Alamo Angels

Alamo Angels is a San Antonio, Texas-based nonprofit angel investor network that connects accredited investors with early-stage startups seeking seed funding across various innovation sectors. Operating as a tax-exempt organization, the group generates revenue through annual membership dues and corporate sponsorships while partnering with entities like VentureSTX and Geekdom to source and execute investments. The network currently comprises over 140 accredited investor members and has deployed more than $7 million in capital across over 50 startup companies since its inception. In 2022 alone, the organization invested a record $1.6 million across 11 companies, building a diverse portfolio that includes early-stage ventures such as PrintNet3D, ASR Systems, and Axicle. The group focuses primarily on technology, healthcare, and business software startups located within the Texas region, specifically targeting minority and female-led enterprises. Alamo Angels was founded in 2016.

High-Level Overview

Alamo Angels is a Texas-based angel investor network, operating as a 501(c)(6) nonprofit, that connects over 140 accredited investors with early-stage startups to drive innovation and economic growth in San Antonio and surrounding regions.[1][2][5] Its mission centers on fueling local entrepreneurship through funding, mentorship, and ecosystem building, with an investment philosophy emphasizing high-growth potential, innovative solutions, and strong market traction across sectors like technology, life sciences, medical devices, and consumer products.[1][2] The group has deployed over $7 million across 50+ startups, hosting monthly pitch events and providing investor education while sourcing 300+ deals annually via a national network, significantly impacting the South Texas startup ecosystem by bridging founders to capital and expertise.[2][4][5][6]

Origin Story

Alamo Angels was launched around 2020 with initial support from VelocityTX, starting with 32 accredited investors and evolving into an independent nonprofit with over 140 members.[2][6] Key figures include Sebastian Garzon, Juan Garzon, Larissa Valdez, Chris Ogburn, and Bernardo Orozco, who lead operations focused on deal sourcing, due diligence, and community events.[1][6] The network has grown by emphasizing local impact, transitioning to a partnership with VentureSTX for streamlined SPV management, legal compliance, and scaled investments—echoing its VelocityTX roots but enhancing sustainability through shared financial gains.[2] This evolution has positioned it as one of Texas's most active angel groups, with pivotal moments like rapid membership growth and $7 million in deployments marking its rise.[2][5][6]

Core Differentiators

• Unique Investment Model: Operates via pooled commitments into SPVs (special purpose vehicles), enabling investments from $5,000 to $100,000 per member, with typical checks of $60,000–$300,000 per deal after rigorous front-end sourcing, deep-dive sessions, and due diligence—ensuring at least one company per event receives funding.[2][4][6]
• Network Strength: Exclusive access to 140+ C-level executives, business leaders, and investors in San Antonio, plus national deal flow of 300+ opportunities yearly, co-investment syndicates, and an annual members' Investment Fund for enhanced reporting.[1][4][5]
• Track Record: Over 50 active investments, $7M deployed since inception, and a focus on early-stage (seed, Series A/B) across diverse industries, driving economic development and job creation in Texas.[1][2][5]
• Operating Support: Monthly pitch events, pitch coaching for founders, investor education on legal/fiscal aspects, and mentorship from operators—transitioning members from angels to VCs while providing startups with strategic guidance.[2][4][5][6]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Alamo Angels rides the wave of Texas's booming startup ecosystem, particularly in San Antonio and South Texas (e.g., Rio Grande Valley), where it's fostering innovation amid rising demand for local early-stage capital amid national VC shifts southward.[2][6] Timing aligns with Texas's economic momentum—low taxes, talent pools, and post-pandemic remote work trends—positioning the network to counter Silicon Valley dominance by channeling funds into high-potential ventures that create jobs and scale regionally.[1][2] Market forces like accessible accredited investor pools and SPV efficiency favor its model, influencing the ecosystem through superior deal flow, founder-investor bridges, and partnerships like VentureSTX, which amplify deployment and attract off-cycle/pre-IPO opportunities.[2][4] This strengthens San Antonio as a hub, democratizing access for underrepresented South Texas founders.[6]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Alamo Angels is primed to expand as VentureSTX partnership scales SPVs, deal execution, and later-stage access, potentially doubling deployments amid Texas's innovation surge.[2] Trends like AI-driven diligence, regional VC growth, and economic tailwinds will shape its path, evolving its influence from local angel hub to statewide pioneer with nationwide reach.[2][5][6] Expect deeper ecosystem integration, higher graduation rates for portfolio firms, and sustained returns as it humanizes investing—tying back to its core as Texas's active force for early-stage breakthroughs.[1][4]