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Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Notable Angel Investors Active on X


Finding angel investors actively seeking opportunities on Twitter (now X) requires a strategic approach, as direct solicitations or public announcements of investment intent are often subtle or private. Below, I provide a curated list of notable angel investors who are active on X and have recently indicated interest in funding startups, based on available data. I also include tips for identifying and engaging with such investors effectively.


Notable Angel Investors Active on X
These individuals have either posted about their investment activities or are known for engaging with startups on X. Note that their interest in investing may depend on specific criteria, and you should verify their current activity by checking their profiles or reaching out professionally.
  1. Jason Calacanis (
    @Jason
    )
    • Background: A prominent angel investor known for early investments in Uber, Robinhood, and Trello. He hosts the "This Week in Startups" podcast and runs a $10M angel fund.
    • Activity on X: Frequently shares insights on startups, tech trends, and investment opportunities. His posts often highlight his interest in early-stage ventures, particularly in tech and consumer products.
    • Recent Activity: As of 2021, he was actively engaging with startup-related content on X, including calls for pitches (e.g., his 2018 posts about his vibrant following and startup focus).
    • How to Engage: Follow his account, engage with his posts about startups, and consider pitching through his formal channels (e.g., his website or events like Launch).
  2. Naval Ravikant (
    @naval
    )
    • Background: Co-founder of AngelList and an early investor in Uber, Twitter, Notion, and over 200 other companies, including 10+ unicorns.
    • Activity on X: Known for thought-provoking posts on entrepreneurship, wealth creation, and startup advice. While he doesn’t always post explicit investment calls, his engagement with startup content signals active interest.
    • Recent Activity: His posts (e.g., 2018 threads like “How to Get Rich”) indicate ongoing involvement in the startup ecosystem, and he remains a key figure for early-stage investments.
    • How to Engage: Comment thoughtfully on his startup-related posts or seek warm introductions via mutual connections, as he prefers trusted referrals.
  3. Sahin Boydas (
    @sahin
    )
    • Background: A prolific angel investor and Corporate Development/Strategy team member at Gusto. He was the most active U.S. angel investor in 2024, with investments in Anthropic, OpenAI, Scale, and Hugging Face.
    • Activity on X: Less vocal about specific deals but known for AI and B2B SaaS investments. His profile may include occasional startup-related content.
    • Recent Activity: Highlighted in 2024 as the top angel investor by Crunchbase, with a focus on AI and tech.
    • How to Engage: Check his X profile for recent posts and use the contact form linked in his Crunchbase profile for pitches. Warm introductions are ideal.
  4. Charlie O’Donnell (
    @ceonyc
    )
    • Background: A British-born angel investor with over 500 investments, including unicorns like ClassPass and Convoy. Previously at Microsoft.
    • Activity on X: Shares insights on startup trends and investment strategies, occasionally signaling interest in new ventures.
    • Recent Activity: Noted in 2024 for his prolific investment pace and active engagement with founders.
    • How to Engage: Follow his posts for startup advice and reach out via his contact form or through trusted introductions.
  5. Paige Finn Doherty (
    @paigefinnn
    )
    • Background: Founding General Partner of Behind Genius Ventures, focusing on early-stage, product-led growth companies in the future of work and play.
    • Activity on X: Actively posts about the startup ecosystem, particularly in London, with data-driven insights and networking opportunities.
    • Recent Activity: Recognized in 2023 for her insightful X posts and active investment in early-stage ventures.
    • How to Engage: Engage with her posts on startup trends and pitch via her fund’s website or after building rapport on X.
  6. Erica Wenger (
    @ericawenger
    )
    • Background: A social entrepreneur and angel investor with a focus on tech and impact-driven startups. She’s a TEDx speaker and hosts a podcast.
    • Activity on X: Very active in the startup community, offering pitching advice and networking opportunities.
    • Recent Activity: Noted in 2023 for supportive insights and founder-focused content on X.
    • How to Engage: Comment on her startup-related posts or DM her if she’s open to pitches, as she’s known for being approachable.
  7. Thea Adedewe (
    @theaadedewe
    )
    • Background: An active angel investor focusing on early-stage startups with MVPs, particularly B2B or B2B2C ventures with less than $150K in revenue.
    • Activity on X: Posted in 2023 and 2024 about seeking startups for $5K-$25K investments and sharing lists of 400+ active angel investors.
