About Anchor Angels
Who We Are
Founded by the Vanderbilt community and modeled after Stanford Angels & Entrepreneurs, Anchor Angels is an independent angel network open to anyone with a Vanderbilt connection — alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents, and community members. Our members are distributed nationwide.
Our Process
How We Invest
A transparent, community-driven process from application to investment.
Deal Sourcing
Startups reach us through partnerships with the Vanderbilt Center for Entrepreneurship, member referrals, and direct applications. Our pipeline is community-driven and continuously growing.
Founders never pay to pitch. Access is based on merit, traction, and Vanderbilt connection.
Screening Committee
A committee of experienced investors reviews each pitch deck and executive summary, scoring against predefined criteria. Founders receive clear communication on decisions.
Pitch Forum
Curated startups present at each forum — a 10–15 minute pitch followed by live Q&A with our investor members. Forums run approximately 2 hours, virtual or hybrid.
Associates can attend forums for educational purposes, building real exposure to deal evaluation.
Due Diligence
Interested members access data rooms and form ad-hoc diligence groups, sharing expertise to evaluate opportunities collaboratively. Follow-up calls with founders are coordinated.
Individual Investment
Members make individual investment decisions on their own terms. Anchor Angels does not pool capital, make investment recommendations, or invest as an entity.
What We Look For
Screening Criteria
Every application is evaluated against these criteria by our screening committee.
Ready to Get Involved?
Whether you invest, build, or learn — there's a place for you in the Vanderbilt network.