Talk about Virginia, and the first thing that comes to mind is the "Mother of Presidents" state.
However, in recent years, Virginia has also emerged as a "Silicon Valley of the East" thanks to the growing tech innovation. Every year, dozens of startups secure funding and scale to the next level, thanks to the support from angel investors.
These investors aren't just known for injecting their capital but also invest time and networks into the startup ecosystem.
To help your startup grow, we have prepared the following list of top angel investors in Virginia who invest in software startups.
Let's start!
Top 10 Angel Investors in Virginia
Here's a quick table to sum up the list of investors!
Investor Name | Focused Sectors | Funding Stages | Notable Investments | Investment Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tech, enterprise software, data analytics, cleantech, life sciences | Early-stage | WealthEngine, PublicRelay, Distil Networks | ~$350,000 | |
Mobile apps, digital media, gaming | Pre-seed / early-stage | Optime Software, RaveTel | ~$50,000 | |
Enterprise software, transportation tech, clean tech | Early-stage | harvest.ai, RideScout | ~$100,000 | |
Healthcare tech, enterprise software, consumer internet, clean tech | Early-stage | Diigo, TeachTown, Bolymedia | ~$200,000 | |
Digital media, adtech, cybersecurity | Pre-seed / early-stage | AdEspresso, Revmetrix | ~$80,000 | |
Enterprise software, healthcare, clean tech | Early-stage | Arcadia Power, RideScout, APX Labs | ~$150,000 | |
IT services, enterprise software, consumer-focused platforms | Early-stage | Infāque | ~$100,000 | |
Consumer internet, digital innovation | Early-stage | PeekYou, Texting Base | ~$75,000 | |
Cybersecurity, B2B SaaS, DeepTech | Pre-concept to early-stage | LawnStarter, PathSensors | ~$350,000 |
Sean Mallon
Focused Sectors: Tech startups across industries (enterprise software, data analytics, media services)
Present In: Virginia, USA
Notable Investments: WealthEngine, PublicRelay, Distil Networks
Sean Mallon is a seasoned angel investor and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in venture capital, startup development, and innovation leadership. He currently serves as Vice President of Commercialization at the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC).
Mallon began his investment career in 1999 as a principal at the Mid-Atlantic Venture Fund. He later served as Senior Investment Director at CIT GAP Funds from 2011 to 2016.
Mallon prefers to invest in early-stage startups, particularly those in the technology, life sciences, and cleantech sectors. He looks for companies with strong founding teams and innovative solutions that address market needs.
The investment range of Sean Mallon is around $350,000.
Jon Schlegel
Focused Sectors: Mobile applications, digital media, and gaming
Present In: Virginia, USA
Notable Investments: Optime Software, RaveTel
Jon Schlegel is a Denver-based entrepreneur/investor known for founding Snooze, an innovative breakfast restaurant chain established in 2006.
After successfully expanding Snooze, he pursued his passion for winemaking by relocating to Piedmont and scaling Attimo Wine.
As an investor, Jo Schlegel looks for high-growth tech startups that are in the earliest stages and only need some funding and guidance to grow. Although he isn't very experienced in the sector, Jon still has networks with many tech leaders and can help startups scale fast.
The investment range of Jon Schlegel is around $50,000.
Mike Mazzocco
Focused Sectors: Enterprise software, transportation technology, and clean tech
Present In: Virginia, USA
Notable Investments: harvest.ai, RideScout
Michael A. Mazzocco is an experienced angel investor and entrepreneur with a strong background in the technology and defense sectors. He is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Impruvon Health and also serves as the CEO of Alytic, Inc.
Mazzocco mostly invests in early-stage startups, particularly those in clean technology, enterprise software, mobile applications, and transportation sectors. His investment preferences lean towards companies with innovative solutions that are solving modern tech problems and can easily generate 2-3x ROI.
His average check size is around $100,000.
Wade Ren
Focused Sectors: Healthcare tech, enterprise software, clean technology, and consumer internet
Present In: Virginia, USA
Notable Investments: Diigo, TeachTown, Bolymedia
Wade Ren is an accomplished angel investor and entrepreneur with a strong background in technology and venture capital. He is the Co-Founder, CEO, and Executive Chairman of Diigo Inc. Ren also serves as the Managing Partner and Portfolio Manager at Adaptive Capital Management.