    • Recent Activity: Her 2024 post invited founders to comment “interested” for investment opportunities.
    • How to Engage: Follow her account, check for recent calls for pitches, and DM or comment as per her instructions.
Additional Investors from Recent X Posts
The following investors were mentioned in a 2025 X post by
@AmintoreOficial
as notable angels to know for raising capital. Their current activity on X varies, so verify their engagement before reaching out:
  • Marissa Mayer (
    @marissamayer13
    )
    : Former Yahoo CEO, now investing in tech startups.
  • Allison Pickens (
    @PickensAllison
    )
    : Known for enterprise software investments.
  • Joanne Wilson (
    @thegothamgal
    )
    : Focuses on female-founded startups.
  • Mathilde Collin (
    @collinmathilde
    )
    : Front CEO, active in SaaS investments.
  • Edith Yeung (
    @edithyeung
    )
    : Early-stage tech investor.
  • Julia Lipton (
    @JuliaLipton
    )
    : Invests in consumer and tech startups.
  • Holly Liu (
    @hollyhliu
    )
    : Co-founder of Kabam, mobile gaming investor.
  • Melinda Dem (
    @Melt_Dem
    )
    : Active in early-stage ventures.
  • Ellen Levy (
    @EllenLevy
    )
    : Tech and innovation investor.
  • Julia Hartz (
    @juliahartz
    )
    : Eventbrite co-founder, event-tech investor.
  • Kim Perell (
    @KimPerell
    )
    : Serial entrepreneur, growth-stage investor.
  • Chloe Sladden (
    @ChloeS
    )
    : Former Twitter exec, part of #Angels group.
Strategies to Find Active Angel Investors on X
Since angel investors may not always publicly announce their intent to invest, use these methods to identify and connect with them:
  1. Search Keywords and Hashtags:
    • Use X’s search bar with terms like “angel investor,” “investing in startups,” “seed funding,” or “looking to invest.” Hashtags like #AngelInvestor, #StartupFunding, or #VentureCapital can uncover relevant posts.
    • Example: A 2025 post by
      @HBSAlumniAngels
      promoted joining their angel network, indicating active investment interest.
  2. Follow Curated Lists:
    • Check lists like those from
      @AmintoreOficial
      or
      @theaadedewe
      , who shared names of active investors.
    • Web resources like investing.io, Smash.vc, or Lenny Rachitsky’s newsletter provide updated lists of investors active on X.
  3. Engage with Startup Communities:
    • Follow accounts like
      @AngelList
      ,
      @YCombinator
      , or
      @Techstars
      , which often retweet or highlight investor activity.
    • Join conversations in threads about startup funding, such as those initiated by
      @ravihanda
      , who seeks angel investors for podcasts.
  4. Build in Public: Share your startup journey on X to attract inbound interest. Investors often notice founders who post about milestones, traction, or challenges.
    • Example: Post updates like “Just hit 1K users for our MVP! Seeking angel investors to scale.” Use hashtags like #BuildInPublic or #Startup.
  5. Look for Warm Introductions:
    • Most investors, like those listed by Crunchbase, prefer introductions from trusted contacts over cold outreach. Use X to identify mutual connections or engage with investors’ content to build rapport before pitching.
Tips for Engaging with Investors on X
  • Research Their Focus: Check their X bio or linked websites for investment criteria (e.g., Sahin Boydas focuses on AI and SaaS). Tailor your pitch to their interests.
  • Be Professional: Avoid spamming DMs. Comment thoughtfully on their posts or follow their specified pitch process (e.g., contact forms or email).
  • Prepare a Strong Pitch: Angels expect a clear business plan, MVP, or traction. Have a pitch deck ready, as suggested by
    @theaadedewe
    ’s criteria.
  • Verify Activity: Some investors, like Jon Oringer, have slowed their pace, so confirm their current interest via recent posts or web updates.
  • Use Platforms for Support: Platforms like AngelList, USA Angel Investment Network, or VentureSouth can connect you with investors active on X.
Caveats
  • Dynamic Nature of X: Investors’ activity on X can change, so regularly monitor their profiles for new posts or calls for pitches.
  • Risk of Inactivity: Some listed investors (e.g., those from older sources like 2017) may not be as active now. Prioritize those with recent 2024-2025 activity, like Sahin Boydas or Thea Adedewe.
  • Scams and Misinformation: Be cautious of unverified accounts claiming to be investors. Cross-check with LinkedIn, Crunchbase, or their official websites.
  • Cold Outreach Limitations: As noted by Lenny Rachitsky, top investors often ignore cold DMs. Build relationships or seek introductions for better results.
Next Steps
  • Start by following the listed investors and engaging with their content.
  • Search X daily for new posts using relevant keywords or hashtags.
  • Consider joining angel networks like HBS Alumni Angels or USA Angel Investment Network, which actively promote investment opportunities on X.
  • If you need specific investor contact details or further analysis of their X activity, let me know, and I can dig deeper or refine the list!

