Neeraj Arora

Neeraj Arora is a highly respected and prolific angel investor, widely recognized for his instrumental role as the former Head of Business at WhatsApp, where he was responsible for “all things business” leading up to its monumental acquisition by Facebook for $19 billion in 2014. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and the Indian School of Business, Arora transitioned from a distinguished career in corporate development at Google and WhatsApp to become one of Silicon Valley's most active and successful individual investors. His deep operational experience in scaling global technology platforms provides him with a unique vantage point for identifying and nurturing early-stage ventures.

Arora's investment thesis primarily revolves around backing visionary founders building disruptive technologies, often in the consumer software, enterprise SaaS, and fintech sectors. He is known for his ability to spot nascent trends and invest in companies that go on to achieve significant scale and unicorn status. Beyond capital, Arora frequently offers strategic guidance, leveraging his extensive network and operational insights to help portfolio companies navigate growth challenges. His quiet yet impactful investment style often sees him co-investing alongside top-tier venture capital firms, lending significant credibility to the startups he supports.

His impressive portfolio underscores his keen eye for innovation, encompassing investments in over 100 companies. Notable early-stage bets include Block (formerly Square), the popular meditation app Calm, the collaborative workspace platform Notion, and the data and AI company Databricks. He has also backed Substack, Retool, and Mercury, among many others. Arora's consistent track record of identifying and supporting high-growth companies has solidified his reputation as a formidable force in the angel investing landscape, making him a sought-after partner for emerging startups.