The short answer
Our database lists 11,023 US startup investors focused on consumer & retail, and 2,888 of those with a known state are based outside California, New York and Massachusetts. The most represented states are California (4,887), New York (2,294), Massachusetts (521), Texas (387), Illinois (322). (Zalarma investor database, as of 2026-11-01.)
What consumer & retail investors look for
- Consumer investors want proof of demand you didn't buy: repeat purchase, organic referrals, retail sell-through or a waitlist that converts.
- Know your contribution margin per order after shipping and returns. It is the first number most consumer investors will ask for.
- Family offices with roots in retail, food or brands are often more patient with consumer companies than generalist funds.
- Regional retail wins (a grocery chain, a regional distributor) are real traction; show the reorder rate, not just the launch.
Where they are
US states with the most consumer & retail investors in our database.
| State | Investors |
|---|---|
| California | 4,887 |
| New York | 2,294 |
| Massachusetts | 521 |
| Texas | 387 |
| Illinois | 322 |
| Florida | 322 |
| Washington | 293 |
| Colorado | 150 |
| Utah | 125 |
| Washington, DC | 123 |
| Pennsylvania | 107 |
| North Carolina | 107 |
Top metros
Consumer & retail investors by state
What stages they back
Of the 10,976 records in this group that list a stage, here is how many invest at each one (investors often list several).
Investors by stage
Who they are
The mix of investor types tells you where your first checks are most likely to come from.
Investors by type
Sectors they focus on
Sector focus as listed on each record. Generalists who list many sectors are counted in each.
Investors by sector focus
Typical check sizes
Based on the 9,816 records that list a check size (we use the low end of a stated range).
Investors by typical check size
Active firms outside California, New York and Massachusetts
Firms ranked by how many of their investors in this group appear in our database, counting only investors based outside the three biggest hubs. A starting map, not a ranking of quality.
| Firm | Main stages | Listed |
|---|---|---|
| Alliance of Angels | Seed, Series A | 21 |
| Moving Capital | Seed, Series A | 17 |
| Plexus Capital, LLC | Seed, Series A, Series B+ | 13 |
| Thompson Street Capital Partners | Series B+ | 13 |
| Google Ventures | Pre-seed, Seed | 12 |
| Florida Funders | Seed, Series A | 12 |
| Pioneer Fund | Seed, Series A, Series B+ | 11 |
| Hustle Fund | Pre-seed, Seed | 11 |
| Golden Seeds | Seed, Series A | 10 |
| Antler | Pre-seed, Seed | 10 |
About this data
Counts are records in the Zalarma investor database, as of 2026-11-01: angels, venture firms and their partners, micro-VCs, family offices, corporate VCs and accelerators that list startup investing. One investor can appear in several stage or sector rows. Stage, sector and check size come from what each record lists, so not every record has every field. Counts under 10 are not shown. Firm names are listed; we do not publish personal contact details on this site. Read how we build and check the data.
Frequently asked questions
How many consumer & retail investors are there in the US?
The Zalarma investor database lists 11,023 US startup investors in this group as of 2026-11-01. It is a count of records in our database, not of the whole market.
Are most of them in Silicon Valley?
No. 2,888 of those with a known state are based outside California, New York and Massachusetts.
How should I approach them?
Shortlist the investors whose stage, sector and check size match your round, find a warm path for the top 25, and send a short, specific note to the rest. Our guides cover both.
Can Zalarma introduce me?
Tell us about your round and within 2 business days we will send 5 hand-picked investors, each with a one-line why-they-fit. We never share your details with investors without your OK.