10 Pre Seed Angel Investors Who Help Startups Get Off the Ground
We've identified 10 active pre-seed angel investors to help you secure early funding. Find the right partner to support your startup's initial growth.
Rho Editorial Team
Pre-seed angel funding provides the initial capital to transform your idea into a tangible business, often before you have a final product or revenue.
Many successful angel investors support companies at this stage, with Chris Hughes, Donn Davis, Eric Lefkofsky, and Gaurav Garg being notable backers of various startups and small businesses.
If you’re raising or have just closed a round, Rho’s platform gives you FDIC-insured accounts, corporate cards with up to 2% cashback, automated bill pay, spend controls, and real-time accounting integrations to manage your new capital.
For founders at the idea-stage, finding the right capital is a critical first step. Understanding the world of angel investors in Pre-seed can make all the difference in getting your company off the ground.
Unlike venture capital firms, angel investors are often individuals writing the first checks into a company. They can offer personal mentorship alongside their capital, which is invaluable at this early stage.
To help you find the right partners, our team at Rho has put together this overview of top pre-seed investors. This guide is designed to help you quickly identify individuals who may be a good fit for your startup.
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What is Pre-seed Angel Investment?
Pre-seed angel investment is typically the first money a startup raises, often before there is a fully-formed product. These investors are individuals who provide capital to help you validate your idea and build an initial team.
This stage comes before seed funding and subsequent venture capital rounds, which usually involve larger checks and more formal investor groups. The support from an angel can be more personal, offering guidance based on their own experience.
Types of Pre-seed Angel Investors At A Glance
For founders raising a pre-seed round, it helps to know which angel investors focus on specific geographies or sectors. Here’s a quick breakdown of those trends across our list of investors.
Pre-seed Investors in New York
The city is a major hub for pre-seed funding. Among the many angel investors in New York, our list includes Jon Steinberg and Ann Berry, who are both active in the city's startup scene.
Pre-seed Investors in the Bay Area
The Bay Area is home to many pre-seed angel investors. For example, you'll find investors like Charlie Cheever in Palo Alto and Ed Ruth in Menlo Park.
Pre-seed AI Investors
Artificial intelligence continues to attract significant early-stage capital from pre-seed AI investors. Some of the top investors on our list are Gaurav Garg and Brian Reilly, who have backed AI companies at the pre-seed and seed stages.
Pre-seed Investors for Health & Wellness Startups
Founders in the health and wellness space can look to investors with specific experience in the sector. This list of pre-seed investors includes Chris Hughes and Wesley Chan, both of whom have invested in the industry.
Of course, many pre-seed stage investors are generalists, investing across a wide range of industries, locations, and even later funding rounds.
Here is a closer look at some of the top angel investors active in the pre-seed stage. We've included details on their investment focus, preferred sectors, and what makes them a strong potential partner for your startup.
1. Chris Hughes
Chris Hughes is an angel investor based in Washington, D.C., and a Vice President at Revolution LLC. His background includes roles at The Boston Consulting Group and Lazard, giving him a strong foundation in finance and strategy.
He primarily invests in Pre-seed and Seed stage companies, with a stated interest in the wellness and fitness sector. His investments in companies like Andela and Tala show his participation in rounds for high-growth startups.
Founders building a wellness or fitness company who need early capital to test an idea could find a good partner in Chris. His typical check size of around $25K is well-suited for initial funding before a larger seed round.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
- Industries of focus: Wellness & Fitness
- Geographical presence: Washington, District of Columbia
- Ideal investment range: $5K - $50K, with a $25K sweet spot
- Notable portfolio companies: Andela, Tala, Upworthy
You can find more information about Chris Hughes on his LinkedIn or Twitter.
2. Donn Davis
Donn Davis is an angel investor and advisor based in Virginia with a focus on early-stage companies. He is particularly known for his interest in the gaming and eSports sectors.
His investment history shows a clear preference for Pre-seed and Seed stage opportunities within gaming. His involvement in funding rounds for companies like Scopely indicates experience with high-growth startups in the space.
Founders building a gaming or eSports company could find a valuable partner in Donn. His role as an advisor suggests he may offer strategic guidance in addition to capital for your early-stage venture.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
- Industries of focus: Gaming/eSports
- Geographical presence: Virginia
- Notable portfolio companies: Scopely, Sweetgreen, Bedrock
You can find more information about Donn Davis on his LinkedIn or Crunchbase profile.
3. Eric Lefkofsky
Eric Lefkofsky is a Chicago-based investor and a prolific founder, known for co-founding companies like Groupon and Tempus. He is also a co-founder of the venture firm Lightbank, which invests in early-stage technology companies.
