13 Seed Angel Investors Backing Seed Startups
To help you raise your seed round, we've compiled a list of 13 active angel investors who are currently backing early-stage companies like yours.
Rho Editorial Team
Seed angel investor funding provides the initial capital to help your startup develop its product and find market fit. This early support is often crucial for getting your business off the ground before seeking larger venture capital rounds.
Notable backers at the Seed stage include Christopher Dean, Chris Hughes, John Locke, and Joshua Kushner. They have supported a variety of startups and small businesses, showing a commitment to early-stage growth.
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Finding the right angel investors in Seed is a critical step for any founder raising capital. These early backers provide not just money, but often crucial guidance during your startup's formative stages.
Unlike larger venture capital firms, angel investors typically invest their own personal funds. This can mean more flexibility and quicker decisions, a significant advantage for companies at the pre-seed or Seed stage.
To help you find the right partners, our team at Rho has put together this overview of active angel investors. This guide is designed to give you a quick look at some of the key individuals funding startups like yours.
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What is Seed Angel Investment?
Seed angel investment is a form of early financing from individual investors, or "angels." They provide capital and often hands-on guidance to help new companies find their footing.
This type of funding is distinct from later venture capital rounds, which usually involve larger sums from institutional firms once a business has more traction.
Types of Seed Angel Investors At A Glance
For founders raising a Seed round, knowing which angel investors specialize by geography or sector can be a significant advantage; here’s a quick breakdown of those trends across top seed investors.
Seed Investors in New York
New York is a major hub for seed funding investors. Among the many active seed investors in NYC are individuals like Joshua Kushner, Tyler Winklevoss, and Graham Brown.
Seed Investors in the San Francisco Bay Area
The Bay Area remains a critical geography for startup fundraising. Founders can find reliable seed stage investors like John Locke, Peter Levine, and Matt Murphy actively funding companies in the region.
FinTech Seed Investors
For startups in the financial technology space, connecting with the right seed capital investors is key. Some investors with experience in this area include John Locke and Steve Case.
Seed Investors for Health & BioTech Startups
The Health and BioTech sectors attract specialized seed money investors. Investors like Christopher Dean, Ryan Harris, and Anders Hove often invest in companies within these industries.
Of course, many of the best seed investors fund companies across a wide range of industries, locations, and even funding stages.
To help you find the right fit, we've compiled profiles of notable angel investors active at the Seed stage. You'll find information on their investment history, industry focus, and what distinguishes them as potential partners.
1. Christopher Dean
Christopher Dean is a Managing Director at Summit Partners, a growth equity firm. He invests in both technology and healthcare-related companies, often participating in both Seed and Series B rounds.
His investment activity shows a focus on high-growth companies across sectors like FinTech, Digital Health, and E-commerce. With an investment range of $5.0M to $50.0M, he can provide significant capital for companies ready to scale, as seen with portfolio companies like Brooklinen and ShipMonk.
Founders with an established product in the health, e-commerce, or tech sectors seeking a partner for significant growth could find a good match here. His position at a larger firm suggests access to substantial resources beyond just capital.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series B
- Industries of focus: Health & BioTech, FinTech, E-commerce, Consumer Internet
- Geographical presence: Boston, Massachusetts
- Ideal investment range: $5.0M - $50.0M
- Notable investments: Brooklinen, ShipMonk, Celcoin
You can find more information about Christopher Dean on his LinkedIn or the Summit Partners website.
2. Chris Hughes
Chris Hughes is an angel investor 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 concentrates on very early-stage companies, with a focus on Pre-seed and Seed rounds and an investment range of $5K to $50K. His portfolio includes an early investment in Andela, indicating an eye for companies with high-growth potential from their inception.
Founders in the wellness and fitness space who are just starting out could find a valuable partner in Chris. His approach is well-suited for those needing initial capital and strategic guidance to get an idea off the ground.
