Vinny Lingham

Vinny Lingham is a highly regarded South African-born entrepreneur and prolific angel investor, primarily based in the United States. He has a distinguished track record of founding and successfully exiting technology companies, most notably Gyft, a mobile gift card platform acquired by First Data, and Civic, a pioneering decentralized identity platform built on blockchain technology. Lingham's entrepreneurial journey provides him with a unique perspective that he applies to his investment activities, making him a sought-after early-stage partner.

As an investor, Lingham focuses predominantly on pre-seed and seed-stage companies, demonstrating a keen eye for disruptive innovation. His investment portfolio is diverse, yet he holds a particular affinity for the blockchain, cryptocurrency, fintech, artificial intelligence, and consumer internet sectors. He was an early and active participant in the nascent crypto ecosystem, backing foundational projects. Across his career, Lingham has made angel investments in over 50 companies, supporting a wide array of startups from their foundational stages.

Lingham's investment approach is characterized by his hands-on involvement and strategic guidance, leveraging his vast experience as a founder and CEO to assist portfolio companies. His typical first check size for angel and seed investments generally ranges from $50,000 to $500,000, reflecting his commitment to fueling nascent ventures. His public profile as a former 'Dragon' on Shark Tank South Africa further highlights his dedication to identifying and nurturing promising startups from their earliest conceptual stages, solidifying his reputation as a significant force in the global startup ecosystem.