San Diego angel investors endorsing early-stage companies in 2026

San Diego has 200+ active angel investors who wrote checks in 2025. The ecosystem invested roughly $180M through angel rounds last year. Most angels cluster around Tech Coast Angels, Keiretsu Forum, and Band of Angels, but the best deals happen through direct relationships. You won't get San Diego angels without warm intros - cold emails get 2-3% response rates here. The angel community favors biotech and enterprise software over consumer apps, and they expect more traction than LA angels but less than SF angels.

Quick list

Why San Diego angels are different from SF and LA

San Diego angels invested $180M across 320+ deals in 2025. Average check size is $35K, but lead angels write $100-250K. That's smaller than SF's $75K average but more focused than LA's scattered angel scene. The region has about 200 consistently active angels, down from 300 in 2021.

Three things define San Diego angels. First, they're older and more conservative - median age is 58 vs. 45 in SF. They want revenue or strong biotech data before investing. Second, most made money in biotech exits (Ligand, Arena, Prometheus) or enterprise software (ServiceNow, Websense) rather than consumer tech. Third, they invest locally and expect you to be here or relocate.

The challenge is speed. San Diego angels take 60-90 days to close rounds vs. 30-45 days in SF. They want multiple meetings, reference calls with your team, and market validation. But once they invest, they actually help - intros to customers, recruits, and Series A investors are real, not promised.

Picking the right San Diego angel investor

Industry expertise matters more than check size. Don't pitch biotech to software angels or consumer apps to enterprise investors. San Diego angels invest in what they know. Check their LinkedIn for actual operating experience, not just investment history. An angel who ran sales at a similar company is worth 10x someone who just writes checks.

Check sizes range from $10K symbolic investments to $250K lead positions. Most San Diego angels write $25-50K in rounds they don't lead. Lead angels put in $100-250K and organize the round. If you need $500K from angels, expect to corral 8-12 investors. That's painful but necessary here.

Time commitment varies wildly. Some angels just want quarterly updates. Others expect monthly calls and strategic involvement. Ask portfolio founders how hands-on each angel actually is. In San Diego, about 30% of angels are genuinely helpful, 60% are neutral, and 10% are actively annoying with bad advice.

Local network strength determines real value. The best San Diego angels intro you to Qualcomm executives if you're wireless, Illumina if you're biotech, or Teradata if you're data infrastructure. Weaker angels promise intros they can't deliver. Test this by asking which specific people they'd connect you to - good angels name names immediately.

Follow-on participation needs clarification upfront. Some San Diego angels have $2-5M to deploy over 3-4 years and will follow in your Series A. Others are tapped out after their initial check. Know which type you're getting. Use Ellty to share your deck with trackable links so you can see which angels are seriously reviewing your materials vs. skimming.

Portfolio synergies can accelerate your company. If an angel has three portfolio companies that could be customers or partners, that's strategic value. San Diego's small enough that portfolio cross-pollination actually happens. Check if their other investments complement or compete with yours.

How to find and approach San Diego angel investors

Join Tech Coast Angels as your primary angel group access. TCA has 300+ members across Southern California with 80+ in San Diego. They see 40-50 companies monthly and fund 8-12. Application takes 2 weeks, presentation to approval is 60-90 days. This is still the highest-volume path to San Diego angels despite the slow process.

Leverage Keiretsu Forum if you're capital-intensive or later-stage. Keiretsu members write larger checks ($50-100K average) but expect more traction. They fund fewer deals than TCA but at higher valuations. Both groups can be slow, so run these processes in parallel with direct angel outreach.

Target industry-specific angels through LinkedIn and mutual connections. Search "angel investor San Diego" plus your sector. Look for people with 10+ investments in your space. Most successful San Diego angels list investments on LinkedIn. Send warm intro requests through mutual connections - response rates jump from 3% cold to 40% warm.

Share your pitch deck through Ellty with unique links for each angel. San Diego angels typically review decks within 3-5 days if interested. You'll see who actually opens your financials vs. who just skims the team slide. This helps you focus on engaged angels rather than chasing dead ends.

Attend EvoNexus and Connect events for natural angel exposure. EvoNexus demo days draw 50-100 angels. Connect San Diego (monthly downtown event) has 20-30 angels regularly. These are networking, not pitching events. Build relationships first, ask for money later. San Diego angels hate being pitched at casual events.

Connect with successful founders who've raised from your target angels. San Diego's startup community is 300-400 active founders. Two intros get you to anyone. Ask which angels were actually helpful vs. which just wrote checks. This intel saves months of wasted time. Avoid email bottlenecks by using optimized methods for delivering sizable pitch decks and multimedia assets.

