New York Angels wrapped up the first quarter with over 2x investment from NYA Members versus last year. Last month, NYA Members invested in two follow-on rounds and celebrated exciting news of other portfolio companies. Read this edition of our newsletter for more details:
New York Angels Members closed out Q1 with $3 million in portfolio company investments.
MARCH INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
As climate change rapidly accelerates, ChillSkyn has grown significantly behind its PolyFrost product, which keeps surfaces cooler under the sun without using any fuel or additional power. Refrigerated trailers, trucks, industrial rooftops, and other users can reduce fuel consumption and prevent cargo loss without increased energy or maintenance costs. NYA Members have invested in ChillSkyn for the second time as the company raised its seed round. Ed Levine and Dave Edwards led the follow-on round for NYA Members.
DSTLRY is redefining the comic book industry with creator-owned comic books and collectibles. DSTLRY offers comic creators not only full ownership of their IP, but they also receive an equity stake in the company. This is the third time NYA Members have invested in the DSTLRY. DSTLRY Co-Founder and CEO David Steinberger also received investment from NYA Members with his first company ComiXology, which exited to Amazon. NYA Deal Leads Kit McQuiston and Aaron Sylvan led this deal as part of DSTLRY's seed round.
FOUNDER SPOTLIGHT
As the former technology director of Israel’s cyber authority and retired Israeli lieutenant colonel, Cynomi Founder & CEO David Primor spent decades managing state-level cyber threats. David shares his story how he met NYA Member Steve Snyder through a Temple University MBA project, how Cynomi grew to an almost $5 million ARR, and why NYA Members are more like family than investors.
PORTFOLIO NEWS
COPYLEAKS
Copyleaks has been ranked #7 on the sixth annual Inc. Regionals: Northeast list – the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the Northeast. Copyleaks is a global leader in AI-powered content originality and authenticity and ensures responsible AI adoption, prevents plagiarism, and moderates harmful or fraudulent content with unmatched accuracy and scale. Read Press Release
PORTFOLIO NEWS
PINDROP
Pindrop, the leader in voice security, today announced an expanded integration with Zoom to bring real-time deepfake detection for Zoom Contact Center. The integration embeds Pindrop’s AI-driven voice authentication, synthetic media detection and fraud risk intelligence directly within Zoom’s CX platform. Read News
NYA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
After starting his career in private equity real estate, Brian Silver moved into private investing for his family real estate company. Over the past two years, Brian become more involved in investments and fundraising, leading him to join NYA in March 2025. Brian shares the real estate long-term hold mindset is applicable to angel investing, how he found NYA through Google, and his experience being both a customer and investor in one of NYA’s portfolio companies: ProSentry.
YAHOO! FINANCE
WHY RETIREES ARE ALLOCATING 5-10% TO ANGEL INVESTING
Retirees are turning to angel investing as a complementary strategy to build on their retirement portfolio. According to the Angel Capital Association, angel investors support tens of thousands of startups each year, often playing a critical role in early company formation before institutional capital enters. For retirees, this approach is best viewed as a selective allocation layered on top of traditional investments, rather than a replacement for income-generating strategies. The top reasons why retirees are now making angel investments include:
Access to Innovation
Complimentary Diversification
Asymmetric Upside Potential
Active Engagement
Long-term Impact and Legacy
UPCOMING MEMBER MEETINGS
Investment Forum (Hybrid):
• April 20th (9:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Screening (Hybrid):
• May 4th (9:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
FOUNDER DEADLINES
June Screening Application:
• May 17th
*New York Angels, Inc. ("NYA") is a not-for-profit corporation that is funded by membership dues for individuals and/or entities that NYA has designated as members as well as from certain sponsors. Its purposes include providing administrative support to its members. NYA does not invest in companies. Investments, if made, are made by individual members of NYA.