- Investment stages: Pre-seed, Seed
- Industries of focus: Wellness & Fitness
- Geographical presence: Washington, District of Columbia
- Ideal investment range: $5K - $50K
- Notable investments: Andela, Tala
You can find more information about Chris Hughes on his LinkedIn or Twitter.
3. John Locke
John Locke is a partner at Accel, a venture capital firm, where he invests in technology companies primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has a background in backing businesses in Cloud Infrastructure, FinTech, and SaaS.
His investment activity shows a pattern of supporting companies through multiple growth stages, from Seed to Series B. With an investment range of $15.0M to $70.0M, he often participates in substantial funding rounds for companies like SeatGeek and Socure that are ready to scale significantly.
Founders with established traction in the FinTech or cloud sectors who are seeking a long-term partner for large funding rounds could find a strong ally in John. His involvement in later-stage rounds for his portfolio companies suggests a commitment to supporting businesses through their growth journey.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, FinTech, Consumer Internet, SaaS
- Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
- Ideal investment range: $15.0M - $70.0M
- Notable investments: SeatGeek, Sysdig, Socure, The Zebra
You can find more information about John Locke on his LinkedIn or the Accel website.
4. Joshua Kushner
Joshua Kushner is the founder of Thrive Capital, a New York-based venture capital firm. He is known for backing some of the most prominent technology companies of the last decade.
His investment activity spans multiple stages, from Seed to Series B, with a wide capital range of $1M to $50M. Investments in companies like Ramp and Databricks show a focus on high-growth software and consumer internet businesses, often supporting them from early on.
Founders working on ambitious projects in consumer internet, SMB software, or gaming could be a good match. Kushner's track record suggests a preference for building long-term partnerships with companies that have the potential for significant scale.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Consumer Internet, SMB Software, Gaming/eSports
- Geographical presence: New York, New York
- Ideal investment range: $1.0M - $50.0M
- Notable investments: Ramp, Databricks, Essential AI
You can find more information about Joshua Kushner on his Twitter or the Thrive Capital website.
5. Tyler Winklevoss
Tyler Winklevoss is a Principal at Winklevoss Capital and the Co-Founder of the cryptocurrency exchange Gemini. He is widely recognized for his early and deep involvement in the Web3 and digital asset space.
His investment activity shows a strong preference for Web3, crypto, and gaming, though he also funds companies in AI and media. He often participates in Seed and Series A rounds, with investments in companies like Animoca Brands showing his focus on the digital asset ecosystem.
Founders building in the Web3 or gaming sectors could find a knowledgeable partner in Tyler. His operational experience building a major crypto exchange makes him a valuable resource for teams working in that specific industry.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Web3/Crypto, Gaming/eSports, AI, Media/Content
- Geographical presence: New York, New York
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M
- Notable investments: Animoca Brands, Octane
You can find more information about Tyler Winklevoss on his LinkedIn or the Winklevoss Capital website.
6. Peter Levine
Peter Levine is a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), a prominent venture capital firm. He is known for investing in enterprise and cloud infrastructure companies, often backing them from their early stages.
His investment activity shows a wide range, from $50K to $50M, and he supports companies across Seed, Series A, and Series B rounds. He often participates in multiple funding rounds for his portfolio companies, such as Figma and Netlify, indicating a long-term commitment to their growth.
Founders building in enterprise software, AI, or cloud infrastructure who are looking for a long-term partner could find a good fit. Levine's position at a16z also provides access to a broad network and deep operational support.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, Enterprise, AI, FinTech, BioTech
- Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
- Ideal investment range: $50K - $50.0M
- Notable investments: Figma, Netlify, Pinecone, Labelbox
You can find more information about Peter Levine on his LinkedIn or the a16z website.
7. Ryan Harris
Ryan Harris is a General Partner at Norwest Venture Partners, bringing a unique combination of medical and investment expertise to the firm. His background as a physician and researcher gives him a distinct perspective when evaluating opportunities in the healthcare sector.
