One-Click Payment Tech Secures $2.4M, Human-Powered 'AI' Startup Exposed, and why Angel Education Drives Capital Activation

Happy Thursday.

Here are your angel deals of the week, some bookmarks I think you’ll enjoy, and the best nugget from my conversation with Kate Brodock, CEO of SWITCH & General Partner of W Fund.

🔥Angel Deals of the Week

Angel funding rounds announced in recent weeks, compiled from public sources. These deals represent the elite few that survived an angel network’s vetting process. Note: I have not personally analyzed these companies and am sharing for informational purposes only.

🤝 Want more details on these companies or have an angel deal to share? Reply to this email - I’d be happy to connect you with the source angel group or feature your deal.

🤖 Deal summaries generated using dealmemo.ai.

🧾 Check out every deal we’ve tracked here.

Ideem | One-click payment authentication

Participating Group: Oread Angels

Ideem is developing a Zero-Trust Secure Module that eliminates traditional 2FA friction in online payments by cryptographically binding to users' devices. The company recently secured $2.4MM Seed funding from Sovereigns Capital, Quona Ventures, Everywhere Ventures, Hustle Fund, Oread Angels, Network KS, and strategic angel investors. Funds will be used to scale partnerships across rapidly digitizing markets, helping commerce platforms convert friction-filled authentication processes into one-click experiences.

Toby Rush | Seed Round | Kansas City, MO | April, 2025 | Source

TheNextLevel | Mobile platform for Shopify stores

Participating Group: GC Angels

TheNextLevel is developing a platform that converts Shopify stores into high-converting mobile apps with AI-driven engagement features. The Manchester-based startup recently secured $628,000 (£500k) in a pre-seed round led by DSW Ventures, with participation from GC Angels, Richard Hong of Pangaea Holdings, and angel investor Elizabeth Gooch MBE, who joined as chair. Funds will support UK and US expansion of their customer base and continued development of their "Community Commerce" platform, which currently serves clients including Offlane, Gustharts, and Manchester Storm.

Paul Rawlings | Pre-seed | Manchester, UK | April 2025 | Source

Peppermint Robotics | Commercial robotics

Participating Group: IAN Group

Peppermint Robotics is developing autonomous robotic solutions for commercial and industrial workflows. The company has secured $4 million in Series A funding from JDSS, ENRISSION INDIA CAPITAL INC., IAN Group, VINNERS, and several other angel investors. Funds will support expansion into the EU, Japan, and APAC markets, advancement of their proprietary Peppermint OS and Skateboard electronics platform, and scaling of production capabilities. Since its 2019 founding at Society for Innovation & Entrepreneurship-SINE IIT Bombay, the company now operates in six countries.

Runal Dahiwade | Series A | Pune, Maharashtra, India | April 2025 | Source

🔖Bookmarks

1. Fintech founder charged with fraud after 'AI' shopping app found to be powered by humans in Philippines 🚨 | @TechCrunch (link)

2. Breaking down what AngelList’s CEO is currently thinking about 💸 | @ConfluenceVC (link)

3. What's hot and what's not in angel investing - angel funding trends from the ACA 📊 | @AngelCapitalAssociation (link)

🥇The Nugget: My Top Takeaway from This Week’s Conversation with Kate Brodock

Education Activates Capital 💰

Tons accredited investors don't invest in early-stage private deals because they aren’t confident they can do it well.

Angel education solves that.

Kate's story STARTED with angel education, then evolved into a community of active investors. Not the reverse, which is the path I see many investor communities follow. Their model has proven remarkably effective at converting curious professionals into active investors.

Takeaway: For new angels looking to get started:

• Develop a personal investment thesis first - don't just copy what others are doing. From Kate: "You should sit down and make your own investment thesis and then let that drive where you go for deal flow."

• Join or create a small group to share due diligence - this multiplies your capacity to evaluate deals well and builds confidence. (Check out this list of active angel groups we’re tracking)

• Start with a structured educational foundation before writing your first check - understand valuation basics, term sheets, and portfolio strategy.

Want more? Check out my full conversation with Kate 👇

🎙️ Latest Episode

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more.

Until Next Week👋

Thanks for reading - have a great week.

-Andrew

P.S. If you enjoyed this post, could you do me a quick favor? Hit the "like" button or leave a comment with your thoughts. It may not seem like much, but it really helps me out a ton.

If you’re finding this newsletter valuable, share it with a friend, and consider subscribing if you haven’t already. You can also find me on LinkedIn and X.