When starting a new business, nearly all entrepreneurs target a state that has a thriving landscape and good support from the angels. Similarly, Oklahoma offers many advantages to new businesses, including a low cost of living and exceptional support from angels.

But! The question arises, who are some of the top angel investors who will provide you with the funding and best guidance? 

To ease your research, we have prepared a list of the top 6 angel investors in Oklahoma. 

Top Angel Investors in Oklahoma

Following is a list of some of the top angel investors and venture capital firms in Oklahoma. Before we get started, remember that individual investors and investment networks have different investment interests, so research accordingly.

Ryan Tedder

Investor Type: Individual Investor

Investment Interests: Food, beverages, and Healthcare.

Investment Stage: Early

Known for his amazing voice, Ryan Tedder is also one of the most active angel investors in Oklahoma. Since his first startup funding in 2018, Ryan Tedder has funded around 15 companies, most at the early stage.

When funding startups, Ryan Tedder focuses on networks that can generate decent ROI and are based on unique ideas. Tedder likes to meet the startup leaders in person which is why he doesn't usually invest through fundraisers and often conducts meetings.

The investment range of Ryan Tedder is usually around $200,000. Some of his notable portfolio companies are:

Sound.xyz: This is a venture capital firm. It’s a collaborative movement that reimagines the relationship between artists and their fans. The platform allows listeners to discover and collect their favorite songs, directly support their favorite artists, and connect with artists.

The Naked Market: This company produces health-oriented foods and beverages intended to create snack products for millennials. The company offers non-genetically modified and keto-friendly brands and products across puffs, ready-to-eat acai smoothie bowls, and chicken chips among others. 

Cumulus: This company manufactures brewing machines intended to offer coffee makers a blend of art, science, and authenticity. The company’s coffee makers are compact and sleek and use proprietary recyclable aluminum capsules to deliver coffee.

Steve MacDonalds

LinkedIn: Steven MacDonald | LinkedIn

Investor Type: Individual Investor

Investment Interests: Tech

Investment Stage: Early and Seed

Steve MacDonalds is an entrepreneur and angel investor who invests in tech startups. With more than $400 million in exits in companies he founded, his rise to multi-million dollar success started with the founding of TechHealth in 1999 and myMatrixx, his pharmacy benefits firm, in 2001.

After these businesses, Steve MacDonalds focused on becoming an angel investor and founded MacDonald Ventures. He has funded around 60 companies and has made around 10 individual investments. 

Like most other angels, Steve MacDonalds focuses on businesses that are quickly evolving and are attracting a lot of hype. His investment range is around $400,000, with a strong focus on early-stage companies. Some of his previously funded startups are:

Finexio: This company simplifies the accounts payable process by eliminating paper checks and making payments electronically. It was founded by Ernest Rolfson, who started his career as a working capital consultant at EY and was later recruited by MasterCard.

Kush.com: A B2B marketplace for the hemp and cannabis industries, Kush.com provides a platform for wholesale transactions and business development. It offers solutions for connecting licensed producers, processors, and retailer supply chains. 

SoftWear Automation: This company develops machine vision and advanced robotics technology designed to automate the textile and garment supply chain. Their technology can produce a variety of products regardless of the size, shape, or material.

Phil Jones

LinkedIn:  Phil Jones | LinkedIn

Investor Type: Individual Investor

Investment Interests: Tech and AI

Investment Stage: Early and Seed

Funding startups since 2020, Phil Jones is also an angel investor who likes to fund tech and healthcare-related businesses. Although Phil Jones may not be known as the most active investor, he still invests all over Oklahoma and takes part in funding rounds for startups that have decent growth potential.

Aside from his funding activities, Phil Jones is also leading some companies as an entrepreneur and loves to guide his portfolio companies through workshops and events. The investment range of Phil Jones ranges from $20,000 to $500,000. One of his famous investments includes:

Zone7: This company uses artificial intelligence to predict injuries in athletes. It raised $8M in a Series A round.

