Costa Rica's angel scene is small and new. For years, cheques came from accelerators and a few founders. Its first angel network launched in May 2026. Here are 9 angels backing San Jose startups in 2026.
For years, Costa Rica had few formal angels, and the early-stage scene stayed young and thin. Most of the first cheques came from accelerators rather than a deep bench of private backers.
Carao filled part of that gap by running its own angel club for members. That club became one of the most active in the region, even as the wider market lagged.
In 2026 a real angel network finally launched, and the scene is leveling up fast. You will pitch both these networks and individual angels, and Ellty keeps all of your data behind one trackable link.
| Type | Check size | Sector focus | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica Angels | Angel network (new in 2026) | ~US$5K-$20K per deal | AI, fintech, deep tech | parquetec.org |
| Carao Ventures Investor Club | Angel syndicate | Angel tickets | Software, biotech, fintech, AI | caraov.com |
| ParqueTec / InvertUp | Accelerator + seed fund | Under US$50K (angel) | Scalable early-stage tech | parquetec.org |
| Caricaco | Accelerator + seed VC | Seed-stage | Agtech, health, enterprise | caricaco.com |
| AUGE-UCR | University incubator | Seed grants, incubation | Tech, generalist | AUGE-UCR on LinkedIn |
| Pomona Impact | Impact fund (angel origin, GT) | Angel to seed | Agri, digital, basic services | pomonaimpact.com |
| 500 Global | Accelerator + fund (US) | ~US$300K | Generalist tech | 500.co |
| Marcelo Lebendiker | Angel network leader | Angel tickets | Early-stage tech | Marcelo Lebendiker on LinkedIn |
| Allan Boruchowicz | Founder-angel | Angel tickets | Software, fintech, biotech | Allan Boruchowicz on LinkedIn |
Pitch every angel from one link
Angels move fast and back the team. Ellty shows who opened your deck so you follow up first.
Start free 14-day trialWhat an angel investor backs
An angel bets on you and the team long before the numbers are proven. Early traction helps a lot, but they are really buying conviction in the founders.
They write small, fast cheques and often join the cap table before any VC does. That speed is the whole point, so they value clarity over a polished growth story.
A clear story wins the room, and you have to show why now and why you. Spell out the problem, the wedge, and the reason this moment matters.
Ellty gives each angel one trackable link to your materials. You see exactly who opens your deck and how far they read.
The opportunity today is not just to invest in startups, but to build a community of investors that is connected, informed, and aligned with global standards.
9 San Jose angel investors
1. Costa Rica Angels
The country's first formal angel network.
Recent Activity: Launched May 2026, Costa Rica's first
Sector Focus: AI, fintech, deep tech
Stage Focus: Pre-seed, seed
Check Size: ~US$5K-$20K per deal
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Website: parquetec.org
2. Carao Ventures Investor Club
Carao's angel club is a LatAm leader.
Recent Activity: One of LatAm's most active angel clubs
LinkedIn: Carao Ventures LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Software, biotech, fintech, AI
Stage Focus: Seed
Check Size: Angel tickets
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Website: caraov.com
3. ParqueTec / InvertUp
ParqueTec runs an accelerator and seed fund.
Recent Activity: Runs Costa Rica Angels; 9-startup fund
LinkedIn: ParqueTec LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Scalable early-stage tech
Stage Focus: Pre-seed, seed
Check Size: Under US$50K (angel)
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Website: parquetec.org
4. Caricaco
Caricaco backs Central American founders.
Recent Activity: Partnered with Newtopia and Carao
Sector Focus: Agtech, health, enterprise
Stage Focus: Seed
Check Size: Seed-stage
Location: Escazu, Costa Rica
Website: caricaco.com
5. AUGE-UCR
AUGE incubates and gives early grants.
Recent Activity: A Costa Rica Angels deal-flow partner
Sector Focus: Tech, generalist
Stage Focus: Pre-seed, seed
Check Size: Seed grants, incubation
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Website: AUGE-UCR on LinkedIn
Give each angel one trackable link
Ellty logs when an angel opens your deck. Chase the keen ones first, not days too late.
