Sam Parr’s Hampton vs AngelList vs Gust vs OpenVC: A Founder’s Guide to Finding Investors

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Are you a startup founder wondering which platform—Sam Parr’s Hampton, AngelList, Gust, or OpenVC—is the best to find investors? That’s a question I hear often, and today I’ll break down the unique strengths, weaknesses, and details of each. With new players like Hampton shaking up the landscape once dominated by AngelList and Gust, and disruptors like OpenVC promising a more open approach, it’s more important than ever to understand where you’ll find the right fit for your funding needs.

In this in-depth guide, I’ll compare these four investor platforms across twenty crucial topics founders care about, incorporating insights from Capitaly.vc and sharing unique, up-to-date details. Whether you’re bootstrapping, raising your first round, or scaling up, you’ll leave with a clear sense of which platform is likely the best move for your journey.

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1. Who is Sam Parr and What is Hampton?

Let’s kick it off with Sam Parr, the well-known founder of The Hustle and co-host of My First Million podcast. Recently, Sam co-launched Hampton, a private, invite-only community for startup founders and executives. Hampton isn’t just another network—it’s an exclusive club focused on connecting high-achieving entrepreneurs.

Whereas AngelList, Gust, and OpenVC are more open and tech-driven, Hampton is curated and emphasizes deep trust. Think country club, but for startup brains. The advantage: tighter networks, high-value intros, hard-to-access investors, and battle-tested founder advice.

Key takeaway: If you have some traction and want rich relationships with other founders and direct investor intros, Hampton is worth your radar.

2. AngelList: The Pioneer Platform

AngelList has dominated startup investing for a decade. It’s the original online platform that brought together angel investors and startups, enabling founders to launch syndicates and raise capital transparently.

Highlights:

• Vast investor directory
• Syndicate/rolling fund tools
• Job board for hiring
• Big focus on early-stage tech

AngelList is best if you have a tight pitch, market validation, and want to tap into a massive global investor pool. You can spin up a page fast, but standing out is tough given the volume.

For more on AngelList strategy, see our post: How to Find Investors on AngelList.

3. Gust: The Preferred Platform for Angels & Accelerators

Gust is an OG platform, too, beloved by angel groups and accelerators. It’s less trendy but loaded with real institutional and angel connections. With strong tools for startup profiles, cap tables, and investor matching, Gust helps you present your business professionally.

What sets Gust apart:

• Strong ties to formal angel groups
• Comprehensive application and review tools
• Integrated data rooms and security

Gust shines if you’re aiming for credibility and compliance with more traditional investors.

4. OpenVC: The Disruptor

OpenVC flips the closed-door process on its head. Instead of pitching one investor at a time, OpenVC lists updated criteria from hundreds of funds. You see exactly what each investor wants before submitting your deck.

Advantages:

• Transparent VC criteria
• Direct contacts with decision makers
• No gatekeepers or cold-call guessing

OpenVC is best for founders who want data-driven targeting, less noise, and a faster connection to investors with real interest.

5. Hampton vs AngelList vs Gust vs OpenVC: My Real-World Comparison

I’ve tested them all. Here’s my honest experience:

• Hampton: Unparalleled human connections. Great for targeted intros but limited in scale unless you’re a fit for their private roster.
• AngelList: Giant reach, but a noisy pool. If you hustle, you can build momentum—especially with syndicates working.
• Gust: Feels more corporate. Amazing when targeting institutional money or applying to structured programs.
• OpenVC: Cutting-edge. Ideal for DIY founders who want to avoid the black box, but you still need a killer deck and product.

For more about optimizing investor outreach, see our article: The Ultimate Guide to Cold Emailing Investors.

6. Platform Accessibility: Who Can Join?

There are hidden gates:

• Hampton: Invite-only, with an application and vetting (must be generating $1M+ revenue or have proven track record).
• AngelList: Open to all, but curated for investors. Startups create profiles easily.
• Gust: Also open signup, but hitting the angel group/corporate investor level usually means more scrutiny.
• OpenVC: Completely open—search and submit to any listed VC/fund globally.

If you’re new, AngelList or OpenVC will let you get started fastest.

7. Pricing: What Does It Cost to Use?

The price tag differs:

• Hampton: $6,000/year as of this writing, which pays for its exclusivity.
• AngelList: Free to set up and browse; syndicates and rolling funds have fees or carry.
• Gust: Free for startups, but some services for deeper investor connections have fees.
• OpenVC: Free for founders—VCs pay for premium features.

For founders on a budget, OpenVC and AngelList are least expensive, but Hampton offers premium value if you get in.

8. Investor Quality vs. Quantity

• Hampton: Top-tier, highly engaged investors within the community.
• AngelList: Massive pool, but wide range of experience. You need to filter.
• Gust: Seasoned angels and programs, skewing more professional/traditional.
• OpenVC: Direct access to fund partners and validated VCs—less cold spamming.

Big quantity is nice, but quality checks matter. For more, check out How to Screen Investors.

9. Platform Features: What Tools Help You Succeed?

Hampton: In-person and virtual events, masterclasses, founder support pods.
AngelList: Syndicates, job board, investor CRM.
Gust: Cap table management, data room, easy funding round setup.
OpenVC: Up-to-date VC criteria, intro tracking, public and private notes.
Tools make the difference, especially in the hectic fundraising journey.

10. Success Rates: Which Platform Gets Results?

No platform guarantees funding—but odds improve when your startup fits.

