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Angel Investing Fund

Ready to advance your career and gain experience that aligns with your goals? Apply to Willamette's full-time MBA program designed for early career and career change students. Review the requirements and process and complete the online application to participate in the Angel Fund.

Hands-On Learning

At Willamette, experiential learning is at the forefront of our MBA programs. We stand out for our hands-on approach that prepares students for the future. Through our angel investing opportunity, available exclusively to Early Career and Career Change MBA students, participants gain a unique experience that offers a competitive edge in the job market. Gain practical skills to become an entrepreneur, a venture capitalist, a financial analyst, or even a business consultant.

What is Angel Investing?

Angel investing refers to high-net-worth individuals who provide financial backing to startups in exchange for equity ownership. These individuals are typically experienced entrepreneurs, business professionals, or retired executives who contribute insights and capital to help the startup succeed.

Angel investors play a crucial role in the early stages of a company's development. Especially when traditional sources of funding may be challenging to access. Angel investors differ from venture capital firms in a key aspect: they invest their own personal funds, as opposed to managing and investing pooled resources from a variety of investors. This means that their involvement can be more hands-on and they might provide more expertise and insights.

From C-suite positions and corporate lawyers to ecosystem builders, many careers benefit from experience as an angel investor. Startup founders, venture capitalists, and private equity professionals also benefit from the takeaways from the Angel Fund course.

MBA students in class

Our Angel Investing Opportunity

Dive headfirst into the intricacies of angel investing with the Willamette MBA Angel Fund program - the first student-run angel investment initiative in the country.

This course offers students hands-on experience in various investment strategies, including angel investing, venture investing, and initiatives aimed at economic and entrepreneurial development. Over two semesters, students work alongside Angel investment groups. They practice their skills as accredited investors, evaluate deal flow and business plans, and perform due diligence in high-risk scenarios. They also further develop their financial analysis, risk assessment, and strategic decision-making skills.

As part of this experiential class, students work with an advisory board and invest real-world dollars in early-stage startups and small businesses. Willamette reinvests the revenue generated through Angel Fund investments back into the course. This ensures the long-term growth and success of this program and allows students to gain experience as private investors.

Skills You Can Apply in Your Career
At Willamette, we believe in building not just knowledge but also professional work experience. Our full-time MBA program emphasizes applying theoretical concepts to actual organizations, creating a dynamic learning environment. From internship opportunities to courses focused on real-world experience, students will graduate with a practical understanding of business.
Recent MBA grad with cherished Willamette staff memeber.
Invest in Startups with Angel Capital

Willamette's MBA program turns knowledge into action through hands-on learning. Students can engage directly with angel investment opportunities and immerse themselves in real-world scenarios. Willamette is shaping the next generation of leaders and investors.

The program's commitment to regional impact and dedication to continuous improvement underscores its position as a leader in experiential and consequential MBA education. If you're seeking a learning experience that goes beyond textbooks and lectures, explore Willamette's Oregon MBA programs. Your journey to becoming a well-rounded, hands-on professional starts here.

Portrait of MBA Alum

Willamette University

Atkinson Graduate School of Management