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Chemical Angel Network

We are technically savy investors interested in Chemistry enabled hard science companies

Aliso Viejo, CA, USA

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Description

The Chemical Angel Network (CAN) is a nationwide angel group of accredited investors with deep expertise in the chemical sciences. It is the only investment network specifically dedicated to sector-agnostic startups that leverage chemistry, materials, and chemical engineering to solve global challenges. 

  • Seed & Early-Stage: CAN targets companies in the "Valley of Death" between university research and large-scale commercialization.
  • Traction Required: Applicants should have a functional prototype and, ideally, initial "proof of value" or pilot data. They prioritize companies with strong Intellectual Property (IP) or trade secrets. 
  • Method: Founders apply via the Chemical Angel Network portal, which is hosted on the Dealum platform.
  • Requirements: A pitch deck, executive summary, and a detailed explanation of the underlying chemical or material science innovation.
  • Affiliation: While not required, CAN has close ties with the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). 

Eligibility

  • Sectors: Agriculture, Energy/Storage, Advanced Materials, Water Treatment, Biotech, and Industrial Chemicals.
  • Geography: Primarily United States and Canada.
  • Technology: Must involve a "significant chemical component" as a primary value driver of the business. 

Process

  1. Online Intake: Founders submit materials through Dealum for technical screening by the network’s subject matter experts.
  2. Screening Committee: Selected startups participate in a preliminary virtual pitch to a smaller committee for a deep technical dive.
  3. Member Presentation: The top companies pitch to the full network of 100+ investors (many of whom hold PhDs in chemistry or engineering).
  4. Due Diligence: Interested members form a team to conduct an 8–12 week rigorous review of the technology’s chemistry, scalability, and market defensibility.
  5. Investment: Members make independent decisions, which are aggregated into a single LLC on the startup's cap table. 

What an Applicant can Obtain

  1. Technical Capital: Funding from investors who actually understand complex chemical processes and material properties.
  2. Market Access: Direct introductions to corporate strategic partners and chemical distributors.
  3. Manufacturing Mentorship: Guidance on scaling production from bench-top to commercial pilot plants.
  4. IP Strategy: Advice on navigating complex patent landscapes and protecting chemical formulations.