Description
Pasadena Angels is a member-driven angel investment group based in Pasadena, California, composed of experienced entrepreneurs, executives, and accredited investors who provide early-stage capital, mentorship, and strategic guidance to scalable startups. Founded in 2000, the group has invested $30M+ across 100+ companies, with a strong emphasis on disciplined early investing and founder engagement.
Specific Funding Stage
Pre-Seed / Seed: Primary focus on seed and early-stage investments, often post-MVP with initial traction.
Investment Amount and Check Size
Typical Angel Checks: $25K–$100K per member.
Total Round Participation: Commonly $150K–$500K+ through member syndication.
Instruments: Equity, SAFEs, or convertible notes; negotiated deal-by-deal.
Application & Founder Engagement
Submission Method: Startups apply through Gust, website or are introduced via members and Southern California ecosystem partners.
Cadence: Selected companies pitch at monthly Pasadena Angels meetings.
Eligibility
Sector Focus: Broad but tech-oriented, including software, SaaS, fintech, healthcare/medtech, consumer products, cleantech, and advanced services.
Geography: Primarily Southern California, but open to U.S. startups with strong investor fit.
Product Stage: MVP or launched product with early validation preferred.
Team: Founders with strong execution capability, coachability, and domain insight.
Process
Initial Screening: Review of executive summary, deck, and market fit.
Screening Committee: Shortlisted founders present to a smaller screening group.
Member Presentation: Finalists pitch to full membership.
Due Diligence: Interested members conduct diligence on team, product, traction, and market.
Deal Structuring & Close: Individual members invest independently; terms finalized case-by-case.
What an Applicant can Obtain
Strategic Capital: Early equity funding to reach product-market and revenue milestones.
Mentorship: Active guidance from seasoned operators and investors.
Network Access: Introductions to co-investors, customers, and follow-on capital in the SoCal ecosystem.
Long-Term Support: Continued engagement as companies mature beyond the angel stage.
Disciplined Angel Model: Member-led investing with thoughtful diligence.
SoCal Ecosystem Strength: Strong ties to Pasadena, LA, Caltech-adjacent, and regional innovation hubs.
Founder-Friendly: Emphasis on constructive feedback even for non-selected companies.