His investment activity shows a strong interest in e-commerce and medical devices, aligning with his own entrepreneurial background. With a history of founding and scaling major companies, he brings deep operational experience to his portfolio.
Founders in the e-commerce or medical device sectors, particularly those looking for a partner with a track record of building large businesses, may find a good match in Eric. His investment range suggests he can be a significant financial partner in early funding rounds.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: E-commerce, Medical Devices
- Geographical presence: Chicago, Illinois
- Ideal investment range: $500K - $1.5M, with a $1M sweet spot
- Notable portfolio companies: Tempus, SpotHero, Leap
You can find more information about Eric Lefkofsky on his personal website or LinkedIn.
4. Gaurav Garg
Gaurav Garg is an investor based in Atherton, California, and a founding partner at the venture firm Wing VC. He is known for his focus on early-stage business technology, particularly in the enterprise and AI sectors.
His investment activity shows a broad interest across Pre-seed, Seed, and Series A rounds, with a focus on SaaS, cybersecurity, and analytics. His portfolio includes the data management company Cohesity, indicating his experience backing companies that achieve significant scale.
Founders building enterprise technology, especially in AI or cybersecurity, may find a strong partner in Gaurav. His wide investment range suggests he can support a company from its earliest stages through significant growth rounds.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: SaaS, Enterprise, AI, Cybersecurity, Analytics
- Geographical presence: Atherton, California
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $20.0M, with a $1.5M sweet spot
- Notable portfolio companies: Cohesity, Findem, Theom
You can find more information about Gaurav Garg on his LinkedIn or company profile.
5. Charlie Cheever
Charlie Cheever is an angel investor based in Palo Alto, California, with a history of backing early-stage companies. He is an active individual investor in the Bay Area tech scene.
His investment activity shows a broad interest in sectors like AI, SMB software, and gaming, from Pre-seed all the way to Series B. His portfolio includes companies like AI startup Etched.ai and developer tool Socket, showing a focus on technically-oriented products.
Founders building in the AI, gaming, or SMB software spaces could find a good partner in Charlie. His willingness to invest across multiple funding stages suggests he can be a long-term supporter for a growing company.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Games, Real Estate/PropTech, SMB Software, AI
- Geographical presence: Palo Alto, California
- Ideal investment range: $10K - $500K, with a $100K sweet spot
- Notable portfolio companies: Etched.ai, Socket, Logseq
You can find more information about Charlie Cheever on his personal website or LinkedIn.
6. Brian Reilly
Brian Reilly is an investor based in Brooklyn and a partner at Will Ventures. He is known for his focus on early-stage companies at the intersection of health, wellness, and sports technology.
His investment activity shows a strong interest in Pre-seed and Seed stage companies, particularly in digital health, AI, and sports. His portfolio includes companies like Aktivate and Ness, which align with his focus on health and sports tech.
Founders building companies in the digital health, wellness, or sports sectors could find a strong partner in Brian. His investment range indicates he can be a significant capital partner for startups raising their first major rounds of funding.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
- Industries of focus: Health IT, Digital Health, Wellness & Fitness, AI, Entertainment & Sports
- Geographical presence: Brooklyn, New York
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M, with a $1.5M sweet spot
- Notable portfolio companies: Aktivate, Ness, Looped
You can find more information about Brian Reilly on his LinkedIn or company profile.
7. Wesley Chan
Wesley Chan is an investor based in Wyoming and a co-founder of the venture firm FPV. He is widely recognized for his past work at Google, where he founded both Google Analytics and Google Voice.
His background gives him a deep product and technical focus, which is reflected in his investments. He primarily invests in Pre-seed and Seed stage companies in sectors like consumer internet and enterprise applications.
Founders with a strong technical background or a product-centric approach may find a great partner in Wesley. His experience scaling major products suggests he can provide valuable operational support alongside funding.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
- Industries of focus: Health & Hospital Services, Consumer Internet, Enterprise Applications
- Geographical presence: Wyoming
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M, with a $1.5M sweet spot
- Notable portfolio companies: Monarch Money, X1, Speakeasy
You can find more information about Wesley Chan on his LinkedIn or firm's website.
8. Ann Berry
Ann Berry is an investor, advisor, and former CEO based in New York. As an active angel investor, she provides early-stage capital to startups, often at the Pre-seed and Seed stages.
Her investment activity shows an interest in AI, with a typical check size that is well-suited for a company's first funding. Her background as a CEO also suggests she may bring valuable operational perspective to the companies she backs.
