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As the saying goes, it takes money to make money. And for many startups and businesses working with artificial intelligence, securing adequate funding can make all the difference. That's where AI angel investors come in. These high-net-worth individuals provide early-stage funding to promising companies in the AI space. But who are they, and what do they want?
In this article, you'll discover a comprehensive list of over 200 AI angel investors. Plus we'll explore the world of AI angel investors, highlighting some of the top investors and providing valuable insights for those looking to secure funding.
According to a recent report by research firm CB Insights, AI startups attracted over $9.33 billion in funding across 576 deals in 2020, despite the economic uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. With so much money flowing into the space, it's no surprise that AI angel investors are playing a critical role in supporting the growth of the industry. But who exactly are these investors, and what motivates them?
AI angel investors to know
There are many investors in the AI space, which include Y Combinator, 500 Startups, and Techstars. These are just a few of the top venture capital firms and angel investor networks focused on AI investments. But many individual investors focus exclusively on AI. These active angel investors often have deep technical expertise in the field and can provide valuable mentorship to startup founders beyond just financial support.
For a comprehensive list of 200+ angel investors, scroll down to the bottom of this section. In the following, we will highlight the profiles of some prominent AI investors
Balaji S. Srinivasan
The former CTO of Coinbase, Balaji S. Srinivasan is the co-founder of Counsyl. With a strategic investment approach, he has backed numerous renowned companies that have reshaped the AI landscape, including notable successes in sectors like biotech and blockchain. Balaji's deep understanding of emerging technologies, combined with his vast experience, has positioned him as a respected figure in the investment community. His investments include Ethereum, Axoni, and Teleport.
Fabrice Grinda
Fabrice Grinda is a visionary angel investor and serial entrepreneur with a remarkable track record in the tech industry. Known for his strategic investments, he has played a pivotal role in the success of numerous groundbreaking companies. Fabrice's expertise spans various sectors, including e-commerce, marketplaces, and consumer technology. His extensive entrepreneurial experience and keen eye for emerging trends have positioned him as a trusted advisor to startups. His portfolio includes Alibaba, Klarna, and Wallapop.
Scott Belsky
Scott Belsky is a well-known innovator and investor. He has supported and mentored numerous promising startups, fueling their growth and success, such as Pinterest, Uber, Periscope, Flexport, Carta, and Airtable amongst others. Through his entrepreneurial endeavors and his influential book "Making Ideas Happen," he has inspired countless individuals to turn their visions into reality.
Paul Buchheit
Paul Buchheit is a prominent tech visionary and prolific investor who has left an indelible mark on the industry. As the creator of Gmail and an early employee at Google, Paul's contributions revolutionized email and online communication. Leveraging his success, he has become an influential angel investor, backing transformative startups like Airbnb, Coinbase, and Instacart.
Peter Thiel
Finally, we can't talk about AI angel investors without mentioning Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal and one of the most successful angel investors of all time. Thiel has invested in a diverse range of companies, from social network Facebook to space exploration firm SpaceX. He's known for his contrarian approach, investing in companies that other investors might overlook. Thiel is also known for his emphasis on creating long-term value, rather than seeking quick returns.
Check out the full list of 200+ AI angel investors, that you can duplicate for free straight into your own folk CRM.
Conclusion
AI angel investors play a critical role in supporting the growth of the AI industry. By providing early-stage funding to promising companies, these investors help to bring new technologies to market and drive innovation. Whether you're a startup founder or an established business looking to expand into the AI space, understanding who these investors are and what they want is key to securing the funding you need. By highlighting some of the top AI angel investors and their investment strategies, we hope this guide has provided valuable insights for those looking to navigate the world of angel investing.
Managing your angel investor contacts
Once you've found investors that you feel could be a fit, keep track of your communications with them in folk. You can import the entire list of AI angel investors straight into your folk. You can also import your contacts from Gmail, Outlook, or in a CSV, or from LinkedIn (or any other website) using our Chrome extension.
Once in folk, you can bulk email lists of investors, while keeping the messages ultra-personalized thanks to the advanced Messages function. You can create pipeline views in an instant to track your fundraising process, and track all interactions with every contact, plus set yourself reminders to follow-up, so nothing slips through the cracks.
Useful links
List of 200+ AI angel investors
Discover folk - the CRM for people-powered businesses