Angel Investor & member Sacha Martina: How to Start Investing Without Millions

Intro

Angel investing often feels out of reach; reserved for ultra-wealthy individuals with multiple exits. In reality, it’s much more accessible. In Episode 4 of AtVenture DealFlow, host Laurie Lancee spoke with Sacha Martina, serial entrepreneur, co-founder of House of Inclusion, ecosystem builder, and active angel investor at AtVenture Platform.

With six investments already made, Sacha shows how you can begin angel investing without millions, and why backing the right founding teams matters most.

She also shares actionable advice for fundraising founders and aspiring angels.

Why Sacha Started Angel Investing

Sacha’s journey into angel investing began with the realization that money alone doesn’t build great companies, but people do. As a founder herself, she wanted to support the next generation of entrepreneurs with more than capital.

Her motivation is clear: today’s startup ecosystem is still too homogenous, with most unicorns being built by the same type of founders. By becoming an angel investor, Sacha actively works to disrupt this pattern and help diverse founders succeed.

Investment Focus

Sacha is not sector- or business-model-driven. Instead, she invests in:

1. Founders with delusional obsession: the unstoppable belief that their solution will succeed.

2. Clarity of vision: the ability to explain complex ideas in a simple way.

3. Affinity with the sector: passion or genuine connection to the problem being solved.

For Sacha, the founding team is everything. Business models can pivot; markets can evolve. But a resilient, driven team is non-negotiable.

Lessons Learned as an Angel

Through her first six deals, Sacha has already drawn a few important lessons:

• Angel investing is a long-term game. Returns may take 5–10 years.

• Founders must involve angels more. Investors bring HR expertise, commercial strategy, and networks that can accelerate growth.

• Regret? Not always being proactive enough in the companies she backs.

Tips for Fundraising Founders

If you’re a founder preparing to pitch angel investors, here are Sacha’s top 3 tips:

1. Prepare for tough questions; don’t just highlight the positives.

2. If pitching isn’t your strength, practice relentlessly or let your co-founder lead.

3. Be honest and realistic about the challenges ahead.

Tips for Aspiring Angels

For those who want to start angel investing, Sacha’s advice is simple and empowering:

1. Start small. Even 1–2 deals per year builds experience.

2. Listen & learn. Go to events, meet founders, and observe before writing big cheques.

3. Invest only what you can afford to lose. Angel investing is high risk, but also high impact.

The Bigger Picture: Diversity & Inclusion

Sacha’s mission is not just financial; it’s about building an inclusive ecosystem. Diverse teams are proven to outperform, yet they still receive a fraction of available capital. By activating more diverse angels like herself, Sacha believes we can start to close the gender funding and wealth gaps.

Conclusion

Sacha Martina is proof that you don’t need millions or multiple exits to become an angel investor. What you do need is conviction, a willingness to learn, and the desire to back exceptional founders.

Listen the full episode of Sacha Martina in AtVenture DealFlow!

Do you want to join angels like Sacha in backing diverse startups?

Learn more and apply via AtVenture Platform.