Brian Nichols isn’t just investing in startups, he’s building an ecosystem around who gets to invest. As the founder of Angel Squad, a program under Hustle Fund, Nichols has built Angel Squad into a 2,000+ member community helping professionals break into venture capital with real deal flow and support. with confidence, community, and practical deal flow. From early roles at Lyft and Zoox to his leadership in syndicate-building, Nichols has become one of the most quietly influential voices in early-stage investing.
Democratizing Angel Investing Through Angel Squad
Launched in 2020, Angel Squad is a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to teach operators, builders, and curious professionals how to invest in startups, alongside seasoned venture capitalists. What began as an educational project has now evolved into a movement: Angel Squad members have participated in over $24 million worth of deals with Hustle Fund, and an additional $3.7 million through community-led investments.
With structured courses, cohort-based experiences, and real-time access to live fundraising rounds, Angel Squad helps break down the traditional walls of early-stage investing.
“The best angel investors are helpful guides,” Nichols often says, reflecting his philosophy of investing with empathy and clarity.
A Career Built at the Intersection of Ops and Capital
Before stepping into the investing spotlight, Nichols was an early operator. At Lyft, he ran California markets, helping the company scale during its hyper-growth years. He later joined Zoox, the autonomous vehicle startup acquired by Amazon, and contributed to BlackBird, a private air travel startup tied to Surf Air.
This operator-first lens continues to guide his investment strategy. He often favors what he calls “boring but solid” startups, less hype, more fundamentals.
“Learning founders > know-it-alls,” Nichols wrote in one of his most viral LinkedIn posts.
Syndicate Building as a Superpower
Perhaps Nichols’ most underappreciated contribution is his work in building syndicates, groups of people who invest together. He co-founded the Lyft Syndicate with Ann Miura-Ko, growing it to 300+ investors who deployed over $30 million across 70+ companies.
He’s also played a key role in bootstrapping syndicates for teams at Airbnb, Stripe, Pinterest, and On Deck, enabling networks of operators to share access and insight.
“My superpower is connecting you with the right people to get you there faster,” Nichols explains.
Content, Community, and Thought Leadership
With a LinkedIn following of over 27,000, Nichols uses his platform not just to promote startups, but to educate. He regularly publishes insights on topics like:
- How to build LP relationships
- Founder red flags
- Startup metrics that matter
- Mental models for investing conviction
He also runs an annual Angel Squad Summit: a virtual event hosted by Brian Nichols and Hustle Fund, bringing together operators, angels, and fund managers to share ideas and build partnerships.
Metrics That Matter
- Angel Squad: Over $24 million invested with Hustle Fund, plus $3.7 million in Squad-sourced deals.
- Lyft Syndicate: $30+ million deployed across 70+ startups
- LinkedIn: 950+ original posts, 27K+ followers, 10+ published articles
Media Reach: Featured on the Understanding VC podcast, Hustle Fund newsletters, and operator-focused meetups
