15 Angel Investors in Menlo Park Backing Startups

For founders raising capital, understanding the local funding scene is crucial. Finding the right angel investors in Menlo Park can make all the difference for your startup's early journey in Silicon Valley.

Unlike larger venture capital firms, angel investors often write the first checks using their own capital. They can also provide early-stage guidance based on their personal experience.

To help you find the right fit, our team at Rho curated this overview of active investors in the Menlo Park and greater Bay Area. This guide is designed to help you quickly identify individuals who might be a good match for your startup.

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Top Angel Investors in Menlo Park By Stage

Many angel investors in the area focus on pre-seed and seed rounds, as this is where their personal capital and mentorship can be most influential.

Understanding which investors are active at your stage can help you build a more targeted list of potential partners for your company.

Pre-seed Angel Investors in Menlo Park

Pre-seed is the earliest funding stage, typically used to validate an idea and begin building a minimum viable product. For founders at this initial phase, you might consider Menlo Park investors like Ed Ruth and Rick Lewis, who have experience backing companies from their inception.

Seed Stage Angel Investors in Menlo Park

Seed funding helps a startup grow its team, refine its product, and establish initial market traction. This is a common stage for angel investors to get involved, as their capital and guidance can be highly impactful.

Some active seed stage investors in the area include David Schwab, Pierre Lamond, and Nina Kjellson.

Series A Angel Investors in Menlo Park

A Series A round is for companies with a proven business model and consistent revenue, aimed at scaling operations and optimizing for growth. At this point, you're showing investors that your company has a clear path to profitability.

Among the investors active at this stage are Peter Levine, John Doerr, and Mary Meeker.

Series B Angel Investors in Menlo Park

Series B funding is about taking the business to the next level by expanding market reach and scaling the team significantly. Companies raising a Series B round have already demonstrated considerable progress and are ready for major expansion.

Investors like Paul Walker, Patrick Grady, and Randy Komisar often participate in this later stage of funding.

It's also worth noting that many investors participate in rounds across multiple funding stages, from seed through Series B and beyond.

Below is a closer look at several key angel investors in Menlo Park. We've gathered details on their investment stages and sector focus to help you identify a good fit for your company.

1. Paul Walker

Paul Walker is a partner at New Enterprise Associates (NEA), a prominent venture capital firm. His work is concentrated in the biopharmaceutical and medical device industries, where he has a long track record of backing companies through significant growth phases.

His investment activity shows a clear preference for later-stage rounds, particularly Series A and B, with investment amounts that suggest he often participates in or leads funding. His portfolio, which includes companies like Allakos and Geron, highlights a deep commitment to the health and biotech sectors.

Founders with companies in biopharma, health IT, or related medical fields who are preparing for a Series A or B round may find a good partner in Walker. He is a good match for teams that have already established some traction and are seeking substantial capital to scale.

• Investment stages: Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: BioTech, Pharmaceuticals, Health IT, Health & Hospital Services
• Ideal investment range: $2.0M - $50.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Allakos, Geron, Xenon Pharmaceuticals
• Investor location: Menlo Park, California

You can find more information about Paul Walker on his NEA profile and Crunchbase.

2. Peter Levine

Peter Levine is a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), a prominent venture capital firm. He is well-regarded for his deep knowledge of enterprise software and infrastructure, stemming from his own experience as a CEO.

His portfolio shows a clear focus on technically complex sectors, including AI, cloud infrastructure, and data services, with investments in companies like Figma and Pinecone. He participates in rounds from seed to Series B, showing a willingness to support companies from their early stages through significant growth.

Founders building sophisticated technical products for the enterprise market may find a good match in Levine. His background suggests he is a valuable partner for teams seeking operational guidance alongside funding.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, FinTech, Enterprise, BioTech, Data Services, AI
• Ideal investment range: $50K - $50.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Figma, Pinecone, Netlify, Labelbox
• Investor location: Menlo Park, California

You can find more information about Peter Levine on his firm profile and LinkedIn.

3. John Doerr

John Doerr is the chairman of Kleiner Perkins, one of Silicon Valley's most storied venture capital firms. He is widely recognized for backing some of the most influential technology companies over the past few decades.

His recent investment activity shows a strong commitment to ClimateTech, with portfolio companies like Watershed and Rondo Energy. He primarily engages in Series A and B rounds, indicating a focus on companies that have found their footing and are ready for significant growth.