Start free 14-day trial6. Pomona Impact
Pomona began as a 2011 angel group.
Recent Activity: Started as a 2011 angel group
LinkedIn: Pomona Impact LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Agri, digital, basic services
Stage Focus: Early stage
Check Size: Angel to seed
Location: Antigua, Guatemala
Website: pomonaimpact.com
7. 500 Global
500 Global backs early LatAm startups.
Recent Activity: Fund IV targets Costa Rica
Sector Focus: Generalist tech
Stage Focus: Pre-seed, seed
Check Size: ~US$300K
Location: San Francisco, USA
Website: 500.co
8. Marcelo Lebendiker
He leads Costa Rica's new angel network.
Recent Activity: Leads Costa Rica Angels and ParqueTec
Sector Focus: Early-stage tech
Stage Focus: Pre-seed, seed
Check Size: Angel tickets
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Website: Marcelo Lebendiker on LinkedIn
9. Allan Boruchowicz
Carao's co-founder built its angel club.
Recent Activity: Built Carao's angel syndicate
Sector Focus: Software, fintech, biotech
Stage Focus: Seed
Check Size: Angel tickets
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Website: Allan Boruchowicz on LinkedIn
Why the scene is small
Costa Rica still lacks deep pools of venture money, so relatively few angels write cheques. The early-stage market is genuinely thin compared with larger hubs in the region.
That picture is changing through 2026, and a real angel network now exists on the ground. New structure means more deal flow and more visible backers for founders.
The smart move is to build ties well before you raise, not the week you start. See our healthtech investors guide too for an adjacent map of capital.
Ellty shows who actually studies your deck once you do go out. Track every open in one place so no warm lead goes cold.
How accelerators help
Accelerators back the earliest steps in Costa Rica, and ParqueTec and Caricaco lead that work. For many founders, a program is the realistic first cheque before any angel commits.
They give cash and mentors in roughly equal measure. Many also open the door to angel contacts who trust the program's screening.
Use a program to build momentum and proof points others can see. Keep your fundraising tight so the story stays sharp through demo day.
Share docs with secure file sharing rather than loose attachments. Ellty logs every view so you know which mentors and angels engaged.
Raising angel money in San Jose
Map the networks, individual angels, and programs that fit your stage. Then line up warm intros, since cold outreach rarely lands with angels here.
Keep angels posted with regular updates even before they commit. Trust builds over time, and steady progress is its own pitch.
Lock files with a password so sensitive numbers stay private. Control exactly who sees the data and when they lose access.
Ellty stores every doc in one data room you can share in a click. It is built for startups raising now, not enterprises with a legal team.
How to pitch an angel investor
Lead with you and the team.
- 1.Lead with you and the team.Angels back people first, so open with why this team wins. Point to early traction that proves you can execute.
- 2.Tell a clear, sharp story.Spell out the problem, your wedge, and the size of the prize. Make it obvious why now and why you are the ones to do it.
- 3.Name your raise and runway.State exactly how much you want and what it buys. Keep the ask tight and tie it to clear milestones.
- 4.Send one Ellty link to your deck.Share a single trackable link instead of email attachments. See who digs in so you can follow up at the right moment.
How Ellty helps you land an angel investor in San Jose
You have your San Jose angel list ready. Set up a data room first.
- 1.Upload your deck and key metrics.Set access per angel.
- 2.Share one trackable link each.Every angel gets a unique link.
- 3.Watch opens and reply on time.Use analytics to time each nudge.
San Jose angel investor questions
- Accelerators and a few angels. A new network too.
- No, it is small but growing. A network launched in 2026.
- Often US$5K to US$50K. Pooled deals go higher.
- The country's first angel network. It launched in May 2026.
- Yes, ParqueTec and Caricaco do. They add angel contacts.
- Before your first angel call. Track who opens your deck.