His investment activity centers on health-related companies, from Health IT to pharmaceuticals, at both the Seed and Series B stages. With an investment range of $1M to $30M, he supports companies like Crossover Health that are positioned for growth.
Founders in the health and biotech industries could find a strong ally in Ryan. His deep clinical knowledge is a significant asset for startups that need an investor who understands the nuances of the healthcare market.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series B
- Industries of focus: Health IT, Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Health, Health & Hospital Services
- Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $1.0M - $30.0M
- Notable investments: Crossover Health, Onsite Dental
You can find more information about Ryan Harris on the Norwest Venture Partners website or his LinkedIn.
8. Jed McCaleb
Jed McCaleb is an angel investor based in San Francisco who primarily funds companies at the Seed stage. While he invests individually, he also has connections to venture firms like Pantera Capital.
His investment activity shows a focus on Enterprise and Consumer Internet startups. He has a notably wide investment range for a seed investor, from $1M up to $40M, suggesting he can provide substantial early capital for companies like Socket.
Founders building in the enterprise or consumer internet spaces who need a significant seed investment could find a good partner in Jed. His focus on the seed stage indicates an interest in getting involved with companies from their earliest days.
- Investment stages: Seed
- Industries of focus: Enterprise, Consumer Internet
- Geographical presence: San Francisco, California
- Ideal investment range: $1.0M - $40.0M
- Notable investments: AstroForge, Socket
You can find more information about Jed McCaleb on his LinkedIn or Twitter.
9. Matt Murphy
Matt Murphy is a partner at Menlo Ventures, a venture capital firm based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is recognized for his investments in enterprise, cloud infrastructure, and AI-related companies.
A key characteristic of his investment approach is supporting companies through multiple funding stages, from Seed to Series B. His involvement in several rounds for portfolio companies like Harness, Envoy, and Zylo indicates a preference for building long-term relationships.
Founders building in enterprise SaaS or developer tools who are looking for a partner to support them through significant growth could be a good match. His investment range of $8.0M to $15.0M suggests he often participates in substantial rounds for companies ready to scale.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, FinTech, Robotics, SaaS, Enterprise, AI, Developer Tools
- Geographical presence: San Francisco Bay Area
- Ideal investment range: $8.0M - $15.0M
- Notable investments: Harness, Envoy, Zylo, Semgrep
You can find more information about Matt Murphy on his LinkedIn or the Menlo Ventures website.
10. Steve Case
Steve Case is the Chairman and CEO of Revolution, a Washington D.C.-based investment firm. He is widely known as the co-founder of AOL and is a vocal advocate for supporting startups located outside of traditional tech hubs.
A defining feature of his investment thesis is a focus on companies in emerging startup ecosystems across the country. He often invests in Seed and Series A rounds, with an interest in Payments, FinTech, and AI, backing companies like FreightWaves and FiscalNote.
Founders building companies in regions beyond Silicon Valley or New York could find a particularly strong partner in Steve. His experience scaling a massive consumer-facing company and his firm's commitment to regional growth offer unique support.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Payments, FinTech, AI
- Geographical presence: Virginia
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M
- Notable investments: FiscalNote, FreightWaves, Class Technologies
You can find more information about Steve Case on his LinkedIn or the Revolution website.
11. Kevin Harvey
Kevin Harvey is a partner at Benchmark, a venture capital firm in Menlo Park. He has a strong track record of backing foundational companies in enterprise software, cloud infrastructure, and online marketplaces.
A notable characteristic of his approach is supporting companies across multiple funding stages, from Seed through Series B. His involvement in several rounds for portfolio companies like Upwork and Proofpoint indicates a preference for building long-term partnerships with founders.
Founders building in SaaS, cloud, or marketplace sectors who are looking for a partner to support them through significant growth could find a good fit. His presence in the Bay Area also makes him a key investor within that ecosystem.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: Cloud Infrastructure, SaaS, Social Commerce, BioTech, Marketplaces
- Geographical presence: Menlo Park, California
- Ideal investment range: $1.0M - $15.0M
- Notable investments: Upwork, Proofpoint, Boku
You can find more information about Kevin Harvey on his LinkedIn or the Benchmark website.
