15 Leading Angel Investors in the Bay Area

For founders raising capital, understanding the network of angel investors in Bay Area is crucial. Finding the right partner in Silicon Valley can make all the difference for your startup's early journey.

Unlike venture capital firms, angel investors often provide the first check and can offer personal mentorship. They are individuals investing their own capital, which can mean a different kind of partnership.

To help you find the right fit, our team at Rho has curated this list of notable angel investors. This guide offers a quick overview to help you identify relevant people for your fundraising.

Just raised or about to? Set up your financial stack with Rho in minutes. We provide business banking, corporate cards, accounting integrations, and more—built for startup teams moving fast.

Top Angel Investors in Bay Area By Stage

Most angel investors in the Bay Area write checks for pre-seed and seed stage startups, where they can offer hands-on support alongside their capital. Knowing which investors are active at which stage will help you build a more targeted list for your fundraise.

Pre-seed Angel Investors in Bay Area

Pre-seed funding is the earliest capital a startup raises, often used to validate an idea and build a minimum viable product. Among the Bay Area angels on our list, investors like Eylul Kayin and Ben Yu have participated in pre-seed rounds.

Seed Stage Angel Investors in Bay Area

The seed stage is where many startups secure their first significant funding to build out their product and find initial traction. Some notable angel investors in Silicon Valley active at this stage include Alfred Lin, Sara Ittelson, and Greg Papadopoulos.

Series A Angel Investors in Bay Area

A Series A round helps a startup with a proven track record scale its operations and optimize its user base. You might find investors like Vas Natarajan and Steve Goldberg participating in this funding stage.

Series B Angel Investors in Bay Area

Series B funding is for companies that are past the development stage and are looking to expand their market reach. Investors such as Peter Chung, Carl Eschenbach, and Todd Chaffee are known to invest in Series B rounds.

It's also common for some angel investors to invest across multiple startup funding stages, from seed to later rounds.

Top Angel Investors in Bay Area By Sector

Here is a closer look at some of the top angel investors in the Bay Area. Our list includes details on their typical investment stages, sector interests, and what makes each a compelling partner for founders.

1. John Locke

John Locke is a partner at Accel, where he focuses on investments in both early- and growth-stage companies. His work with a major venture capital firm means he brings significant institutional resources and experience to the table.

He shows a clear interest in sectors like FinTech, SaaS, and cloud infrastructure, with investments across Seed, Series A, and Series B rounds. His portfolio includes notable companies such as SeatGeek, Socure, and Galileo Financial Technologies, suggesting a focus on businesses with high-growth potential.

John may be a good match for founders who are building companies in his areas of interest and are looking for a partner with deep operational experience. His involvement in multiple funding stages indicates he can support a company through various phases of its growth.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, FinTech, Consumer Internet, SaaS
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Investment range: $15.0M - $70.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: SeatGeek, Sysdig, Socure, The Zebra

You can find more information about John Locke on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.

2. Matt Murphy

Matt Murphy is a partner at Menlo Ventures, bringing the resources of a major firm to his investments. He is known for backing companies in the enterprise software and cloud infrastructure spaces.

His portfolio shows a strong interest in AI, developer tools, and SaaS companies, with investments in notable names like Harness, Envoy, and Semgrep. He participates in rounds from Seed to Series B, indicating he can support companies through multiple growth phases.

Founders building enterprise-focused technology, particularly in AI or developer tools, may find Matt to be a valuable partner. His experience at a large VC firm suggests he can provide significant support beyond just capital for companies ready to scale.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: Enterprise, SaaS, AI, Cloud Infrastructure, Developer Tools
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Investment range: $8.0M - $15.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Harness, Envoy, Semgrep, Zylo

You can find more information about Matt Murphy on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.

3. Peter Chung

Peter Chung is a managing director at Summit Partners, a growth equity firm. This connection means he brings the backing and network of a major investment firm to his portfolio companies.

His investment activity centers on the enterprise and consumer internet sectors, with a clear focus on Series B rounds. His portfolio includes companies like Striim and Hyperlight, indicating an interest in businesses that are poised for significant scaling.

