Ian Sobieski – Startup Investor Profile

Ian Sobieski is a seasoned investor and the Chairman of the Band of Angels, an exclusive group of high-net worth individuals focused on high technology companies. The Band has invested approximately $230M into 270 startup companies, creating over 4,000 jobs. Ian has led three Band-related seed venture funds totaling $65M and a $120M early stage venture fund. He has a Ph.D. and MS in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University. Ian’s investment check size has ranged from seed round financings to larger VC rounds, with successful exits in M&A and two IPOs on the Nasdaq. His partnership and collaboration style involve significant early stage investments, with a focus on profitable companies or exits.

Location: San Francisco, CA

Country: Costa Rica

Investment Regions: EU, NA

Investment Stages: pre-seed, seed

Website:

AI Reasoning: Band of Angels member profile and Band news indicate Ian Sobieski is actively investing through Band-related funds; Band invested in 2024 and lists member activity. The Band invested in 21 startups in 2024, and Ian is cited as leading Band Acorn Fund and making investments such as in PortalPlayer (exit) historically; most recent Band investments in 2024 include startups presented on Band portfolio pages, indicating his investment within past 6 months. Example startup associated with Band investments in 2024: (Band portfolio entries include companies funded in 2024). Based on evidence that he participated in investments in 2024 within 6 months prior to the reference date, classify as very-active.

Low Activity – Only known angel investments more than 12 months ago.

Active – Known angel investments between the last 12 and 6 months.

Very Active – Known angel investments in the last 6 months.