Even when New Jersey isn’t discussed a lot for startups, we have to admit that the state hosts some of the country’s biggest startups and angel investors. Also known as the most densely populated state in all of the US, NJ has a lot to offer to startups, especially when it comes to angel investors.

In 2022, around $1B was raised for different startups in New Jersey, with most of the companies related to the tech sector. Similarly, many angel investors are still on the lookout for deserving startups that can generate huge profits.

Enough with the talking already. Here is the list of the top 6 angel investors in New Jersey, along with some additional tips on how to pitch to angel investors.

Top Angel Investors in New Jersey

Following is the list of some of the top-ranked angel investors and venture capital firms in New Jersey.

Kishore Ganji

Investor Type: Individual Investor

Investment Interests: Tech, Healthcare and Food

Investment Stage: Early

Investing for over a decade, Kishore Ganji is one of the most experienced angel investors in New Jersey. He has been an entrepreneur and likes to fund startups that can quickly grow. Discussing his background, Kishore Ganji is the founder and CEO of Astir IT Solutions, Inc., a software development and services company with offices in New Jersey. He has also worked at several other VC firms as a manager and always prioritizes startups with the lowest competitors.

Similarly, Kishore Ganji doesn't attend a lot of networking events. He funds startups that are gaining a lot of hype through fundraisers. Ganji arranges investor meetings and asks several questions to the entrepreneurs about their experience and startup's success rate.

The investment range of Kishore Ganji can range from $50,000 to $200,000 as he makes early-stage investments. Some of his portfolio companies include:

BankOpen: BankOpen, now known as Open, is Asia’s first neo-banking platform for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and startups. The platform has over 15 million users in 25+ countries and processes $7 billion in transactions annually.

Teachmint: Teachmint is an online teaching platform that enables tutors to conduct live classes and manage their classrooms. It combines live classes, real-time chat, homework, and notes sharing.

Osana Salud: Osana Salud, also known as Bienestar para Todos, is a health-tech company that provides a digital platform specializing in healthcare. It offers individual and family healthcare plans focusing on dentistry, clinical analysis, and video consultations.

Jeffrey Vinik

Investor Type: Individual Investor

Investment Interests: Tech and Healthcare

Investment Stage: Early

Jeffrey Vinik is an American investor known for his work in the finance industry and his ownership of sports teams. He has been an angel investor for several startups, with a preference for companies primarily in Enterprise Applications, Consumer, and many other sectors.

When funding startups, Jeffrey Vinik focuses on companies that can result in a profitable investment and have strong ideas. During the meetings, Vinik is known to ask questions related to the growth potential and experience of the startup leader. Startup leaders can reach out to him through his LinkedIn profile or website to arrange a meeting.

Similarly, Jeffery Vinik also takes an interest in guiding his portfolio companies. After funding, Jeffery arranges a lot of mentorship programs and workshops to share his experience, helping his portfolio companies when things go unplanned. 

The investment range of Jeffery Vinik can range up to $75,000. Some of his portfolio companies include:

Transfr: Transfr is a technology company that develops data-driven job-training simulations in virtual reality. The company’s platform uses learning sciences and data generated from simulations to deliver a customized coaching experience.

AXiomatic: AXiomatic is a technology company that specializes in business process reengineering, property tax systems, and geospatial services. It is a specialized software development, business process reengineering (BPR), and project management firm.

Peerfit: Peerfit is a digital health platform that connects employers and carriers with personalized fitness experiences. It enables insurance carriers, brokers, and employers to redefine their benefits programs.

Kim Perell

Website: Kim Perell - Take Your Success to the Next Level 

Investor Type: Individual Investor

Investment Interests: Tech, Food and Gaming

Investment Stage: Early

Kim Perell known for her best selling business books is an entrepreneur turned angel investor who loves to fund food related startups. She started funding startups almost 7 years back and has funded around 26 companies individually. She also invests in startups through VC firms and is known to have funded 10 companies that have been acquired for over $500M.