Founders with established companies seeking a substantial Series B check to fuel their expansion would be a good match. Peter's position at a large firm suggests he can offer strategic support for companies ready to enter a major growth phase.

• Investment stages: Series B
• Industries of focus: Enterprise, Consumer Internet
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Investment range: $5.0M - $50.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Striim, Hyperlight, Acacia

You can find more information about Peter Chung on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.

4. Carl Eschenbach

Carl Eschenbach is a partner at Sequoia Capital, one of the most prominent venture capital firms. He primarily invests in growth-stage companies, bringing the extensive network and resources of Sequoia to his partnerships.

His investment activity is concentrated in Series B rounds for companies in enterprise and cloud infrastructure. His portfolio includes high-growth businesses like Gong, Grafana Labs, and Retool, showing a pattern of backing companies with strong market traction.

Founders with a proven business model in the enterprise software space seeking a substantial Series B round may find him to be a good fit. His role at Sequoia suggests he can provide significant strategic guidance for companies preparing to scale globally.

• Investment stages: Series B
• Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, Enterprise Infrastructure, Consumer Internet
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Investment range: $10.0M - $200.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Gong, Grafana Labs, Retool, Salt Security

You can find more information about Carl Eschenbach on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.

5. Steve Goldberg

Steve Goldberg brings experience from his time as an Operating Partner at Venrock, a well-known venture capital firm. He is an active investor in companies working on physical products and the software that powers them.

His investment history shows a pattern of backing companies in hardware, IoT, and robotics at the Series A and B stages. With past investments in companies like Quantenna Communications, he appears to favor businesses with tangible technology.

Founders building companies in the hardware or robotics space may find him to be a good partner. His background as an operating partner suggests he can provide hands-on support for companies ready to scale.

• Investment stages: Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: Hardware, IoT, Robotics
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Investment range: $10K - $100K
• Notable portfolio companies: Quantenna Communications, Canesta

You can find more information about Steve Goldberg on his LinkedIn or AngelList profile.

6. Alfred Lin

Alfred Lin is a partner at Sequoia Capital, bringing the resources of one of Silicon Valley's most prominent firms to his investments. With past leadership roles at Zappos and other successful startups, he has significant operational experience.

He invests across a broad range of sectors, from FinTech and enterprise software to consumer-facing companies in retail and fashion. His focus is primarily on Seed and Series A rounds, and his portfolio includes companies like Kalshi and Collaborative Robotics.

Founders building companies at the early stages who are looking for a partner with experience scaling major companies may find Alfred to be a great fit. His background suggests a hands-on approach that goes beyond just providing capital.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Industries of focus: FinTech, Enterprise, SMB Software, Retail, Developer Tools
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Investment range: $1.0M - $10.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Kalshi, Collaborative Robotics, Summer Health

You can find more information about Alfred Lin on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.

7. Todd Chaffee

Todd Chaffee is a managing director at Institutional Venture Partners (IVP), a prominent venture capital and growth equity firm. His involvement with IVP means he brings substantial resources and a powerful network to the companies he backs.

His investment history shows a focus on Series A and B rounds in sectors like SaaS, media, and travel. He has backed several well-known companies, including Klarna, Compass, and Skydio, which points to his experience with high-growth businesses.

Founders with an established product and clear market traction seeking a Series A or B partner may find him to be a good match. His background is particularly relevant for companies in the SaaS, media, or travel industries looking to accelerate their growth.

• Investment stages: Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: SaaS, Social Networks, Media/Content, Travel
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Investment range: $10.0M - $100.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Klarna, Compass, Skydio, Domo

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

8. Eric Vishria

Eric Vishria is a general partner at Benchmark, a well-regarded venture capital firm. He is known for his investments in enterprise software and infrastructure companies.

He invests across multiple stages, from Seed to Series B, showing a willingness to partner with companies early and support them as they grow. His portfolio, which includes companies like AcuityMD and Fireworks AI, shows a clear interest in enterprise SaaS, AI, and cloud infrastructure.

