Angel Investing Speakers

An angel investing speaker is someone who shares insights, strategies, and stories about early-stage investing in startups-typically as a featured guest on podcasts, webinars, summits, or live events.

These speakers often have direct experience as angel investors, syndicate leaders, or startup mentors. They might have backed companies like Airbnb, Canva, or Stripe in their early days. But more importantly, they know how to communicate what they've learned in a way that's accessible and engaging.

Unlike traditional finance speakers who focus on public markets or macroeconomics, angel investing speakers zoom in on the startup ecosystem. They talk about deal flow, founder red flags, cap tables, and how to evaluate pre-revenue companies. They might also cover trends like Web3, climate tech, or diversity in venture capital.

Some angel investing speakers are also educators or community builders. They run angel networks, write newsletters, or host their own shows. Others are operators-turned-investors who bring a product or growth lens to their talks.

Whether they're speaking at a global summit or a niche mastermind, their role is to demystify the world of angel investing and help others navigate it with confidence.

If you've ever tried to decode a term sheet or figure out whether a startup is worth backing, you know how overwhelming angel investing can be. That's where a great angel investing speaker comes in-they make the complex understandable and the abstract actionable.

These speakers help bridge the gap between capital and innovation. They educate new investors on how to assess risk, diversify portfolios, and avoid common traps. For founders, they offer a peek behind the curtain-what investors really look for, how to pitch effectively, and what makes a deal attractive.

In emerging markets or underrepresented communities, angel investing speakers can be catalysts. They bring visibility to local ecosystems, highlight overlooked founders, and encourage capital flow where it's most needed. Think of speakers like Tomi Davies in Africa or Cheryl Campos in Latinx communities-they're not just sharing knowledge, they're shaping ecosystems.

They also play a key role in virtual events and summits. With the rise of online learning and remote networking, a compelling speaker can draw thousands of attendees, spark meaningful conversations, and drive real-world action.

So whether you're running a summit, building a podcast, or educating a new wave of investors, the right speaker isn't just helpful-they're essential to moving the conversation forward.

Angel investing speakers do more than just talk-they educate, inspire, and activate audiences around the world of early-stage investing. Here's a breakdown of what they actually do:

- Share Real-World Insights. They draw from personal investing experience to explain how deals get done, what makes a startup investable, and how to build a portfolio. This might include stories of successful exits or hard lessons from failed bets.

- Demystify Complex Topics. From SAFE notes to valuation caps, they break down jargon into plain language. Whether they're speaking to a room of first-time investors or seasoned founders, they tailor their message to the audience's level.

- Spotlight Trends and Opportunities. Many speakers highlight emerging sectors like AI, climate tech, or creator economy startups. They help audiences understand where the market is heading and how to get involved early.

- Build Credibility and Community. By showing up consistently-on podcasts, panels, or summits-they become trusted voices in the ecosystem. Some even run angel groups or online communities to support ongoing learning.

- Support Ecosystem Growth. In regions where angel investing is still nascent, speakers often play a key role in ecosystem development. They might partner with accelerators, mentor founders, or collaborate with local governments to build investor education.

In short, angel investing speakers are educators, connectors, and advocates. They don't just talk about investing-they help others get started, stay informed, and make smarter decisions.

Becoming an angel investing speaker isn't just about knowing how to invest in startups. It's about positioning yourself as a trusted voice in a space that's constantly evolving. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Build Your Angel Investing Experience
- Start investing in early-stage companies, even if it's through syndicates or crowdfunding platforms like AngelList or SeedInvest.
- Document your wins, your lessons, and your process. This builds credibility.

2. Define Your Niche and Message
- Are you focused on tech startups in Southeast Asia? Or maybe impact investing in healthtech?
- Clarify your unique angle. The more specific, the better for attracting the right audience.

3. Create a Speaker Page
- Use platforms like Talks.co to build a speaker profile. Include your bio, topics you speak on, past appearances, and testimonials.
- Make it easy for event hosts to find and book you.

4. Start Speaking Locally or Virtually
- Reach out to local startup incubators, business schools, or online summits.
- Offer to speak for free initially to build your portfolio. Record your talks for future promotion.

