Sam Altman

Sam Altman is a highly influential figure in the technology and venture capital landscape, best known as the CEO of OpenAI and former president of Y Combinator. His investment activities span a wide array of groundbreaking startups, reflecting a keen interest in frontier technologies and ambitious "moonshot" projects. As a prolific angel investor, Altman has personally backed hundreds of companies, demonstrating a consistent commitment to fostering innovation from its earliest stages. His investment philosophy often aligns with ventures that possess the potential for significant societal impact and disruptive technological advancements.

Altman's investment portfolio is diverse, with a notable emphasis on artificial intelligence, biotechnology, energy, and new computing paradigms. Beyond his individual angel investments, he co-founded Apollo Projects with his brother Jack Altman, an investment vehicle specifically designed to fund high-risk, high-reward ventures. Apollo Projects seeks to provide initial capital to companies tackling complex scientific and engineering challenges, often in areas that require substantial long-term investment and research. This initiative underscores his belief in supporting foundational technologies that could reshape the future.

His typical first check sizes vary depending on the stage and nature of the investment. For his personal angel investments, initial checks often fall within the range of $50,000 to $500,000, targeting very early-stage startups. Through Apollo Projects, the capital deployed can be more substantial, with reports indicating that the fund aims to write checks of up to $1 million for early-stage companies pursuing ambitious scientific or technological breakthroughs. He has reportedly invested in over 400 companies as an angel, showcasing his extensive reach and influence in the startup ecosystem.