We connect investors
to entrepreneurs
in our communities

Where innovative minds meet

InvestU supports the entrepreneurial ecosystem forged at Arizona State University, bringing together affiliated startups with accredited investors. Linked to the #1 most innovative university and a top research institution, the network will give ASU and Thunderbird supporters unique access to investment opportunities and resources for startups that arise from our students, faculty and the more than half a million alumni around the world.

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Our Goals

InvestU is a premier angel investment network that leverages Arizona State University’s vast network of resources to create unparalleled value for entrepreneurs, investors, and the university.

01

Connect

Connect ASU-affiliated entrepreneurs with capital and resources that accelerate their growth

02

Engage

Engage a diverse network of investors, innovators, and advisors through unique programming and thoughtful connections

03

Invest

Invest in the next generation of entrepreneurs through best-in-class learning experiences and access to deals

  • #1 most innovative school in the U.S.
  • #1 masters in management
  • #1 for internationalism of alumni
  • Top 10 university for research*

*Among universities with no medical school

We're home to:

  • Domestic and International Network
  • Academic Expertise
  • Student Engagement
  • Investing
  • Future Funding
  • Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
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$750M+ capital invested and 120+ startups launched

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World-renowned faculty and community experts

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Top students involved in startup research studies

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Domestic and international investment deals

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Access to financial firms for future funding rounds

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Access to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and resources at ASU

How it works

InvestU supports the global ASU community with an investing platform and process that leverages the power of the university’s robust network of world-renowned faculty, exceptional students and innovative resources. Curated deal flow, detailed investment reports, and quarterly pitch events enable investors to make informed decisions in a timely manner. Plus, InvestU companies enjoy access to a community of investors, mentors, and advisors that support their growth well beyond pitch day.

Transparent and Detailed Company
Characteristics in Five Key Areas:

  • Team, Advisors, & Board of Directors
  • Problem/Market Fit
  • Product or Service
  • Business Model, Distribution Plan, and Strategy
  • Financials

Invest with us

If you’re interested in joining a group of experienced and diverse leaders who care about investing and supporting affiliated early-stage startups, we’d love for you to join our entrepreneurship ecosystem. These vetted startups are prepped, well studied, and ready to talk to you about their unique business opportunities.

Criteria

Members of the community interested in investing in affiliated companies
An accredited investor

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Unique investment opportunities

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Access to an online platform to manage your investments

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Student and founder engagement

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Investor meetings and entrepreneurial events

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Exposure to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and resources at ASU

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Angel Capital Association membership, workshops, and events


Membership types and fees

InvestU Venture Club

$50,000 + for lifetime membership

Someone who wants to be a lifelong investor at InvestU and support the next generation of entrepreneurs and investors from ASU. Your generous upfront commitment will accelerate the program’s goals and amplify the impact of ASU’s global entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Active Member

$1,000 annually

You’re passionate about entrepreneurship and investing in startups. As an active InvestU member, you will have access to curated deal flow, unique engagement opportunities, and a network of innovative entrepreneurs and investors.

Affiliate Member

$500 annually

Discounted membership is offered to active participants on an ASU Foundation board, including President’s Club, Women & Philanthropy, or the Next Generation Council for your dedication to supporting ASU. If you are interested in learning more about the ASU Foundation, please visit this link.

Member benefits

InvestU Venture ClubActive MemberASU President's Club
Lifetime InvestU Membership*

Donations of $50K or more to the InvestU Venture Fund receive lifetime membership. This is limited to 40 seats.

Yes
Investing Ability

Ability to invest in InvestU startups

YesYesYes
Pitch Events

Startups presenting their companies to InvestU

Yes+ Two GuestsYes+ One GuestYes+ One Guest
Company Summary Information

Overview of the startups business model, solution, and metrics

YesYesYes
Company Research Studies

Detailed faculty and student-led company study detailing: team, product, market, strategy and distribution plan, and financial information

YesYesYes
Online Investment Platform Access

Enables investors to view detailed company information and portfolio management

YesYesYes
Livestream Access

Virtual stream and recording of startup pitches

YesYesYes
Angel Capital Association Membership

National angel investing organization that hosts conferences, trainings, and provides resources to investors

YesYesYes
Mentoring Opportunities

Ability to mentor students and founders throughout the InvestU process

YesYesYes
Committee Participation

Ability to join one or more member committees: Deal Review, Diligence, and Investment

