If you are looking for angel investors in NYC, Kevin Ryan, David Tisch, and Esther Dyson are three notable names to consider. This article also covers four other early-stage investors, their focus areas, portfolio companies, check sizes, and investment stages. You’ll learn what each investor may offer and how to choose the right fit. This will help you narrow your outreach and approach potential funding partners with a stronger pitch.
New York City has one of the largest startup ecosystems in the U.S. Founders can find angel investors, seed funds, and experienced entrepreneurs across many fields. These include fintech, healthcare, enterprise software, consumer tech, and marketplaces.
Also, angel investment is gaining momentum. The Angel Capital Association reported that investment by its member organizations rose 12% year over year, from $437 million in 2024 to $491.3 million in 2025. But the key is not finding the longest list of angel investors NYC has. It is finding the right ones for your stage and your company.
There is no clear way to rank these investors. The right investor depends on your stage, industry, funding needs, and the help you need after they invest. This list focuses on well-known New York investors with strong early-stage experience, clear focus areas, and active portfolios.
Who are the Top Angel Investors in NYC?
Some investors below invest personally as angels. Others invest through early-stage venture firms. For this list, we selected investors based on their early-stage investment activity, experience with startups, and sector expertise. Portfolio quality, typical investment stage and size, and connections within the New York startup ecosystem were also considered.
We also checked whether they are currently active or invest through a firm that is active in pre-seed and seed funding. This approach helps focus the list on investors who may be relevant to founders raising early-stage capital.
1. Kevin Ryan
Kevin Ryan is a longtime New York founder and investor and the founder and CEO of AlleyCorp. AlleyCorp builds and backs early-stage companies across technology, healthcare, and deep tech.
His investment interests cover enterprise software, consumer technology, marketplaces, fintech, healthcare, robotics, automation, and deep tech. Portfolio companies include MongoDB, Business Insider, Pearl Health, Rogo, Thyme Care, and Valar Atomics.
- Investment stage: Pre-seed to Series A
- Typical check size: About $500K to $5M, depending on the sector and company
- Best for: Founders who want strong operating experience, industry connections, and hands-on support
2. David Tisch
David Tisch is a New York entrepreneur and investor who invests through BoxGroup. He has built a strong reputation for backing startups at very early stages, including companies that may have limited traction or are still proving their products.
BoxGroup invests across software, fintech, developer tools, marketplaces, consumer technology, climate, and frontier tech. Its portfolio includes Ramp, Cursor, Clay, Baseten, Plaid, Ro, Warby Parker, Airtable, and GroupMe.
- Investment stage: Pre-seed to Series A
- Typical check size: Up to about $1M
- Best for: Very early technology startups with strong founder insight and a large market opportunity
3. Esther Dyson
Esther Dyson is a veteran technology investor and entrepreneur. She is a top one among the longtime angel investors in NYC. She has invested across healthcare, science, technology, aerospace, and other emerging fields. Her focus is on businesses where her technical knowledge can add value.
Her portfolio includes healthcare and technology companies such as Abridge, Big Health, Hinge Health, Omada Health, Nuna Health, NextSense, and OpenWater. She has also served on the boards of technology and healthcare companies.
- Investment stage: Mainly early-stage
- Typical check size: $25,000 – $100,000
- Best for: Technical, healthcare, science, and other complex businesses that can benefit from deep domain expertise
4. Nihal Mehta
Nihal Mehta is co-founder and general partner at Eniac Ventures and a longtime New York entrepreneur and investor. Before becoming a full-time investor, he founded five startups. This gave him direct experience with building and scaling technology companies.
Mehta has backed companies including AdMob, Alloy, Brightwheel, Tala, and Uber. His investment interests span mobile, fintech, consumer technology, software, and internet businesses. His broad network can help founders find customers and partners.
- Investment stage: Seed and early stage
- Typical check size: Typical investments range between $500,000 and $3.0 million
- Best for: Technology, consumer, mobile, and fintech startups that need help with growth and distribution
5. Alex Iskold
Alex Iskold is the founder and partner of 2048 Ventures and a former managing director of Techstars NYC. He is also a repeat founder and software engineer, with experience building companies before moving into early-stage investing.
