Top 20 Angel Investors for Fintech Startups: The Insider's Guide (2025)

Building a fintech startup? Let's talk about who can actually write those first checks.

I've helped raise millions for fintech companies, and I'll show you exactly which angels are worth pursuing.

Why These Fintech Angels Matter

Listen, in fintech, you need more than just money.

You need investors who understand regulations, payment infrastructure, and financial markets.

The Power Players: Top 20 Fintech Angels

1. Patrick Collison

Stripe co-founder
Sweet spot: Payment infrastructure
Check size: $100K-$500K
Portfolio highlights: Ramp, Mercury
Pro tip: He loves technical founders who understand financial systems

2. Max Levchin

PayPal co-founder, Affirm CEO
Focus: Consumer fintech, BNPL
Check size: $100K-$750K
Portfolio highlights: Various payment startups
Values: Deep financial product innovation

3. Naval Ravikant

AngelList founder
Specialty: Crypto and traditional fintech
Check size: $50K-$250K
Portfolio highlights: Multiple crypto exchanges
Loves: Novel financial models

4. David Sacks

Craft Ventures founder, former PayPal
Focus: B2B fintech
Check size: $100K-$500K
Portfolio highlights: Airbase, Mercury
Looking for: Clear revenue models

5. Keith Rabois

PayPal mafia, Founders Fund
Focus: Financial infrastructure
Check size: $250K-$1M
Portfolio highlights: Stripe (early)
Loves: Big, ambitious ideas

6. Chris Dixon

a16z partner
Focus: Crypto and DeFi
Check size: $100K-$500K
Portfolio highlights: Multiple blockchain companies
Values: Technical innovation

7. Charlie Delingpole

ComplyAdvantage founder
Specialty: Regtech and compliance
Check size: $50K-$250K
Portfolio highlights: Various compliance startups
Looks for: Regulatory expertise

8. Stephanie Zhan

Sequoia Capital
Focus: Consumer fintech
Check size: $50K-$300K
Portfolio highlights: Multiple neobanks
Values: User experience

9. Peter Thiel

PayPal co-founder
Focus: Financial infrastructure
Check size: $100K-$1M
Portfolio highlights: Multiple unicorns
Looking for: Category creators

10. Angela Strange

a16z partner
Focus: Embedded finance
Check size: $50K-$300K
Portfolio highlights: Various embedded finance startups
Values: Platform potential

11. Josh Kopelman

First Round Capital
Focus: Early-stage fintech
Check size: $50K-$250K
Portfolio highlights: Multiple fintech exits
Loves: Product-market fit evidence

12. Balaji Srinivasan

Former Coinbase CTO
Focus: Crypto infrastructure
Check size: $50K-$250K
Portfolio highlights: Multiple crypto projects
Values: Decentralized finance vision

13. Paul Buchheit

Gmail creator, Y Combinator
Focus: Consumer financial tools
Check size: $25K-$200K
Portfolio highlights: Various personal finance apps
Looks for: Simple, powerful solutions

14. Amy Nauiokas

Anthemis Group founder
Focus: Insurance tech
Check size: $100K-$500K
Portfolio highlights: Multiple insurtech startups
Values: Industry transformation

15. Charles Hudson

Precursor Ventures
Focus: Financial inclusion
Check size: $100K-$300K
Portfolio highlights: Various inclusive fintech
Looking for: Mission-driven teams

16. Matt Harris

Bain Capital Ventures
Focus: B2B fintech
Check size: $100K-$500K
Portfolio highlights: Multiple payments companies
Values: Enterprise adoption

17. Ron Suber

Former Prosper president
Focus: Lending platforms
Check size: $50K-$250K
Portfolio highlights: Various lending startups
Loves: Alternative lending models

18. Sarah Tavel

Benchmark
Focus: Marketplace finance
Check size: $100K-$500K
Portfolio highlights: Multiple marketplace companies
Values: Network effects

19. Ryan Gilbert

Launchpad Capital founder
Focus: Regtech and compliance
Check size: $50K-$300K
Portfolio highlights: Various compliance tools
Looking for: Regulatory solutions

20. Sheel Mohnot

Better Tomorrow Ventures
Focus: Financial services
Check size: $25K-$250K
Portfolio highlights: Multiple fintech tools
Values: Customer pain points

How to Get Their Attention

Here's what actually works:

Show these three things:

Clear regulatory compliance strategy
Early user traction
Unit economics that make sense

The Approach Strategy

Don't waste time with cold emails.

Instead:

Build relationships through Twitter
Get intros from their portfolio companies
Show metrics before asking for money

Common FAQs

Q: Do I need fintech experience to raise from these angels?A: Not always, but you need deep understanding of financial systems

Q: What's the minimum traction needed?A: Most want to see $10K+ in monthly processing volume or 1,000+ users

Q: How important is compliance?A: Crucial. Have a clear regulatory strategy before approaching

Q: Do I need a banking partner lined up?A: Not necessarily, but know which partners you'll target

Bottom Line

These 20 angel investors aren't just check writers - they're fintech veterans.

They understand the complexities of building financial products.

They can help navigate regulations and partnerships.

Looking for funding for your fintech startup? These top 20 angels should be your first stop - they're actively shaping the future of finance.

Remember: In fintech, execution isn't just about building product - it's about building trust.

Now go get that funding.

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