Over 24 Years of Building New Businesses
A small group of Tucson, Arizona-based private investors started it all.
Founded in 2000, Desert Angels is a Tucson-based non-profit organization of accredited investors that seeks opportunities to invest in Southwest United States regional and national startups and early-stage companies. We represent a network of 100+ active angel investors, who have invested $65 million into more than 165 portfolio companies, and 12 Sidecar funds.
Desert Angels ranks #1 in the United States of America Southwest, and #5 across the United States.
Desert Angels is a Founding Member of the Angel Capital Association (“ACA”)
Desert Angels is a charter member of the Angel Capital Association, which is the trade association of angel investment groups in North America and today represents over 300 angel investor groups and funds. To learn more about the ACA: www.angelcapitalassociation.org.
Desert Angels is recognized as the most active angel investment group in the Southwest USA
The Desert Angels have consistently been recognized as one of the most active angel groups in the country. For 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, Desert Angels was ranked #1 in the southwest, and in 2022 was ranked #5 in the country according to the ARI HALO reports for sequential years. (https://angelresourceinstitute.org/research-reports.php).
Desert Angels is a member of the Keiretsu Forum
Desert Angels has been a leading participation member of the Keiretsu Forum for many years.
The Keiretsu Forum is a global investment community of accredited private equity angel investors, venture capitalists, and corporate/institutional investors. Keiretsu Forum was founded in the San Francisco East Bay in California in 2000 by Randy Williams. Keiretsu Forum is a worldwide network of capital, resources, and deal flow that spans the globe. Keiretsu Forum members invest in high-quality, diverse investment opportunities. The community is strengthened through its involvement in social and charitable activities.
Desert Angels is a founding member of the Angel Syndication Network
The angel syndication network (ASN), is comprised of prominent angel group leaders who actively engage in collaborating for deal syndication. The angel group leaders are presidents or syndication chairs. The ultimate strategy is to request each angel group to nominate their best deals to share with other angel groups for syndication. The purpose would be to fill a round, expedite a closing, and save the CEO from extended road shows. The screening sessions are open and viewed by accredited investors from these respective groups. Currently, over 50 groups from across the country comprise the ASN.
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What We Do
Experts at Angel Investing
Since 2000, Desert Angels has been the expert in angel investing not only in Atizona, and the Southwest United States of America but we are nationally ranked in the top 5 most active angel investment groups in the United States of America.
We are a network of active members who invest in early-stage scalable companies across multiple industries. Our group offers vetted deal flow, a team-based approach to diligence, education, national connections, and group syndication.
Angel investing strengthens startup companies, which leads to new jobs, new resources, and regional economic impact. To that end, we are launching new educational and outreach programs and actively seeking strategic partners for collaboration and sponsorship. If you are interested in learning more, we encourage you to please reach out to Desert Angels by visiting the links on the Apply | Login menu, or send us your questions by clicking the Contact Us link in the top menu.
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Our Approach
- Our members generally invest in the pre-seed, seed, or Series A preferred stage.
- We prefer equity investments.
- We will consider a convertible note for the right opportunity.
- We will NOT consider SAFE agreements, LLC structures, or investments outside of North America.
Our Mission
Vision: to be recognized as an innovative leader in early-stage investing
Mission: to generate meaningful returns for our members and early-stage companies through investment, connection, and investor education; and to stimulate and support the creation of a strong entrepreneurial economy in Arizona.
$M Invested
Companies Financed
Sidecar Funds
Years Investing
Are You Ready?
An ideal investment opportunity for our members is an early-stage company operating in North America, with the following:
- A strong founding team that includes industry and startup experience and a complementary skillset.
- Significant market opportunity with a clear target market and growth potential.
- A scalable innovation with IP protection and demonstrated demand.
- Demonstrable traction with early customer and strategic partner engagement OR research-backed identification of likely first customer.
- Either a well-developed financial business plan or operating financials that reflect capital efficiency, reasonable valuation, and a clear path to exit.
Angel Investment
The mission of Desert Angels is to generate meaningful returns for our members and early-stage companies through investment, connection, and investor education; and to stimulate and support the creation of a strong entrepreneurial economy in Arizona and throughout the United States of America.
As an organization of accredited investors, we seek investment opportunities in the Southwest regional as well as national startups & early-stage companies. We are a network of 100+ active angel investors who have invested more than $65 million into 165+ portfolio companies.
Desert Angels ranks #1 in the United States of America Southwest, and #5 across the United States.