Investors

How to Find Angel Investors for Your Startup

An actionable guide for startup founders to identify, target, and connect with angel investors who align with their stage, sector, and funding goals.

How to Find Angel Investors for Your Startup

If you're an early-stage founder wondering how to find angel investors, it’s one of the most common and critical questions in the fundraising journey.

Angel investing is often the first serious leap in funding, and choosing the right investor can shape your startup’s early path.

But let’s be honest: most founders don’t have a deep Rolodex or a warm intro waiting.

That’s where tools like Evalyze.ai help you. We help you cut through the noise and match with relevant angel investors based on your stage, sector, and geography, all without the guesswork.

But before we dive into tools and tactics, let’s break down what angel investing really is and why the right angel investor brings more than just capital.

🔑 Key Takeaways

  • ✅ Angel investors are often the first believers in your startup, investing personal capital at the earliest stages.
  • ✅ A great angel brings more than money; they offer mentorship, networks, and early traction support.
  • ✅ Not all angels are equal. Look for those with relevant experience, strategic value, and a strong exit track record.
  • ✅ Finding the right angel investor is about fit—industry, stage, region, and alignment all matter.

What Is Angel Investing?

Angel investors are usually experienced entrepreneurs, operators, or high-net-worth individuals who invest their personal money into early-stage startups in exchange for equity.

Unlike venture capitalists who manage pooled funds, angel financiers are often the first to believe in your vision, and they tend to get involved earlier, sometimes even pre-revenue.

They’re called “angels” for a reason: they back risky but promising ideas, often before others are willing to. And the best ones don’t just fund you, they support you.

Here’s what a great angel investor might bring to your table:

  • Warm intros to future investors or potential customers

  • Strategic advice based on hands-on experience

  • Hiring help to close early talent gaps

  • Fundraising credibility, having the right angel on your cap table, can attract others

At Evalyze.ai, we help you discover and connect with these kinds of angels using AI-powered matchmaking and investor readiness tools that take the guesswork out of outreach.

How to Find Angel Investors (That Fit Your Startup)

Find Angel Investors

Finding an angel investor isn’t just about sending cold emails into the void. It’s about reaching the right people, those who understand your industry, believe in your stage, and bring more than just money.

Here are smart strategies that actually work:

1. Match with Angels Using Evalyze

Instead of hunting through outdated databases or relying on luck, Evalyze uses AI for fundraising to match your startup with relevant angel investors based on:

  • Your industry and product category
  • Your funding stage (pre-seed, seed)
  • Your target region

You get a curated list. Just upload your pitch deck and let Evalyze show you who’s most likely to engage.


2. Tap into Angel Networks

Angel networks are groups of investors who review deals together. Some well-known ones include:

  • AngelList
  • Tech Coast Angels
  • Golden Seeds
  • European Angel Network

While many require a warm intro, showing up with a polished deck and proof of investor readiness (like your Evalyze score) can help you stand out.


3. Use Online Platforms (But Use Them Smarter)

Yes, there are platforms where you can find angel investors. But instead of browsing blindly, use Evalyze alongside them to prioritize outreach:

  • AngelList → Match profiles with your Evalyze shortlist
  • Crunchbase → Research past deals and exits
  • OpenVC → Find open mandates and preferences

Read our guide on how to find the right investors for your startup faster, smarter, and with less guesswork.


4. Don’t Skip Warm Intros

Warm intros still matter. Founders often get connected through:

  • Other founders in your network

  • Your advisors, lawyers, or early supporters

  • Accelerators like YC, Techstars, or local pre-seed programs

With Evalyze, you’ll be able to tell potential referrers exactly who you want intros to, thanks to your filtered investor shortlist.


5. Target by Sector and Region

The best angels are already investing in startups like yours. Evalyze lets you filter by:

  • Region: Europe, MENA, US, LATAM
  • Sector: SaaS, healthtech, AI, fintech, etc.
  • Stage: Pre-seed, seed
  • Funding amount: Whether you're raising $50K or $1M+, Evalyze tailors results based on your round size

So you can focus your outreach and skip the mismatches.

Pro Tip: Your pitch deck is the first impression. Evalyze doesn’t just match you with investors; it helps you optimize your deck and documents before you hit send.

Top 20 Angel Investors with the Most Exits

Top 20 Angel Investors

If you're looking for experienced angel investors with proven track records, exits are a strong signal. Here's a list of the top 20 based on the number of exits (sourced from Crunchbase):

#NameInvestmentsExitsExit Rate
1Fabrice Grinda2598332.05%
2Paul Buchheit1727040.70%
3Naval Ravikant2737025.64%
4Shervin Pishevar1516442.38%
5Ronald Conway1056057.14%
6Scott Banister1545837.66%
7Edward Lando5225610.73%
8Alexis Ohanian1665130.72%
9David Tisch894955.06%
10Marc Benioff1864926.34%
11Daniel Curran1854825.95%
12Scott Belsky2204319.55%
13Keith Rabois644062.50%
14Auren Hoffman844047.62%
15Reid Hoffman953738.95%
16Mark Cuban2543714.57%
17Benjamin Ling763546.05%
18Dave Morin623454.84%
19Joshua Schachter693449.28%
20Max Levchin1053432.38%

Not every angel investor will be the right fit. You’re not just raising money, you’re choosing a long-term partner. Prioritize those who bring experience, empathy, and a track record of successful exits.

Free Resource: Essential VC Resources from Pre-Seed to Seed Stage

Use Evalyze.ai to Find the Right Angel Investors

Evalyze matches your startup with angel investors based on stage, sector, and geography. Upload your deck, get investor-ready insights, and start your investor-matching campaign in minutes.