- Geographical presence: Based in Menlo Park, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $10.0M
- Notable portfolio companies: Coalesce Automation, HUMAN
You can find more information about Shelley Zhuang on her firm's website or her LinkedIn profile.
9. Mike Sherbakov
Mike Sherbakov is a Managing Partner at both Greatness Ventures and The Veteran Fund, with a background that includes service in the United States Marine Corps. His investment activity is concentrated at the earliest stages, reflecting a commitment to helping companies get off the ground.
He has a distinct focus on pre-seed rounds across a wide variety of industries, including space, GovTech, and AI. His roles as a mentor at Techstars and Managing Director at the Founder Institute suggest he provides hands-on support for early-stage teams.
Founders with a military background or those building companies in sectors like security and GovTech may find Sherbakov to be a particularly good fit. His preference for the pre-seed stage makes him an ideal partner for founders seeking their first institutional capital.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed
- Industries of focus: FinTech, Space, GovTech, DeepTech, SaaS, Cybersecurity, AI
- Geographical presence: Based in San Diego, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $1M
- Notable portfolio companies: Neurohacker Collective, VATN Systems
You can find more information about Mike Sherbakov on his website or LinkedIn profile.
What Startup Founders Should Look for in a Space Investor
When seeking an angel investor for your space startup, look beyond the check size. Many of the investors on this list bring direct operational or founder experience, which can be just as valuable as their capital. This firsthand knowledge means they understand the specific challenges of building a complex tech company.
As you build your target list, note the patterns. A significant number of these investors are based in California, particularly in hubs like Los Angeles and the Bay Area. Many also have interests that extend into related deep-tech fields such as AI, robotics, and enterprise software, suggesting a broader appetite for foundational technology.
The most effective fundraising strategy involves targeting investors who align with your company's stage and specific sector. Consider what kind of support you need most—is it product strategy, scaling operations, or industry connections? Finding the right partner is a key step in preparing your company for its next phase of growth. For more general tips, our guide on how to find angel investors can help.
Raise Confidently with Rho
A focused list of relevant angel investors is a powerful tool when your time and energy are limited. It helps you direct your efforts toward the conversations that matter most for your fundraise.
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 your new capital.
This setup helps you put your angel capital directly toward growth and operations. You can spend less time on manual financial admin and more on building your company.
FAQs about Space Angel Investors
Are there space angel investors outside of California?
Yes, while California is a major hub, angel investors interested in space tech are also active in other ecosystems. Cities like New York, Boston, and Austin have growing communities of investors backing deep-tech and aerospace companies.
Do space investors also fund AI or robotics startups?
Many do. Investors often see AI and robotics as foundational technologies with direct applications in the space industry. A strong team building an advanced solution may attract investors who also have an interest in aerospace.
What is the main difference between an angel investor and a VC?
Angel investors typically invest their own personal funds and often get involved at the earliest stages. Venture capital firms invest from a managed fund, usually writing larger checks for companies that have already shown some traction. Different funding types suit different stages.
How is a pre-revenue space startup valued by angel investors?
For pre-revenue companies, investors focus on the team's expertise, market opportunity, and technical defensibility. The valuation for these early-stage companies is often negotiated based on these qualitative factors rather than financial metrics.
How can I manage my funds after a successful angel round?
After securing funding, a solid financial system is key. A unified platform like Rho can help you manage your new capital with business banking, corporate cards, and automated payments, letting you focus on growth.