Description
Why become a member? You might think it’s just to make money, but for many of us it’s also a way to give back to the community, to help build successful companies and to participate in the satisfaction that comes from this involvement. And we hope to make money, too, of course. Membership in Tech Coast Angels is by invitation and is extended to individuals who share our vision and will actively contribute to our process.
TCA operates throughout Southern California and nationally across the US (plus Canada) and is organized into four networks: Orange County, Los Angeles, Pasadena, and the Inland Empire, as well as MEDA Angels. Review the information below and apply to become a member of Tech Coast Angels Orange County!
What an Applicant can Obtain
Network Affiliation
Each member is affiliated with a TCA network, typically one located near their office or residence. Remote members outside of SoCal may choose a network to join virtually. Our members collaborate extensively within and across networks. They are welcome and encouraged to attend any TCA meeting or activity. While deals are processed by the group, TCA members invest as individuals (including as an investor in our annual TCA OC angel fund, which invests in deals based on the collective funds of its investors). All members have an opportunity to participate in any member-led investment.
A Group Effort
As a group, TCA members have typically invested in 10-20 new deals per year, including follow-on rounds. Individual members are expected to invest an average of $50,000 per year, typically two individual investments of $25,000 or a comparable investment in our annual chapter annual fund (minimum investment is $10,000). While the amount invested by TCA members can vary widely according to economic and market conditions, total investment in new and follow-on deals by TCA in any given year averages several million dollars.
A Private Website
TCA members have access to a private website with restricted access which ties networks, members and deal information together. The website contains all deal, member and TCA event information. The event calendar has event information on private TCA events and public events that would be of interest to TCA members. Members can also use the website to email other members and RSVP to TCA events. Members interested in a particular deal or topic may elect to see information as it pertains to that deal or topic. There is also an active messaging platform with discussions of deals and topics of interest.
Getting Involved
Members develop by getting involved in due diligence teams, mentoring companies and serving on volunteer committees that support the operations of TCA. It is critical that they contribute their domain expertise and general experience to evaluation of potential investments.
ROMAC
TCA has formal Rules of Membership and Conduct (ROMAC) which must be executed before becoming a member. The ROMAC covers rules that are designed to support a business-like organization. For instance, members are prohibited from receiving any consideration for sourcing deals. Members may not solicit other TCA members for non-TCA deals and are not allowed to use the website for personal announcements not related to TCA. However, members who serve as mentors to a venture that is deemed not ready for TCA are permitted to receive founders’ shares for services rendered, subject to some restrictions. A Board of Governors (BoG) oversees the activities of TCA as a whole, and the individual networks are administered either by a Board of Directors or Executive Committee headed by a President, who is automatically a BoG member.
