David S. Rose / Rose Tech Ventures

I am an experienced, early-stage, angel investor focused on a relatively narrow niche of US-based Fintech/Proptech/SaaS companies.

Please read this in its entirety before asking to pitch me, thanks!

While I'm an active angel investor (over 120 companies in total, and at least a few more each year), I only invest on a relatively narrow thesis, which means that it only makes sense to pitch me directly if you are in the 1-2% of companies that fit that thesis.

I prefer to invest in highly-scalable, technology-based ventures, with a particular focus on platforms, at a very, very early stage (but, oxymoronically, where there is already some type of real traction). I never invest in ideas or plans, so you'll need to have a company and at least a product, if not paying customers. You'll need to have invested significant cash (whatever that term means to you) in your own company, and you'll need to have the core of your team in place (typically a techie and a marketer, at a minimum.)

Because I'm a poor little angel and not running a fund like all those "Super Angels" you hear about, I typically start with a $25k investment, and because I'm all-too-familiar with the *real* economics of angel investing, I rarely invest at pre-money valuations north of $4-5 million, and usually well below that (i.e., "East Coast valuations" :-).

I'm also allergic to funding "bridges to nowhere", so I would like to hear your explanation of what you are going to do if no money appears to follow your seed round. Can you get to break-even somehow, and live to fight another day?

Finally, I like to invest in companies where I can really add value from my experience, network, etc., so checking out my portfolio of other investments, and my background, will generally give some guidance there.

Among the many, many, areas in which I do not invest are gaming, crypto, food & beverages, fashion, influencers, social media, canabis, dating & relationships, life sciences and medical devices, and expensive deep tech.

The one area I proactively seek out is real estate-related technology (planning, financing, development, construction, management, leasing, brokerage, etc.) but because I run my own PropTech firm as well as a PropTech accelerator program, I am paradoxically often conflicted out of such investments.

The bottom line is that IF your venture just so happens to fit my very narrow thesis, then I look forward to speaking with you in person, and I encourage you to submit your application or Gust profile to me for consideration through this site.

But if—as is the 98% likelihood—your venture is not in my wheelhouse, don't give up hope, because I do want to be as helpful as I can.

If you are a US-based, pre-seed or seed venture in the tech space, you already have some traction, and you're seeking to raise $500k-$2.5m at a valuation under $10-15m, then please consider applying to New York Angels, of which I'm Chairman Emeritus. NYA has a much broader thesis than I do personally, has invested over $160 million into nearly 400 companies, and each year invests in more than 10x the number of companies I do. You can find our group at newyorkangels.com and can apply directly or with your Gust profile.

If you are a Series A or later venture in the blockchain or AI space (but not involving crypto), I'd be pleased to connect you with True Global Ventures, of which I was a Founding Partner. You can reach out to them at this link, and may let them know that I referred you.

Finally, if you are early in your journey as a startup founder seeking capital, I strongly suggest that you take an hour to watch the following webinar I've recorded, which will give you a comprehensive introduction to startup fundraising, and point you in the direction of several invaluable tools and websites to help you find investors. Best wishes for your venture!

Fundraising 101 with David S. Rose, for early stage startup founders

• Artificial Intelligence
• Business Services
• Fintech
• Platforms
• Real Estate

• USA

• Capital Seeking
• $100,000 - $1,000,000
• Valuation
• $2,000,000 - $8,000,000