Angel Investing Professionals to Know 2025

Dr. Igor Ryabenkiy is an author, entrepreneur and investor. He signed his first angel check in 1998 and founded AltalR Capital in 2005 to support early stage companies across the US, Europe and Israel. With $600 million in AUM, AltaIR Capital has invested in over 400 tech companies across B2B SaaS, Future of Work, FinTech, InsureTech, and Digital Health. Its portfolio includes 10+ unicorns, most of which (Miro, Deel, PandaDoc, OpenWeb, Socure, Turing, Fundamental, etc.) were backed at an early stage. In 2025, AltaIR Capital was ranked among the Top 2.5% venture capital firms in EMEA by Dealroom as part of its Power Law Investor Ranking, which evaluates over 22,000 investors based on portfolio outcomes. Igor Ryabenkiy also founded AltaClub, a global investor community, and AltaLab, a program that helps founders think clearly and build better. He is the author of books Adventures in Venture Capital and Unicorn Focus.

Paul A. Claxton is a venture capitalist and Managing Partner of Digerati Investments and Reciprocity ROI, where he deploys capital into AI-native and enterprise technology companies and works hands-on with founders navigating institutional capital deployment strategiesm. A former U.S. Marine with four combat tours, Claxton applies a strict execution-first lens to venture, focusing on what survives real scrutiny, not what sounds good in a pitch. He developed ScaleCurves™, a venture diligence framework, and the Reloadable Note™, a financing structure designed to tie capital to actual performance. He is an advisor to AI programs at the University of San Francisco, a member of the Forbes Finance Council, and host of Explainable AI and Capital Unscripted. His commentary cuts through startup narratives to focus on what investors actually care about and why most companies fail to raise capital. Discover more about Paul on his website: https://paulclaxton.io

Raising capital is broken for most teams: investor lists are random, decks read like brochures, and leadership spends months in “fundraising mode” without leverage or real investor demand. Whether you’re a startup, a private company, a listed business or a fund, the outcome is the same: Weak terms, dragged‑out timelines and an uncomfortable dependence on luck and introductions. As Partner at spectup, a capital advisory firm with $120M+ raised across startups, private and public companies and funds, the focus is to fix exactly that. What I do: → Structure capital raises and private placements so the deal is clear, credible and easy to underwrite → Build institutional‑grade materials (pitch decks, memos, narratives) that stand up in IC rooms → Run targeted investor outreach using a tech‑enabled engine and an active capital network My background: → Operator side: worked inside a unicorn (N26) and with BMW’s startup / innovation programs, seeing how growth and corporate decision‑making actually work → Capital side: years of working directly on fundraising, investor materials and dealflow for companies and funds across multiple stages This mix means your story, numbers and “fundability” are pressure‑tested before you walk into high‑stakes investor conversations. I’m also the host of Deal Makers (& Fakers): → A podcast where founders, operators and fund managers unpack the real stories behind their raises → Deals that closed, deals that died, and the signals serious capital actually responds to right now

Championing visionary founders who dare to blaze a new path. Looking for funding? Fill out our pitch us form: https://tally.so/r/mYRD2B

Liliya R. Strong is an investor, former equity research analyst with nearly 15 years of experience, and the author of Stocks for Women, an Amazon bestseller. She holds a BA in Economics from Columbia University. Her work combines evidence-based investing strategies with real-world insight, including a private dinner with Warren Buffett that shaped her long-term investment philosophy. She advocates for building a core portfolio through index investing, complemented by high-conviction stocks, emphasizing that conviction is essential to staying invested during downturns. She also has a growing interest in how artificial intelligence is transforming investment research and creating new opportunities across markets. Liliya shares her insights through her social platforms, where she reaches over 50,000 followers, and works with women and next-generation investors through mentorship and workshops. She is based in Miami with her family and enjoys adventure travel, including heli-skiing.

