Investing in early stage

real value

In an era where everyone rushes to get in, we move deliberately. We invest in startups that create lasting value with exponential growth.

The MANIFESTO

"We invest at the earliest credible inflection point where evidence begins to replace narrative, typically when a team demonstrates speed of learning, a sharp customer pain, and a repeatable path to traction, even if revenue is small."

We are building a power-law portfolio by deploying many small tickets and concentrating capital only on evidenced winners.

The nova advantage

Founder Support

Too early? Through our network, talents are introduced to portfolio companies and internal development programs with top-notch field experts.

Research & Labs

Academic founders are connected to our network of Universities and Researchers, offering access to high-potential experimental projects.

Co-Investment

Our network includes institutionals, UHNW families, and Family Offices globally. Partner with us.

About us

Nova Angels Club is a strategic initiative founded by Andrea Manzi and Angad Rikhy incubated within the elite network of Nova.

With a sharp investment thesis and a precision-engineered infrastructure, we are positioned to lead the next evolution of the European startup ecosystem, backed by the Nova core principles: talent, merit and integrity.

We leverage a fully digital deal-by-deal SPV model and an innovative syndicate structure, where angels indipendently choose the best investments to follow and join.

We aim to unite the world's most astute investors, acting as a disruptive force in EU early-stage investments.

Investment Thesis

Investment Thesis

Core Beliefs
We invest at the inflection point where speed of learning and traction replace pure storytelling, optimizing for asymmetric upside and capital efficiency.

Look for: Urgent problem, scalable wedge, defensibility.

Avoid: Heavy capex pre-PMF, restrictive terms, narrative-driven founders.
Framework
Our screening framework assesses key founders and startups details, ensuring high-quality deals and strict due-diligence standards:

Ensuring top-notch deals for the angels own portfolio choices.

Clear deal flow process platform for angels, going smoothly from deck to deal.

Portfolio
We construct a power-law portfolio to absorb losses and capture outliers, using clean SAFEs/Notes at Pre-seed/Seed stage.

Allocation: Base (small bets), Middle (reserves), Peak (double down).

Goal: Provide runway to the next funding round.
Data
Exceptional team, with clear roadmap, solving a real problem with a known paying user with a product mvp that is useful and usable, with technical uniqueness and a clear value proposition
Stage
Early Stage
Pre-seed / Seed
Check Size
>€50K
Entry ticket
Geography
Planet Earth
Global Mandate
Sector
Agnostic
Opportunity driven
Founding Team Archetype
Exceptional team, with clear roadmap, solving a real problem with a known paying user with a product mvp that is useful and usable, with technical uniqueness and a clear value proposition
For Startups

The path to partnership

Steps to the process
1. Click on apply.
2 . If selected, prepare to speak for a quick chat (30 minutes) about your startup.
3. Once done, the next step would be to speak with full team and investors, requiring specifics information and initial due diligence (60 minutes).
4. If you're here, then it's done. Prepare to align with our team, receive the capital and all the help to grow 100X.
In parallel to the application process, given the early stage nature of the investments, we ensure due diligence and vetting on founding team through the Nova screening process.
Odds & Results
Up to 2% startups are selected for investments, but submitting to NAC is a win-win:
1. Investment scenario: you'll be selected, which means on average from >50k to 1.5Mln with tickets potential over that through our co-investors.
2. Non-Investment scenario: no investments, but you have the possibility to be nominated within the Nova membership, accessing an elite network of professionals and entrepeneurs, giving you tons of possibility to grow your startup.

The Round Process in a nutshell

The deal crew approach enable you to jump only on the details you want, through information process being taken on by others angel interested and shared to everyone through our platform.Inbound & Valuation
1
Inbound & Valuation
Opportunity arrives via our inbound channel. The operational team assesses valuation and thesis fit.
2
Deal Crew Formation
A micro-group forms the "Deal Crew" to meet the founders.
3
Due Diligence & Decision
Deep dive into roadmap and details. Final decision time.
4
Execution
Funds are wired. The SPV is launched. You are now an angel investor.

Ready to join us?

Fill the form below, wait for application results and If admitted, request admission ASAP