Startup investors in Washington DC
The angel groups, venture fund and accelerator that take applications from founders in the DC region, what each publishes about itself, and how to reach it.
All amounts are in US dollars.
Who invests in startups in Washington DC?
Founders in the DC region can submit to District Angels, a volunteer-led angel community that pools each deal into an SPV, and apply to Harvard Business School Alumni Angels of Washington DC. Blu Ventures is a DC-area venture fund focused on cybersecurity, and Halcyon runs an accelerator for impact-driven founders from its DC office.
Angel networks in Washington DC
| Network | How it works | Who it looks for | Fees | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District Angels | A volunteer-led community; each deal is pooled into an SPV of $50,000 to $200,000, and it co-invests with other angel groups | Industry-agnostic, with a focus on dual-use and defence, cyber, biotech, health tech, climate, and fintech and crypto. Founders can be based anywhere | Not published | Submission form; replies within five days |
| HBS Alumni Angels of Washington DC | No regular pitch events; members meet when enough are interested, and companies that pass screening present in person | Early- to growth-stage companies in any sector, founded by Harvard or non-Harvard alumni, mainly in the DC metro area | Not published | Apply for Funding on its Gust page |
Funds that invest in Washington DC startups
| Fund | Stage | Published first cheque | Focus and eligibility | How to pitch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blu Ventures | Seed to scale | Not published | Cybersecurity, including threat detection, identity and infrastructure defence; DC-area based, invests across the US | Submit a Pitch form on its site |
Programs that put founders in front of investors
- Halcyon. A DC-based accelerator for impact-driven founders in climate, health and EquityTech, running since 2014. Its homepage doesn't publish cost, equity or eligibility; see its applicants page for open programs.
Which route fits your company?
| If your situation is… | Look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Raising a round where a $50,000 to $200,000 cheque helps | District Angels | Its stated deal size |
| Early to growth stage in the DC metro area | HBS Alumni Angels of DC | Its stated stage and region |
| Cybersecurity company, anywhere in the US | Blu Ventures | Its stated focus |
| Impact-driven company in climate, health or EquityTech | Halcyon | Its stated focus |
Meeting an organization's criteria means you can apply, not that it will invest.
Use the fast reply.
District Angels says it replies within five days. Submit early in your raise, so a yes or no comes back while you are still planning the round.
What should you have ready before you apply?
- A short submission for District Angels' form.
- A Gust profile, for HBS Alumni Angels of DC.
- A clear security story, if you're pitching Blu Ventures.
For how to run the raise itself, see how to raise a seed round.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be based in DC for District Angels?
No. Its investors are based in the capital region, but it says it backs companies wherever they're based.
How much does District Angels invest?
Each deal is pooled into an SPV of $50,000 to $200,000. Individual members start at $2,500.
Does Blu Ventures invest outside DC?
Yes. It is based in the DC metro area and invests in founders across the US.