When investing in startups, Wade Ren invests in early-stage startups. He prefers to partner with experienced entrepreneurs who are well aware of their sector and can easily scale the startup, generating 3-4x ROI.
The investment range of Wade Ren is around $200,000.
Alex Calic
Focused Sectors: Digital media and advertising technology
Present In: Washington, D.C. (USA)
Notable Investments: AdEspresso, Revmetrix
Alex Calic is a seasoned angel investor and technology executive with a strong background in digital media, advertising technology, and cybersecurity. He currently serves as the Chief Business Officer at The Media Trust.
As an active member of the startup ecosystem, Calic is affiliated with NextGen Venture Partners and serves as a mentor at Acceleprise and Fortify Ventures.
He likes to partner with founders at the earliest stages of a business when they are just starting with a team and idea. Calic also values businesses that target core market problems and present unique solutions.
The average check size of Alex Calic is around $80,000.
Tim Abbott
Focused Sectors: Enterprise software, healthcare, and clean technology
Present In: Virginia, USA
Notable Investments: Arcadia Power, RideScout, APX Labs
Tim Abbott is an active angel investor and seasoned entrepreneur. He is the Founder and CEO of Tiberius Energy. Prior to this, Abbott served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army.
When investing in startups, Abbott looks for experienced founders who are transforming the future of clean tech, enterprise software, and mobile sectors. His biggest focus is "innovation" and wants to partner with companies that can shape the future.
The investment range of Tim Abbott is around $150,000.
Fahad Qureshi
Focused Sectors: Information technology services and enterprise software
Present In: Virginia, USA
Notable Investments: Infāque (philanthropy platform)
Fahad Qureshi is an experienced angel investor and finance professional with a background in venture capital and investment banking.
He currently serves as Vice President of Accounting & Finance at OCA Ventures, a Chicago-based venture capital firm, where he oversees financial operations, valuations, and portfolio analytics.
When investing in businesses, Qureshi leans towards consumer-focused startups with strong brand identities and growth potential. He prefers startups that have senior founders and capable management teams that can survive saturated market conditions.
The investment range of Fahad Qureshi is around $100,000.
Kimberley Partoll
Focused Sectors: Consumer internet and digital services
Present In: Virginia, USA
Notable Investments: PeekYou, Texting Base
Kimberley Partoll is a seasoned angel investor and technology executive with a career in media, telecommunications, and digital innovation. She currently serves as Chairwoman of the Board at Glimpulse and is the Founder and CEO of Shakti Consulting, LLC. She also held executive roles at AOL and AT\&T.
As an angel investor, Partoll focuses on early-stage startups in the consumer internet sector. She typically invests in startups that are working on newer ideas instead of jumping into competitive markets and have a solid roadmap to scalability.
Her average check size is around $75,000.
Jason Hines
Focused Sectors: Cybersecurity and SaaS (software-as-a-service)
Present In: Virginia, USA
Notable Investments: LawnStarter, PathSensors
Jason Hines is an active angel investor and tech entrepreneur, currently serving as the CEO and Co-founder of Gigasheet.
He was also a founding member and Chief Revenue Officer at Recorded Future, a cybersecurity intelligence firm that achieved a $780 million acquisition in 2019.
Hines focuses his investments on early-stage B2B SaaS startups, particularly those with strong AI or DeepTech components.
He is known for investing at the pre-concept stage, often before a startup has developed its first product, and prefers to act as a co-founding partner. His investment range is mostly around $350,00.
Beyond individual investments, Hines is a limited partner in a Luxembourg-based accelerator that provides $100,000 in funding to numerous startups annually. He evaluates over 500 startups each year, investing in approximately 3 to 5.
Wrap-Up
In short, Virginia's software startup scene is quietly booming, fueled by a mix of talent, innovation, and supportive investors like Jason Hines.
From cybersecurity to AI-driven SaaS platforms, the state offers fertile ground for ambitious founders.
But make no mistake, getting funded isn't just about having a cool idea. It takes relentless execution, a clear value proposition, and the ability to show real traction.
Investors are looking for grit, vision, and founders who know how to build. So if you're a startup dreaming of breaking into the software market, Virginia might just be your launchpad.
Just don't forget, fundraising is earned, not given. Keep building. Keep pitching!
