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.