Founders building technical products for businesses, particularly in the AI and cloud sectors, may find him to be a good partner. His experience at a major firm suggests he can provide significant support for companies at various growth points.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, SaaS, Enterprise, Marketplaces
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Investment range: $1.0M - $15.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: AcuityMD, Fireworks AI, Airplane, Commerce Layer

You can find more information about Eric Vishria on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.

9. Greg Papadopoulos

Greg Papadopoulos is a venture partner at New Enterprise Associates (NEA), a major venture capital firm. He has a deep technical background, having served as CTO of Sun Microsystems and as an associate professor at MIT.

He invests from Seed to Series B, with an interest in Enterprise, DeepTech, and SaaS companies. His portfolio, which includes companies like ARRIS and Fabric8Labs, reflects a focus on businesses with significant technical foundations.

Founders building companies in DeepTech or enterprise software may find him to be a good partner. His extensive experience as an engineer and executive suggests he can provide valuable technical guidance alongside capital.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: Enterprise, DeepTech, Consumer Internet, SaaS
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Investment range: $2.0M - $50.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: ARRIS, AI Squared, Union.ai, Fabric8Labs

You can find more information about Greg Papadopoulos on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.

10. Anthony Lin

Anthony Lin is a managing director at Intel Capital, the corporate venture capital arm of Intel. This role allows him to bring the resources and network of a major technology corporation to the companies he backs.

While his interests include FinTech, his portfolio shows a broader appetite for technology, with investments in companies like AI21 Labs and ZeroFox. He invests across Seed, Series A, and Series B rounds, indicating he can support companies from their early stages through significant growth.

Founders building companies in FinTech, AI, or enterprise software may find him to be a valuable partner. His connection to Intel Capital is particularly relevant for startups that could benefit from a corporate strategic partner.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: FinTech, AI, Enterprise Software
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Investment range: $1.0M - $20.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: AI21 Labs, Motivo, ZeroFox

You can find more information about Anthony Lin on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.

11. Venkat Mohan

Venkat Mohan brings nearly two decades of experience as an Operating Partner at Norwest Venture Partners to his angel investments. He tends to focus on companies in the enterprise, cloud infrastructure, and SMB software spaces.

His approach combines deep operational experience with smaller, early-stage checks, typically at the Seed and Series A stages. His portfolio includes companies like RiseSmart and 41st Parameter, indicating an ability to back businesses through to successful outcomes.

Founders building enterprise or SMB software who are looking for a hands-on partner with a strong VC background could find a great match in Venkat. His focus on early stages suggests he enjoys helping companies navigate their initial growth phases.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Industries of focus: Enterprise, Cloud Infrastructure, SMB Software
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Investment range: $10K - $50K
• Notable portfolio companies: RiseSmart, 41st Parameter

You can find more information about Venkat Mohan on his LinkedIn or Crunchbase profile.

12. Eylul Kayin

Eylul Kayin is a director at SoftBank Investment Advisers, which means she brings the resources of a major global investment firm to her work. Her background includes roles at New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and Morgan Stanley, giving her a strong foundation in both venture capital and finance.

She shows an interest in a wide range of sectors, including FinTech, Health IT, and enterprise software. Her activity spans from Seed to Series B rounds, suggesting she is open to partnering with companies at different points in their journey.

Founders building companies in her areas of interest who are looking for a partner with deep institutional experience may find her to be a good fit. Her position at SoftBank indicates she can support businesses with ambitions for significant growth.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: Health IT, FinTech, Real Estate/PropTech, Enterprise, Logistics
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Investment range: $100K - $10.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Venta, FirstWork

You can find more information about Eylul Kayin on her firm's website or on LinkedIn.

13. Sara Ittelson

Sara Ittelson is a partner at Accel, a major venture capital firm, which means she brings significant institutional backing to her investments. She is known for her work with companies in the enterprise software and cloud infrastructure sectors.

Her investment activity shows a focus on both Seed and Series A rounds, with portfolio companies like Syrup Tech and Venue reflecting this range. This indicates she is comfortable partnering with companies at their earliest stages and supporting them as they scale.

