by Melinda Gloriosa, Managing Director of 71/70 Angels and Rev1 Ventures
Raising early-stage capital has never been easy — but in today’s market, it can feel especially daunting. Valuations are shifting, due diligence is tightening, and founders are being forced to do more with less. Even experienced angels are asking: Is now the right time to invest?
For those with capital, curiosity, and conviction, the answer is yes.
With Next-Gen Founders and Accelerating Technology, the Case for Investing Now
The market may be turbulent, but innovation isn’t slowing down — it’s accelerating. We’re seeing a new generation of founders who are sharper, more intentionally capital-efficient, and laser-focused on solving problems that customers want solved. That discipline is exactly what long-term angel investors look for.
Meanwhile, the talent pool has opened in ways we haven’t seen in years. As major tech firms scale back, exceptional engineers, data scientists, and operators are flowing into the startup ecosystem. Three years ago, founders struggled to hire this caliber of talent. Today, they’re forming teams that combine creativity with deep technical skill — a powerful signal for angels watching early-stage deal flow. Match that with the many angels who, as cashed-out entrepreneurs, understand that while capital fuels growth, wisdom and relationships sustain it, and it’s a powerful combination for the decades. When capital gets cautious, disciplined angels make the difference, and that’s where the next generation of growth stories begins.
Now is the Time to Invest with Purpose
Periods of correction tend to favor investors who stay engaged. With valuations resetting to rational levels, deal terms improving, and competition easing, disciplined angels can make smarter, more informed investments.
Beyond market timing, there’s another reason to say yes: angel investing is inherently rewarding. Angels are drawn to the excitement of new technologies — AI, advanced materials, life sciences, clean energy — and to the satisfaction of helping founders turn early sparks into real companies.
Angel investing has always been about more than returns. It’s about proximity to innovation and the chance to shape the future economy from the ground up. Angels provide nearly 90 percent of early-stage equity funding in the U.S., and the startups they back have a 60% percent higher five-year survival rate than those that aren’t backed by angels.
Where Today’s Angels Find Their Next Great Investment
Quality deal flow isn’t about luck — it’s about alignment and access. Most angels source opportunities through trusted networks: other investors they’ve co-invested with, founders they’ve backed before, or peers who share deals through warm introductions. Pitch competitions and demo days can surface opportunities, but they’re hit or miss.
The most reliable deal flow often comes from partnerships with organizations embedded in the startup ecosystem. For angels, collaborating with groups, like Rev1 Ventures, which operates as both a venture studio and an early-stage investor, can provide a curated pipeline and a layer of diligence that helps manage early-stage risk.
Syndication is another advantage of today’s angel investing. Co-investing with like-minded angels in other regions or sectors amplifies impact and spreads risk. It also surrounds startups with broader expertise — a network of advisors, connectors, and champions increasing the odds of success.
And while remote investing has grown, many angels still prefer to keep capital close to home. In regional markets like the Midwest, investing locally isn’t just practical, it’s personal. You can meet founders face-to-face, validate their work through your networks, and see firsthand the jobs and innovation your investment creates.
Playing the Long Game
Angel investing is not instant gratification. These are long-term, illiquid investments with horizons of five to ten years or more. Returns can be meaningful — but the real payoff comes from being part of innovation at the ground floor.
There’s no single right way to participate. Angels can invest directly, join a network, or participate through a fund. What matters is having a plan: how much you’ll invest, what kinds of companies you’ll back, and how you’ll evaluate opportunities.
The Takeaway
Every deal is different. Every founder brings new surprises. That’s part of what makes angel investing so energizing.
If you love innovation, believe in the power of entrepreneurship, and have the appetite to stay in the game, there’s never been a better time to be an angel investor.
Melinda Gloriosa is Managing Director, Investments at Rev1 Ventures and 71/70 Angels, where she analyzes, executes, and manages investments in concept, seed, and early-stage companies and leads a disciplined angel investing practice, curating high-quality deal flow, guiding rigorous diligence, and supporting founders in building strong, execution-ready teams.
