Bruin Angels connects accredited angel investors with the most promising Bruin-led startups. We are chartered under the UCLA Alumni Association and are part of the university.
Our mission is to engage UCLA’s investing alumni network in support of the startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem of UCLA, as well as to engage with similar groups at peer universities, both within and outside of the University of California system. Bruin Angels engages its members in support of this mission.
We drive our mission by presenting pre-screened company applications to our different membership tiers for current and aspiring angel investors, as well as by hosting curated educational and other programming throughout UCLA’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.
If you’d like to learn more about Bruin Angels, sign up for our mailing list to receive all our updates, or (better yet) become a member!
Bruin Angels’ board of directors is composed entirely of professional volunteers who love UCLA and who have deep experience in the emerging company and venture capital space. Our members are a mix of active angel investors and aspiring angel investors, and Bruin Angels connects our members to the most promising Bruin-led startups in search of early-stage capital.
Every month, members receive a list of pre-screened companies to consider. Included with each list is a short summary and submitted materials for each company. Members may then invite pre-screened companies to present live for our members at our monthly pitch session. Select companies proceed to due diligence conducted by interested members. Companies that clear due diligence to the satisfaction of participating members will be offered an investment. If the investment terms are accepted, Bruin Angels will facilitate the creation of a special purpose investment vehicle (SPIV). The SPIV will be the company’s sole investor on behalf of the participating members of Bruin Angels. SPIVs are organized to benefit participating members on a pro rata basis unless they agree otherwise, and a small portion of proceeds upon exit is reserved for UCLA unless members opt out. Bruin Angels facilitates this process but does not directly invest or provide any investment advice to our members in connection with these activities
We find this structure beneficial for members, companies, and UCLA. Terms of the investment are defined for members up front; companies only take on a single SPIV investor; and the university benefits if the investment is a success. At the time of investment, investing members get the benefit of predictability, and companies benefit from simplified investor relations and corporate governance.
If you’re an alum, student, faculty, staff, or friend of UCLA interested in angel investing, join Bruin Angels and help us make a difference.
Bruin Angels is always looking for quality members to expand our circle. Because Bruin Angels is part of the UCLA Alumni Association, all of your membership expenses are tax-deductible donations to the university. Your donations “keep the lights on” (e.g. staff, events, cleanup, web domain, e-mail accounts, etc.). Because of this, we welcome members to donate in excess of the minimum membership dues, to help ensure Bruin Angels can continue driving its mission forward.
We hope that you’ll apply for membership to enrich the UCLA ecosystem.
If you are a startup seeking funding, please show us why your company is among the most promising Bruin-led startups: Apply to be reviewed by the Bruin Angels using the button below.
Join the Venture Accelerator at UCLA Anderson for a cross-campus Founder Mixer, bringing together founders, mentors, speakers, and partners from across UCLA’s entrepreneurial community for an evening of connection and […]
Exclusive for Bruin Angels members, three Bruin-led startups currently fundraising will pitch their startups. Pitches are 10 minutes with 5 minute Q&A. If you're interested in attending, or wish to […]
Thursday, March 5, 5 pm - 8 pm Join fellow Bruins for an evening grounded in community and mutual support as we highlight founders, investors, and change makers within the UCLA alumni […]