Jay Sunde is an accomplished entrepreneur with deep experience across multiple industries. He began his career in financial analysis, producing complex forecasts and strategic projections for regional and national companies in commercial real estate, residential real estate, and healthcare. Driven by an entrepreneurial mindset, Jay founded a custom homebuilding company in his mid-20s and grew it into a multi-million-dollar business, developing both custom and speculative homes throughout central North Carolina. During the 2008 housing crisis, he successfully pivoted by acquiring two pool and spa retail and service companies. He scaled both operations, overseeing all aspects of the businesses, and later exited through sales in 2012 and 2018. Since 2009, Jay and his wife, Danielle, have partnered to launch, grow, and acquire preschools, daycares, and elementary schools across the Southeast. Along the way, they also acquired the commercial real estate occupied by their schools and built a growing portfolio of residential real estate holdings. Today, their education platform generates more than $5 million in annual revenue, employs over 70 team members, and serves nearly 500 families. Jay is active in numerous entrepreneurial and small business organizations and, for the past eight years, has consistently mentored and advised founders, business buyers and sellers, and individuals seeking greater financial and time freedom through business ownership.

Sridhar Arunagiri is the Founder and General Partner at 16VC, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on backing technology-driven founders building scalable, category-defining companies. With deep experience across AI/ML, enterprise software, and digital transformation, Sridhar works closely with founders on strategy, product-market fit, and go-to-market execution. Prior to founding 16VC, Sridhar built and scaled technology initiatives across startups and growth-stage companies, advising leadership teams on capital strategy, business model design, and operational execution. He brings a founder-first approach to investing, combining hands-on mentorship with disciplined capital allocation. Sridhar is a frequent voice on entrepreneurship, venture capital trends, emerging technologies, and leadership in the age of AI. Journalists seek his perspective on startup ecosystems, fundraising strategy, and how technology is reshaping modern businesses.

Jake Geiger has expertise in financial modeling, investment evaluation, and strategy. With a background working in family offices, private equity, and his own company, he has a proven track record of leading teams to assess international business opportunities and drive growth. Jake specializes in business valuation, financial analysis, and strategic development. He is available to provide expert insights on family offices, strategy/management, and alternative investments.

Community builder at heart, hyper connector, serial entrepreneur and investor in 100+ startups. I help ambitious professionals build profitable, scalable businesses and real financial freedom. Since 2015, I have invested in and advised more than 100 companies and coached thousands of founders, executives, and board members across Europe. My work focuses on turning complexity into clarity, helping leaders scale revenue, strengthen governance, and build strong personal brands that attract clients, capital, and opportunities. I am the founder and CEO of The Visionary Companies, a platform connecting scale up founders, board members, and investors through high impact programs, trainings, and international retreats. I have been named one of the Top 100 most influential women in the European VC and startup ecosystem in 2023, 2024 and 2025. I am known for accelerating people and businesses while staying deeply committed to freedom, alignment, and purpose led profitability.

I am an entrepreneur and CEO passionate about using my experience to help other CEOs achieve their goals. I bring these leaders together for collaboration on deep strategic challenges and opportunities, and I provide acquisition, merger and fundraising support.

Shannon Beatty, the esteemed and compassionate founder of House Buying Girls, brings over 20 years of real estate expertise to her firm. With a diverse portfolio of hundreds of successful residential and commercial deals across Texas, Shannon is renowned for providing fair, transparent cash offers. As a licensed real estate agent in TX, she is also able to offer additional selling strategies that other investors cannot. Shannon's heartfelt commitment to her client's well-being and personable approach has made her a trusted figure in the Texas real estate community.

Real estate investing industry expert and digital strategist.Investing | Investor…

I built CRINO.IO as a platform for analyzing investor deals and the parameters behind them. The project focuses on making funding data more transparent, structured, and useful, helping to identify patterns in investment activity and improve deal analysis.