Doerr is an ideal investor for founders with ambitious goals in sectors like CleanTech, BioTech, and cloud services. He is a good match for teams that have already demonstrated product-market fit and are seeking capital to scale their operations.

• Investment stages: Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: ClimateTech/CleanTech, BioTech, Cloud Infrastructure, Education
• Ideal investment range: $100K - $25.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Watershed, Rondo Energy, Visby Medical
• Investor location: Menlo Park, California

You can find more information about John Doerr on his firm profile and LinkedIn.

4. Kevin Harvey

Kevin Harvey is a general partner at Benchmark, a well-known venture capital firm. He has a long history of backing foundational technology companies, particularly in software and infrastructure.

His investment activity shows a strong interest in enterprise SaaS, cloud infrastructure, and marketplace businesses. He supports companies from their early seed stage through Series B, with notable investments including Upwork and Proofpoint.

Harvey could be a great partner for founders developing scalable software or platform-based businesses. He is a good match for teams that need capital and expertise to grow from an early product into a market leader.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, SaaS, Marketplaces, Social Commerce
• Ideal investment range: $1.0M - $15.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Upwork, Proofpoint, RightScale
• Investor location: Menlo Park, California

You can find more information about Kevin Harvey on the Benchmark website and his LinkedIn profile.

5. Patrick Grady

Patrick Grady is a partner at Sequoia Capital, where he works with companies in enterprise software, AI, and fintech. His experience is rooted in backing businesses that are poised for significant expansion.

Grady's investment activity is concentrated at the Series B stage, suggesting a focus on companies that have already found product-market fit and are ready to scale. His portfolio includes high-growth technology companies like Hugging Face and Cribl, indicating an interest in businesses with strong technical foundations.

He is a good match for founders in the enterprise, AI, or fintech sectors who are raising a Series B round. Teams seeking substantial capital and a partner with experience in scaling successful tech companies may find him to be a valuable ally.

• Investment stages: Series B
• Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, FinTech, Generative Tech/AI, Enterprise, Consumer Internet
• Ideal investment range: $10.0M - $200.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Hugging Face, Cribl, Amplitude, Grow Therapy
• Investor location: Menlo Park, California

You can find more information about Patrick Grady on his Sequoia profile and LinkedIn.

6. Mary Meeker

Mary Meeker is a general partner at BOND, a firm she co-founded after her time at Kleiner Perkins. She is widely recognized for her influential annual "Internet Trends" report, which has been a key resource for the tech industry for years.

Her investment history shows a focus on companies in the consumer internet and social networking spaces. She typically participates in Series A and B rounds, backing companies like Canva and Dapper Labs that have already achieved significant traction.

Meeker is a great potential partner for founders whose companies have a strong consumer or social component and are ready to scale. Her deep market knowledge is particularly valuable for teams looking to build globally recognized brands.

• Investment stages: Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: Consumer Internet, Social Networks
• Ideal investment range: $100K - $25.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Canva, Dapper Labs, Ironclad, Applied Intuition
• Investor location: Menlo Park, California

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

7. Sandy Miller

Sandy Miller is a general partner at IVP (Institutional Venture Partners), a firm that focuses on later-stage venture capital and growth equity. He has a long history of backing high-growth companies in consumer and media technology.

His investment activity is concentrated in Series A and B rounds, often involving substantial capital. His portfolio includes well-known companies like SoFi, Motive, and OnDeck, showing an interest in businesses with proven models and large market opportunities.

Miller is a good potential match for founders who have already established significant traction and are seeking a major capital partner for a Series A or B round. He is particularly relevant for companies in the consumer internet, media, and gaming sectors.

• Investment stages: Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: Consumer Internet, Media/Content, Gaming/eSports
• Ideal investment range: $10.0M - $100.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: SoFi, Motive, OnDeck, Sauce Labs
• Investor location: Menlo Park, California

You can find more information about Sandy Miller on his firm's website and LinkedIn.

8. David Schwab

David Schwab is a managing director at Sierra Ventures, where he has been a part of the team since 1996. His extensive experience in venture capital makes him a seasoned investor in the Silicon Valley ecosystem.

Schwab concentrates on seed-stage investments, showing a clear preference for companies in health IT, AI, and e-commerce. His portfolio, which includes investments in companies like Concert Health and WhizAI, highlights his interest in technology-driven businesses.