YesYesYes
InvestU Investor Training

Faculty or community-led training on entrepreneurship and investing

YesYesYes
ASU Entrepreneurship Events

University-wide entrepreneurship-related events

YesYesYes
InvestU Founding Member Plaque

Dated InvestU plaque will be hung at the future Thunderbird School of Global Business downtown campus for your contributions to supporting university-affiliated entrepreneurs

Yes
InvestU Guest Speakers

Prominent figures in the entrepreneurship community presenting on special topics, trends, and their experiences

Yes+ Two GuestsYes+ One GuestYes+ One Guest
Social Mixers

Dinners, happy hours, or other social events to foster community within InvestU

Yes+ One GuestYesYes
ASU Sporting Event Tailgate & Suite Events

Invitations to ASU President tailgates and a ticket to at least one suite at an ASU sporting event annually

Yes
Exclusive Donor Events

Invitation to university designated donor events

Yes
InvestU Memorabilia

Ongoing InvestU branded materials

Yes--
Cost
$50,000 or more*$1,000 annually$500 annually

Supporting venture success

We’re more than just a traditional angel network, we're invested in the success of your business every step of the way

There are a few things we’re looking for in our startups. Your company needs to have a tie to ASU or Thunderbird School of Global Management. Companies should also be at a more mature stage — currently generating revenue.

InvestU will be funding companies seeking to raise between $100K-$2M. The minimum check size from an investor is typically $25K. If you are seeking for InvestU to syndicate with your current or new institutional lead investor, you are also encouraged to apply. If you think you fit our criteria below, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to us at InvestU@asuep.org with any questions you may have.

Startup Criteria

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An executive, board member, or investor affiliated with ASU or Thunderbird

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Local, U.S. or international startups welcomed to apply

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Venture is currently revenue generating

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Raising $100K-$2M OR Seeking later-stage equity financing syndication with a current or new institutional lead investor

Our innovative team

We’re innovators, investors, academics, and an entrepreneurial community who support startups every step of the way. Our team draws from the Phoenix venture community as well as many dimensions of Arizona State University – from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and W. P. Carey School of Business to the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Skysong Innovations and ASU Enterprise Partners.

Arizona State University Thunderbird School of Global Management

Operations Team

InvestU is a strategic initiative of RealmSpark, a business unit of ASU Enterprise Partners that serves as an umbrella for strategic venture investment and support. The operations team includes a full-time director and supporting staff who provide the following services for the InvestU network: sourcing and screening proprietary deal flow, facilitating the diligence and investment process, managing events and other network operations, and making thoughtful introductions across our community of innovators, investors, and partners.

LHardman Headshot

Louise Hardman

Director, RealmSpark & Investor Engagement, ASU Enterprise Partners

Samantha-Bradley

Samantha Bradley

Managing Director, RealmSpark, ASU Enterprise Partners

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Katie Cross

Special Projects Coordinator, ASU Enterprise Partners



Rodrigo Malucelli Favorito

RealmSpark Student Fellow

Hunter Stephan

RealmSpark Student Fellow

Committee Members and Advisors

The InvestU operations team is supported by investor members and ASU partners who are experienced in analyzing, investing in, and advising early-stage ventures. InvestU members are encouraged to join one or more committees to get involved in the process and share your expertise with peers, students, or founders. To volunteer for a committee, contact InvestU@asuep.org.

Deal Review Committee

Selects the top companies for diligence and pitch events

Molly Iarocci

Senior Vice President - Private Investments & Advisory at DCA Asset Management, Inc.

Rebeca Hwang

Experienced venture capitalist and entrepreneur, Professor of Practice at Thunderbird School of Global Management, Senior Director for Thunderbird’s Center for Global Entrepreneurship and Family Business

Jeff Mindlin

ASU Enterprise Partners CIO, ASU Sustainability in Investing Faculty, Former CIO of First Allied

Charlie Lewis

SkySong Innovations Senior VP of Venture Development, Former Partner of Two VCs

Diligence Committee

Mentors student analysts and leads diligence process

Jim Waldrop

Former Executive VP of Pulte Homes, Founder of HomeSphere, and CEO of Cathay Global Investments, Serial Entrepreneur and Investor

Steve Lockard

Managing Partner at Good Work Capital, Chairman of the Board at TPI Composites

Rahul Poddar

Angel Investor, Former Executive at Honeywell and UTC Aerospace Systems

Investment Committee

Advises founders and tracks portfolio company progress

Gary Gibbons

Academic, Fund Manager, Venture Capital Investor

Chris Yoo

CEO at Yoo & Co Accelerators, Managing Director at Xcellerant Ventures

Hello! We'd like to hear from you!

At ASU, we like to keep our relationships personal. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at InvestU@asuep.org with any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

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