5. Network with Hosts and Other Speakers
- Use LinkedIn to connect with podcast hosts, summit organizers, and fellow investors.
- Join communities like Virtual Summit Academy to stay in the loop on speaking opportunities.

6. Leverage Your Talks for More Visibility
- Repurpose your talks into blog posts, LinkedIn articles, or YouTube clips.
- This content helps you get discovered and builds your authority.

7. Get Listed on Speaker Marketplaces
- Beyond Talks.co, consider SpeakerHub, GigSalad, or even your own website with a booking form.

Each step builds on the last. Focus on delivering value, and the invites will follow.

To be an angel investing speaker, you need more than just a few startup investments under your belt. You need a mix of credibility, clarity, and connection. Let's break it down:

1. Credibility in Angel Investing
You don't need to be a billionaire, but you do need a track record. That could mean:
- Having invested in a few startups (even small checks count).
- Being part of a syndicate or angel network.
- Mentoring or advising early-stage founders.

People want to hear from someone who's been in the trenches. Share your wins and your mistakes. Transparency builds trust.

2. A Clear and Valuable Message
What makes your perspective unique? Maybe you focus on underrepresented founders, or you specialize in SaaS startups. Define your core message and the key takeaways you offer. This helps event organizers know exactly where you fit.

3. Speaking Skills and Storytelling
You don't have to be a TED-level speaker, but you do need to communicate clearly and keep people engaged. Practice your delivery, use real examples, and avoid jargon. If you're new to speaking, join a group like Toastmasters or rehearse with peers.

4. A Speaker Page and Booking System
Set up a speaker profile on Talks.co or your own site. Include your bio, topics, testimonials, and a way to book you. Hosts want to see what you bring to the table.

5. Connections to Hosts and Events
Use platforms like Talks.co to connect with virtual summit organizers, podcast hosts, and conference planners. The more visible you are, the more opportunities you'll attract.

In short, you need a mix of experience, clarity, and visibility. When those align, you're ready to step on stage.

Yes, angel investing speakers often get paid, but how much and how often depends on several factors. Let's break it down analytically:

Variables That Influence Payment:
- Experience Level: First-time speakers may speak for free to build their portfolio, while seasoned investors like Jason Calacanis or Elizabeth Yin can command high fees.
- Event Type: Corporate conferences and investor summits typically pay more than community meetups or podcasts.
- Audience Size and Reach: A global virtual summit with 10,000 attendees will likely have a speaker budget, while a local incubator panel might not.

Payment Models:
- Flat Speaking Fee: Common for keynotes or workshops. Ranges from $500 to $25,000+.
- Revenue Share: Some virtual summits offer a cut of ticket sales or upsells.
- Lead Generation: Many speakers waive fees in exchange for access to attendee emails or promotion of their own services.

Pros of Getting Paid:
- Validates your expertise.
- Offsets travel or prep time.
- Encourages higher-quality events.

Cons or Trade-Offs:
- Some high-visibility events don't pay but offer exposure.
- Paid gigs may come with stricter content guidelines.

In summary, yes, angel investing speakers do get paid, especially as they build authority. But early on, the ROI might come more from networking and visibility than direct fees.

Angel investing speakers have multiple ways to monetize their expertise. It's not just about the speaking fee. Here's a breakdown of the most common revenue streams:

1. Speaking Engagements
- Keynotes, panels, and workshops at conferences, accelerators, and corporate events.
- Fees range from $500 to $25,000 depending on the speaker's profile and event size.

2. Virtual Summits and Webinars
- Hosting or guesting on online events.
- Revenue can come from ticket sales, sponsorships, or affiliate commissions.

3. Consulting and Advisory Roles
- After a talk, founders or investors may approach the speaker for 1:1 help.
- This can lead to paid advisory roles or board positions.

4. Courses and Digital Products
- Many speakers package their knowledge into online courses, ebooks, or templates.
- Platforms like Teachable or Gumroad make this easy to scale.

