Investors Circle community investors most often make investments using proven structures, such as traditional equity financing. We also learn and help pioneer newer models that can allow more people to participate and/or regenerative approaches that can return greater benefits to stakeholders. Promising newer model examples include: structures that allow groups of investors to invest together with lower minimums, support for community development financial institutions (CDFIs), revenue-based financing, collaboration with donor-advised funds (DAFs), and philanthropic investing. 

Most of our IC community investor investments are in U.S.-based start-ups, with early-stage valuations. Some of our community members also invest globally and in larger, later-stage businesses, or serve on boards of companies supported by Investors Circle.

Investors Circle accepts applications on a rolling basis. We work with:

• For-profit ventures solving social, community and/or environmental issues including addressing gaps in renewable, regenerative and/or green markets

• Applicants present how they plan to make change, who they impact, the depth / scale of difference, and metrics to track

• Exceptional founding teams uniquely suited to make the enterprise successful, with a deep understanding of their market, their customers, and an achievable financial plan

• Entities raising between $500K to $5MM in equity or alternative deal structures such as debt or revenue based financing

• Enterprises with a reasonable exit liquidity plan for investors and other key stakeholders

• Visionary and driven entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply, including minority founders (including BIPOC, female, differently-abled and other minority group members) and military veteran founding teams

We ask all applicants to submit to us on Dealum. Creating a profile is free and also allows you to reach other angel groups and investors that use the Dealum platform.

If you are interested in applying to present to IC, but have questions?  Get in touch with Don Megrath and our team by emailing us at: info[at]investors-circle[dot]org (note: use symbols for the bracketed words).

The Investors Circle (IC) Student Impact Investing Initiative (SIII) is a national learning program, with IC in collaboration with partner Universities, IC integrates participating university students in IC’s real-world impact investing ecosystem.  For students and their University groups, this builds on their other educational work as they develop investor-grade judgement and discipline as emerging investors. Working with IC’s network of angels and other professional investors and entrepreneurs, participants support sourcing, analyzing, and conducting due diligence of active impact investment opportunities – directly shaping which investment prospects advance to capital commitment. The SIII supplements University programs and/or student-run fund work preparing students to make informed impactful capital commitment decisions and engage in the impact investing ecosystem.

The SIII is an emerging program of IC, which we are rolling out on a pilot basis in 2026.  We have a growing Advisory Committee, including several prominent Universities, which has been meeting on a regular basis for a few months.  If you would like to join the SIII Advisory Committee, please do so at this link.

WHO THIS IS FOR: Colleges and universities seeking a high-value experiential learning model aligned with academic, co-curricular, and mission-driven goals.

WHY PARTNER WITH INVESTORS CIRCLE:

• Institutional Alignment: Associate with a nationally respected impact investing network advancing a just, equitable, and sustainable economy.

•  Governance-Safe Experiential Learning: Provide students with real-world investment experience within a structured framework that preserves institutional oversight and clearly separates analysis from investment authority.

•  Optional Co-Investment Pathway: Access structured opportunities to co-invest with established angel networks and peer institutions, at the institution’s discretion.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

• Experiential Learning & Academic Value Applied Impact Investing Model: A framework that complements existing coursework and student investment funds while lowering the barrier to launching new impact investment programs.

•  Faculty Engagement: Faculty Advisors actively shape and supervise student learning within a professionally grounded investment context.

•  Career-Relevant Preparation: Students develop investor-grade skills applicable to finance, consulting, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and public-interest careers.

•  Network & Institutional Visibility Selective Convenings: Invitations to curated in-person gatherings, site visits, and briefings that connect institutions to the national impact investing ecosystem.

•  Strategic Partnerships: Access to service providers, sponsors, and platforms that support institutional objectives and student engagement.

•  Network & Institutional Visibility National Representation: Opportunities for institutional visibility within Investors Circle’s national network and at select industry convenings.

•  Deal Flow & Investment Engagement Dealum Platform Access: Institutional access and training on the industry- standard platform for sourcing, screening, and managing opportunities. 

•  Structured Student Diligence: A governed process for student participation in screening and diligence, with a clear separation between analytical contribution and investment decision-making.

•  Collaborative Investment Network: Opportunities to engage with peer institutions, Investors Circle members, and partner angel groups around shared deal flow.

REQUIREMENTS

• Annual Membership (per institution):  $2,000 (12-month term).

• Leadership:  One Faculty Advisor and one Student Liaison per University.

• Capital:  Optional co-investment at institutional discretion.

Think this might be a good fit for your University or College?  Get in touch with Babbie Jacobs and our team by emailing us at: info[at]investors-circle[dot]org (note: use symbols for the bracketed words). 

As part of Investors Circle Student Impact Investing Initiative, Babbie Jacobs and Bobbie Lamont will be attending the 2026 Washington University Impact Investing Symposium on February 20.

Adjacent to the Symposium with MBA students and St Louis based CDFIs and impact investors, the Babbie/Bobbie team organized site visits with attendees and friends to see first hand sustainable development projects in the Cherokee Street historic district.

Adjacent to the Symposium, the Babbie/Bobbie team invites attendees and other impact community friends to join us Friday, February 20th.

● 8:30 - 9:45am | Meet us at Bridge Bread Bakery | a long standing social employment enterprise that has recently expanded to a second location.