Founders building an AI startup and looking for an initial check to get started could find a good partner in Ann. Her presence in New York makes her particularly relevant for founders in the local tech community.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
- Industries of focus: AI
- Geographical presence: New York, New York
- Ideal investment range: $5K - $50K, with a $25K sweet spot
- Notable portfolio companies: Pressto, Ellevest, Drone Racing League
You can find more information about Ann Berry on her LinkedIn or Twitter.
9. Ed Ruth
Ed Ruth is an angel investor and advisor based in Menlo Park, California. He is known for his interest in early-stage companies, particularly within the Internet of Things (IoT) sector.
His investment activity shows a clear focus on Pre-seed and Seed stage opportunities in IoT. His portfolio includes companies like Filament and Veniam, indicating his experience in backing startups in this space.
Founders building an IoT company and looking for early capital could find a good partner in Ed. His role as an advisor suggests he may offer strategic guidance in addition to funding for your venture.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
- Industries of focus: IoT
- Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
- Notable portfolio companies: Filament, Veniam
You can find more information about Ed Ruth on his LinkedIn or Crunchbase profile.
10. Jon Steinberg
Jon Steinberg is an angel investor in New York City and a well-known media entrepreneur, having founded Cheddar Inc. and held leadership roles at BuzzFeed and Google. He invests as an individual, bringing his extensive operational background to early-stage companies.
His investment activity shows a focus on the advertising sector, with participation in Pre-seed to Series A rounds. With his deep experience in building and scaling media businesses, he offers founders more than just capital, providing valuable strategic guidance.
Founders building a company in the advertising or media space could find a strong partner in Jon. His typical check size is ideal for startups looking for their first capital to validate an idea and build an initial product.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Advertising
- Geographical presence: New York City
- Ideal investment range: $5K - $50K, with a $25K sweet spot
- Notable portfolio companies: boostr, Ethyca
You can find more information about Jon Steinberg on his LinkedIn or Twitter.
What Startup Founders Should Look for in a Pre-seed Investor
When you're looking for a pre-seed angel investor, it's about finding the right partner, not just a check. The best fit is often an individual whose experience and network align with your company's specific needs. This initial capital is just one part of a much larger picture.
As our list shows, many pre-seed investors have preferred sectors, from AI to e-commerce, and may concentrate on certain geographic hubs. Targeting investors who already understand your space can make the conversation more productive. Understanding the nuances of pre-seed VCs and angels is a good first step.
Beyond capital, consider what else an investor brings to the table. An angel with a background as an operator can offer invaluable guidance, while another might have a network that opens doors for future funding rounds. This support is critical as you move through the different startup funding types.
As you build your list of top pre-seed investors, consider these key factors:
- Industry Expertise: Do they understand your market?
- Operational Background: Can they offer practical advice on building a company?
- Long-term Fit: Is this someone you want as a partner for the journey ahead?
Raise Confidently with Rho
Fundraising requires significant time and energy, so starting with a focused list of relevant investors is a major advantage. We hope this guide helps you connect with the right partners for your pre-seed round.
If you’ve just raised, Rho can help you set up your financial stack in minutes. Our platform offers business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay built for startups.
This setup allows you to manage your new capital efficiently. It helps direct your angel investment toward growth and operations, rather than losing it to manual financial admin.
FAQs about Pre-seed Angel Investors
How do I find pre-seed fintech investors?
Focus on investors with a background in financial services. Many look for companies improving payments or banking. Networking within fintech circles is key to finding partners who understand the complexities of the industry.
Are there pre-seed investors outside of major hubs?
Yes, thriving startup ecosystems exist across the country. Cities like Austin, Boston, and Chicago have active angel communities looking to fund early-stage companies, offering local expertise and networks.
What's the difference between pre-seed and seed stage investors?
Pre-seed investors typically write the very first check to help validate an idea. Seed stage investors usually come in next, providing larger capital amounts to help a startup with initial traction achieve product-market fit.
How much do pre-seed angel investors typically invest?
Check sizes vary widely, but pre-seed angel investments often range from $25K to $100K. This capital is meant to cover initial costs like product development before pursuing larger Series A funding.
What do pre-seed SaaS investors look for?
Investors in SaaS often prioritize a strong founding team with deep industry knowledge. They also look for a clear problem you're solving and early signs of a scalable business model, even without initial revenue.
How can Rho help after I find pre-seed funding investors?
Once you've secured funding, Rho helps you manage it effectively. Our platform provides business banking, corporate cards, and expense management in one place, so you can focus on building your company. Get started with Rho today.