5. Affiliate and Referral Fees
- Recommending tools, platforms, or services (e.g., cap table software, due diligence tools).
- Some angel networks offer referral bonuses for bringing in new investors.

6. Equity or Deal Flow Access
- Some speakers get early access to startup deals in exchange for speaking at demo days or pitch events.
- This can lead to lucrative investments.

7. Brand Partnerships and Sponsorships
- If a speaker has a strong personal brand, companies may pay to be featured in their talks or newsletters.

Angel investing speakers often blend these income streams, creating a diversified and scalable business model. The smartest ones use their talks as a funnel to bigger opportunities.

Angel investing speakers can earn anywhere from a few hundred dollars per talk to six figures annually, depending on their strategy and visibility. Let's look at the numbers:
Typical Fee Ranges:

Experience Level	Per Talk Fee
Beginner	$0 - $500
Mid-Level	$1,000 - $5,000
High-Profile	$10,000 - $25,000+

Annual Income Scenarios:
- Side Hustler: Does 1-2 talks/month at $1,000 each = ~$24,000/year.
- Full-Time Speaker: 4-6 talks/month at $3,000 each + digital products = $150,000+.
- Thought Leader: Mix of $15,000 keynotes, course sales, and advisory equity = $500,000+.
Factors That Impact Earnings:
- Niche expertise (e.g., fintech vs. general investing).
- Audience size and industry.
- Geographic reach (global speakers often earn more).
Additional Income Sources:
As mentioned in 'How do angel investing speakers make money', many speakers supplement their income with consulting, equity, or product sales.
In short, the ceiling is high, but it takes time and positioning to get there. Most start with free or low-paid gigs and scale up as they build authority.

If you're looking to hire an angel investing speaker, the cost can vary widely based on their experience, location, and the format of the event. Here's a breakdown to help you budget:
Cost Ranges by Speaker Tier:

Speaker Type	Typical Fee Range
Emerging Speaker	$0 - $1,000
Mid-Level Expert	$1,000 - $5,000
Industry Leader	$5,000 - $15,000
Celebrity Investor	$20,000 - $50,000+

Factors That Influence Cost:
- Event Format: Virtual talks are often 30-50% cheaper than in-person.
- Duration: A 20-minute keynote costs less than a full-day workshop.
- Customization: Tailored content or audience Q&A may increase the fee.
- Travel and Accommodation: For in-person events, these are usually billed separately.
Budget-Saving Tips:
- Book emerging speakers through platforms like Talks.co.
- Offer value beyond money: exposure, networking, or equity.
- Consider group panels instead of solo keynotes.
Hidden Costs to Watch For:
- AV requirements or tech support.
- Licensing fees for recorded content.
Hiring an angel investing speaker can be a powerful draw for your event, but it's important to align your budget with your goals. For early-stage events, even a $1,000 speaker can deliver massive value.

Here's a curated list of some of the best angel investing speakers of all time. These individuals have not only invested successfully but have also inspired thousands through their talks, books, and interviews:

- Jason Calacanis
- Known for early investments in Uber and Robinhood.
- Author of 'Angel' and frequent speaker at tech conferences.
- Hosts 'This Week in Startups' podcast.

- Esther Dyson
- Pioneer in tech investing and futurism.
- Known for her insights on healthtech and space startups.
- Speaks globally on innovation and early-stage funding.

- Chris Sacca
- Former Google exec turned angel investor.
- Early backer of Twitter, Uber, and Instagram.
- His TEDx talks and interviews are widely cited.

- Naval Ravikant
- Co-founder of AngelList.
- Deep thinker on wealth, investing, and startups.
- His podcast appearances are frequently shared in startup circles.

- Joanne Wilson (aka Gotham Gal)
- Advocate for women-led startups.
- Regular speaker on diversity in angel investing.
- Writes and speaks with a focus on community impact.

- Paul Buchheit
- Creator of Gmail and angel investor in Y Combinator startups.
- Known for his technical insights and startup mentorship.

These speakers have shaped the angel investing landscape and continue to influence new generations of investors and founders alike.

