Pipeline Angels is a network of new and seasoned women investors that is changing the face of angel investing and creating capital for women social entrepreneurs. Throughout the year, Pipeline Angels holds a signature boot camp for new investors and a signature pitch summit for startups looking for funding.
Pipeline Angles has opened a call for applications for its fall 2016 signature angel investing bootcamps in Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin-Houston, Baltimore, Bangor-Portland, Boston, Boulder-Denver, Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland-Akron, Columbus, Dallas, DC, Jackson Hole, Los Angeles, Memphis-Nashville, Miami, Minneapolis, New Orleans, NYC, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, OR, Raleigh-Durham, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Las Vegas. Pipeline Angels has a rolling application process. Candidates, however, are encouraged to apply by Monday, Aug. 8, 2016.
Since launching its first angel investing boot camp in April 2011, Pipeline has trained 200-plus women who have invested more than $2 million in more than 30 women-led, for-profit social enterprises through its summit process.
Growing A Sisterhood of Angels
Pipeline Angels form cohorts ranging between five and 10 women, with each member committing to invest at least $5,000 in the same woman-led for-profit social venture at the end of the program. Entrepreneurs get to present their businesses at one of Pipeline’s pitch summits to secure funding in exchange for an equity stake.
“Prior to joining Pipeline Angels, I had invested in two startup companies,†says Lebone Chisara Moses, director, Fidelity Investments. “However, I didn’t understand the process well enough. Pipeline Angels gave me the knowledge and training I needed to critically assess startups for both financial potential and social impact, as well as appropriately calculate my risk and make informed decisions about where and how to strategically invest.â€
Pipeline Angels also provided her with access to a network of entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, and attorneys, which gave her
the resources, support, and confidence she needed to build her portfolio of angel investments. “I now have just over 10% of my financial portfolio in angel investments, including three women-owned startups,†she adds.Accelerating Women Entrepreneurs
Pipeline’s program also relies on the expertise of a diverse group of mentors and advisers. “It’s been an honor to help members to analyze and value potential investment opportunities and to watch many of them become notable angel investors and active members of the startup ecosystem as a result,†says Lauren Maillian, startup adviser, investor, author of The Path Redefined (BenBella Books; $16.94), and co-star of the new startup-focused reality TV show Quit Your Day Job
on Oxygen.com.At age 19, Maillian co-founded a boutique winery that quickly became a globally recognized and award-winning brand, making her the youngest self-made winery owner in the country. She served as CEO from inception through the brand’s acquisition in 2011. For two years, she was a founding partner and managing director of Gen Y Capital Partners, an early stage venture firm, helping to build and support the next generation of innovative companies. By providing access to her insight and knowledge, Maillian says she has helped Pipeline’s angels “accelerate their chances of success.â€