He is a good match for founders at the seed stage who are building companies in the health, AI, or e-commerce sectors. Given his role at an established venture firm, he can likely offer strategic guidance in addition to capital.

• Investment stages: Seed
• Industries of focus: Health & Hospital Services, E-commerce, Health IT, AI, Social Networks
• Ideal investment range: $100K - $10.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Concert Health, WhizAI, OnsiteIQ
• Investor location: Menlo Park, California

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

9. Ed Ruth

Ed Ruth is an advisor and angel investor in Menlo Park who appears to operate independently. He is recognized for his interest in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector, often backing companies from their earliest stages.

His profile indicates a focus on Pre-seed and Seed rounds, particularly for companies building IoT technology. While his primary focus is early-stage, he has participated in later rounds for companies like Veniam and Filament, suggesting he may follow on in subsequent funding rounds.

Founders working on IoT solutions at the Pre-seed or Seed stage could find a good partner in Ruth. His background as an advisor suggests he may offer practical guidance alongside his capital investment.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
• Industries of focus: Internet of Things (IoT)
• Notable portfolio companies: Filament, Veniam
• Investor location: Menlo Park, California

You can find more information about Ed Ruth on his LinkedIn and Crunchbase profile.

10. Rick Lewis

Rick Lewis is a partner at U.S. Venture Partners (USVP), a long-standing venture firm in Silicon Valley. He is known for investing across a range of technology sectors, from enterprise software to e-commerce.

His investment activity shows a focus on early-stage companies, participating in rounds from Pre-seed to Series A. With portfolio companies like Oliver Space and TaskHuman, he appears to back businesses with strong growth potential in both consumer and enterprise markets.

Lewis could be a good match for founders building companies in SaaS, cybersecurity, or e-commerce. He is a good fit for teams seeking a partner for their initial funding rounds to help establish a strong market position.

• Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
• Industries of focus: E-commerce, SaaS, Cybersecurity, Enterprise, DeepTech
• Ideal investment range: $2.0M - $10.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Oliver Space, TaskHuman, Darwinium
• Investor location: Menlo Park, California

You can find more information about Rick Lewis on his firm profile and LinkedIn.

11. Venky Ganesan

Venky Ganesan is a partner at Menlo Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Menlo Park. He is known for his work with companies in the enterprise, cloud, and cybersecurity sectors.

His investment activity shows a focus on companies from seed through Series B, with an interest in enterprise infrastructure and consumer internet. His portfolio includes companies like HomeLight and Strata Identity, suggesting he supports businesses through multiple growth stages.

Ganesan could be a good match for founders building technology for the enterprise market, particularly in cloud and security. Teams seeking a partner for their early and growth-stage rounds may find him to be a valuable resource.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, Enterprise, Cybersecurity, Consumer Internet
• Ideal investment range: $8.0M - $15.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: HomeLight, Strata Identity, Immersive Labs, Aisera
• Investor location: Menlo Park, California

You can find more information about Venky Ganesan on his firm profile and LinkedIn.

12. Pierre Lamond

Pierre Lamond is a Partner Emeritus at Eclipse and a legendary figure in the semiconductor industry, with a career that has shaped much of Silicon Valley. His extensive history includes co-founding National Semiconductor and serving as CEO of Cypress Semiconductor, giving him deep operational roots.

His investment activity shows a distinct preference for seed-stage companies in semiconductors and SaaS. With a portfolio that includes companies like Taalas and Flex Logix Technologies, his focus is on businesses built on strong technical foundations.

Founders building complex hardware or software solutions at the seed stage may find a great partner in Lamond. His extensive experience makes him a valuable resource for teams who need both capital and seasoned guidance to grow.

• Investment stages: Seed
• Industries of focus: Semiconductors, SaaS
• Notable portfolio companies: Lamini, Taalas, Flex Logix Technologies
• Investor location: Menlo Park, California

You can find more information about Pierre Lamond on his firm profile and LinkedIn.

13. Randy Komisar

Randy Komisar is a Menlo Park-based investor with a focus on later-stage companies. He is recognized for his investments in the payments and marketplace sectors.

His investment activity is concentrated in Series A and B rounds, supporting companies that are ready to scale. His portfolio includes businesses like Veem and Farmers Business Network, indicating an interest in companies with an established market presence.

Komisar is a good match for founders who have already demonstrated product-market fit and are seeking capital for significant growth. Teams in the payments or marketplace industries raising a Series A or B may find him to be a strong partner.

