Stamford, now also known as the new Tech Hub of Connecticut, is thriving with new business ideas and investors. Since 2010, the city has been home to fintech and food startups.

However, in the past five years, startups in Stamford have seen massive growth in the tech sector, displaying the city's potential. Similarly, with these many ideas, many investors are willing to fund these startups and give them the required boost.

That is why I have prepared the list of the top 4 angel investors in Stamford, along with some additional tips.

Top 4 Angel Investors in Stamford

Generally, Stamford is home to many famous venture capitalists and individual angel investors. But, with so many investors, pitching to the right investor can be confusing and time-consuming.

The following list highlights some of the most active investors that fund startups in Stamford.

Oak Investment Partners

Website: https://www.oakvc.com/

Investor Type: Venture Capital Firm

Investment Interests: Information technology, fintech, healthcare services, and clean energy.

Investment Stage: Seed Stage

Oak Investment Partners is one of Connecticut's biggest venture capital firms that invests in startups across different countries. Founded by Edward F. Glassmeyer and Stewart Greenfield, Oak Investment Partners has invested in more than 500 companies worldwide. They have four branches in the United States and conduct most of their on-site pitching competitions in Greenwich and Norwalk.

During the screening tests, the investors at Oak Investment Partners highly focus on the startup's growth potential and competitive market. They only invest in ventures that have unique ideas and show profitability.

Once they have funded, the startup has access to their extensive networks and expert mentors.

The investment range of Oak Investment Partners depends on the type of startup. Some famous portfolio companies include:

Airspan Networks, Inc.: A 4G and 5G network solutions provider, enabling carriers and other service providers to build robust and scalable networks.

Circle Internet Financial Limited: A global internet finance company, built on blockchain technology and powered by crypto assets.

Phononic, Inc.: A company that designs and manufactures solid-state cooling and heating technology, challenging traditional methods like refrigeration.

Revolution Foods, Inc.: A healthy meals and nutrition education provider, aiming to transform citywide wellness and eliminate the access gap to healthy food.

CHL Chemcial Partners

Website: CHL Medical Partners – An Early Stage Healthcare Services Investor

Investor Type: Venture Capital Firm

Investment Interests: Pharma and Biotech

Investment Stage: Early Stage

Founded in 1990, CHL Chemical Partners is also one of the prominent venture capitalists in Connecticut. Co-founded by the entrepreneurs Jeffrey J. Collinson and Timothy F. Howe, CHL Medical Partners has funded 49 companies since its inception. They usually fund early-stage startups with unique healthcare ideas that can provide a positive impact on the respective city.

To participate in the pitch competitions, startups must submit an online form. After filtering the startups, they are further allowed to participate in pitch competitions and from there, investors pick 2 to 3 ventures to be funded.

The investment range of CHL Chemical Ventures ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 for early-stage startups and $1M to $15M for startups at the late and seed stage. Notable companies in their portfolio are:

CareWell Urgent Care Centers, Inc.: CareWell Urgent Care Centers provide immediate walk-in treatment for illnesses and injuries that are not life-threatening.

Ambra Health: Ambra Health, formerly known as DICOM Grid, Inc., is a healthcare technology company specializing in medical image management. They offer solutions for the sharing and storage of DICOM and non-DICOM data.

Spine Wave, Inc.: Spine Wave is dedicated to the development and delivery of medical devices for the treatment of spinal disorders. They focus on providing spine surgeons with expandable technologies and less invasive surgical solutions.

Dicom Grid, Inc.: Dicom Grid, Inc. (now known as Ambra Health) started as a company focused on digital medical imaging on a cloud-based platform. They launched a platform that allows healthcare providers and patients to store and share diagnostic imaging and health data.

Galen Partners

Website: Galen Partners

Investor Type: Venture Capital Firm

Investment Interests: Healthcare

Investment Stage: Early and Seed 

Headquartered in Stamford, Galen Partners is one of the biggest venture capitalists in the city. The firm was founded in 1990 by the investor Bruce Wesson and has funded 70 startups. With a prime focus on healthcare startups, Galen Partners usually searches for startups that have the potential to present unique healthcare startups that can have a positive impact.