Organize your data room before meetings with Ellty. Include your financials, cap table, customer contracts, and incorporation docs. San Diego angels ask for this earlier than VCs, usually after the second meeting. Having it ready signals professionalism and speeds up diligence by 2-3 weeks.

Understand the local pace runs slower than SF but faster than East Coast. First meeting to wire transfer typically takes 60 days in San Diego. That includes 2-3 meetings, reference calls, group coordination if you're using angel groups, and legal docs. Budget 90 days to be safe. Don't expect 2-week closes like SF seed rounds.

San Diego angels want proof before checks

San Diego angels prefer revenue and customer traction over just team and vision. If you're pre-revenue, you need exceptional team credentials or strong biotech data. Median funded company has $15K MRR for software or solid Phase I data for biotech. That's higher than LA but lower than SF.

Competition is moderate compared to SF or NYC. Most angels see 50-100 decks per year and invest in 2-4. The winnowing happens at traction verification, not idea evaluation. If you have real revenue or clinical data, your odds improve significantly.

San Diego angels strongly prefer local companies. About 80% of investments go to San Diego-based founders. If you're remote, expect questions about relocation plans. Most successful remote raises involve commitment to move within 6 months. The region's small enough that angels want to meet portfolio companies for coffee, not video calls.

22 top angel investors in San Diego

1. Neal Bloom

Software entrepreneur who sold companies to Broadcom and HP, writes $100-250K checks in enterprise software.

• Recent Investments: ServiceTitan early round (field service software, now $8B+ valuation), Clari Series A (revenue operations), Troops.ai seed round
• LinkedIn: Neal Bloom
• Sector Focus: Enterprise software, SaaS, sales tech, AI/ML
• Check Size: $100K-$250K
• Location: La Jolla
• Approach: Warm intro through Mucker Capital or Tech Coast Angels network

2. Malin Burnham

San Diego business legend who backs local real estate tech and downtown revitalization projects.

• Recent Investments: Three downtown San Diego real estate tech startups 2024-2025, Manchester Financial Group investments
• LinkedIn: Malin Burnham
• Sector Focus: Real estate tech, proptech, local San Diego businesses
• Check Size: $50K-$150K
• Location: Downtown San Diego
• Approach: Connect through San Diego Regional EDC or downtown business networks

3. Gil Elbaz

Google's first investor relations hire, focuses on AI/ML and applied research companies.

• Recent Investments: Two San Diego AI companies 2025, Factual (data company), multiple LA-area AI startups
• LinkedIn: Gil Elbaz
• Sector Focus: AI/ML, data infrastructure, applied research, developer tools
• Check Size: $50K-$200K
• Location: Los Angeles (invests in San Diego)
• Approach: Warm intro through TenOneTen Ventures portfolio founders

4. Ryan Spoon

TrueCar founder and CEO, backs mobility, automotive tech, and marketplace businesses.

• Recent Investments: Two San Diego mobility startups 2024-2025, automotive AI companies, marketplace platforms
• LinkedIn: Ryan Spoon
• Sector Focus: Automotive tech, mobility, marketplaces, transportation
• Check Size: $50K-$150K
• Location: Santa Monica (invests in San Diego)
• Approach: Connect through TrueCar alumni network or EvoNexus

5. Joe Davi

Serial San Diego entrepreneur (Experticity, BzzAgent), active seed investor in consumer and marketing tech.

• Recent Investments: Five San Diego seed rounds 2025 in marketing tech and consumer, Hawke Media early investor
• LinkedIn: Joe Davi
• Sector Focus: Marketing tech, consumer, influencer platforms, brand tech
• Check Size: $25K-$100K
• Location: Encinitas
• Approach: Connect through Mucker Capital or Connect San Diego events

6. Troy Henikoff

Managing Director at MATH Venture Partners, active angel investor separate from fund investments.

• Recent Investments: Multiple San Diego enterprise software companies, Gainsight early investor, ChurnZero seed round
• LinkedIn: Troy Henikoff
• Sector Focus: Enterprise SaaS, customer success, sales tech, B2B software
• Check Size: $50K-$150K
• Location: San Diego
• Approach: Apply to MATH Venture Partners or connect through portfolio founders

7. Bill Gross

Idealab founder with 150+ company creations, backs San Diego cleantech and biotech.

• Recent Investments: Four San Diego companies 2024-2025 in solar, biotech, AI, eSolar (solar energy)
• LinkedIn: Bill Gross
• Sector Focus: Cleantech, solar, biotech, AI, robotics
• Check Size: $100K-$500K
• Location: Pasadena (invests in San Diego)
• Approach: Apply through Idealab or warm intro through portfolio companies

8. Kevin Chou

Kabam founder (gaming unicorn), invests in gaming, consumer, and blockchain.

