It isn’t the first time New York has been featured as the fastest-growing tech hub in the United States. The state’s tech ecosystem accounts for over 291,000 jobs and over $124.7 billion in economic output.
Likewise, New York is also facing an enormous surge in the number of tech workers, and many major tech brands are moving into NYC.
Thinking why the state is growing at such an expeditious speed.
Well, it’s because of the never-ending support offered by hundreds of angel investors. Throughout the decades, New York has always been supported by a large pool of angel investors who funded startups and helped the state become a home to 146 unicorns.
And in today’s article, we have come up with some of the most active and top-ranked angel investors in New York, categorized according to their total investments.
Discover The List of Top 6 Angel Investors in New York Who Fund IT Startups
| Investor | Focused Sectors | Presence | Notable Investments | Typical Check Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Seiman | Consumer Internet, Mobile, Advertising Platforms, Retail, Social Media | US | Gil Penchina Backers Fund I, Stealth Sports Co, Petflow | $10,000 - $100,000 |
| Kirill Sheynkman | Enterprise Software, Big Data, Cloud Computing, SaaS, Developer Tools | NYC | Fabcom, RingCentral, Datadog | $100,000 - $700,000 |
| Rick Heitzmann | Software, Advertising, Consumer Internet, Data Services | NYC | Hubble Contacts, Mockingbird, Ezra AI | $50,000 - $200,000 |
| Jordy Albert | IoT, Enterprise Software, Digital Marketing, Health Care | NYC | MoneyLion, Jornaya, Clearpool | $400,000 |
| Derrick Chen | IT | NYC | TrustCloud, inDinero, SendHub | $500,000 |
| Matthew Grodin | Analytics, Big Data, Mobile, Business Intelligence | US, UK, Eu | Tasted Menu, SkillSlate, Indicative | $400,000 |
Mike Seiman
- Focused Sectors: Consumer Internet, Mobile, Local Advertising, Advertising Platforms, Ad Targeting, Advertising Networks, Deals, Coupons, Advertising, Mobile Advertising, Mobile Games, Retail, Food and Beverages, Water, Social Games, Fantasy Sports, Casual Games, Social Television, Small and Medium Businesses, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Biotechnology, Information Technology
- Present In: US
- Notable Investments: Gil Penchina Backers Fund I, Stealth Sports Co, Campaign, Petflow.
Having funded around 50 startups to date, Mike Seiman is one of the most active angel investors in NYC and the founder of CPX Interactive, a digital marketing company. He also leads CPX Ventures, a subsidiary that focuses on angel investing.
Seiman has been active in the investment space for over a decade and is known for funding early-stage startups. He tends to focus on companies with strong growth potential, innovative tech solutions, and solid market positioning.
The investment range of Mike Seiman falls between $10,000 and $100,000.
Kirill Sheynkman
- Focused Sectors: Analytics, Internet Infrastructure, Databases, Enterprise Software, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Predictive Analytics, Business Analytics, Enterprise 2.0, Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Data Services, Cloud Management, SaaS, Open Source, Developer Tools, Software, Semantic Web, Real Time, Enterprises, Mobile Enterprise, Enterprise Security, Application Platforms, Development Platforms, Information Technology, B2B, Sales and Marketing
- Present In: New York
- Notable Investments: Fabcom, RingCentral, Datadog.
Kirill Sheynkman is an experienced angel investor and venture capitalist with a background in the software industry. He has been investing in startups since the early 2010s and primarily focuses on IT, SaaS, cloud computing, and enterprise software.
Before stepping into the angel career, he served as a Venture Partner at Greycroft Partners and as an Entrepreneur in Residence at Sequoia Capital.
The investment range of Kirill Shenykman lies between $100,00 to $700,000.
Rick Heitzmann
- Focused Sectors: Software, Advertising, Marketing, Content, Tapad (acquired by Experian), Consumer Internet, Data Services, Enterprise, Gaming/eSports
- Present In: New York
- Notable Investments: Hubble Contacts, Mockingbird, Ezra AI, Disconnect.