## SHORT BIO Joe Toscano, CEO / Co-Founder of Service Stories: With over 13 years of UX and software development, including time at Google where he worked with AdWords + AdWords Express merger Joe knows SEO and AI better than most. He also spent nearly a decade as COO for Gateway Auto, his family’s auto shop, helping it grow from $3M to $11M AR through digital transformation. Toscano is a serial entrepreneur, published author, and international keynote speaker on the topic of technology and humanity. You might have read his book, Automating Humanity or Forbes articles; you might have seen him on Netflix's "The Social Dilemma; or maybe you've seen him on stage or on various media appearances from podcasts to national news broadcast. 🚨 Table of Contents 🚨 • 🧠 AREAS OF EXPERTISE • 🏆 KEY ACHIEVEMENTS & MILESTONES • 📣 MEDIA & SPEAKING HIGHLIGHTS • ✅ AVAILABLE SPEAKING TOPICS • 📚 FOUNDER STORY: FROM GOOGLE TO GATEWAY AUTO 🧠 AREAS OF EXPERTISE • Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning applications • Technology ethics and responsible AI development • Digital transformation for service-based businesses • User experience (UX) design and software development • SaaS platform development and scaling • Entrepreneurship and startup growth strategies • Content marketing and omni-channel optimization • Small business operations and automotive industry • The future of work and human-technology relationships 🏆 KEY ACHIEVEMENTS & MILESTONES ### Technology & Innovation • Consulted for Google on AdWords/AdWords Express merger • Managed Google My Business (now Google Business Profiles) • Helped launch Google's entire hardware line • Created Reply.ai—award-winning chatbot maker for small businesses • Won Cannes Lions for Reply.ai innovation • Won Clio Awards for chatbot technology • Won Webby Award for digital innovation • Won Shorty Award for social media innovation ### Business Leadership • Grew Gateway Auto from $3M to $11M ARR as COO • Founded Service Stories (2024) • Achieved three consecutive months of doubling MRR • Accepted to Techstars Omaha accelerator (September 2024) • Won Silicon Prairie Startup Week pitch competition with $10,000 prize (October 2024) ### Media & Speaking • Featured expert in Netflix's Emmy-nominated "The Social Dilemma" • Published author: "Automating Humanity" (available on Amazon) • International keynote speaker on technology and humanity • Appeared on Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, and all major US networks • International broadcasts: Red Sky (UK), Keshet (Israel), CGTN (China), KBS (Korea), CBC (Canada) • Featured on hundreds of podcasts globally • Keynote speeches delivered across North America, South America, Europe, and Australia • Featured in Forbes: "A New Voice from Omaha in the Parade of Tech Naysayers" • Featured in Fast Company for AI comedy bot innovation  📣 MEDIA & SPEAKING HIGHLIGHTS ### Recent Podcast & Media Appearances • Pipeology Podcast – Episode 46 Full episode: https://www.pipelineology.com/e46/ ### Short clips available at: • https://youtube.com/shorts/ZSkeAb96za4 • https://youtube.com/shorts/oAv5nArOJJg • https://youtube.com/shorts/B5k8QiyRAIs • https://youtube.com/shorts/K9gdbZRlQxk • https://youtube.com/shorts/7Eivvj5X6n8 ### Featured Speaking & Major Media • TEDx Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDboy_RMaXk • Netflix's "The Social Dilemma" https://thesocialdilemma.com • Book: "Automating Humanity" https://www.amazon.com/Automating-Humanity-Joe-Toscano/dp/1576879208 • "Why I'm Leaving the Golden Handcuffs of Silicon Valley" https://medium.com/re-write/why-im-leaving-the-golden-handcuffs-of-silicon-valley-behind-to-educate-the-world-d1c8a334d1a3 ### Award-Winning Innovation Coverage Reply.ai Coverage (Google/R/GA chatbot maker): • LBB Online: https://lbbonline.com/news/how-rga-developed-a-chatbot-to-develop-chatbots • Fast Company: https://www.fastcompany.com/40419568/why-rga-and-reply-ai-created-a-custom-bot-maker-for-small-businesses • Clio Awards: https://clios.com/winners-gallery/details/61411 • Shorty Awards: https://shortyawards.com/10th/bot-bot • Additional Clio: https://clios.com/winners-gallery/details/57080 Comedy Bot Innovation: • Fast Company: https://www.fastcompany.com/3065970/the-daunting-task-of-making-ai-funny Forbes Coverage: • https://www.forbes.com/sites/berlinschoolofcreativeleadership/2019/01/30/a-new-voice-from-omaha-in-the-parade-of-tech-naysayers/ ✅ AVAILABLE SPEAKING TOPICS • "The AI Invisibility Crisis: Why Your Business Needs AEO, Not Just SEO" > How AI engines are fundamentally changing customer discovery and what service businesses must do to stay visible in an AI-first world. • "From Silicon Valley to Main Street: Building Better Technology" > The journey from consulting for Google to advocating for responsible technology development and building solutions that serve local businesses. • "Automating Humanity: The Ethics of AI Development" > Insights from "The Social Dilemma" and years of advocacy work on how to develop AI systems that enhance rather than exploit human potential. • "Digital Transformation Without the Valley: Building Tech in the Heartland" > Why innovation doesn't require Silicon Valley and how regional innovation ecosystems can build world-class technology companies. • "The Inside-Out Approach: Why Your Operations Hold Your Marketing Gold" > How service businesses can transform their completed work orders into authentic content that AI engines prefer to cite. 