Super Angel – Definition & Meaning
A super angel investor is a term used to describe high net worth individuals who invest in early-stage start-ups and small companies. They are similar to traditional angel investors, but tend to have a larger amount of personal wealth and a more active role in the companies they invest in.
Super angels typically invest their own personal funds, rather than managing a fund on behalf of a group of investors. They are often successful entrepreneurs or executives themselves, and have a wealth of experience and industry knowledge to share with the companies they invest in.
Super angels typically invest smaller amounts of capital than traditional venture capital firms, but may invest in a wider range of industries and at earlier stages of a company’s development. They also tend to be more hands-on with the companies they invest in, often providing mentorship and guidance to the management team.
Super angels are considered a key part of the early-stage startup ecosystem as they provide crucial capital and support for young companies that need it most. They can also be a valuable source of expertise and mentorship for young entrepreneurs and can help to build a strong network of contacts in the industry.
Super angels are often considered as a bridge between angel investors and venture capital firms, as they tend to be more experienced and sophisticated investors than traditional angel investors, but less formal and bureaucratic than venture capital firms.
Super angel investing is becoming increasingly popular, as more high net worth individuals are looking to invest in high-growth start-ups at an early stage. However, as with any investment, there is a degree of risk involved and it is important to thoroughly research and evaluate the companies in which super angels are investing.
Some top Super Angels:
- Chris Sacca – founder of Lowercase Capital, a venture capital firm that has invested in companies such as Twitter, Uber, and Instagram.
- Ron Conway – founder of SV Angel, a venture capital firm that has invested in companies such as Google, PayPal, and Airbnb.
- Mark Cuban – owner of the Dallas Mavericks, and an active angel investor in companies such as Magnolia Pictures and AXS TV.
- Peter Thiel – co-founder of PayPal and an early investor in companies such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and SpaceX.
- Jason Calacanis – founder of AngelConf, a series of conferences and events for angel investors, and an early investor in companies such as Uber and WordPress.
- Naval Ravikant – founder of AngelList, a platform for connecting startups with angel investors, and an active angel investor in companies such as Postmates, Wish, and Robinhood.
- Jeff Clavier – founder of SoftTech VC, an early-stage venture capital firm that has invested in companies such as Fitbit, Eventbrite, and Postmates.
- Bill Gurley – a general partner at Benchmark, a venture capital firm that has invested in companies such as Uber, OpenTable, and Zillow.
- Mike Maples Jr – founder of Floodgate, a venture capital firm that has invested in companies such as Twilio, Chegg, and Okta.
- Paul Graham – co-founder of Y Combinator, a startup accelerator that has invested in companies such as Airbnb, Dropbox, and Reddit, and an active angel investor in many startups.
