Auren Hoffman

Auren Hoffman is a highly influential and prolific angel investor based in San Francisco, widely recognized for his profound expertise in data, artificial intelligence, and enterprise software. His investment philosophy is deeply rooted in his own successful entrepreneurial journey, having founded and led significant companies such as Rapleaf (later acquired by LiveRamp) and currently serving as CEO of SafeGraph. This operational background provides him with a unique founder-centric perspective, making him a valuable resource for the startups he backs.

Hoffman is an active early-stage investor, primarily concentrating on pre-seed and seed rounds, though he also participates in select Series A opportunities. His investment thesis often gravitates towards companies leveraging data for competitive advantage or building robust B2B SaaS solutions. His extensive portfolio reportedly includes investments in over 100 companies, underscoring his significant commitment and broad reach within the startup ecosystem. This vast experience allows him to identify promising ventures and contribute meaningfully to their early growth.

His notable investments span a range of successful companies, including logistics giant Flexport, productivity tool Superhuman, AI platform DataRobot, and product analytics leader Amplitude. These investments highlight his ability to spot future industry leaders across diverse sectors. Hoffman is known for being a hands-on investor, frequently offering strategic guidance, leveraging his vast network, and providing mentorship to founders. He often co-invests alongside leading venture capital firms, which further validates the potential of the companies he supports and signals strong market conviction. His typical first check sizes generally range from $50,000 to $500,000, providing crucial capital for nascent companies to achieve their initial milestones and scale their operations.