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Country Roads Angel Network, LLC

With CRAN, entrepreneurs have access to supportive investors they can look to for guidance. 

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Description

Country Roads Angel Network (CRAN) is a non-profit, member-led angel investment group based in West Virginia. It is the state’s only accredited angel network, focused on providing "smart capital" to high-growth startups within the Mountain State. 
  • Early-Stage & Seed: CRAN targets companies that are past the research phase and have a functional Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
  • Scale-Up: It focuses on ventures ready to move from initial validation to commercialization or regional expansion.
  • Method: Founders must apply through the CRAN application portal hosted on the Gust platform.
  • Materials: A complete submission includes a professional pitch deck, a 1–2 page executive summary, and 3-year financial projections.
  • Vetting Fee: There is typically no fee to apply, but companies selected to pitch may be asked to cover a nominal administrative fee. 

Eligibility

  • Geography: Primarily focused on West Virginia-based companies or those with a significant operational presence in the state.
  • Sector: Industry-agnostic, with a history of investing in SaaS, Manufacturing, Energy, AgTech, and Consumer Products.
  • Business Model: Must be a for-profit entity with high growth potential and a clear "exit strategy" (e.g., acquisition) within 5–10 years.

Process

  1. Online Intake: Founders submit their business details via Gust for initial screening by the network's management team.
  2. Screening Committee: Selected applicants are invited to a virtual or in-person "Screening Meeting" to present to a small group of experienced investors.
  3. Investment Forum: The top 2–3 companies are invited to pitch to the full network of 40+ accredited investors during quarterly meetings.
  4. Due Diligence: Interested members form a team to conduct an in-depth review of the company's financials, legal standing, and market potential.
  5. Closing: Individual members make independent decisions to commit capital, which is aggregated for the company's cap table. 

What an Applicant can Obtain

  • Direct Capital: Access to aggregated funding from successful West Virginia business leaders and executives.
  • Mentorship: Strategic guidance from members who have successfully built and exited their own companies in the region.
  • Ecosystem Access: Direct links to the West Virginia Department of Economic Development and university research hubs.
  • Syndication: Introductions to other Appalachian-focused angel groups to fill larger funding rounds.