Investing in early stage
real value
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.
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
The Lens
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.
The Engine
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.
The Execution
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.
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
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.