Organization · Angel Group
Sophia Business Angels
Sophia Business Angels (SBA) is an angel group that invests personal funds in early-stage startups with innovative concepts. Founded in 2002 in Sophia Antipolis, France, SBA has over 40 members globally and emphasizes mentorship alongside financial support.
Overview
What Sophia Business Angels does
What Sophia Business Angels is
Sophia Business Angels (SBA) is an angel group that invests personal funds in early-stage startups with innovative concepts. Founded in 2002 in Sophia Antipolis, France, SBA has over 40 members globally and emphasizes mentorship alongside financial support.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and community and event host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Angel Group
- Founded
- Founded in 2002
- Approximate age
- About 24 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Community · Event host
- Last reviewed
- March 6, 2026
Official channels
Find Sophia Business Angels elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Sophia Business Angels as a funder
Investment thesis
SBA focuses on investing in early-stage startups that demonstrate innovative concepts and commercial potential. The organization emphasizes mentorship and networking to enhance startup success.
Focus narrative
SBA invests in early-stage startups across various sectors, emphasizing innovative concepts with commercial potential. The organization provides capital contributions ranging from €50,000 to €500,000, mentorship from a diverse team of international professionals, and access to a broad network for additional financing opportunities. SBA also organizes regular pitching and networking events to prepare entrepreneurs for investment.
Terms and economics
- Typical check
- $50,000–$500,000
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Seed+
- Regions
- Asia · Europe · Global · North America
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 100
Portfolio context
SBA has invested in a range of notable startups, including: Interstellar Lab: Develops controlled-environment modules for sustainable living on Earth and in space. Cosmic Data: A social media management platform for businesses with multiple locations, offering centralized publishing and analytics. PowerUP Tech: Focuses on clean energy solutions using hydrogen fuel cell technology for zero-emission power. Gama Space: Innovates solar and drag sail systems for affordable and sustainable space access. The Exploration Company: Builds modular, reusable spacecraft for cost-effective space logistics. Hivenet: A distributed cloud platform that enhances data security and reduces environmental impact. Orora Tech: Provides real-time wildfire detection and monitoring using satellite thermal data and AI. Windlair: Develops an autonomous hybrid electric VTOL cargo drone for logistics in remote areas. Over its 20 years, SBA has mentored and invested in more than 100 startups.
Capability profile
Sophia Business Angels as a community
Community overview
Sophia Business Angels (SBA) is a group of individuals who invest personal funds in early-stage startup companies with innovative concepts and commercial promise. Founded in 2002 in Sophia Antipolis on the French Riviera, SBA has grown to over 40 members located globally, including Europe, the United States, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and Asia. The organization is affiliated with the European Business Angels Network (EBAN) and France Angels, collaborating with various angel groups and partners to support startups.
Community focus
SBA invests in early-stage startups across various sectors, emphasizing innovative concepts with commercial potential. The organization provides capital contributions ranging from €50,000 to €500,000, mentorship from a diverse team of international professionals, and access to a broad network for additional financing opportunities. SBA also organizes regular pitching and networking events to prepare entrepreneurs for investment.
Member value
Members benefit from access to a network of investors, mentorship opportunities, and participation in pitching events that enhance their chances of securing funding.
Membership
- Recorded members
- 40
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Benefits
- mentorship and network-access
- Program types
- community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- Global
Community activity
Events and activity
SBA organizes regular pitching and networking events to prepare entrepreneurs for investment, facilitating connections between startups and potential investors.
Notable members
Notable members include Candace Johnson (President), Barbara Saxby (Communications Director), Omer Hiziroglu (Treasurer), and other active SBA members.
Capability profile
Sophia Business Angels as an event host
Event focus
Sophia Business Angels (SBA) invests in early-stage startups across various sectors, emphasizing innovative concepts with commercial potential. The organization provides capital contributions ranging from €50,000 to €500,000, mentorship from a diverse team of international professionals, and access to a broad network for additional financing opportunities. SBA also organizes regular pitching and networking events to prepare entrepreneurs for investment.
Format and cadence
- Startups can present
- Yes
Availability
- Registration state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Regions
- Asia · Europe · Global · United States
Speakers and past editions
Past editions
Over its 20 years, SBA has mentored and invested in more than 100 startups.
Common questions
What to know about Sophia Business Angels
Upseed classifies Sophia Business Angels under the Angel Group organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, community, and event host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 6, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.