• Recent Investments: Gen.G Esports, Rally (creator coin platform), Forte (blockchain gaming)
• LinkedIn: Kevin Chou
• Sector Focus: Gaming, esports, consumer, blockchain, creator economy
• Check Size: $50K-$200K
• Location: San Francisco (invests in San Diego)
• Approach: Connect through gaming startup networks or Kabam alumni

9. Mike Jones

Science Inc founder, backs consumer companies with LA-San Diego focus.

• Recent Investments: Three San Diego consumer startups 2024-2025, DogVacay (sold to Rover), Dollar Shave Club early investor
• LinkedIn: Mike Jones
• Sector Focus: Consumer, marketplace, DTC brands, consumer tech
• Check Size: $100K-$300K (often through Science Inc)
• Location: Los Angeles (invests in San Diego)
• Approach: Apply to Science Inc studio or warm intro through portfolio

10. Naveen Jain

Viome founder, InfoSpace founder, backs healthtech and biotech in San Diego.

• Recent Investments: Multiple San Diego biotech and healthtech companies, Viome (gut health), Moon Express
• LinkedIn: Naveen Jain
• Sector Focus: Healthtech, biotech, diagnostics, personalized medicine, moonshots
• Check Size: $50K-$250K
• Location: Bellevue/San Diego presence
• Approach: Connect through Viome network or San Diego biotech community

11. Taner Halicioglu

Facebook employee #5, selective angel in enterprise infrastructure and developer tools.

• Recent Investments: Very selective portfolio, focuses on enterprise infrastructure, developer tools
• LinkedIn: Taner Halicioglu
• Sector Focus: Enterprise infrastructure, developer tools, open source, databases
• Check Size: $50K-$150K
• Location: San Diego
• Approach: Strong warm intro required, rarely takes cold outreach

12. Scott McNealy

Sun Microsystems co-founder, invests in enterprise infrastructure and systems.

• Recent Investments: Curriki (education), Wayin (social marketing), enterprise infrastructure companies
• LinkedIn: Scott McNealy
• Sector Focus: Enterprise infrastructure, systems software, education tech, semiconductors
• Check Size: $100K-$300K
• Location: San Francisco (invests in San Diego)
• Approach: Connect through Sun Microsystems alumni or enterprise software networks

13. Maynard Webb

Former Salesforce COO and eBay COO, backs enterprise SaaS heavily.

• Recent Investments: Multiple enterprise SaaS companies, LiveRamp early investor, Everwise, Upstart
• LinkedIn: Maynard Webb
• Sector Focus: Enterprise SaaS, cloud infrastructure, sales tech, HR tech
• Check Size: $50K-$200K
• Location: San Francisco (invests in San Diego)
• Approach: Warm intro through Webb Investment Network portfolio

14. Hank Vigil

Tech Coast Angels managing director with 40+ angel investments.

• Recent Investments: Multiple San Diego startups through TCA, Websense early investor, ServiceNow early backer
• LinkedIn: Hank Vigil
• Sector Focus: Enterprise software, security, SaaS, B2B platforms
• Check Size: $25K-$100K
• Location: San Diego
• Approach: Apply through Tech Coast Angels pitch process

15. Ted Driscoll

Former Accenture partner, B2B software specialist with San Diego focus.

• Recent Investments: Multiple San Diego B2B companies, Apptio early investor (sold to Vista for $2B), enterprise software deals
• LinkedIn: Ted Driscoll
• Sector Focus: B2B software, enterprise SaaS, IT management, cloud
• Check Size: $50K-$150K
• Location: San Diego
• Approach: Connect through San Diego enterprise software community

16. Scott Petry

Vudu founder (sold to Walmart for $100M), media and entertainment tech investor.

• Recent Investments: Media streaming companies, entertainment tech, digital video platforms
• LinkedIn: Scott Petry
• Sector Focus: Media tech, streaming, entertainment, digital content
• Check Size: $50K-$200K
• Location: San Diego
• Approach: Connect through Vudu alumni or San Diego media tech community

17. David Chao

DCM Ventures partner, active angel in mobile and consumer companies.

• Recent Investments: Multiple San Diego mobile and consumer startups, 99designs early investor, Happy Bits
• LinkedIn: David Chao
• Sector Focus: Mobile, consumer, marketplace, social, fintech
• Check Size: $50K-$150K
• Location: San Francisco (invests in San Diego)
• Approach: Warm intro through DCM portfolio or apply to DCM

18. Sam Pullara

Sifteo founder and early Yahoo engineer, backs developer tools and infrastructure.

