We Get to YES!
Investors – Join us. The SDAC fund supports cutting-edge startups and fuels the San Diego innovation economy. Interested in learning more about angel investing? Get on the SDAC VI Interested Investor List to receive more information.
About the san diego angel conference
Bringing Entrepreneurs and Investors Together
Angels used to say there weren’t enough good deals in San Diego. Entrepreneurs would say there aren’t enough investors writing checks. The San Diego Angel Conference has effectively changed the conversation. Each year promising and scalable startups apply. Angels review the deals and work together to choose one company that will receive $200,000* in angel investment. It’s part of our commitment to activate angel investors while providing training, growth, and funding in the innovation ecosystem.
*Actual amount invested depends on the total dollars raised. Historically, investors have exceeded both the investment amount and number of companies funded.
ENTREPRENEURS
Developing startups and helping them fundraise
The San Diego Angel Conference is a partnership between investors that participate in the Fund, and the USD Knaus School of Business Free Enterprise Institute (FEI). Entrepreneurs have the opportunity to participate in the Entrepreneurs Track and apply to compete for funding.
Ecosystem
Building a bridge between investors and entrepreneurs
Rising tides lift all boats and the SDAC’s culture of ‘getting to yes’ is a cornerstone. That’s why the process aims to forge connections in our region and boost the entire ecosystem by improving deal flow.
Angel Investors
Training investors and providing a portfolio
We bring together first-time and experienced angel investors to invest as a group. The conference provides a hands-on look into the process and allows individuals to start building a portfolio of startup investments.
Our Title Sponsor
Direct Investment
Seventeen companies secured over 4.6 million dollars worth of investments directly through the first five SDAC Funds.
Applications
From Biotech to Software and everything in between, investors have a large selection of companies to evaluate.
Investors
SDAC investors go on to become involved in sister organizations to further benefit the ecosystem. To date, SDAC Investors have started or joined 34 other funds.
TOTAL INVESTMENT
Armed with knowledge and feedback from the SDAC process, participating companies have gone on to raise over $191 million.
Entrepreneur Track
The San Diego Angel Conference in partnership with The Brink SBDC, offers 3 months of weekly workshops for entrepreneurs to help them develop, explore, and refine the fundamentals required to prepare for angel investment.
Pitch Deconstruction
The signature SDAC event provides the opportunity to practice your pitch and gain feedback from ecosystem experts.
Everything Deck Related
Learn how to build a clean deck that catches attention and provides potential investors the info they need.
Market Research & GTM
Strategy is everything. We’ll cover how to craft an effective GTM strategy and how to tell a compelling story using market research.
Valuation, Cap Tables, Etc
Ask experts your lingering questions on everything regarding valuation and understand what angel investors are looking for.
Due Diligence Preparation
Understand the fundamentals of preparing documentation for due diligence and what to expect from the process.
Mixers with Investors
Throughout the workshop series, entrepreneurs have the opportunity to network with investors and build rapport.
EXPLORE ANGEL INVESTING
Start investing with a new group of friends
It’s easier to become an angel investor than you may think. Join our community of both first-time and experienced angel investors to make new connections, learn the process, and gain access to companies in the region.
Meet a San Diego Angel - Priscilla Luckhurst
Priscilla is a Business Advisor, Angel Investor, and soon to graduate with a Masters of Science in Finance and MBA from the University of San Diego. She is currently the Investment Fund Manager for San Diego Angel Conference Fund VI. She has a track record of success in the wellness industry from launching to optimizing businesses. Throughout her career, Priscilla has developed winning strategies that have led to achievements, such as managing large yoga studios with profits exceeding seven figures and presenting leadership programs to audiences of 100+ people. Priscilla specializes in venture capital, angel investing, operations and business development. Through hands-on experience with both startups and established businesses, Priscilla has honed the skills required to make a meaningful impact in today’s robust business landscape.
Meet a San Diego Angel - Amit Agarwal
With over two decades of invaluable experience within Fortune 50 companies, Amit Agarwal is a seasoned professional dedicated to driving innovation and organizational growth. Holding dual master’s degrees in engineering and business, his unique blend of technical expertise and strategic acumen has been the driving force behind his successes. Currently, he is on a mission to transform lives by leveraging technology to create cutting-edge products and services. Whether through strategic capital investments, advisory roles, or active participation in the startup ecosystem, his passion lies in simplifying complexities and pioneering solutions that shape the future.
Meet a San Diego Angel - Benton Moore
Benton was a first-time angel investor during the inaugural San Diego Angel Conference. During the first year, he became part of the tight-knit community that formed and came back in year two as the Fund Manager. As Fund Manager for SDAC II, he had the unique Covid-19 experience of converting the 500 person live event to a virtual event with just 8 days to plan. More than 700 people participated in the virtual event and investors raised a record $535,000 the same week that the stock market dipped by 30% in response to pandemic realities.
Like other SDAC investors, Benton joined other angel investing networks like Tech Coast Angels- San Diego. He also continued to serve on the SDAC III Fund Management Team and is helping to launch a $1.5M fund at his alma mater USD, the Torero Angel Fund. With an overarching SDAC goal to activate more angel investors, Benton Moore stands out as a bright light helping to do good in the world, to support early stage startups and founders, and to generate positive return on his investments.
Meet a San Diego Angel - Amy Duncan
As a life science strategy consultant, Amy has worked with many startups and entrepreneurs. They were often involved with fundraising and she was curious about how it worked. What better way than to become an investor herself—and the San Diego Angel Conference (SDAC) way to get started. Participating as a passive investor for SDAC I, she immersed herself in the program as a co-fund manager for SDAC II and took a leadership role in SDAC III as lead fund manager. And what an experience it was. She helped raise $731,500 from SDAC III investors and the finalists went on to raise $968,000 more totaling over $1.7 million – all in a 6-month period. Amy continues to support SDAC as co-fund manager for SDAC IV assisting with sponsorship.Support the Conference
A major factor in the SDAC’s success is the engagement of the ecosystem, a team effort in the broadest sense. There are many ways to get involved and support the Conference.
- Partner – Become a partner (Nonprofit organizations whose mission is to support the innovation ecosystem)
- Invest – Accredited angel investors
- Sponsor – Become a sponsor (providers, service organizations, and vendors)
- Donate – Help us make this opportunity available to students and keep the costs manageable
- Apply – Apply for investment (founders and entrepreneurs)
- Attend – Attend the main event
- Volunteer – There are big and small opportunities available
San Diego Angel Conference
Bringing Entrepreneurs and Investors together right here in San Diego.
Contact
Get In Touch
info@thesdangels.com
M-F: 8am-5pm
619.260.4657
University of San Diego
Knauss School of Business
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110