Louis Beryl

Louis Beryl is a highly accomplished entrepreneur and angel investor, known for his deep operational experience and strategic insights, particularly within the FinTech and software sectors. He is a three-time founder, most notably as the CEO of Earnest, a student loan refinancing platform that was acquired by Navient for $155 million in 2017. His entrepreneurial journey also includes founding SolidEnergy Systems. Beryl's background is further enriched by his tenure as a Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and his participation in Y Combinator's Winter 2009 batch, providing him with a unique blend of founder, operator, and institutional investor perspectives.

As an active angel investor, Beryl primarily focuses on early-stage companies, typically at the Seed or Series A stage. His investment portfolio reflects a strong inclination towards FinTech, B2B SaaS, and marketplace businesses. He has backed an impressive roster of successful startups, including industry leaders like Ramp, Brex, Mercury, and Pipe. His involvement extends beyond capital, often taking on board roles and leveraging his extensive network and operational expertise to guide founders through critical growth phases.

Beryl's investment strategy is characterized by a hands-on approach, where he seeks to partner with ambitious founders building transformative companies. His experience scaling and exiting his own ventures, coupled with his insights from a top-tier venture capital firm, makes him a valuable resource for portfolio companies. While specific check sizes for individual angels can vary, Louis Beryl typically deploys first checks ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, aligning with his preference for impactful early-stage participation in high-potential ventures. He has invested in over 20 companies, demonstrating his consistent commitment to the startup ecosystem.