12. Anders Hove
Anders Hove is an investor with deep ties to the venture capital world, having been a Managing General Partner at Venrock and now associated with Acorn Bioventures. He is recognized for his specialized focus on the life sciences sector.
A key aspect of his approach is the combination of medical and financial expertise, stemming from his background as a physician and his MBA. He supports companies from Seed to Series B, showing a commitment to backing businesses like Intuity Medical through multiple stages of growth.
Founders in the BioTech, Medical Devices, or Pharmaceuticals space could find a valuable partner in Anders. His clinical background is a significant asset for teams that need an investor who understands the scientific and regulatory complexities of the industry.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Industries of focus: BioTech, Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals
- Geographical presence: New York, New York
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $5.0M
- Notable investments: Intuity Medical, Anacor Pharmaceutical
You can find more information about Anders Hove on his LinkedIn or the Acorn Bioventures website.
13. Graham Brown
Graham Brown is an investor at Lerer Hippeau, a New York-based venture capital firm. He primarily invests in early-stage companies, participating in both Seed and Series A rounds.
His investment activity shows a focus on enterprise, e-commerce, and media companies. He often supports portfolio companies like Expressable and MyCarrier through multiple funding stages, signaling a commitment to long-term growth.
Founders building businesses in the SMB software or media sectors could find a good partner in Graham. His involvement from the seed stage suggests he is a good fit for teams looking for a partner from the beginning.
- Investment stages: Seed, Series A
- Industries of focus: Enterprise, E-commerce, SMB Software, Media/Content
- Geographical presence: New York, New York
- Ideal investment range: $100K - $3.0M
- Notable investments: Expressable, MyCarrier
You can find more information about Graham Brown on his LinkedIn or the Lerer Hippeau website.
What Startup Founders Should Look for in a Seed Investor
Finding the right seed investor is about more than just securing capital. You're looking for a partner whose experience aligns with your company's goals and whose network can open doors for you.
As the profiles above show, many investors have patterns in their activity. Some concentrate on specific geographies like New York or the Bay Area, while others have deep expertise in sectors like SaaS or BioTech, which can help you build a more targeted list of potential partners.
Beyond alignment, look at an investor's track record. Do they typically lead rounds or follow? Do they continue to invest in later funding stages? Understanding their usual check size and level of involvement will help you gauge if they are the right fit for your long-term plans.
Ultimately, the goal is to find a seed stage investor who believes in your vision and can provide strategic value. This initial partnership can set the tone for your company's entire funding journey.
Raise Confidently with Rho
Having a focused list of relevant angel investors is invaluable when you're raising capital. It helps you conserve time and energy, which are always in short supply during a 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 solutions designed for startups.
This setup helps direct your angel capital toward growth and operations. You can spend less time on manual financial admin and more on building your business.
FAQs about Seed Angel Investors
How do I find seed investors for a SaaS startup?
Many seed investors show interest in SaaS due to its scalable model. You can look for investors with SaaS companies in their portfolio, as their experience can provide valuable guidance on key metrics like MRR and churn.
What is the difference between an angel investor and seed funding?
An angel investor is an individual who provides capital, often for equity. Seed funding is the financing round itself, which can come from angels, pre-seed VCs, or other sources focused on helping a company get started.
How do seed round investors differ from Series A investors?
Seed investors typically back companies at the idea or early product stage. Series A investors usually enter after a startup has demonstrated product-market fit and is ready to scale its operations and team significantly.
Are there many seed investors in Chicago?
Chicago's tech scene is supported by a strong network of local angel investors and seed funds. They often invest in B2B software, FinTech, and logistics, reflecting the city's diverse economic strengths.
What should I do after securing seed funding?
Once your funding is secured, it's crucial to set up a solid financial foundation. Our platform helps you manage your new capital with business banking, corporate cards, and automated payables. Get started with Rho today.