Top 20 Angel Investors for DeepTech Startups: The No-BS Guide (2025)

Building something that could change the world, but struggling to find investors who get it?

I've helped raise capital for quantum computing, robotics, and biotech startups.

Let me show you exactly who writes checks for the complex stuff.

Why DeepTech Angels Are Different

Regular angels want quick returns.

DeepTech angels understand that breakthrough science takes time.

The Power Players: Top 20 DeepTech Angels

1. Vinod Khosla

Khosla Ventures founder
Sweet spot: Climate tech, biotech
Check size: $250K-$1M
Portfolio highlights: Impossible Foods, Climeworks
Pro tip: He loves deep scientific breakthroughs

2. Steve Jurvetson

Future Ventures founder
Focus: Quantum computing, space tech
Check size: $100K-$750K
Portfolio highlights: SpaceX, D-Wave
Values: Exponential technologies

3. Sam Altman

Former OpenAI CEO
Specialty: AI, nuclear fusion
Check size: $100K-$500K
Portfolio highlights: Helion Energy
Loves: World-changing tech

4. Peter Thiel

Founders Fund
Focus: Biotech, anti-aging
Check size: $250K-$1M
Portfolio highlights: ATAI Life Sciences
Looking for: Contrarian bets

5. Jeff Rothschild

Facebook founding engineer
Focus: Hardware, quantum tech
Check size: $100K-$500K
Portfolio highlights: Multiple deep tech companies
Values: Technical excellence

6. Bryan Johnson

Kernel founder
Focus: Brain-computer interfaces
Check size: $100K-$500K
Portfolio highlights: Various neuroscience startups
Loves: Human enhancement tech

7. Bill Gates

Gates Ventures
Focus: Climate tech, biotech
Check size: $500K-$2M
Portfolio highlights: Multiple climate solutions
Values: Global impact

8. Marc Andreessen

a16z founder
Focus: Breakthrough computing
Check size: $100K-$1M
Portfolio highlights: Various semiconductor startups
Looking for: Platform technologies

9. Hermann Hauser

Amadeus Capital founder
Specialty: Quantum tech, AI chips
Check size: $100K-$500K
Portfolio highlights: Multiple chip companies
Values: Deep scientific innovation

10. Anne Wojcicki

23andMe CEO
Focus: Biotech, genomics
Check size: $50K-$300K
Portfolio highlights: Various biotech startups
Loves: Healthcare innovation

11. Jaan Tallinn

Skype co-founder
Focus: AI safety, quantum
Check size: $100K-$500K
Portfolio highlights: Multiple AI companies
Values: Existential risk reduction

12. Bob Nelsen

ARCH Venture Partners
Focus: Biotech, materials science
Check size: $250K-$1M
Portfolio highlights: Various biotech unicorns
Looking for: Scientific breakthroughs

13. Lux Capital Partners

Josh Wolfe, Peter Hebert
Focus: Frontier technology
Check size: $100K-$500K
Portfolio highlights: Multiple deep tech exits
Values: First-principles thinking

14. George Church

Harvard professor
Focus: Synthetic biology
Check size: $50K-$250K
Portfolio highlights: Various biotech companies
Loves: Genomics innovation

15. Nathan Myhrvold

Former Microsoft CTO
Focus: Nuclear tech, physics
Check size: $100K-$500K
Portfolio highlights: TerraPower
Values: Fundamental innovation

16. Reid Hoffman

LinkedIn founder
Focus: AI infrastructure
Check size: $100K-$500K
Portfolio highlights: Multiple AI companies
Looking for: Scalable platforms

17. Alan Kay

Computer pioneer
Focus: Computing paradigms
Check size: $50K-$250K
Portfolio highlights: Various computing startups
Values: Revolutionary thinking

18. Luke Nosek

PayPal co-founder
Focus: Space tech, biotech
Check size: $100K-$500K
Portfolio highlights: SpaceX (early)
Loves: Bold visions

19. Elad Gil

Color Genomics co-founder
Focus: Biotech, AI
Check size: $100K-$500K
Portfolio highlights: Multiple biotech exits
Values: Clear commercialization paths

20. Alice Zhang

Verge Genomics CEO
Focus: AI in biotech
Check size: $50K-$250K
Portfolio highlights: Various biotech AI companies
Looking for: Technical founders

How to Get Their Attention

Here's what actually works:

Show these three things:

Scientific breakthrough potential
Clear path to commercialization
Strong IP strategy

The Approach Strategy

Don't pitch the business first.

Instead:

Lead with the science
Show proof-of-concept data
Then explain the market opportunity

Common FAQs

Q: Do I need a PhD to raise from these angels?A: Not always, but deep technical expertise on the team is crucial

Q: What's the minimum progress needed?A: Most want to see proof-of-concept or early data

Q: How long should I expect the fundraising process to take?A: 6-12 months is common for deep tech

Q: How important are patents?A: Very - most deep tech angels want to see strong IP protection

Bottom Line

These 20 angel investors understand deep technology.

They know breakthroughs take time.

They're willing to wait for world-changing returns.

Looking for funding for your deep tech startup? These top 20 angels should be your first targets - they're actively betting on the future of science and technology.

Remember: In deep tech, the science must work first. Everything else comes second.

Now go change the world.

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