Capital Angel Network

Capital Angel Network (CAN) ranks in the top five most active angel groups in Canada. Since 2009 CAN members have invested more than $65M in early-stage companies. For the first time, in 2022 more than 50% of Capital Angel Network’s direct investments were made in startups with a female co founder 85% of investments to date have been with Gatineau, Ottawa, Kanata and area based startups. This early funding led to over $500M in additional investment through grants, syndication with other angel groups, and venture capital funds. CAN’s membership includes more than 55 angel investors, 30% of whom are female. CAN is a Member of National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) and Angel Investors Ontario (AIO), collaborating with angel groups and ecosystems across the country.

Founded in 2009, the Capital Angel Network (CAN) has been investing in startups in the National Capital Region for over a decade. Since its inception, CAN members have invested over $66M into 160 early-stage companies 85% of which are based in the National Capital Region. This early-stage funding has led to over $500M in additional investment through grants, syndication with other angel groups and venture capital funds. The membership base now consists of over 40 Angels, 25% are women! In 2023, CAN invested $5.9M.

The CAN Process

CAN actively engages with the Ottawa and regional startup ecosystem by integrating directly with local incubators and accelerators. We host an annual Mashup to showcase the best of what our community has to offer.

Companies from across Canada apply to pitch on a monthly basis. Once screened, they are presented to the membership for investment. Only high-quality investment opportunities with strong potential for returns are presented to our membership.

Our Focus
Startups approaching CAN should already have received funding from government grants and/or family & friends.  Although this is not mandatory, your product is ideally in the market with a growing customer base. Your startup is now prepared for an injection of capital that will accelerate your growth. Most companies that approach CAN are raising between $500K & $2M.

CAN has invested in a diverse portfolio of companies ranging from a food waste recycler to a spectrum analyzer to a platform for bus rentals. However, given the background of CAN’s 40+ members our portfolio primarily consists of the following verticals:

• Green Technology
• B2B/Enterprise SaaS
• Deep Tech
• Artificial Intelligence
• Cybersecurity
• Health & Medical Technology
• Agriculture Technology

  Become an Angel

  Studies have shown angels improve their investment returns if they work as part of a group. The same studies have also shown that a portfolio of 10 to 12 companies is required to minimize portfolio risk.

  But investing in 10 to 12 companies as a solo investor would require an inordinate amount of effort, that’s where Capital Angels can help.

  The CAN member code of conduct can be found here.

  Members of the Capital Angel Network share in the due diligence process, but each angel makes an individual decision regarding whether or not to invest in a particular deal.

  Members have access to expert led workshops to refine the technical aspects of investing and to inspire the art of investing.

  Benefits of working as part of an angel group:

  • shared insight and experience to aid in investment selection
  • shared workload (due diligence, deal preparation, etc) to minimize effort
  • increased ability to influence deal terms
  • improved deal flow resulting in a higher quality portfolio

  The annual membership fee is $785 (plus any applicable HST/GST).
  Venture Capital firms and Family Offices may also join for $1575 (plus any applicable HST/GST).