Founders building businesses in SaaS or cloud infrastructure may find Sara to be a good partner. Her involvement across early funding stages suggests she can provide support for companies moving from initial product development to market growth.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, SaaS, Enterprise, Consumer Internet
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Investment range: $15.0M - $70.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Syrup Tech, Venue

You can find more information about Sara Ittelson on her firm's website or on LinkedIn.

14. Ben Yu

Ben Yu is a managing partner at Sierra Ventures, a venture capital firm. He is known for his focus on deep technology sectors, including AI, semiconductors, and cloud infrastructure.

He primarily invests in Seed and Series A rounds, showing a commitment to partnering with companies early in their development. His portfolio includes businesses like Podcastle and Quintessent, which highlights an interest in companies with strong technical foundations.

Founders building companies in AI, semiconductors, or AR/VR may find Ben to be a good partner. His involvement from the seed stage suggests he can provide support as a company finds its footing and prepares to scale.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, Semiconductors, AR/VR, AI, IoT
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Investment range: $500K - $15.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Podcastle, Quintessent, DeepHow, Invisible AI

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

15. Vas Natarajan

Vas Natarajan is a partner at Accel, a well-known venture capital firm. He brings the network and resources of a major institution to his investments, with an interest in enterprise, cloud infrastructure, and SaaS companies.

He often invests in Seed and Series A rounds, but his involvement with companies like Segment and Radar through later stages shows he can be a long-term partner. His portfolio, which includes Catalyst Software and Blameless, points to a focus on businesses building foundational software for other companies.

Founders building enterprise software who are looking for a partner from the early stages may find Vas to be a good fit. His experience suggests he can provide support for companies as they find product-market fit and prepare to scale.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Industries of focus: Enterprise, Cloud Infrastructure, SaaS
• Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
• Investment range: $15.0M - $70.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Segment, Catalyst Software, Deepnote, Blameless

You can find more information about Vas Natarajan on his firm's website or on LinkedIn.

What Bay Area’s Angel Investor Activity Tells Us

After reviewing this list, a few patterns in the Bay Area’s investment scene become clear. The investors we've highlighted show a strong presence across multiple funding rounds, from Seed to Series B.

This suggests that many are open to supporting companies through various growth phases, not just at one specific point. The market appears well-balanced for companies seeking early and growth-stage capital.

In terms of sectors, enterprise software, SaaS, and cloud infrastructure are common areas of interest. You'll also find significant attention on fields like FinTech and AI, reflecting broader technology trends.

For you as a founder, this means it's important to find an investor whose focus aligns with your company's stage and industry. Our team at Rho hopes this guide provides a helpful starting point for your fundraising efforts.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Having a focused list of relevant investors is key when your time and energy are limited. This approach helps you connect with the right partners more effectively during your fundraise.

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 for startups.

This setup helps direct your angel capital toward growth and operations. You can avoid losing valuable funds to manual financial administration.

FAQs about Angel Investors in Bay Area

How do I find angel investors in Silicon Valley?

Beyond curated lists, networking is essential for finding investors. Attend industry events, ask other founders for warm introductions, and build relationships within the ecosystem. A personal connection often proves more effective than a cold outreach.

Which angel investors in the Bay Area focus on SaaS?

Many top angel investors in the Bay Area show interest in SaaS. While our list includes investors like Matt Murphy and Eric Vishria, it's a popular sector for many SaaS investors, so it's best to research each individual's portfolio.

How do Bay Area angel investors compare to those in NYC?

Bay Area angels often have a strong focus on deep tech and enterprise software. While many New York investors are drawn to FinTech and consumer brands, there is significant overlap in interest across both major startup hubs.

What is the typical check size for a Bay Area angel investor?

Check sizes vary widely based on the type of funding. Pre-seed checks can be under $100K, while angels participating in later rounds as part of a syndicate may contribute significantly more capital.

Are there prominent female angel investors in Silicon Valley?

Yes, many influential female angel investors are active in Silicon Valley. Our list includes Eylul Kayin and Sara Ittelson, who bring significant institutional experience and resources to their investments in early-stage companies.

How can I manage my finances after raising from an angel investor?

Once you've secured funding, it's crucial to have a solid financial stack. Rho provides banking, corporate cards, and expense management to help you manage your new capital efficiently and focus on growth.