Cortado Ventures

Website: Cortado Ventures

Investor Type: Venture Capital Firm

Investment Interests: Tech and Healthcare

Investment Stage: Seed and Late

Founded in 2020, Cortado Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in seed and late-stage startups. Known for their active involvement, Cortado Ventures often focuses on the healthcare sector and has a team of around 5 investors.

When funding startups, Cortado Ventures strictly focuses on the growth potential and idea base of the startup. Since it invests in the healthcare sector, the startup must prioritize public benefit and present unique services.

The investment range of Cortado Ventures can range from $2M to $8M. Some of their portfolio companies are:

Cadenza Bio: This is a preclinical biotechnology company focused on developing a series of novel small-molecule drugs for the treatment of demyelinating and inflammatory diseases. Their goal goes beyond incremental improvements.Cadenza Bio raised $2.4M in a Seed Round on Dec 14, 2023.

Pipedream Labs: This is a hyper logistics company that provides underground tunnel and tube works. They offer services in hyperlogistics, logistics, robotics, delivery, boring, drilling, deep tech, engineering, and clean energy. Pipedream Labs raised $9.4M in a Venture Round on Nov 7, 2023.

Senslytics: This company specializes in developing advanced machine learning technologies for early and accurate situation assessment. They raised $1.4M in a Seed Round on Oct 24, 2023.

Plains Ventures

Website: Home - Plains Ventures (plainsvc.com)

Investor Type: Venture Capital Firm

Investment Interests: Tech, Education, and Consumer Products.

Investment Stage: Seed 

Another big name in the VC community of  Oklahoma is Plains Ventures. The network was founded in 2019 and has $100M in assets under management. Focusing on Seed and Series A stage funding, Plains Ventures invests in the tech sector.

When selecting startups, Plains Ventures seek startups that have a decent growth potential and are providing unique services to the people. Once a startup has been funded, they offer resources, guidance, and support needed to grow successful companies. Their process is designed to be flexible and adaptable, as they understand that every idea, entrepreneur, and deal is different.

The investment range of Plains Ventures ranges from $1M to $5M. Among 40 of their portfolio companies, some notable names are:

AccessOptics: Access Optics is a supplier for the world’s leading OEM’s companies, specializing in Micro Optics, surgical imaging, and endoscopic devices. They provide exceptional optical imaging and diagnostic devices to the world’s largest medical OEM’s.

Boddle: Boddle is an interactive 3D math game for K-6 kids. It transforms education with engagement, providing time-saving tools, curriculum-aligned content, and a balance of learning and fun for students.

D6 Labs5: D6 Labs is an IoT (Internet-of-Things) service provider. They specialize in electronic engineering and software development to provide custom IoT solutions for various industries.

SeedStep Angels

Website: SeedStep Angels | An angel investment group

Investor Type: Venture Capital Firm

Investment Interests: Tech and Healthcare

Investment Stage: Seed

Founded in 2009 by a group of entrepreneurs, SeedStep Angels is also an investment network that invests in Oklahoma-based startups. The network is headquartered in Tulsa and has funded around 50 companies in the early and seed stages. 

When funding startups, the investor network takes a very careful approach and only invests in companies that have a decent growth potential. Throughout the year, SeedStep Angels organizes many pitching competitions and startup accelerators, funding an average of 4-6 startups every year.

Aside from the investment activities, SeedStep Angels also has a group of mentors who focus on guiding their portfolio companies. The network also organizes many networking events and extra startup events to boost the entrepreneurial landscape.

The investment range of SeedStep Angels ranges from $150,000 to $800,000. Some of their portfolio companies are:

RxDestruct: RxDestruct is a company that has developed a technology to destroy unused or expired medications on-site at hospitals, pharmacies, and clinics. 

RiskGenius: RiskGenius applies machine learning to insurance policies to automate and streamline the underwriting process. The company was acquired by Bold Penguin in 2020.

Whiteboard CRM: Whiteboard CRM is a customer relationship management (CRM) software designed specifically for mortgage professionals. It helps loan officers manage their business and stay connected with their clients.

Wrap-Up

With that said, startup leaders should remember that angel investors will only invest in your idea as long as it seems profitable. Try to create a decent pitch deck and explain how your startup can generate huge profits and become the next big brand.

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