Stanford Angels and Entrepreneurs

Stanford Angels and Entrepreneurs (SA&E) is a prominent angel group operating under the sponsorship of the Stanford Alumni Association, headquartered in Stanford, United States. Established in 2010, its core mission is to bolster the Stanford startup ecosystem by fostering robust connections between Stanford-affiliated entrepreneurs seeking capital and accredited investors from the university's extensive alumni network. Crucially, SA&E functions as a facilitator rather than a direct investment fund, meaning it does not deploy capital itself but instead orchestrates introductions and opportunities for individual angel investors among its membership to engage with promising ventures.

Since its inception, SA&E has played a significant role in the early-stage funding landscape for Stanford-affiliated companies. As of 2020, the group had successfully helped facilitate over $100 million in capital raised by various startups within its network, demonstrating its substantial impact on the entrepreneurial community. This collective investment activity underscores the power of the Stanford alumni network in supporting new ventures, providing vital early-stage funding and strategic guidance. The group's activities include hosting pitch events, networking sessions, and educational programs designed to enhance the capabilities of both entrepreneurs and investors.

SA&E's operational model emphasizes community building and leveraging the intellectual and financial capital of the Stanford alumni base. It provides a structured yet flexible platform for alumni investors to discover and evaluate investment opportunities in companies founded or led by Stanford alumni, faculty, or students. While SA&E itself does not issue checks, its role in vetting opportunities and connecting parties is invaluable. Individual members, who are accredited investors, make their own investment decisions and determine the size of their contributions, which can vary widely depending on the specific deal and the investor's capacity. This approach ensures a diverse range of support for startups, from seed to later-stage rounds.