📚 FOUNDER STORY: FROM GOOGLE TO GATEWAY AUTO ### The Silicon Valley Years Joe Toscano's journey to founding Service Stories began in Silicon Valley, where he spent over 13 years mastering the intersection of user experience design, software development, and digital marketing. Working at and consulting for Google, he gained insider knowledge of how the world's dominant search engine actually worked—experience that would prove invaluable years later. During his time consulting for Google through R/GA, Toscano worked on some of the company's most significant projects. He oversaw the merger of AdWords and AdWords Express, helped launch Google's entire hardware line, and managed Google My Business (now called Google Business Profiles)—the very platform that local businesses rely on for discoverability. This wasn't just theoretical work; Toscano was in the trenches of SEO, understanding at a granular level how businesses get found online. His AI expertise also emerged during these years. Toscano consulted for Google to create Reply.ai—one of the first chatbots designed to build other chatbots for small businesses. The project was groundbreaking, winning prestigious awards including Cannes Lions, Clios, Webby Awards, and Shorty Awards. He also experimented with comedy bots on the side, work that Fast Company featured for its innovative approach to making AI funny. ### Leaving the Golden Handcuffs But success in Silicon Valley came with a growing unease. Toscano saw firsthand how technology was being designed and deployed without adequate consideration for its impact on humanity. This led him to make a difficult decision: leave the lucrative world of Silicon Valley consulting to focus on building a better, more ethical internet. In a widely-read Medium post titled "Why I'm Leaving the Golden Handcuffs of Silicon Valley Behind to Educate the World," Toscano explained his reasoning. Forbes covered his departure, calling him "A New Voice from Omaha in the Parade of Tech Naysayers." This wasn't just a career pivot—it was a mission. Toscano became a vocal advocate for responsible technology development, writing the book "Automating Humanity" and serving as a featured expert in Netflix's Emmy-nominated documentary "The Social Dilemma." His message resonated globally. Toscano appeared on every major US news network—Fox News, MSNBC, CNN—and international broadcasts including Red Sky in the UK, Keshet in Israel, CGTN in China, KBS in Korea, and CBC in Canada. He delivered keynote speeches across North America, South America, Europe, and Australia, appearing on hundreds of podcasts and building a reputation as one of the world's leading voices on technology ethics. ### The Gateway Auto Education While advocating for better technology on the global stage, Toscano was simultaneously getting an education of a different kind—one that would ultimately lead to Service Stories. For nearly a decade, he served as COO of Gateway Auto, his family's 23-year-old automotive repair business in Omaha, Nebraska. This wasn't a ceremonial role. Toscano was deeply involved in operations, experiencing the daily challenges of running a service business. He knew the frustration of completing excellent work that nobody could find online. He understood the value of decades of automotive expertise that sat locked away in filing cabinets and work order systems. And he saw the disconnect between what his business knew and what potential customers could discover about them. Using his Google-era digital marketing expertise, Toscano helped grow Gateway Auto from $3M to $11M in annual revenue through strategic digital transformation. But the process was manual, time-consuming, and impossible to scale. Every blog post, every social media update, every piece of content required someone to sit down and write it from scratch—even though the business was generating dozens of stories worth telling every single day through their completed work orders. ### The Pivot That Changed Everything In June 2024, Toscano and co-founder Alex Rapp were running LeadFoot Analytics, a different product that was receiving lukewarm market reception. But then came the breakthrough. They decided to test a new approach on Gateway Auto: what if they could automatically transform completed work orders into AI-optimized content? The results were immediate and dramatic. The content wasn't generic marketing speak—it was authentic stories about real customer problems and expert solutions. It was the kind of content that AI engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI actually want to cite, because it demonstrates genuine expertise rather than shallow keyword stuffing. By July 2024, they had sold their first two paying pilots. In August, they doubled their monthly recurring revenue. They did it again in September. And again in October. The pattern was clear: service businesses were desperate for a solution to the "AI invisibility crisis"—the reality that AI engines now serve 300+ million users weekly but only cite 274,000 websites globally. Service Stories was born from this convergence of Toscano's Google-era SEO expertise, his operational experience growing a family business, and his co-founder Alex Rapp's decade of experience automating service-based businesses and scaling a digital agency from $0 to $300K ARR. ### Building in Nebraska Rather than return to Silicon Valley, Toscano chose to build Service Stories in Omaha, Nebraska. In September 2024, Service Stories was accepted into Techstars Omaha. In October, they won Silicon Prairie Startup Week's pitch competition and its $10,000 grand prize. The company is deliberately keeping talent local, supporting Nebraska's growing innovation ecosystem while staying close to the service businesses they serve—the economic backbone of communities across America. The timing couldn't be more critical. The window for first-mover advantage in Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is closing as more businesses recognize the shift from traditional search. Service Stories is racing to help service businesses—automotive shops, HVAC contractors, plumbers, electricians, healthcare practices, legal firms—become part of that elite 274,000 websites that AI engines cite, rather than being invisible to the 300+ million weekly AI users. It's a mission that combines everything Toscano has learned: the technical expertise from Google, the operational wisdom from Gateway Auto, the ethical commitment from his advocacy work, and the urgency of a founder who knows that service businesses deserve to be found when customers are looking for their expertise.