The investors generally fund startups that present creative healthcare products, innovative solutions or lower costs. They also have a wide network of mentors that host mentorship programs to guide startups at different stages.

The investment range of Galen Partners ranges from $10M to $30M. Some of their recent portfolio companies are:

Aperio Technologies: Aperio Technologies was a provider of digital pathology solutions for hospitals, reference labs, and pharmaceutical and research institutions. Aperio was acquired by Leica Microsystems and had raised a total of $61.6 million in funding.

Cambrooke Therapeutics: Cambrooke Therapeutics specializes in medical nutrition products for patients with serious chronic medical needs. Cambrooke was acquired by Ajinomoto and had raised $10.3 million in funding.

Encore Medical Corporation (DJO): Encore Medical Corporation, now known as DJO Surgical, is a global supplier of reconstructive total joint implants for the hip, knee, and shoulder.

International Medical Group (IMG): International Medical Group, also known as IMG, is a global benefits and assistance services company that offers travel medical, international health, and travel insurance plans. They have a large PPO network in the US and an international provider access network of over 17,000 providers and facilities around the world.

BEV Capital

Website: BRAND EQUITY VENTURES

Investor Type: Venture Capital Firm

Investment Interests: Retailers, Internet businesses, consumer products, consumer services, media, and restaurants

Investment Stage: Early and Seed

Founded in 1997 by Marc Singer, Brand Equity Ventures (BEV Capital) is also a venture capital firm that focuses on funding tech-related startups. Since its inception, BEV Capital has made a total of 36 investments, out of which they have had 12 successful exits.

Even with tough screening tests, BEV Capital ensures the startups they invest in can successfully exit with the best guidance. The firm consists of experienced mentors from Connecticut. Throughout the year, they conduct several mentorship programs and pitch competitions to boost Stamford's startup landscape.

The investment range of BEV Capital ranges from $2M to $20M, depending on the type of startup it invests and its growth potential. Some of their successful investments include:

Invoke Solutions: Invoke Solutions is a market research technology company that provides a platform for real-time feedback and insights. They raised $3.8 million in a venture round.

Additech: Additech is a company that provides an automated fuel system designed to introduce fuel additives at the pump. Their system combines amazing fuel additives with the perfect blending ratios of gasoline at the pump to clean engines, increase fuel efficiency, and reduce the need for repairs. They raised $4.6 million in a venture round.

MC10: MC10, Inc. extends human capabilities through virtually invisible and conformal electronics. They reshape rigid, conventional electronics into thin, flexible devices that can stretch, bend, and twist seamlessly with the human body and the natural world. They raised $6.2 million in a Series A round.

Quidsi: Quidsi was an e-commerce platform selling baby care, household, and beauty products. It was one of the world's fastest-growing e-commerce companies and the parent of Diapers.com, Soap.com, and BeautyBar.com. They secured $20 million in debt financing.

How To Pitch To Angel Investors?

That one night before an entrepreneur attends a pitching competition can definitely be stressful. With all those questions and self-doubt, it storms in when you forget your own idea.

But! The best way to pitch to angel investors is by understanding your investors and preparing a great pitch deck.

Understanding The Investors

To understand whom you are going to pitch to, start by connecting with their past investments. Research their portfolio companies, see whom they invest in, and why they fund these startups.

You can also connect with your investors and ask them different questions about your startup to understand their preferences.

Attending Pitching Competitions

When presenting pitch decks, talk to investors about how your startup can bring a new era to the market and how profitable it is. Show confidence in your idea and ensure the investors believe it.

Even if the idea doesn't turn out to be successful, you can still pitch to many other venture capitalists or individual investors from the same sector.

Wrap Up

Summing up, Angel Investors can definitely provide you with the required funding and guidance for your startup.

However, just be careful when pitching and double-check all the information from the official sites of VC firms.

Good Luck!

Frequently Asked Questions