• Recent Investments: Developer tools companies, infrastructure software, open source projects
• LinkedIn: Sam Pullara
• Sector Focus: Developer tools, infrastructure, open source, databases
• Check Size: $25K-$100K
• Location: San Francisco (invests in San Diego)
• Approach: Connect through developer tools community or GitHub

19. Ash Patel

Mohr Davidow Ventures partner, mobile and SaaS investments.

• Recent Investments: Multiple mobile and SaaS companies, Evernote early investor, AppDirect
• LinkedIn: Ash Patel
• Sector Focus: Mobile, SaaS, enterprise software, infrastructure
• Check Size: $50K-$150K
• Location: San Francisco (invests in San Diego)
• Approach: Apply to Mohr Davidow or warm intro through portfolio

20. Paige Craig

Arena VC founder, 10+ San Diego investments since 2024.

• Recent Investments: Multiple San Diego startups 2024-2025, Lyft early investor, Postmates, AngelList early backer
• LinkedIn: Paige Craig
• Sector Focus: Marketplaces, consumer, fintech, logistics, mobility
• Check Size: $50K-$200K
• Location: Los Angeles (invests heavily in San Diego)
• Approach: Apply through Arena VC or connect at San Diego events

21. Christine Comaford

Neuroscience-based leadership expert, backs AI and enterprise software.

• Recent Investments: AI companies, enterprise software with neuroscience applications, customer success platforms
• LinkedIn: Christine Comaford
• Sector Focus: AI/ML, enterprise software, neuroscience applications, customer success
• Check Size: $25K-$100K
• Location: San Francisco (invests in San Diego)
• Approach: Connect through her speaking events or consulting network

22. Brad Sitler

Avalara founder (sold for $140M), backs fintech and tax tech.

• Recent Investments: Fintech companies, tax tech, compliance software, financial infrastructure
• LinkedIn: Brad Sitler
• Sector Focus: Fintech, tax tech, compliance, financial infrastructure, B2B fintech
• Check Size: $50K-$150K
• Location: San Diego
• Approach: Connect through Avalara alumni or San Diego fintech community

Start tracking your San Diego angel investor outreach

These 22 angels invested in 150+ San Diego companies in 2025-2026. Before you start reaching out to La Jolla and UTC angels, organize your approach properly.

Upload your deck to Ellty and create a unique link for each angel. You'll see exactly who opens your deck within 24 hours vs. who waits a week. San Diego angels typically review decks quickly if they're interested - if someone hasn't opened your link in 5 days, they're probably not engaged. This helps you focus follow-ups on angels who are actually paying attention.

When angels ask for financials or customer data, share an Ellty data room instead of Dropbox folders. Your revenue spreadsheet, customer contracts, and cap table in one secure place with view analytics. San Diego angels appreciate organization and will move faster when materials are easy to access. You'll see which angels spend time reviewing your unit economics vs. which ones just skim.

Common questions

Do I need to be in San Diego to raise from San Diego angels?

Not strictly, but 80% of angel investments go to local founders. If you're remote, have a clear story about why San Diego matters for your business - Qualcomm talent for wireless, Illumina for genomics, Navy for defense tech. Vague "we'll consider relocating" doesn't work.

How does San Diego angel investing compare to SF?

Smaller checks ($35K average vs. $75K in SF), slower process (60-90 days vs. 30-45 days), more conservative. San Diego angels want revenue or strong data before investing. But they're actually helpful after investing vs. SF angels who often disappear.

What's a typical angel round size in San Diego?

$300K-$750K for most startups. That usually means 8-15 individual angels at $25-75K each, plus maybe one lead at $100-150K. Rounds over $1M typically need institutional investors mixed in.

Should I raise from angel groups or individual angels?

Both. Tech Coast Angels gives you volume access (80+ San Diego members) but takes 60-90 days. Individual angels move faster (30-45 days) but require more work to coordinate. Run both processes simultaneously.

Do San Diego angels expect board seats?

Not typically at seed stage. Lead angels might ask for observer rights. But most San Diego angels just want quarterly updates and occasional strategic calls. They're not trying to run your company.

What sectors do San Diego angels prefer?

Enterprise software gets 40% of angel capital, biotech 30%, hardware/IoT 15%, consumer 10%, other 5%. Consumer apps are tough here - angels remember too many failed consumer deals from 2010-2015.

How many angels should I include in my round?

8-12 is typical for $500K rounds. Fewer than 6 means you're too concentrated, more than 15 becomes a coordination nightmare. One lead angel who organizes the others makes this much easier.