Looking at the current global landscape, here are some of the top angel investing speakers making waves right now across different regions and industries:

- Elizabeth Yin (USA)
- Co-founder of Hustle Fund.
- Speaks on democratizing angel investing and founder-friendly capital.
- Known for her tactical, no-fluff delivery.

- Ritesh Malik (India)
- Founder of Innov8 and active angel investor.
- Popular speaker in India's startup ecosystem.
- Focuses on building entrepreneurial ecosystems in emerging markets.

- Alexandre Lazarow (Canada/Global)
- Author of 'Out-Innovate'.
- Speaks on investing in frontier markets.
- Highlights innovation outside Silicon Valley.

- Nicole Quinn (UK/USA)
- Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners.
- Angel investor in consumer brands like Calm and Goop.
- Speaks on brand-building and consumer psychology.

- Kunal Bahl (India)
- Co-founder of Snapdeal and Titan Capital.
- Regular speaker at Indian startup summits.
- Focuses on founder-first investing.

- Jenny Tooth (UK)
- CEO of UK Business Angels Association.
- Advocate for inclusive investing.
- Speaks at EU and global investment forums.

- Marc P. Bernegger (Switzerland)
- Crypto and fintech angel investor.
- Speaks at blockchain and Web3 conferences worldwide.

These speakers are not only experts in their fields but also active educators, mentors, and advocates for smarter, more inclusive angel investing around the world.

Myth 1: Angel investing speakers are all ultra-wealthy venture capitalists.
Not true. While some speakers do come from high-net-worth backgrounds, many started as founders, operators, or even educators who developed deep expertise in early-stage investing. Take Jason Calacanis, for example. He built his reputation not just on capital but on his ability to spot and support startups early. Many angel investing speakers today are successful because of their insights, not just their bank accounts.

Myth 2: They only speak at Silicon Valley tech events.
This is a narrow view. Angel investing speakers are showing up at global conferences, regional startup hubs, and even virtual summits. From Nairobi to Nashville, the appetite for startup capital and education is growing. Speakers like Elizabeth Yin (co-founder of Hustle Fund) have spoken at events in Asia, Europe, and across the U.S., proving that angel investing is a global conversation.

Myth 3: Their talks are just glorified sales pitches.
Sure, there are a few bad apples, but the best angel investing speakers focus on education, transparency, and value. They break down term sheets, explain risk profiles, and share real data from their portfolios. Audiences walk away with actionable frameworks, not just a pitch to join a fund.

Myth 4: You need to be an angel investor yourself to become a speaker.
Not necessarily. Some of the most impactful speakers are researchers, journalists, or startup mentors who understand the ecosystem deeply. What matters is your ability to communicate insights clearly and credibly. If you've built a startup, mentored founders, or studied early-stage investing trends, you can bring something fresh to the table.

Myth 5: Angel investing speakers only talk about money.
Far from it. They often cover founder psychology, market timing, portfolio construction, and even ethics in investing. The best talks blend finance with storytelling, strategy, and human behavior. It's not just about ROI - it's about building the future, one investment at a time.

When you think of angel investing speakers, you might picture someone rattling off cap tables and exit multiples. But the most successful ones do more than crunch numbers - they connect, educate, and inspire. Let's look at a few standout stories.

Take Maren Bannon, co-founder of January Ventures. She transitioned from operator to investor and now speaks regularly about democratizing access to capital. Her talks are known for their clarity and inclusiveness. At a recent European tech summit, she broke down how early-stage investors can reduce bias in deal flow - not with theory, but with real-world examples from her own fund.

Then there's Gil Penchina. A former eBay exec turned prolific angel investor, Gil has spoken at events like Angel Capital Association summits and SaaStr. What makes him compelling isn't just his track record (he was an early investor in LinkedIn and Cruise), but how he shares the lessons behind the wins and the misses. In one talk, he explained how he passed on a startup that later became a unicorn - and what that taught him about conviction.

