New Report Maps LA's Top Angels
TurboFund has released a list of 25 of LA's most active angel investors for 2026. The report highlights that these angels are increasingly backing vertical SaaS, fintech, and deep tech, challenging the perception that LA's early-stage scene is limited to consumer and media startups.
The Los Angeles startup ecosystem now ranks 4th globally, with its 7,953 startups raising over $10.57 billion in total funding. This growth represents a significant expansion of an ecosystem once primarily known for entertainment and media ventures. The shift towards deep tech is backed by significant capital inflows. In 2025, deep tech companies in Los Angeles raised $1.36 billion in equity funding, a 45% increase from the $938 million raised in 2024. This surge highlights the city's growing reputation as a hub for serious technological innovation. This trend is also reflected in venture capital activity. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, VC and private equity firms invested $3.1 billion across 144 deals in the greater LA area, a 15% increase year-over-year. Firms like Upfront Ventures, which focuses on fintech and SaaS, and Riot Ventures, which backs deep tech, are key players in this landscape. Beyond traditional VCs, LA's angel scene is uniquely populated by figures from the entertainment world who have become serious tech investors. Ashton Kutcher's Sound Ventures, for example, has backed major AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, while Jared Leto has quietly built a portfolio spanning fintech and software. The ecosystem is further bolstered by a strong talent pipeline from local universities. Institutions like USC and UCLA contribute to a tech talent labor pool of over 228,000 people in the L.A. and Orange County region. This constant influx of skilled graduates fuels the growth of new ventures.