● 10:00 - 12:00 |  Sign up and join us for a tour of Cherokee Street to see first hand sustainable development projects ($22 per person).

● 1:00 - 4:30pm | Look for us at the conference!

● 5:00 - 7:00pm | Join us at the International Tap Room / Del Mar

Connecting directly with grassroots impact investing initiatives around the country strengthens Investors Circle's ability to source impactful deal flow, expand the Student Impact Program, and attract new Investors Circle Impact Investing community members to join our community.

Please feel free to contact Babbie or Bobbie  for more information and let us know your ideas to help us connect.

Investors Circle, Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (IFEL), and She Invests! have collaborated together with several IC community partners to bring you and others in the early stage impact investing community an exciting new angel investor educational program in 2026.

Community, Capital, & Impact

Your capital has power. 

Is it aligned with your values?

Many people want to foster systemic change but aren't sure where to start in the world of private equity angel investing. Part I of our series is a four-week intensive designed to demystify the mechanics of angel investing while keeping social and/or environmental "impact" at the center of the conversation along with financial return.

Whether you are looking to utilize a Donor Advised Fund (DAF), explore crowdfunding, or write your first angel investment check, this course provides the framework to invest with both your head and your heart.

What We’ll Cover:

In these four virtual sessions, we move beyond simple spreadsheets to explore the "why" and "how" of impact capital:

● Impact Identity: Discover what impact means to you. We’ll help you identify the systems you want to foster and the metrics used to track real change.

● The Investment Toolkit: A deep dive into Angel Investing 101, Impact Investing 101, and the growing world of Crowdfunding and DAF Funding.

● The 5 Ms of Evaluation: Learn our signature framework for vetting companies and spotting high-potential founders.

● The Long Game: Understanding time horizons, patience, and what constitutes a "fair" financial return when social impact is on the line.

● The Founder Relationship: Mastering the "Coffee Meeting"—learning how to be a helpful, collaborative partner to the entrepreneurs you fund.

Logistics & Schedule: This is a virtual series held via Zoom, 45-minute lecture followed by a 15-minute interactive Q&A.

●   Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM PST / 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST

Date: Topic

March 10: Angel Investing 101 + Crowdfunding & DAF Funding

March 17: Impact Investing 101: Defining Your "Why"

March 24: Evaluation: The 5 Ms Framework

March 31: Investor-Entrepreneur Relations: The Coffee Meeting

May 19: A culminating Entrepreneur Presentation and Selection Showcase

Program Fee:

●   General Admission: $395

●   IC Full Members: $125

Ready to bridge the gap between profit and purpose?

 REGISTER FOR PART I HERE

A note on Part II: Registration for Part I gives you the foundational knowledge needed for our Part II series in April/May, which culminates in a live Entrepreneur Presentation and Selection Showcase on May 19.

If you have questions, please email info@investors-circle.org for answers.

Investors Circle, Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (IFEL), and She Invests! have collaborated together with several IC community partners to bring you and others in the early stage impact investing community an exciting new angel investor educational program in 2026.

While Part I focuses on the "Why," Part II is designed for those ready to master the "How." In this six-session intensive, we dive deep into the technical landscape of impact deal-making. You will learn to navigate the complexities of term sheets, determine fair valuations, and conduct rigorous due diligence—all while maintaining the founder-first ethos that defines the Investors Circle, She Invests, and IFEL communities.

This series culminates in a live Selection Showcase, where you will put your training into practice by evaluating four pre-seed impact startups.

What We’ll Cover:

In Part II, we transition from theory to the high-stakes mechanics of early-stage investing:

• The Terms of the Deal: A masterclass in Term Sheets. Learn what "standard" looks like and how to negotiate terms that protect investors while empowering founders.

• Valuations: Understanding the math behind the mission. How do you value a pre-seed company when impact is a core variable?

• Due Diligence: Moving beyond the pitch deck. Learn the process of verifying claims, assessing risk, and digging into the "5 Ms" with professional rigor.

• The Investor-Entrepreneur Relationship: How to manage the post-check relationship, provide value, and set expectations for the long-term journey.

• Selection & Selection: Gain behind-the-scenes insight into how potential candidates are selected for the showcase, with input from our participating organizations.

Logistics & Schedule:

This is a virtual series held via Zoom, 45-minute lecture followed by a 15-minute interactive Q&A.

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM PST / 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST

April 7 - Term Sheets: Navigating the Legal Framework

April 14 - Valuations: Pricing Impact & Potential

April 21 - No Session (ACA Gathering)

April 28 - Due Diligence: The Deep Dive

May 5 - Investor-Entrepreneur Relations: Post-Investment Success

May 12 - Lessons Learned & Selection Debrief

May 19 - THE SHOWCASE (Grand Finale)

The Showcase Format (May 19):

• 4 Pre-Seed Impact Companies.

• 5-minute pitches followed by 10-minute interactive Q&A.

• A 15-minute private investor debrief (without founders) to discuss the opportunities.

Program Fee:

• General Admission: $495

• IC Full Members: $175

Ready to master the mechanics of impact?

REGISTER FOR PART II HERE

A Note on Prerequisites: While Part II stands on its own for experienced investors, we highly recommend completing Part I to ensure a foundational understanding of the "5 Ms" and impact metrics used during the Showcase evaluation. Register HERE for Part I.

If you have questions, please email info@investors-circle.org for answers.