Top 10 Angel Investors in Detroit

Detroit's most active angel investors include individual angels like Chris Thomas (Fontinalis Partners and Assembly Ventures), Jonathon Triest (Ludlow Ventures), and Dan Gilbert (Detroit Venture Partners), along with angel groups such as Woodward Angels, Grand Angels, BlueWater Angels, Ka-Zoo Angels, Great Lakes Angels, and Ann Arbor Angels that regularly back Detroit and Michigan startups. AngelMatch currently lists 170+ investors in Detroit.

Living in Detroit, you've probably watched the startup scene take off, which raises a fair question: how are so many founders finding the money to get started? A big part of the answer is angel investors.

So who are they, and how do you get in front of them? Let's get into the list of the top angel investors and angel groups in Detroit.

Top 10 Angel Investors in Detroit

Here is the list, featuring individual angel investors along with Michigan angel groups and networks that fund Detroit-area startups.

Chris Thomas

Chris Thomas is a Detroit-based investor and a longtime figure in the city's mobility scene. He co-founded Fontinalis Partners, an early-stage mobility venture firm he started with Bill Ford, and he now co-founds and leads Assembly Ventures. Alongside his firm work, he is an active angel investor who tends to back early-stage companies in automotive, transportation, and related technology.

Thomas is known for being selective about the startups he backs, so expect a thorough diligence process. Through Fontinalis, he has been involved with mobility companies such as nuTonomy (acquired by Aptiv) and Karamba Security.

Great Lakes Angels

Great Lakes Angels is one of Michigan's oldest angel groups. It was founded by David Weaver in 2002 and is based in the Detroit metro area, in Rochester. The group connects accredited investors with early-stage Michigan companies and has grown its membership over the years.

Beyond capital, Great Lakes Angels focuses on mentorship and connections to help portfolio companies grow. More recently, the group launched an affiliated early-stage fund to invest alongside its members.

Ka-Zoo Angels

Ka-Zoo Angels, based in Kalamazoo, is a Michigan angel group that invests in early-stage startups across a range of sectors. It is an affiliate of Grand Angels and a chapter of Michigan Capital Network's statewide angel network.

The group is made up of experienced investors who back new entrepreneurs and offer mentorship alongside funding.

Ann Arbor Angels

Ann Arbor Angels is a membership organization of angel investors that backs early-stage, innovation-driven companies, with a primary focus on Southeast Michigan. It is one of the state's established angel groups.

Its members are experienced professionals who work closely with the founders they fund, and the group has co-invested with other Michigan angels in companies such as Ocuphire Pharma.

Ken Barnett

Ken Barnett is a Detroit-based angel investor and the Global CEO of The Mars Agency. He appears on lists of the Detroit area's active individual angels, and his documented early-stage activity includes backing Collective Bias.

Grand Angels

Founded in 2004 in Grand Rapids, Grand Angels is one of Michigan's most established angel groups. It now operates as part of Michigan Capital Network and invests across sectors, backing companies throughout West Michigan and the wider Great Lakes region.

Its members come from varied backgrounds, and the group pairs funding with mentorship and a structured diligence process that includes technical, financial, and legal review.

Jonathon Triest

Jonathon Triest is a Detroit native and the founder of Ludlow Ventures, an early-stage firm he runs from downtown Detroit. He started out as an angel investor before launching the firm, and he invests in technology startups, often outside Michigan.

Triest is one of Detroit's better-known investors. Among Ludlow's notable investments is StockX, the Detroit-founded marketplace.

Woodward Angels

Woodward Angels is a Detroit-based angel group that gives local founders a way to connect with investors. It is one of the chapters of Michigan Capital Network's Michigan Angel Association, and it helps fill the gap in early-stage angel funding in Metro Detroit.

Its members back early-stage startups and offer mentorship alongside capital.

BlueWater Angels

BlueWater Angels is a Michigan angel group founded in 2008 and based in the mid-Michigan and Great Lakes Bay region, around Midland and Saginaw. It was co-founded by Ken Kousky and is now part of Michigan Capital Network's statewide angel network.

The group invests in early-stage companies, with a track record in healthcare and life sciences. Its portfolio includes companies such as Ocuphire Pharma, GreenMark Biomedical, and RetroSense Therapeutics.

Dan Gilbert

Dan Gilbert, founder and chairman of Rocket Companies (formerly Quicken Loans), is one of the most prominent investors in Detroit. In 2010 he launched Detroit Venture Partners, an early-stage firm focused on rebuilding Detroit's startup ecosystem.

He co-founded StockX, the Detroit-based marketplace, in 2016, and Detroit Venture Partners has backed a long list of Detroit-area technology companies. Gilbert tends to look for high-potential startups and, like many investors here, runs a careful selection process.

Wrap Up

That is a rundown of the top angel investors and angel groups in Detroit that could help fund your startup.

Before you go, here are a few quick pointers on connecting with them.

Start by joining a local networking event or startup accelerator. These are good places to meet angel investors who might back your venture.

It also helps to approach the Michigan angel groups directly, such as Woodward Angels in Detroit or BlueWater Angels in mid-Michigan, since many run regular pitch meetings for founders seeking funding. You can also browse angel groups and seed-stage investors to widen your search.

When you are ready to reach out, a clear, personalized message goes a long way. The investor outreach email generator can help you draft one, and for more names beyond the city, see our guide to angel investors across Michigan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Detroit angel investors typically invest?

Detroit angels and Michigan angel groups mostly write early-stage checks, usually at the pre-seed and seed stages. Individual angels often invest smaller amounts on their own, while angel groups such as Grand Angels or BlueWater Angels pool member capital to fund larger rounds. Exact amounts vary by deal and investor.

Which industries do Detroit and Michigan angel investors focus on?

It ranges widely. Detroit's roots show up in automotive and mobility, where investors like Chris Thomas are active, while Michigan angel groups also back healthcare, life sciences, software, and fintech startups. BlueWater Angels, for example, has a strong track record in healthcare and life sciences.

How do I get in front of Detroit angel groups?

Most Michigan angel groups, including Woodward Angels, Grand Angels, and BlueWater Angels, are chapters of Michigan Capital Network's Michigan Angel Association and hold regular pitch meetings. You can apply to present, or work toward a warm introduction through mutual contacts, accelerators, and local startup events.

Are there angel groups based in Detroit specifically?

Yes. Woodward Angels is the Detroit-focused chapter of the Michigan Angel Association, and Detroit Venture Partners, founded by Dan Gilbert, backs early-stage Detroit companies. Many statewide Michigan groups also invest in Detroit-area startups, so founders are not limited to groups headquartered in the city.