Who invests in startups
Finding investors starts with knowing which kind you need. Each type writes different cheque sizes at different stages and expects different things.
Angel investors
Individuals investing their own money, usually at pre-seed and seed. They decide quickly and often back the founder as much as the idea.
Angel networks and syndicates
Groups of angels who share deal flow and invest together, so a single pitch can reach many cheques.
Venture capital firms
Funds investing other people's money, from seed through later rounds. They look for companies that could return the whole fund.
Accelerators
Programmes that invest a small amount for equity alongside mentoring and a demo day in front of investors.
Corporate investors
Large companies investing for strategic reasons, often in startups close to their own market.
Grant bodies and government funds
Non-dilutive money for research, innovation or specific regions. Slower to apply for, but you keep your equity.
How to build an investor target list
Most founders pitch too many of the wrong investors. A shorter list of investors who fit is faster and more likely to close.
- 1
Filter by stage
An investor who writes Series A cheques won't lead your pre-seed round, however much they like you. Check what stage they actually invest at, not what their website says.
- 2
Filter by sector and geography
Look for investors with companies in your space, or adjacent to it, and who invest in your region.
- 3
Check cheque size
If you are raising a small round, one investor whose minimum cheque is larger than the round can't take part.
- 4
Look for conflicts
An investor already backing a direct competitor will usually pass.
- 5
Rank and batch
Split the list into tiers and pitch a batch at a time, so meetings run in parallel and you can create momentum.
How to reach investors
| Route | How well it works | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Warm introduction | Best | From a founder they backed, or someone they trust. |
| Events and demo days | Good | Short conversations that lead to a follow-up meeting. |
| Accelerator programmes | Good | Demo day puts you in front of many investors at once. |
| Targeted cold message | Works if specific | Short, with traction up front and a clear ask. |
| Mass email | Poor | Easy to spot and easy to ignore. |
How to find investors on Startupply
- 1
Get your startup profile investor-ready
Investors who find you will read your profile first. Fill in the problem, traction, team and funding stage, and check it with the Startup Readiness Index.
- 2
Search investor profiles
Browse public profiles of investors and mentors on Startupply. AI investor search, available on paid plans, suggests investors that match your startup's sector and stage.
- 3
Message investors directly
Use Startupply's built-in messaging to reach out with a short, specific note instead of hunting for email addresses.
- 4
Meet investors at events
Find pitch nights, demo days and competitions on the Startupply events page, and apply with your existing profile.
- 5
Know your number before you ask
Use the AI Funding Calculator so you can explain exactly how much you're raising and what it pays for.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find investors with no connections?
Start where investors come to you: accelerators, pitch competitions and demo days. Ask other founders for introductions, and send short, specific cold messages to investors whose portfolio matches your sector and stage.
How many investors should I contact?
For a seed round, many founders contact 50 to 100 well-matched investors. Precision matters more than volume, since a handful of good-fit meetings beats hundreds of ignored emails.
Should I approach angels or VCs first?
At pre-seed and early seed, angels and accelerators are usually the better fit. VCs become more relevant once you have traction and are raising a larger round.
Is investor search free on Startupply?
Browsing public profiles is free. AI investor search is included on paid plans. See the pricing page for current details.