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Triangle Angel Partners

Member-managed angel fund investing in early-stage companies in North Carolina’s Research Triangle and beyond.

Chapel Hill, NC, USA

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Description

Triangle Angel Partners (TAP) is an angel investment network based in the Research Triangle Park (RTP) area of North Carolina (encompassing Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill). It is composed of experienced executives and entrepreneurs who provide "smart capital" to early-stage companies, primarily in the technology and life sciences sectors. 
  • Seed & Series A: TAP is an early-stage investor.
  • Proof of Concept: They typically require companies to have more than just an idea—preference is given to startups with a functional Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and early customer validation or pilot revenue. 
  • Method: Founders apply through the Triangle Angel Partners portal, which utilizes the Gust platform for deal management.
  • Review Focus: They look for high-growth potential companies where the members' collective expertise in the RTP ecosystem can provide strategic value.
  • Materials: A professional pitch deck, executive summary, and 3-year financial projections are required. 

Eligibility

  • Geography: Strong preference for companies located in North Carolina, particularly the Research Triangle region.
  • Sectors: SaaS, Enterprise Software, MedTech, Biotech, and Advanced Materials.
  • Business Model: Must be a high-growth, scalable for-profit entity with a clear path to a liquidity event (M&A or IPO). 

Process

  1. Selection: Applications are screened by a committee of members to assess sector fit and scalability.
  2. Screening Meeting: Selected companies present to a smaller screening panel for a deep-dive technical and business review.
  3. General Meeting: The top finalists pitch to the full membership of accredited investors at monthly dinner meetings.
  4. Due Diligence: Interested members form a team to conduct a 4–8 week rigorous review of the business, technology, and legal standing.
  5. Investment: Members make individual investment decisions, which are typically aggregated into a single entity (LLC) for the company's cap table. 

What an Applicant can Obtain

  • Direct Capital: Access to funding from a network that typically participates in rounds alongside other regional funds like Idea Fund Partners.
  • Operational Mentorship: Strategic guidance from members who are often former or current C-suite executives at major RTP tech and pharma companies.
  • Ecosystem Connectivity: Direct introductions to the region's top-tier universities, research facilities, and follow-on venture capital firms.