By combining X engagement with strategic outreach, you can effectively connect with angel investors actively seeking startup opportunities. 

China ramps up global yuan push, seizing on retreating dollar as cross-border yuan payments surged to a record in March, analysts say there is renewed appetite for a global yuan as aggressive tariffs shake faith in the U.S. currency and other U.S. assets........ "The United States weaponising tariffs has cast doubt over U.S. asset safety, undercut trust in the dollar, and shaken the greenback's global status" ....... "That, in turn, has made yuan assets more attractive, and will help broaden cross-border use of the Chinese currency." ........ China has long harboured ambitions for the yuan to be a global currency, similar to the euro or dollar and reflective of the importance of the world's second-biggest economy. ....... But progress has always been hampered by unwillingness to open the capital account, which limits the usefulness of owning the yuan if it can't be freely moved out of China and around the world. ......... In his first 100 days in office Trump has put the highest tariff walls around the U.S. economy in more than a century and upended parts of the world order that Washington helped build, raising the prospect of recession. ......... To be sure, no currency can yet come close to challenging the dollar, which comprises nearly half of global payments, according to SWIFT, and more than 80% of trade financing. ......... The yuan has risen to fourth in global payments, but it is a distant ranking, comprising 4%, and some say distrust in the dollar is likely to drive up usage of other currencies, in particular the euro, well before the yuan. ......... In April, Argentina renewed a $5 billion portion of a yuan swap line and Pakistan is lobbying to expand its own yuan swap line. Bilateral currency swaps can facilitate trade and investment and are a useful addition to the global financial safety net

29: China

Emerging markets set to become battlegrounds in trade war Developing nations face a poisoned chalice of influx of cheap goods from China and tariff penalties for trade diversion ....... “China is really interested in selling to the 7.5bn people who don’t live in the US”, says Johnstone, co-head of emerging and frontier markets at Redwheel, the investment manager. “And China is putting in the manufacturing capacity to sell to that global consumption base.” ....... China’s exports to big developing economies have already more than doubled since Trump was first elected president, from below $670bn in 2017 to $1.35tn in the year to February, representing more than a third of total exports .......... In recent years, countries such as Pakistan and South Africa loaded up on imports of cut-price Chinese solar panels to help overcome rolling power blackouts and energy shortages. ........ Chinese-made panels and batteries are also enabling the rollout of solar energy in Saudi Arabia with some of the lowest costs in the world as the kingdom tries to diversify beyond oil. ....... But it has been a different story for emerging-market makers of

steel, chemicals, textiles and low-cost electronics.

These are classic examples of export industries that traditionally helped countries climb the ladder of economic development......... They have been hit by waves of cheap Chinese supply as Beijing has continued to support manufacturers in these areas, even as it is pursuing production of goods further up that ladder, such as electric cars......... “Trade imbalances are not just a US-China irritant any more . . . emerging countries including India, Brazil, South Africa, and Turkey are launching trade defence cases to stave off what they see as injurious imports” ......... Beijing recently removed tariffs on imports from dozens of Africa’s poorest countries, after complaints on the continent about widening trade deficits with China.

Paul Graham’s Timeless Advice for Tech Startups: A Masterclass in Building the Future

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Paul Graham’s Timeless Advice for Tech Startups: A Masterclass in Building the Future

When it comes to tech startups, few voices are as respected — and reread — as Paul Graham’s. As a cofounder of Y Combinator and author of dozens of seminal essays, Graham has shaped how generations of founders think about startups. His advice is practical, deceptively simple, and deeply wise.

Here’s a distilled guide to Paul Graham’s best advice for building a successful tech startup:


1. Start With a Real Problem

"The very best startup ideas tend to have three things in common: they’re something the founders themselves want, that they themselves can build, and that few others realize are worth doing."

Don't chase trends. Find a real problem — ideally one you personally feel — and solve it. The best ideas come from founders solving problems they deeply understand, not from brainstorming sessions or market research alone.

2. Build Something People Want

"Make something people want."