Investor, entrepreneur, and founder of Invested Mom, empowering individuals to achieve financial independence and live unrestricted lives. With expertise spanning corporate leadership, wealth building, and content creation, I help others master investing strategies that transform financial futures. Former Tesla executive where I managed billion-dollar revenue recognition and led teams of over 100 people, I successfully transitioned from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, retiring at 38 through strategic investing in stocks, real estate, and business ventures. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, my entrepreneurial journey began at age 9 selling fudge to schoolmates. Today, I leverage my diverse experience to guide others, particularly women, in breaking free from traditional employment constraints to control their time, resources, and financial destinies. As the author of the upcoming book "Living Unrestricted," I share practical frameworks for wealth creation that anyone can implement regardless of their starting point. My approach combines personal transformation with actionable financial strategies that have helped countless individuals replace their income through investing and build lasting wealth. Co-founder of Penfriend, an AI-powered content creation tool developed to solve the challenges of content operations and management that I experienced firsthand as a business owner. Passionate about democratizing wealth and financial education, I believe everyone deserves access to the knowledge and tools needed to secure their financial future.

John Richards is Managing Partner of Startup Ignition Ventures, a Utah-based pre-seed venture fund focused on vertical B2B SaaS, workflow automation, and capital-efficient startups. He works with founders on customer discovery, go-to-market strategy, fundraising, pricing, and early revenue execution. John also operates FirstStep Capital and brings experience across venture investing, venture debt, entrepreneurship education, public procurement, and legal/compliance-oriented business environments. He is a licensed Utah attorney and frequently advises founders on how to turn broad startup ideas into narrow, fundable wedges with clear ICPs, urgent pain, immediate ROI, and realistic paths to revenue. He is available for expert commentary on startups, venture capital, B2B SaaS, AI in business workflows, procurement, Utah’s startup ecosystem, founder mistakes, early-stage financing, and what makes a company investable.

Experienced Partner with a demonstrated history of working in the capital markets industry and business consulting. Skilled in Equities, Capital Markets, Corporate Taxation, Business Consulting. Serial Entrepreneur. Interested in Digital Marketing and Value Investing.

I founded Commercial Funding Partners in 2012 with a clear mission: build a performing portfolio of customers who return because we treat them right and help them grow responsibly. After six years at a competitor and seeing how customers were often handled at deal end, I knew there was a better way to do business in commercial equipment finance. We’re a national direct lender with capacity from $250,000 to over $100 million per project, serving manufacturers, contractors, healthcare providers, transportation companies, and others across the U.S. What sets us apart is speed paired with judgment. Our small, senior-level finance committee allows us to make decisions quickly—often the same day—and months faster than SBA processes, where time value often outweighs minor rate differences. We listen to the story behind the balance sheet and underwrite context, not just numbers. We structure real-world solutions through progress funding, 100% project financing, sale-leasebacks, and tax-aware terms that banks often can’t provide. We don’t do deals we wouldn’t sign ourselves. Over 40% of our business comes from repeat clients, many with long-standing relationships that improve with each transaction. I’m active in industry leadership with ELFA, NEFA, and AACFB, where I chaired the Education Committee for four years and received the President’s Award. Before CFP, I worked at IBM and helped manage and grow Plumbers Supply Company through its acquisition by Wolseley. I hold a BS from the University of Utah and an MBA from Westminster College. Our goal is simple: be the first call for our customers and help great businesses grow smarter and faster.