Guillermo Rauch

Guillermo Rauch is a highly influential figure in the developer tools and cloud computing space, best known as the founder and CEO of Vercel (formerly ZEIT), the company behind the popular Next.js framework. Prior to Vercel, he co-founded and served as CTO of LearnBoost and Cloudup, both of which were acquired by Automattic in 2013. His deep technical expertise, particularly in real-time web technologies, open source, and developer experience, has established him as a thought leader and innovator. This background uniquely positions him as an angel investor who brings not just capital but also invaluable strategic guidance and technical insights to early-stage companies.

Rauch's investment thesis is sharply focused on the future of software development, cloud infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. He primarily backs companies building developer tools, open-source projects, and foundational AI infrastructure that aim to improve developer productivity, streamline workflows, and enable new paradigms in application development. His portfolio reflects a strong preference for companies that are deeply technical, often solving complex problems for other developers. He looks for teams with strong product vision and a clear understanding of the developer ecosystem, leveraging his own experience in building and scaling developer-centric platforms.

As an active angel investor, Guillermo Rauch typically participates in pre-seed and seed-stage rounds. His involvement extends beyond capital; he is known for providing strategic advice, product feedback, and leveraging his extensive network within the tech community to support his portfolio companies. His investments are often highly selective, focusing on projects that align with his vision for the future of the web and software. He has made over 28 publicly disclosed investments, backing promising startups such as Supabase, Replit, Warp, Convex, and Perplexity AI, demonstrating his commitment to fostering innovation in the developer and AI landscapes.

While specific check sizes can vary, Guillermo Rauch's typical first checks as an angel investor generally range from $100,000 to $500,000. This range reflects his capacity to provide meaningful early-stage capital, often alongside other prominent angels or venture capital firms. His reputation and hands-on approach make him a highly sought-after investor, particularly for founders who can benefit from his deep understanding of developer needs and his track record of building successful, impactful products. His contributions help shape the next generation of developer-focused companies, solidifying his role as a key enabler in the tech ecosystem.