Dear Fellow Bruin and Friends of UCLA,
I am proud and excited to formally announce the official launch of Bruin Angels Investor Network! Bruin Angels is now UCLA’s only group dedicated to facilitating investments into the most promising Bruin-led startups. We do this by connecting startups with accredited angel investors who are alumni or friends of UCLA.
Bruin Angels is proudly a non-profit entity chartered under UCLA’s Alumni Association, guided by an all-volunteer board and supported by alumni and friends of UCLA who share a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and impact.
Bruin Angels is incredibly fortunate to be established on top of one of the best university-based entrepreneurial ecosystems, as well as within one of the best universities, in the world. Institutional efforts tend to take time and a dedicated team, and establishing Bruin Angels was no different. Bringing Bruin Angels to fruition took years of discussions within UCLA, ultimately receiving charter approval in October 2024. The effort was possible due to the support of many dedicated staff, alumni, and others – a special thanks to:
Julie Sina, Yolanda Gorman, Gloria Ko, and generally the staff of the UCLA Alumni Association for chartering Bruin Angels’ existence and especially for Gloria consistently being a strong supporter and advocate,
Trish Halamandaris, Claire Marsden, Fallon Coleman, Beatina James(née Theapold), and team of the Venture Accelerator at UCLA Anderson, as well as the Price Center for Entrepreneurship,
Nikki Lin and team of the Magnify Incubator at the California NanoSystems Institute,
Marion Patricio of the Ziman Center for Real Estate at UCLA Anderson,
Amir Naiberg, Mark Wisniewski, Matthew Savary, Brija Johnson, Sofia Ramos, and team at UCLA’s wonderful programs within the Technology Development Group,
Rod Ponce, Vinnie Shahzad, and David Franklin for building out the internal structure and external network of Bruin Angels on a volunteer basis,
and the many other UCLA administrators, staff, and faculty who have been supportive of Bruin Angels from ideation to execution.
Bruin Angels is the first, and currently the only, UCLA program that fosters connection between the most promising Bruin-led startups and accredited angel investors. With dedicated alumni as members, we have access to a wealth of professional experience and insight. As a result, we not only provide funding, but a highly-capable network for all tiers of membership. Under the leadership of our Executive Director, Vinnie Shahzad, Bruin Angels curates programming and investment opportunities for our members. Our educational membership targets prospective angel investors by providing the opportunity to learn first-hand what angel investing is all about. Angel Investor memberships are for accredited investors who are ready to write checks now, and finally our Startup membership registers two (2) co-founders for an Angel Investor membership if they are accredited investors. Because of our status, your membership dues are charitable donations paid directly to UCLA.
Whether you are an experienced angel investor, new to angel investing, or want to learn to think like an investor, I invite you to join us in building the future of UCLA entrepreneurship. Together, we can empower the next generation of Bruin founders and create a lasting legacy of innovation.
Sincerely,
Matthew C. Sferrazza
Founding President
Bruin Angels
Dated September 1, 2025