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The Angel Roundtable

The Angel Roundtable is a select network of successful entrepreneurs, investors and other community and business leaders in the NE Tennessee / SW Virginia / Western NC region

Johnson City, TN, USA

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Description

The Angel Network (formerly and often still referred to as The Angel Roundtable or ART) is a member-led angel investor organization headquartered in Johnson City, Tennessee. It is the most active angel network in the Appalachian Highlands region, serving as a primary source of seed-stage capital for startups in Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina. 
  • Seed & Series A: This is the network's core investment focus.
  • Early Revenue: While they occasionally fund pre-revenue companies with significant intellectual property, they prioritize startups that have achieved a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and initial market validation. 
  • Method: Founders apply through the The Angel Network application portal, which utilizes the Gust platform.
  • Materials: A professional pitch deck, executive summary, and 3-year financial projections are required.
  • Vetting Focus: They look for "investable" companies with a scalable business model and a clear path to a 10x return within 5–7 years.
  • Monthly Cycle: The network reviews deals and holds pitch sessions on a monthly basis throughout 2026.
  • Ongoing Intake: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis year-round via Gust.

Eligibility

  • Geography: Strong preference for companies located in Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Western North Carolina. However, they will consider high-quality deals from across the U.S. if there is a regional lead investor.
  • Sectors: Industry-agnostic, with strong historical activity in Advanced Manufacturing, HealthTech, SaaS, and AgTech.
  • Capital Seek: Typically targets companies raising between $250,000 and $1,500,000

Process

  1. Direct Screening: The executive director and a screening committee review applications for fit and readiness.
  2. Selection: Approximately 3–5 companies per cycle are selected to pitch.
  3. The Pitch: Founders present to the full network of accredited members during monthly dinner meetings or virtual forums.
  4. Due Diligence: Interested members form a deal team to conduct a 4–8 week deep-dive review of the company's financials, IP, and legal status.
  5. Investment: Members make independent investment decisions. These are often aggregated into a single LLC to simplify the founder's cap table. 

What an Applicant can Obtain

  1. Strategic Capital: Access to funding from a network that includes former CEOs, physicians, and industrial specialists.
  2. Regional Mentorship: Direct coaching from members deeply embedded in the Appalachian Highlands business community.
  3. Ecosystem Connectivity: Introductions to local resources like the Sync Space Accelerator and regional economic development groups.
  4. Syndication: Direct connections to other Southeast angel groups (e.g., Triangle Angel Partners, Queen City Angels) for larger rounds.