2048 Ventures focuses on pre-seed and seed startups in vertical AI, healthcare, biotech, deep tech, and data-driven software. For founders researching angel investors in NYC, its portfolio includes GlossGenius, Gorgias, Healthie, Nomic, Mantl, BentoBox, and Laminar.
- Investment stage: Pre-seed and seed
- Typical check size: About $500K to $1.5M
- Best for: AI, healthcare, biotech, deep-tech, and other technical startups
6. Jarrid Tingle
Jarrid Tingle is co-founder and managing partner at Harlem Capital, a New York investment firm that began as an angel network before becoming a venture fund. He has experience across investing, private equity, and startup finance.
Harlem Capital focuses on early-stage enterprise and consumer technology companies, with a strong emphasis on diverse founders. Its portfolio includes Nuvocargo, Jobble, Beauty Bakerie, and 4Degrees.
- Investment stage: Pre-seed and seed
- Typical check size: About $500K to $2.5M
- Best for: Diverse founding teams building scalable businesses in large markets
7. Fabrice Grinda
Fabrice Grinda is a New York-based entrepreneur and angel investor best known as the co-founder of OLX. He has built a large portfolio of technology investments and is particularly known for backing companies with international growth potential.
His investment interests include marketplaces, consumer internet, fintech, logistics, and global technology platforms. His portfolio includes companies such as Airbnb, Alibaba, Betterment, BlaBlaCar, and Dropbox.
- Investment stage: Early stage
- Typical check size: About $100K to $500K
- Best for: Marketplace and network-effect startups with strong potential for global scale
What Should You Look for When Choosing Angel Investors in NYC?
Do not pick investors just because they are famous. The best investor is the one who fits your stage and can help you solve real problems. “Let founders know early on that you will be there when they need you and will stay out of their way when they don’t. If you can’t add value, then don’t waste their time.”, says Carl Pergola, New York Angels Investment Group.
| Factor | What to check |
| Stage | Do they invest at your stage? |
| Check size | Is it right for your round? |
| Industry | Do they know your market? |
| Network | Can they open useful doors? |
| Help | Do they support founders after investing? |
| Portfolio | Any conflicts or strong fit? |
| Fit | Do you communicate well together? |
| Follow-on | Can they help in the next round? |
Investor fit matters because early-stage funding is highly selective. U.S. companies applying for angel funding had a 6.0% funding rate over the past three years, while companies in New York had a 7.7% rate. A smaller check from the right expert is often better than a large check from a generalist.
How Can You Approach Angel Investors in NYC?
Keep your first message short and clear. Make it easy to say yes or no.
Include:
- What your company does
- The problem you solve
- Your traction
- How much you are raising
- Why you chose them
- A link to your deck or site
Example: We help clinics reduce missed appointments using automated reminders. We work with 40 clinics and have $320K ARR. We are raising a $1.5M seed round. Your healthcare experience makes you a strong fit.
The key is the investor-specific line. Show you did your research. New York Angels investor Eugene Carr advises founders to focus their pitch on “the investment opportunity,” rather than simply presenting the business. Warm intros help, but they are not required. Some firms even accept direct applications.
Conclusion
There is no single best investor. Kevin Ryan may be best for founders who want deep operating help. David Tisch and BoxGroup are strong for very early startups. Esther Dyson is a strong fit for healthcare and science-driven companies.
Many of the best angel investors NYC founders can reach today invest through structured funds, not just personal checks.
The goal is simple: build a focused list of investors who match your stage, your market, and your needs. Then tailor your pitch to each one. A good-fit investor is worth far more than a famous name.
FAQs
1. How do I find angel investors in NYC?
Use founder networks, startup events, accelerators, and warm intros from other founders.
2. How much do angel investors invest?
Anywhere from $25K to several million dollars, depending on stage and investor.
3. What do angel investors look for?
They look for strong founders, big markets, clear problems, and early signs of traction.
4. Do I need a warm intro?
No. Some angel investors in NYC accept direct outreach, especially early-stage funds.
5. When should I raise angels?
Most founders raise at idea, pre-seed, or seed stage, depending on progress.
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