This is the core of everything. A startup succeeds by creating real value for users. If users truly love what you’ve built, everything else — growth, revenue, buzz — follows. If they don’t, no clever marketing or fundraising will save you.

3. Start Small, Grow Fast

"It’s better to make a few people really happy than to make a lot of people semi-happy."

Start with a small group of users — even 10 or 100 — and obsess over making them love you. Dominating a small niche is the seed from which larger success grows.

4. Launch Early

"If you’re not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late."

Don't over-perfect in secret. Get something out quickly, even if it's basic. Real feedback from real users is infinitely more valuable than speculation.

5. Do Things That Don’t Scale

"A lot of would-be founders believe that startups either take off or don't. Actually, startups take off because the founders make them take off."

Hand-hold users. Recruit them one by one. Deliver an exceptional experience manually if needed. Early scrappiness lays the foundation for later automation and scaling.

6. Be Relentlessly Resourceful

"What matters is not ideas, but the people who have them. Good people can fix bad ideas, but good ideas can’t save bad founders."

Founders succeed through resourcefulness, determination, and adaptability. Being able to figure things out and push through walls is more important than initial brilliance.

7. Find a Great Cofounder

"It's like getting married. Choose carefully."

Solo founders have a harder time. A great cofounder complements your skills, shares your vision, and sticks through hard times. The chemistry between cofounders often determines a startup’s fate.

8. Stay Focused

"Startups rarely die because of competition. They die because they get distracted."

Most startup death comes from losing focus: chasing too many ideas, pivoting aimlessly, or burning out. Ruthless prioritization is key.

9. Understand the Importance of Growth

"Startup = growth."

What defines a startup is not the type of product or the age of the company but the pursuit of rapid, exponential growth. Constantly measure and drive toward sustainable growth metrics.

10. Fundraising Is a Means, Not an End

"Raising money is not success."

Yes, venture capital can help. But building something users love is the real measure of success. Chasing investors instead of customers leads to hollow startups.

11. Default Alive or Default Dead?

"Are you on track to reach profitability before you run out of money?"

Always know whether you are on a trajectory to survive without new funding. Many startups die simply because they run out of money without clear paths to profitability.

12. Beware of Bad Advice and Conventional Wisdom

"Large organizations are very good at suppressing new ideas."

Startups thrive by questioning assumptions, moving fast, and staying unconventional. Herd mentality kills creativity.

13. Persistence Wins

"It's not about having an idea. It's about making it happen."

Many startups succeed simply because the founders refused to quit. Persistence through the “trough of sorrow” — the tough times when growth stagnates — is critical.


Final Thoughts

Paul Graham’s startup wisdom boils down to a few profound principles:

  • Solve real problems.

  • Start small and focus on delighting users.

  • Move fast and stay scrappy.

  • Stay alive at all costs.

Building a startup is a rollercoaster of uncertainty, excitement, and hard work. But armed with Graham’s timeless advice, founders can tilt the odds a little more in their favor — and maybe even change the world.


Beyond Motion: How Robots Will Redefine The Art Of Movement
ChatGPT For Business: A Workbook
Becoming an AI-First Organization
Quantum Computing: Applications And Implications
Challenges In AI Safety
AI-Era Social Network: Reimagined for Truth, Trust & Transformation

Beyond Motion: How Robots Will Redefine The Art Of Movement
ChatGPT For Business: A Workbook
Becoming an AI-First Organization
Quantum Computing: Applications And Implications
Challenges In AI Safety
AI-Era Social Network: Reimagined for Truth, Trust & Transformation

Beyond Motion: How Robots Will Redefine The Art Of Movement
ChatGPT For Business: A Workbook
Becoming an AI-First Organization
Quantum Computing: Applications And Implications
Challenges In AI Safety
AI-Era Social Network: Reimagined for Truth, Trust & Transformation

29: AI Agents

Beyond Motion: How Robots Will Redefine The Art Of Movement
ChatGPT For Business: A Workbook
Becoming an AI-First Organization
Quantum Computing: Applications And Implications
Challenges In AI Safety
AI-Era Social Network: Reimagined for Truth, Trust & Transformation

Beyond Motion: How Robots Will Redefine The Art Of Movement
ChatGPT For Business: A Workbook
Becoming an AI-First Organization
Quantum Computing: Applications And Implications
Challenges In AI Safety
AI-Era Social Network: Reimagined for Truth, Trust & Transformation

