Investment Criteria & Process
Innovation Fund
The AoA Innovation Fund is an annual fund for its members.
The Fund will invest in 12-15 companies over its life. Each year (roughly) AoA will raise a new fund from the 150 members, typically between February and May. While we anticipate the fund being invested in 1 year, the fund can take 18 months, extendable to 30 months if we aren’t seeing compelling deals.
Member led fund. All investment decisions are determined by member vote.
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Investment votes require 67% of Yes vs. No votes for investment approval with a 50% fund member quorum (members can abstain and be counted in the quorum)
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One member, one vote – no pro rata vote based on amount invested in the fund
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The Administrator & Administrative Committee only helps operate the fund - managing the process not the investments
We leverage the existing AoA screening process which sees over 150 deals per year, but can invest in companies that do not go through AoA processes. Investment is focused on PNW companies, but open to good deals from across the US. We expect ~70% investment in PNW companies (9/12 PNW in Fund 1.) We are sector agnostic, investing in companies based on the strength of the deal.
Minimum member investment is $25,000 with $5,000 incremental step size. Investments from retirement accounts (self-directed IRAs) are allowed.
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Expenses are low due to the volunteer Admin Team– we expect less than $65k for Fund 2 over its ten-year life. Our expected annual load is much less than the 2% management fee + 20% carry most funds charge. If you only put in $25k AND consider your first-year membership fee as part of the fund expenses.
Investment
Criteria
We seek extraordinary founders with product vision, a laser focus on execution and unlimited ambition who want to build high growth companies.
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LOCATION
We invest both as individuals and through our Innovation Fund. While we have some preference for companies with a connection to the Pacific Northwest we look at companies across the US and Canada.
STAGE
We focus on seed and early-stage investments. Most companies we fund are seeking to raise an investment round of $500k to $2.5 million for our first investment. We can lead investment rounds. We actively syndicate and invest alongside other angel groups, individual angels and venture funds.
SECTORS
We are sector agnostic. While the majority of our investments are in SAAS, AI, and Life Sciences companies, we invest in a wide range of market sectors, including the manufacturing, retail, and food industries.
Screening & Investment Process
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AoA invests in 20+ deals/year
Each month, AoA meets with around 30 companies, of which 6 are invited to present to the AoA Screening Committee.
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AoA prioritizes prompt
decisions on companies.
Typically within 5 weeks of the screening meeting.
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40% of companies presenting at AoA member meetings get funded​.
1. INTRODUCTORY MEETING
Companies that meet our investment criteria will be invited to meet with AoA personnel. The objective of this initial meeting is to have a conversation about your business, explore the fit, discuss how we can work together, and share feedback on your presentation and fundraising goals. An investor deck is typically a good framework for guiding the dialog. Each month, AoA meets with around 30 companies, of which 6 are invited to present to the AoA Screening Committee.
2. SCREENING MEETING
The AoA Screening Committee is composed of about 15 of the AoA’s most active and experienced angels. The company will deliver a 10 minute presentation followed by 5 minute Q&A. Each month, 3 companies will be invited by the Screening Committee to present at the full Member Meeting. Each company will be assigned a coach to answer questions and help them tune their presentation as appropriate.
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Companies that are in the AI and Life Science spaces may receive an additional screening with our focused committees.
3. MEMBER MEETING
Before and after this meeting, companies will have the opportunity to network with the entire AoA membership. Typically 80 – 90 members attend in person with more online. Companies will deliver a 10 minute presentation followed by a 5 minute Q&A. Angels interested in following up will sign up to conduct due diligence.
4. DUE DILIGENCE
We target to complete due diligence and provide an investment decision within 5 weeks of the screening meeting. Typically an AoA member will step up to lead the process on behalf of the AoA investor group, so you will interact thru that single point of contact. Depending on the amount we invest, the AoA deal lead may also request a board seat. We typically invest in 15 – 20 companies per year.
MEMBER MEETING DATES
** Companies hoping to be considered for the AoA screening process must apply at least 4 weeks before the next member meeting.
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June 25th, 2025
July 23, 2025
September 24, 2025
October 29, 2025
December 3, 2025