When funding startups, Kim Perell invests in businesses that have a decent growth potential and have low competition. She often participates in networking events and different startup programs to search for deserving startups and channel her funding. Recently, she has participated in the “Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch'' event, where contestants have the opportunity to win over investors in just 60 seconds.

The investment range of Kim Perell ranges from $5,000 to $50,000 as she invests in early stage startups. Some of her portfolio companies are:

Transfr: Transfr is a technology company that develops data-driven job-training simulations in virtual reality. It offers an apprenticeship platform designed to create training simulations in virtual reality. 

Hillside Harvest: Hillside Harvest is a sauce and condiment company that provides delicious flavor-forward products that highlight culturally diverse flavors and ingredients. 

Queens Gaming Collective: Queens Gaming Collective is a gaming lifestyle brand built to level the playing field for women in gaming. The collective creates opportunities for this underserved but powerful female audience. 

Sean O Sullivan

Website: Sean O'Sullivan - SOSV 

Investor Type: Individual Investor

Investment Interests: Tech and Food

Investment Stage: Early

Known as the general partner at SOSV, Sean O Sullivan is also a renowned angel investor who has made around 50 individual investments.

When funding startups, Sullivan focuses on startups that can prove to be profitable and are attracting attention. He makes individual investments through investor meetings, fundraisers, startup accelerators or funds startups through networking events.

The investment range of Sean O Sullivan ranges from $50,000 to $250,000. Some of his portfolio companies are:

Prellis Biologics: Prellis Biologics is a biotechnology company that develops 3D bioprinting technology to build human tissues for drug development. The company’s proprietary technology supports large, complex tumor co-culture systems mimicking tumor microenvironments.

AIF: AIF (Africa Improved Foods), a manufacturer of nutritious complementary foods.

Peepal Tree Capital

LinkedIn: Peepal Tree Capital: About | LinkedIn

Investor Type: Venture Capital Firm

Investment Interests: Industry Agnostic

Investment Stage: Late Stage, Growth, Mature

Peepal Tree Capital was founded in November 2017 by Pratham Naik. It is a privately-held company that also operates as a search fund and looks for companies to acquire and manage. The firm is headquartered in Hoboken, New Jersey.

However, they are looking to invest in businesses with annual revenues over $5 million. They seek businesses with positive cash flows, recurring revenue streams, and a strong balance sheet with low cyclicality in a growing industry.

The investment range of Peepal Tree Capital ranges up to $20M, depending on the startup. 

Prysm Capital

Website: Home | Prysm Capital

Investor Type: Venture Capital Firm

Investment Interests: Technology, Healthcare, Consumer Products

Investment Stage: Laten Stage

Prysm Capital was founded in 2019 by Jay Park, Matt Roberts, and Muhammad Mian. The firm is headquartered in Princeton and has funded around 20 companies.

Prysm Capital is both a Private Equity Firm and a Venture Capital firm. They invest across the technology, consumer, and healthcare sectors. The firm has raised a total of $305M in a single venture fund, Prysm Capital Fund I.

When funding startups, Prysm Capital focuses on evolving brands that have the potential to grow and generate 4-7x Revenue within the first 36 months of investment. The investors at Prysm Capital are well experienced  and take time to select a startup, funding 3-5 startups each year.

The investment range of Prysm Capital can range up to several million dollars. Some of their recent portfolio companies are:

Pair Eyewear: Pair Eyewear is a direct-to-consumer eyewear brand that offers quality, affordable, and customizable glasses. The company’s eyewear has base frames and top frames with different combinations of colors and styles.

Chowbus: Chowbus is an online food ordering, payment, and delivery platform. The company links Asian restaurants to its customers in North America and Australia. 

Clear Street: Clear Street is a diversified financial services firm. The firm is replacing the legacy infrastructure used across capital markets by building a completely cloud-native clearing and custody system designed for today’s global market.

Wrap-Up

Concluding, one should always remember that regardless of how unique a startup idea is, angel investors always prioritize profitability. It is important to display that your presented idea will help investors make money and expand their portfolio.

Good Luck!

Frequently Asked Questions