The Dingman Center Angels (DCA) is a Maryland-based angel investment group that provides funding to early-stage companies primarily located in the mid-Atlantic region. Our members are entrepreneurs, CXO's, venture capitalists and business leaders who have founded, funded and built world-class companies. Our investors come from a variety of industries, have diverse investment experience and expertise; and, in association with the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship, help foster a vibrant local early-stage venture investment community.
Generally, we are looking for innovative startup companies that have developed a product or service that addresses a significant market opportunity or need and demonstrated some early evidence of traction. We also look for companies where our investment and expertise can help accelerate growth. Although DCA is sector agnostic, most companies that receive investment capital have developed some degree of technology-enabled differentiation and/or competitive advantage. We introduce prospective entrepreneurs to DCA investors at monthly investment meetings held from September to June.
Typically, DCA invests between $100,000 and $250,000 in growth seed/early-stage companies and will often participate in syndicates with other local angel groups and VC’s for capital raises up to $2 million. DCA is not a fund and does not invest as a group. Our members often collaborate on due diligence but make individual investment decisions.
Since 2005, DCA has completed over 180 transactions, representing over $23 million in capital invested.
Entrepreneurs
To be eligible to apply, the company should be located in the mid-Atlantic region (we give preference to companies in Maryland, D.C., Virginia, or Delaware). A complete application must be submitted, which includes an executive summary (one-page length) and investor pitch. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Please review our detailed Investment Criteria page, but generally you should apply when:
- Seeking capital in one of the following ranges:
- $100K to $1M in series A preferred stock or convertible note
- $1M+ with lead investor and term sheet
- Have a fully-developed product or service offering
- Have a current sales pipeline & revenue stream
- Can demonstrate that the business is likely to grow rapidly, is scalable and has sufficient untapped market potential
- Have developed and tested a sales/marketing strategy with defendable market differentiation
- The company addresses a high-growth market (20% CAGR minimum) or a large market ($500mm+) with a demonstrated strategy to obtain market share
- Pre-money valuations and/or valuation caps are expected to be less than $12.5 M
Self Assessment
- Before submitting your application for our consideration, you must determine if angel capital — and specifically capital from our group - is right is for your company.
- Take this quiz to help assess if your company is prepared to pitch to the Dingman Center Angels.
Investors
The following credentials are required for our investors:
- You must be an accredited investor: an individual investor as defined in rule 501(a) of Regulation D or an institutional investor.
- It is recommended that you live and/or frequently visit the Mid-Atlantic region.
- Have experience managing and/or building successful companies.
- Have a peer network of domain expertise and contacts to support your portfolio of investments.
- Are sincerely interested in making at least one angel investment per year.
Benefits to becoming a Dingman Center Angel:
- Investor presentations by the region's most promising early-stage companies.
- Monthly networking with a diverse group of quality investors and advisors.
- Unique access to a pipeline of proprietary technologies developed at the University of Maryland.
- Mentoring opportunities with Dingman Center's student entrepreneurship initiatives.
Use Dingman Center Angels to…
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Find and invest in startups
The Dingman Center Angels (“DCA”) is a Maryland based angel investment group that provides funding to early-stage companies primarily located in the Mid-Atlantic region. Our members are entrepreneurs, CXO's, venture capitalists and business leaders who have founded, funded and built world-class companies. Our investors come from a variety of industries, have diverse investment experience and expertise; and, in association with the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship, help foster a vibrant local early-stage venture investment community.
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Get business advice for my venture
Startups who are approved for review by the Dingman Center Angels and are accepted to pitch at an investor meeting receive feedback on their venture from the Dingman Center’s Venture Investment Manager.
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Identify/apply for funding & grants
Part of the process of engaging with the Dingman Center Angels is to meet with the Venture Investment Manager prior to being selected for pitching. The Investment Manager may suggest other available funds and grants that may be appropriate for one's venture.