In Latin America, Andrea Arnau has become a go-to voice on angel investing. A Shark on Colombia's version of Shark Tank, she blends media savvy with deep investing chops. Her keynotes often focus on emerging markets and the unique challenges of investing outside the U.S. At a recent event in Mexico City, she shared how she evaluates founders in regions with limited infrastructure but high potential.

What unites these speakers isn't just their investment success. It's their ability to translate complex ideas into stories that stick. They make angel investing feel accessible, even to someone just starting out. And they do it with authenticity, not ego.

So whether you're tuning in from a coworking space in Berlin or a startup weekend in Lagos, there's a good chance you've heard from one of these voices - and walked away thinking differently about what it means to be an angel investor.

The landscape for angel investing speakers is shifting, and not just in terms of who's on stage. The content, platforms, and audiences are evolving fast. Here's what's coming next:

- Rise of virtual-first speaking careers. With platforms like Zoom, Hopin, and LinkedIn Live becoming mainstream, more angel investing speakers are building global audiences without ever boarding a plane. This opens the door for voices from underrepresented regions to join the conversation. Expect to see more speakers from Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa gaining traction.

- Content is getting more tactical. Gone are the days of vague inspiration. Audiences now want frameworks, checklists, and real-world data. Speakers who can break down things like SAFE notes, syndicate structures, or due diligence processes in plain English will stand out.

- Intersectional expertise is in demand. Investors who can speak at the intersection of climate tech, AI, or Web3 and early-stage investing are getting booked more often. Why? Because founders want capital that comes with context. Angel investing speakers who bring domain expertise (like a background in biotech or fintech) are becoming more valuable.

- Diversity is no longer optional. Events and podcasts are under pressure to feature more women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ voices. This is pushing organizers to look beyond the usual suspects. New speakers who bring fresh perspectives - especially from outside the U.S. or Europe - are gaining visibility.

- Micro-communities are driving bookings. Instead of big-name conferences, many speakers are finding traction in niche communities: think female founder groups, regional angel networks, or vertical-specific accelerators. These smaller stages often lead to higher engagement and better networking.

Looking ahead, the most successful angel investing speakers will be those who stay nimble, speak with clarity, and meet their audiences where they are - whether that's on a podcast, a Slack channel, or a virtual summit in a completely different time zone.

If you're looking to break into the speaking circuit as an angel investing expert, you don't need to reinvent the wheel. Here's a curated list of tools and platforms to help you get started, grow your presence, and land more gigs:

1. Talks.co. This podcast guest matching tool is a goldmine for speakers. You can create a profile, list your topics, and get matched with podcast hosts looking for guests in the startup and investing space. Tip: Focus on niche shows first - they often have more engaged audiences.

2. SpeakerHub. A platform where you can list your speaking profile, browse events, and connect with organizers. It's especially useful for international exposure. Make sure your profile includes a short video clip - even a 2-minute Zoom recording can boost your credibility.

3. AngelList. While not a speaking platform per se, AngelList is where many early-stage investors build their reputation. Share your insights, join syndicates, and connect with founders. These connections often lead to panel invites or fireside chats.

4. LinkedIn Creator Mode. Turn on Creator Mode to highlight your speaking topics, post regularly, and attract event organizers. Use hashtags like #angelinvesting and #startupspeaking to get discovered. Bonus: Post short clips from your talks to build social proof.

5. Eventbrite. Search for virtual and local startup events where you can pitch yourself as a speaker. Smaller meetups are often looking for fresh voices, especially if you bring a unique angle like investing in underrepresented founders or alternative deal structures.

6. Slidebean. Need to polish your deck? Slidebean helps you create clean, professional presentations fast. Their templates are startup-friendly and investor-savvy. Tip: Use storytelling slides to make your talk more memorable.

7. Clubhouse. Still relevant in some startup circles, especially for impromptu panels and Q&A sessions. Hosting a regular room on angel investing can help you build authority and get noticed by event organizers.

8. Substack. Launch a newsletter focused on your investing insights. It's a great way to build a following and show thought leadership. Many speakers use their Substack as a portfolio of ideas that event planners can browse.

Use these tools strategically. Start small, stay consistent, and focus on delivering value. The more you teach, the more you'll be invited to speak.