Charlottesville Angel Network

The Charlottesville Angel Network (CAN) operates as a dedicated angel investment group, providing crucial early-stage capital to promising startups. It actively sources, screens, and invests in seed, angel, and friends & family rounds, typically contributing between $100,000 and $300,000 to companies seeking less than $5 million. The network employs a model where members invest as a group, often forming sole-purpose LLCs for each deal.

Founded around 2015, the network was significantly shaped by the vision of its late founding board member, John E. McCray. His leadership was instrumental in establishing CAN based on the insight that Charlottesville possessed the necessary innovation, talent, and capital to cultivate a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. This foundation aimed to foster local business growth and development.

CAN's primary focus is on early-stage companies, with a soft spot for Virginia-based ventures, though it remains open to opportunities wherever strong relationships can be built. The organization's long-term vision centers on empowering entrepreneurs, generating liquidity for its investor members, and driving innovation. It actively contributes to the entrepreneurial community by educating both investors and founders, thereby attracting and nurturing new business ideas to enrich the region.