• Investment stages: Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: Payments, Marketplaces
• Ideal investment range: $5K - $25.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Veem, Farmers Business Network
• Investor location: Menlo Park, California

You can find more information about Randy Komisar on his Angel.co and Crunchbase profile.

14. Nina Kjellson

Nina Kjellson is a general partner at Canaan, a venture capital firm, where she focuses on biopharma and digital health. She is recognized for her work with companies that are developing new therapies and health technologies.

Her investment activity shows a strong preference for the health sector, with a portfolio that includes companies in BioTech, Health IT, and related services. She participates in both Seed and Series A rounds, indicating she supports companies from their early stages through initial growth, with investments in companies like Actio Biosciences and Rondo Therapeutics.

Kjellson is a good match for founders in the life sciences and health technology fields who are raising a Seed or Series A round. Teams looking for a partner with deep domain expertise in healthcare may find her to be a valuable ally.

• Investment stages: Seed, Series A
• Industries of focus: BioTech, Health IT, Health & Hospital Services, Consumer Internet
• Ideal investment range: $250K - $20.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Actio Biosciences, Rondo Therapeutics, Vineti
• Investor location: Menlo Park, California

You can find more information about Nina Kjellson on her firm profile and LinkedIn.

15. Blake Wu

Blake Wu is part of the healthcare team at New Enterprise Associates (NEA), a prominent venture capital firm. His background includes experience in private equity at Ares Management and equity research at Barclays Capital, giving him a strong financial perspective on the health sector.

His investment activity shows a clear focus on the healthcare industry, including biopharma and health IT. Wu typically participates in Series A and B rounds, suggesting a preference for companies that have already gained some momentum and are ready for growth.

Founders building companies in the biopharma or health services space who are preparing for a Series A or B round may find a good partner in Wu. He is a good match for teams seeking a partner with deep financial expertise and the backing of a major firm.

• Investment stages: Series A, Series B
• Industries of focus: BioTech, Pharmaceuticals, Health IT, Health & Hospital Services
• Ideal investment range: $2.0M - $50.0M
• Notable portfolio companies: Slope.io, Welltok, Xenon Pharmaceuticals
• Investor location: Menlo Park, California

You can find more information about Blake Wu on his NEA profile and LinkedIn.

What Menlo Park’s Angel Investor Activity Tells Us

So, what does this overview tell you about raising capital in Menlo Park? Our analysis of these investors shows a market with a significant number of firms focused on Series A and B rounds, suggesting a strong appetite for companies that are ready to scale.

While you can certainly find dedicated pre-seed and seed investors, many of the area's key players engage once a business has found some initial traction. The investor community also shows deep expertise in sectors like enterprise software, biotech, and cloud infrastructure.

For your fundraising strategy, this means it's helpful to have a clear vision for growth. Preparing for those later-stage conversations can be just as important as securing your initial check.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Having a focused list of relevant investors is key, especially when your time and energy are limited during a fundraise. We hope this guide helps you build a more targeted outreach list for your company.

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 solutions built for startups.

This allows you to put your newly raised capital to work on growth and operations. You can spend less time on manual financial admin and more on building your business.

FAQs about Angel Investors in Menlo Park, California

What are the most common sectors for angel investors in Menlo Park?

Many Menlo Park investors show interest in enterprise software, SaaS, and biotechnology. However, you can find investors across various industries, so it's important to research individuals who align with your specific market and business model.

Are there many pre-seed angel investors in Menlo Park?

While many prominent firms focus on later stages, you can find dedicated pre-seed investors in Menlo Park. These angels often provide the initial capital and guidance needed to validate your startup's core idea and build an MVP.

Should I also look for investors in nearby cities like San Francisco?

Yes, expanding your search to include investors in San Francisco and the broader Bay Area is a smart strategy. Many investors are active throughout the region and are open to meeting founders from neighboring cities.

How do I approach an angel investor in Menlo Park?

A warm introduction from a mutual connection is often the most effective approach. If that's not possible, a concise email explaining your business and why you're a fit is a good alternative. Tailor your pitch to their known funding round focus.

How can Rho help after I secure funding from a Menlo Park investor?

Once you've raised capital, our platform helps you manage it effectively. Rho provides integrated business banking, corporate cards, and expense management tools, allowing you to focus on growing your business instead of financial admin.