Beyond Motion: How Robots Will Redefine The Art Of Movement
ChatGPT For Business: A Workbook
Becoming an AI-First Organization
Quantum Computing: Applications And Implications
Challenges In AI Safety
AI-Era Social Network: Reimagined for Truth, Trust & Transformation

Beyond Motion: How Robots Will Redefine The Art Of Movement
ChatGPT For Business: A Workbook
Becoming an AI-First Organization
Quantum Computing: Applications And Implications
Challenges In AI Safety
AI-Era Social Network: Reimagined for Truth, Trust & Transformation

Blog Post #4: Adapt or Get Left Behind – Why Businesses Can’t Ignore AI

Become An AI-First Organization (Click here)

ChatGPT For Business: A Workbook
Becoming an AI-First Organization

How to Sell AI Onboarding Inside Your Organization—From Any Role, At Any Level


Blog Post #4: Adapt or Get Left Behind – Why Businesses Can’t Ignore AI


⚠️ The Clock Is Ticking

Every few decades, a technology comes along that changes the rules of the game.

Electricity. The automobile. The internet.

Today, that game-changer is Artificial Intelligence (AI).

And just like with those past revolutions, there are two types of businesses:
👉 Those that adapt.
👉 And those that get left behind.

If your company isn’t actively exploring how AI can streamline, scale, and strengthen your operations, you’re not standing still—you’re falling behind.


🚀 AI Is Already Reshaping Business—Fast

AI is no longer the future. It’s the present.

  • AI tools are writing marketing copy, drafting contracts, and managing customer service at scale.

  • AI agents are running complex workflows across sales, HR, and finance.

  • AI dashboards are making business decisions faster and smarter than traditional data analysis ever could.

  • AI chatbots are converting website traffic into revenue 24/7.

And every day, your competitors are learning how to do more with less—because they’re using AI.


💸 The Real Risk: Inaction

The biggest risk your business faces isn’t “AI going wrong.”
It’s doing nothing while others leap ahead.

When the internet arrived, some companies hesitated. “We don’t need a website,” they said. “Our customers prefer the old way.”

They’re not around anymore.

The same pattern is unfolding now with AI. Those who hesitate will soon find their pricing models outdated, their processes too slow, and their customer experience inferior.


🔍 But Isn’t AI Complicated?

Not anymore.

Modern AI tools are:

  • Easy to use (many are no-code or low-code)

  • Affordable (some start free)

  • Plug-and-play (integrate with tools like Slack, Gmail, CRMs, and more)

You don’t need a team of engineers. You don’t need a PhD in machine learning.

You just need the mindset to explore, and the courage to adapt.


📈 Small Steps, Massive Impact

You don’t have to reinvent your business overnight. But you do need to start.

Here’s how to dip your toes in without drowning:

  1. Add an AI chatbot to your website for leads and support.

  2. Use AI writing tools to create blog posts, product descriptions, or emails.

  3. Automate repetitive tasks like meeting summaries, scheduling, or data entry.

  4. Use AI analytics to gain real-time insights on performance.

One small step today can lead to exponential impact tomorrow.


🧠 Culture Shift: From Resistance to Resilience

The businesses that thrive with AI don’t just use new tools—they build a culture of adaptability.

  • They encourage employees to experiment.

  • They train teams to work with AI, not against it.

  • They treat AI not as a threat, but as a force multiplier.

Success with AI isn’t just technical—it’s cultural. The sooner your team embraces the shift, the sooner your business benefits.


🌍 Everyone’s in the Same Race—But the Leaders Are Pulling Ahead

Whether you’re a solo founder, a 10-person agency, or a 500-person enterprise, AI is reshaping the playing field.

Those who act now will:

  • Move faster

  • Serve better

  • Operate leaner

  • Grow stronger

Those who wait? They’ll find themselves in a game they no longer recognize—and can’t win.


💬 Final Thoughts: You Have a Choice

Ignore AI and hope it’s just hype?
Or embrace it and build a future-proof business?

The businesses that adapt now are writing the next chapter of innovation, competition, and growth.

The question isn’t whether AI will change your industry. It’s whether you’ll be leading the change—or chasing it.

Adapt. Or get left behind.


Want help identifying where to start with AI in your business? We offer personalized AI onboarding plans for teams of all sizes. Let’s future-proof your company—together.

Become An AI-First Organization (Click here)

ChatGPT For Business: A Workbook
Becoming an AI-First Organization

How to Sell AI Onboarding Inside Your Organization—From Any Role, At Any Level