The Top Angel Investors in Los Angeles

If you're a startup founder or entrepreneur based in Los Angeles, you'll need to know who to talk to when you're ready to raise capital to take your business to the next level. One of the best ways to do that is by finding an angel investor who can provide capital and mentorship with their expertise as successful entrepreneurs.

In this blog post we'll explore:

• Why Los Angeles is a hotspot for angel investment,
• Top angel investors in Los Angeles,
• Trends in angel investing in Los Angeles.

Before we dive in, we suggest you get started with our list of angels in Los Angeles, which is ready to import directly into your CRM.

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Why Los Angeles is a hotspot for angel investment

Los Angeles has emerged as a leading hub for startups, particularly in sectors like technology, entertainment, and consumer goods. With a growing number of high-net-worth individuals and investment firms focusing on early-stage funding, the city offers a dynamic ecosystem for founders.

Trends in angel investing in Los Angeles

• Increased focus on AI: Investors are backing startups leveraging AI for automation and efficiency.
• Rise of consumer brands: Direct-to-consumer (DTC) startups continue to attract attention from angel investors.
• Expansion of fintech: More investors are supporting financial technology startups disrupting traditional banking models.
  

Best of angel investors Los Angeles edition

1. Arian Hamilton

Investment focus: Diversity-focused startups, SaaS, fintech

Arian Hamilton is the Founder andManaging Partner of Backstage Capital. Their portfolio includes businesses such as The Plug, Freeman Capital, Hidrate and CloudNine AI. Arian Hamilton started Backstage Capital with a mission to minimize funding disparities in tech by investing in high-potential founders who are people of color, women, and/or LGBT. Before founding Backstage Capital, Arian had a successful career in the entertainment industry. Her intuitive understanding of consumer behavior patterns and unique approach to investing have driven Backstage Capital's success, with the firm now hosting an impressive portfolio of over 150 companies across the United States. Arian's deep commitment to diversity and inclusion in the tech industry has established her as a leading voice and a formidable angel investor in the Los Angeles area.

2. Peter Pham

Investment focus: Consumer tech, e-commerce, SaaS

Peter Pham is an entrepreneur and angel investor who co-founded Science, a multi-asset investment firm/startup studio in Los Angeles that helps create and launch successful companies. Peter invests in early-stage startups and has a keen eye for spotting potential winners. His company Science has a portfolio that includes businesses such as Dollar Shave Club and HelloSociety.

3. Miki Reynolds

Investment focus: Tech startups, diversity-driven businesses, early-stage funding

Miki Reynolds is the Co-Founder and CEO of Grid110, a non-profit organization that helps early-stage startups thrive in Los Angeles. Their portfolio includes businesses such as Helloawkward, WoofBowl, and Gotchoo.com She's also an active angel investor herself, investing in companies that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Miki is known for being a mentor to many startup founders and giving back to the community.

4. David Waxman

Investment focus: AI, deep tech, health tech

David Waxman is a Managing Partner at TenOneTen Ventures, a seed-stage venture capital firm that invests in technology startups. Their portfolio includes businesses such as Afterparty, AugustHealth and Buffalo Market. He's also a founder of the Tech Coast Angels, one of the largest and most active angel groups in the country. David has invested in over 80 companies and has a wealth of experience and knowledge to offer.

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5. Mark Suster

Investment focus: B2B SaaS, fintech, marketplaces

Mark Suster is a partner at Upfront Ventures, one of the largest venture capital firms in Southern California. Their portfolio includes businesses such as ThreadUp, Invoca and Clair.  He's also an active angel investor, investing in companies such as Ring, Postmates, and Bird. Mark is known for his blog, Both Sides of the Table, where he shares his insights on the startup ecosystem.

6. Brian Lee

Investment focus: Consumer brands, direct-to-consumer (DTC)

‍Brian Lee is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of BAM Ventures, an entrepreneur-led venture capital firm that primarily invests in early-stage companies, with a focus on consumer and retail technology. Their portfolio includes notable companies like The Honest Company, Art of Sport, and Scopely. In addition to his role at BAM Ventures, Brian is a successful entrepreneur himself, having co-founded The Honest Company and LegalZoom. His passion lies in building businesses that are not only profitable, but also make a positive impact on the world. He is known for his acumen in identifying lucrative investment opportunities and his unrivaled mentorship to budding entrepreneurs.

7. Ashton Kutcher

Investment focus: Consumer tech, media, fintech, AI

You might know him as an accomplished Hollywood actor, but Ashton Kutcher is also an angel investor through his new firm, Los Angeles-based Sound Ventures LLC. Their portfolio includes businesses in the AI-space such as OpenAI, Stability AI Ltd and Anthropic. Other notable investments include Airbnb, Uber, and Spotify. Kutcher's approach to investing is hands-on, often providing mentorship and advice to the founders he invests in. He's passionate about driving technological and societal progress through his investments, demonstrating his commitment to impactful entrepreneurship. Kutcher's unique blend of celebrity status and investment savvy has helped him become a significant figure in the tech startup scene.

How to use folk to track and engage with investors

Managing investor relationships effectively can make all the difference. folk enables founders and teams to:

• Track conversations: Keep a record of investor interactions in one place.
• Organize outreach efforts: Group investors based on industry, funding stage, or engagement level.
• Automate follow-ups: Ensure timely communication with automated reminders.

By centralizing investor data, folk helps streamline networking efforts and maximize relationship-building. Get started today by using our list of Angel Investors Los Angeles edition.

Conclusion

There you have it, the top angel investors in Los Angeles that you need to know about. Keep in mind that this is just a small sample of the many angel investors that operate in Los Angeles.

Whether you're a startup founder or an entrepreneur looking to get your venture off the ground, there are plenty of investors out there who are willing to help. Do your research, network, and don't be afraid to approach an angel investor who you think would be a good fit for your company.

Don't forget to keep track of who you've spoken with, their recent investments and angel investing activities using folk as your CRM. It's easy to set up and keep up to date so you don't need to worry about wasting time.

Useful links

• folk CRM
• folk list of angel investors in Los Angeles

Frequently Asked Questions: Angel investors in Los Angeles

1. What is an angel investor?

An angel investor is an individual who provides capital to startups in exchange for equity or convertible debt. They typically invest in early-stage companies before venture capital firms get involved.

2. How much do angel investors typically invest?

Angel investments vary but generally range from $25,000 to $500,000 per deal. Some angel investors syndicate deals, pooling funds to provide larger investment rounds.

3. Do I need a pitch deck to approach an angel investor?

Yes, having a well-structured pitch deck is essential when reaching out to angel investors. It should clearly outline the problem, solution, market opportunity, business model, and financial projections.

4. How can folk help with investor management?

folk allows startups to track investor interactions, organize follow-ups, and centralize communication, making it easier to manage relationships and secure funding

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