Startup investors in Seattle
The angel group, seed funds and startup studio that take applications from Seattle and Pacific Northwest founders, what each publishes about itself, and how to reach it.
All amounts are in US dollars.
Who invests in startups in Seattle?
Seattle founders can apply to Alliance of Angels, a Seattle angel group with 180+ members, and pitch seed funds that focus on the Pacific Northwest, such as Founders' Co-op and PSL Ventures. PSL also runs a startup studio for people who want to start a company with it.
Angel networks in Seattle
| Network | How it works | Who it looks for | Fees | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance of Angels | An introductory meeting, then a 10-minute pitch to a screening committee of about 15 angels; about 3 companies a month go on to pitch 80 to 90 members. A member leads due diligence, aiming to finish within 5 weeks of screening. | Seed and early-stage C-corporations in the US and Canada, preferring the Pacific Northwest, raising $500,000 to $2.5 million. Sector-agnostic; excludes gambling, real estate, firearms, mining, tobacco and cannabis | Not published | Apply for Funding button on its site (Dealum). Apply at least 4 weeks before the next member meeting |
Funds that invest in Seattle startups
| Fund | Stage | Published first cheque | Focus and eligibility | How to pitch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founders' Co-op | Seed; aims to be the first institutional investor | Typically $1 million to $1.5 million, aiming to own at least 10%, in a first raise of $1 million to $3 million | Companies from Portland to Vancouver, BC; software with technical founders, where customers pay directly. Avoids ad-supported models | Plain-text email to [email protected] answering its 13 published questions, 120 words each |
| PSL Ventures | Pre-seed, seed and Series A | Not published | Generalist, mainly Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia; excludes pure biotech, energy and pharma | Warm introduction preferred; otherwise [email protected] |
Programs that put founders in front of investors
- PSL Studio. Pioneer Square Labs' startup studio, for people who want to start a company with PSL. Its site doesn't publish studio terms.
Which route fits your company?
| If your situation is… | Look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| C-corporation in the US or Canada raising $500,000 to $2.5 million | Alliance of Angels | Its stated round size and region |
| Software company between Portland and Vancouver raising a first round of $1 million to $3 million | Founders' Co-op | Its stated region and round |
| Pre-seed to Series A in the Pacific Northwest, outside pure biotech, energy and pharma | PSL Ventures | Its stated region and exclusions |
| Want to start a company with a studio | PSL Studio | Its stated purpose |
Meeting an organization's criteria means you can apply, not that it will invest.
Time your application.
Alliance of Angels asks for applications at least 4 weeks before a member meeting, and its investment decisions take about 2 months. Start early enough that your runway covers the process.
What should you have ready before you apply?
- A C-corporation, for Alliance of Angels.
- Answers to Founders' Co-op's 13 questions, each 120 words or less.
- A Dealum profile, for Alliance of Angels.
For how to run the raise itself, see how to raise a seed round.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Alliance of Angels take to decide?
It aims for a decision within 2 months, though it can take longer. Due diligence aims to finish within 5 weeks of the screening meeting.
Does Founders' Co-op invest outside the Pacific Northwest?
Rarely. It strongly prefers companies between Portland and Vancouver, BC, and invests outside that area mostly when it already knows the founders.
How much does Founders' Co-op invest?
Typically $1 million to $1.5 million per company, aiming to own at least 10%.
Can Canadian companies apply to Alliance of Angels?
Yes. It looks across the US and Canada and prefers the Pacific Northwest.