Rick Heitzmann is a well-known venture capitalist and angel investor, best known as the Founder and Managing Director of FirstMark Capital. Heitzmann has also served as a partner at Pequot Ventures, where he was an investor and focused on funding early-stage tech companies.
Likewise, Heitzmann loves funding startups related to emerging media, advertising, data analytics, and consumer technology.
The investment range of Rick Heitzmann lies between $50,000 to $200,000.
Jordy Albert
- Focused Sectors: Cycling, Retail, Electronics, Hardware, Internet of Things, Manufacturing, Marketplace, Enterprise Software, Health Care, Information Technology, mHealth, Software, Advertising Platforms, B2B, Digital Marketing
- Present In: New York
- Notable Investments: MoneyLion, Jornaya, Axial, Clearpool.
Funding startups for almost 7 years, Jordy Albert is a co-founder and General Partner at Walkabout Ventures. His journey into angel investing started when he worked with different VC firms to manage tech and financial operations.
Albert’s investment preferences are towards startups in the financial technology sector, particularly those in their earliest stages, including pre-seed and seed rounds.
The investment range of Jordy Albert is around $400,000.
Derrick Chen
- Focused Sectors: IT
- Present In: New York
- Notable Investments: TrustCloud, inDinero, SendHub, DataSynapse.
Derrick Chen is also an active angel investor and also a member of FundersClub. He has been making investments since the early 2010s, focusing mainly on technology and innovative business models.
Like most other angels, Chen also likes to fund startups that can generate a decent ROI and have a solid idea. He likes to partner with businesses at the earliest stages and helps the founders throughout their entrepreneurial journey.
To date, Derrick Chen has funded around 30 startups and has an average check size of around $500,000.
Matthew Grodin
- Focused Sectors: Analytics, Big Data, Business Intelligence, Internet, Mobile
- Present In: UK
- Notable Investments: Tasted Menu, DoodleDeals Inc., SkillSlate, Indicative.
With a strong focus on software and AI-related sectors, Matthew Grodin is an active angel investor who has invested in over 10 startups in the past 5 years.
When making investments, Grodin prefers companies that demonstrate strong potential for growth, innovation, and a clear market demand. Matthew Grodin also conducts mentorship events and networking programs to guide startups through different stages.
The investment range of Matthew Grodin is around $400,000, depending upon the startup’s estimated ROI and growth potential.
How To Get Connected With Top Investors
In 2024, the competition in the startup industry keeps getting fierce, day by day. That is why getting connected with top investors requires a sound strategy and effort. Here are some effective approaches to follow:
1. Attend Industry Events and Seminars
Investor conferences, startup meetups, and seminars are excellent places to meet potential investors.
Many investors attend these events to find promising startups and connect work with entrepreneurs. Attend events like Demo Days, TechCrunch Disrupt, or local pitch competitions to make initial connections.
2. Leverage Existing Networks
If you already know investors, they can be your best resource for introductions to other investors.
But it doesn’t just work like “Hey, get me an introduction to that other friend of yours.”
In the world of startup funding, everything needs to have a value. If you need a recommendation, prove your business idea and let your current investor know why your startup is worth it.
3. Use Online Networking Tools
Platforms like LinkedIn, Angelmatch, and Crunchbase allow startups to find and connect with investors.
On LinkedIn, engage with posts from investors, participate in conversations, and showcase your startup. AngelList helps startups find early-stage investors, while Crunchbase offers detailed information about venture capitalists and their portfolios.
4. Get Involved in Investor Groups
Join organizations or groups dedicated to fostering investor-startup relationships. Groups like Y Combinator, Techstars, and local angel networks provide networking opportunities and even direct access to investors. These communities also host workshops and pitch sessions.
Wrap-Up:
New York is undoubtedly a hub for angel investors.
That said, pitching to angel investors is no easy task. Founders need to come prepared with a solid business plan and a vision for growth. When pitching, be concise, focus on traction, and showcase your product’s potential market size.
It’s also important to be honest about challenges and how you plan to overcome them. Demonstrating flexibility and adaptability is key, as investors are looking for resilient founders.