• Hampton: High-hit ratio if you’re accepted because of tight curation.
• AngelList: Success varies—massive potential but fierce competition.
• Gust: Higher for those targeting structured angel programs or corporations.
• OpenVC: Founders save time finding fit, increasing chances of a warm intro.

For case studies, see Startup Fundraising Success Stories.

11. Community and Support

Hampton: Real community, including DMs with other founders, vulnerability circles, and elite events.
AngelList & Gust: Less about relationships, more about transactions.
OpenVC: Community features growing, but focus remains on direct VC connection.
For some, feeling part of a tribe will be a game-changer.

12. Matching Algorithms & Screening

Hampton: Staff hand-curate intros based on deep member knowledge.
AngelList: DIY, though you can see which investors engage with pitches.
Gust: Structured application workflow—investors review based on tight criteria.
OpenVC: Advanced filters and rules—target based on VC's stated interest.

13. Geographical Reach

All four have global reach, but with nuances:

• Hampton: US-centric, expanding worldwide through select chapters.
• AngelList/Gust: Both serve global founders—especially in North America and Europe.
• OpenVC: Allows granular search by region, with global VC database.

International? OpenVC and AngelList won’t leave you out.

14. Security & Privacy

Hampton: Strict NDA/CDA and high trust privacy policies.

AngelList & Gust: Recognized, used by top funds, institutional-level security and compliance.

OpenVC: Data transparency is a feature, but you can restrict info as needed.

If you’re concerned about leaks, Hampton and Gust feel safest.

15. Integrations and Ecosystem

AngelList: Ties to Carta, Slack, job boards, and many funding tools.

Gust: Cap table, diligence, data rooms with investor networks.

OpenVC: Integrates with CRM tools, access to public VC lists.

Hampton: Focuses on human, not tech, integration—quality over quantity.

16. Learning & Education Resources

Hampton: Private seminars, courses, and mastermind circles.

AngelList: Blog, forum, and events. Great for learning about syndicates and jobs.

Gust: Comprehensive guides on funding and investor readiness.

OpenVC: Active founder resources and VC lists, plus webinars.

For educational tips, see Startup Fundraising Checklist.

17. Platform Reputation & Social Proof

Investor and founder trust is crucial.

• Hampton: Elite, word-of-mouth buzz—less mainstream but a reputation for impact.
• AngelList: Widely known, a standard among VCs, but sometimes considered saturated.
• Gust: Institutional trust, especially among formal investors.
• OpenVC: Hot with new founders, gaining respect as a transparent disruptor.

18. Founder Fit – Who Should Use Which Platform?

Quick guide:

• Hampton: Serial/in-scale founders with access, looking for elite connections.
• AngelList: Startups in tech, early to mid-stage, wanting massive exposure.
• Gust: Startups seeking angel/accelerator experience, compliance, and structured process.
• OpenVC: Hands-on/product founders wanting transparency and targeted pitching.

19. Recent Developments in the Space

The landscape changes fast:

• Hampton has expanded with global chapters and hired top community managers.
• AngelList continues to power syndicates and rolling funds at scale.
• Gust has integrated more accelerator and program tools.
• OpenVC recently revamped search and filtering for even more accurate investor targeting.

Staying current is key—follow industry news and updates.

20. Capitaly.vc: How it Fits Into Your Investor Search

I’d be remiss not to highlight Capitaly.vc, which offers startups tailored tools and data-driven intelligence to find investors and streamline fundraising. Think of Capitaly as the bridge between these platforms and your fundraising success.

Our resources and blog cover all the nuances of pitching, investor comms, and leveraging AI for outreach. Capitaly can supercharge your efforts, whatever platform you choose.

FAQs: Top Questions on Sam Parr’s Hampton, AngelList, Gust, and OpenVC

1. Is Hampton worth the $6,000/year membership? If you want elite, curated connections and your startup is already growing, yes—it’s a premium network for a reason.
2. Can I join AngelList without a strong network? Absolutely. Anyone can create a profile and pitch. Stronger networks help, but aren’t required.
3. How does OpenVC’s transparency help founders? You know exactly what investors want, allowing smarter targeting and less wasted outreach.
4. Is Gust relevant for European startups? Gust is global, but particularly strong in North America and formal networks. Still useful for serious European startups.
5. What’s the best platform for solo, first-time founders? OpenVC is highly accessible. AngelList is solid for tech. Hampton caters to those with traction.
6. Are these platforms useful for non-tech startups? Increasingly yes, but most investors still lean toward tech/software/innovation verticals.
7. Do I need a warm intro for Hampton? It helps for application, but you can apply directly if you meet criteria.
8. Which platform is fastest for getting investor feedback? OpenVC and AngelList both deliver rapid connections, assuming your deck is sharp.
9. Are there hidden fees? Not with OpenVC; Hampton and Gust are transparent. AngelList fees appear with syndicates/rolling funds.
10. Does Capitaly.vc help with platform selection? Yes! We guide founders on picking the right tools and offer custom fundraising automation. For more see our Startup Fundraising Platforms post.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice

Choosing between Sam Parr’s Hampton, AngelList, Gust, or OpenVC comes down to your stage, needs, and budget. Hampton offers rare connections for proven founders, AngelList and Gust provide mature ecosystems, and OpenVC is the new, transparent disruptor. Mix and match as your company evolves, and leverage Capitaly.vc to supercharge your process.

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