Top 6 Angel Investor Groups In Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, a city steeped in history, is now emerging as a hub for entrepreneurial mindsets. In the midst of its rich cultural heritage, Philadelphia boasts a startup ecosystem supported by many angel investors.
The top angel investor groups in Philadelphia are Robin Hood Ventures, Broad Street Angels, the Private Investors Forum (which runs the Angel Venture Fair), Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic, the Minority Angel Investor Network, and TiE Philadelphia. In fact, Angel Match's database currently lists 572 investors in Philadelphia alone.
From the bustling streets of Center City to the creative enclaves of Fishtown, Philadelphia's angel investors span a wide range of industries and investment interests. They are actively seeking out promising ventures in technology, healthcare, consumer products, social impact, and more.
So let's wait no more and dive deep into the profiles of the top 6 angel investor groups in Philadelphia, exploring their investment philosophies.
Top 6 Angel Investor Groups In Philadelphia
Remember, if you're an aspiring entrepreneur with a groundbreaking idea for the next stage of growth but no funds, an angel investor is all you need.
Here are 6 angel investor groups listed below:
1. Robin Hood Ventures
Robin Hood Ventures has been backing early-stage, high-growth startups in the Greater Philadelphia region since 1999, making it one of the longest-running angel groups in the city. Investments generally range from $250,000 to $1 million, and the group syndicates with venture capitalists, institutions, and other angels in its network.
Since 1999, Robin Hood Ventures has invested in more than 85 startups across software, healthcare IT, life sciences, hard tech, and consumer. Members do more than write checks. They take an active role in deal structuring, introductions to potential customers, and helping companies build out their teams. Startups can apply through the group's page on Gust.
2. Broad Street Angels
Broad Street Angels is an angel investing club made up of members of The Union League of Philadelphia. Since its first member meeting in early 2017, the group has invested more than $7.75 million in 30 companies across the Mid-Atlantic, and it now counts nearly 125 accredited investors among its members. That growth tells a lot about why they are known as one of the biggest angel investor networks in Philadelphia.
Moreover, Broad Street Angels not only provides funding but also creates a supportive ecosystem for startups. The club holds monthly pitch meetings at the Union League, allowing entrepreneurs to share their business ideas and seek valuable insights. Individual members typically invest anywhere from $25,000 up to $1 million or more, and startups can apply through Gust.
3. Private Investors Forum and the Angel Venture Fair
The Private Investors Forum grew out of the Pennsylvania Private Investors Group, founded in 1990 as one of the first formally organized angel networks in the country. Today it is best known for running the Angel Venture Fair, the largest gathering of angel investors and entrepreneurs in the Mid-Atlantic region, held annually at the Union League in Philadelphia since 1999.
Hundreds of startups apply each year, and a smaller group is selected through the Forum's screening process to pitch investors at the fair. Presenting companies are also marketed to angels, family offices, and early-stage funds through the Forum's newsletter and the Angel Capital Association's member chapters.
4. Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic
Keiretsu Forum is the world's largest angel investor network, with dozens of chapters across four continents, and its Mid-Atlantic region is headquartered right in Philadelphia. In 2021 alone, the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions received 366 applications for funding, screened 121 companies, and presented 44 opportunities to their accredited investor members.
The forum also hosts its Investor Capital Expo in Philadelphia, bringing together accredited angel investors, family offices, and venture industry experts to hear pitches from companies that have passed Keiretsu's due diligence process. Attending one of these events is an easy way to get connected with their investors.
5. Minority Angel Investor Network
The Minority Angel Investor Network (MAIN) was created in November 2004 by Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania to invest in and support high-growth, minority-owned companies in the greater Philadelphia region.
MAIN brings together professional investors and entrepreneurs dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in the startup ecosystem. It quickly became a model for minority-focused angel networks in other cities, earning a grant from the Kauffman Foundation in its first year to help spread the approach nationally.
6. TiE Philadelphia
TiE Philadelphia is a chapter of TiE Global, an organization focused on fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems worldwide. The chapter runs events throughout the year that promote business innovation, creativity, and collaboration.
Moreover, its programming gives founders plenty of chances to learn from experienced entrepreneurs, grow their networks, and get in front of local investors.
Final Words
Now that we're done discussing the top 6 angel investor groups in Philadelphia, let's move on to some quick tips for entrepreneurs.
Raising capital from angel investors is not an easy task, but you can increase your chances if you know the process and understand the proper way of doing it.
And if you want to widen your search beyond these groups, you can browse 1,110 investors across Pennsylvania or the full list of 82,000+ angel investors on Angel Match.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do angel investor groups in Philadelphia typically invest?
It varies by group. Robin Hood Ventures generally invests $250,000 to $1 million per company, while individual Broad Street Angels members write checks anywhere from $25,000 up to $1 million or more. Most Philadelphia groups syndicate larger rounds with VCs and other angels in their networks.
How do I get in front of Philadelphia angel investors?
Most Philadelphia angel groups take applications online. Robin Hood Ventures and Broad Street Angels both accept pitches through Gust, and the Angel Venture Fair runs an annual application and selection process. Keep in mind that angel investors have different kinds of goals when evaluating a startup, so do your homework before pitching. A tool like Angel Match's investor outreach email generator can also help you craft that first message.
Which industries do Philadelphia angel investors favor?
Technology and life sciences lead the way. Robin Hood Ventures focuses on software, healthcare IT, hard tech, life sciences, and consumer companies, while groups like Broad Street Angels back early-stage ventures across a range of industries in the Greater Philadelphia region.
Do I need to be based in Philadelphia to pitch these groups?
Not necessarily, but it helps. Most of these groups focus on the Greater Philadelphia region and the wider Mid-Atlantic. Robin Hood Ventures, for example, looks at deals from New York to Washington, D.C., while Broad Street Angels invests across the Mid-Atlantic.
