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Angeles Investors is a Chicago, Illinois-based angel investment syndicate that provides early-stage capital and mentorship to venture-backed startups led by Hispanic and Latinx founders. The organization operates through a growing membership network of over 150 accredited investors who pool their financial resources to fund pre-seed to Series A venture opportunities across a wide range of industries. Supported by corporate sponsorships from major financial institutions like J.P. Morgan, the group organizes quarterly pitch nights across the United States and publishes an annual list recognizing the top 100 Hispanic and Latino entrepreneurs. The syndicate has directed capital into several notable portfolio companies, including digital media platform Canela Media and financial technology firm SUMA Wealth, while generating revenue through membership fees and carried interest. Angeles Investors was founded in 2019 by David Olivencia and Adela Cepeda.
Key people at Angeles Investors.
Angeles Investors was founded in 2020 by David Olivencia (Co-Founder and Board Member).
Angeles Investors has 1 tracked investment across 1 company. The latest tracked deal is $42.0M Debt / Series A in Canela Media in February 2022.
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 24, 2022 | Canela Media | $42.0M Debt / Series A | Rodrigo Garcia, Richard Wolpert, Angeles Investors | Gregory Baker, Alumni Ventures, BBG Ventures, BMO Capital Partners, Link Ventures, Mighty Capital, Portfolia, Powerhouse Capital, Reinventure Capital, Samsung Next, TEGNA |
Angeles Investors was founded in 2020 by David Olivencia (Co-Founder and Board Member).
Angeles Investors is a Chicago-based investment community and early-stage venture firm dedicated to finding, funding, and growing promising Latino-founded startups in the US.[1][2][3][5] Its mission is to leverage Latino economic growth to bridge funding gaps for Hispanic and Latinx entrepreneurs, focusing on seed-stage investments while building a national network of accredited and associate investors.[1][3] The firm's investment philosophy emphasizes community-driven capital, active portfolio support, and multiplier effects on underrepresented founders, targeting disruptive, high-growth models with world-class networks.[1][3][7] Key sectors span innovative startups across industries, as seen in initiatives like the Angeles 100, which honors top US venture-backed companies with Hispanic leadership showing year-over-year growth.[8] Angeles has significantly impacted the startup ecosystem by deploying over $500,000 by mid-2020, nurturing a pipeline of Latinx ventures, and expanding the Hispanic angel investor base from its current 2.3% representation.[1][2]
Angeles Investors emerged in September 2019 from a single pitch night at a Chicago WeWork, where Hispanic and Latinx angel investors and VCs heard pitches from three startups with Latinx founders.[2] This event addressed the institutional funding gap for Latinx entrepreneurs, inspiring Carlos Covarrubias and a core team to formalize the group, officially launching in January 2020.[1][2] Key figures include Managing Director Carlos Covarrubias, who drove early vision; founding members like Ruben Ocampo, an innovation strategist; and Lister Delgado, co-founder of IDEA Fund Partners and a veteran VC advocate for underrepresented founders.[1][7] The focus evolved from local pitch events to a scalable national community, exceeding 2020 goals with over 50 founding members, a 7-company portfolio, and pandemic-resilient growth, while piloting diligence, legal processes, and education.[1] By 2025, it marked its 5th anniversary with a Q1 Summit & Awards Event, honoring members and ecosystem impact.[7]
(Note: Angeles Investment Advisors in [4] is a separate California-based OCIO firm for nonprofits; not affiliated.[4])
Angeles Investors rides the wave of Latino demographic and economic growth—the fastest-growing US population driving consumer and innovation trends—channeling community capital into underrepresented founders amid persistent VC diversity gaps (e.g., Latinx angels at 2.3%).[1][2][3] Timing aligns with post-2020 diversity mandates and startup resilience, amplifying seed funding where Latinx founders face barriers, thus multiplying total capital raised.[1] Favorable market forces include rising venture interest in diverse teams for better returns and innovation, plus Angeles' influence via pitch nights, awards like Angeles 100, and member networks that sway broader investors.[2][7][8] It shapes the ecosystem by nourishing Latinx venture pipelines, fostering wealth creation, and modeling community-led investing, ultimately expanding opportunities in tech and beyond.[2][6]
Angeles Investors is poised to hit its 2025 ambitions of 250 members, 50 portfolio companies, and $10M invested, building on 5-year momentum with events like the Q1 Summit.[1][7] Next steps likely include scaling "Angeles 100"-style recognitions, deeper portfolio activations via board roles, and VC talent programs amid AI, fintech, and consumer trends favoring diverse founders.[3][7][8] Evolving influence could see it as a Latino VC powerhouse, influencing LPs and accelerators while riding sustained demographic shifts. This bridges back to its origin: from one pitch night to fueling America's best Latino ventures.
