Wharton Alumni Angels

Wharton Alumni Angels (WAA) is a prominent angel investor group, officially recognized as part of the Wharton Alumni Club Network. Established in 2011, WAA leverages the extensive global network of University of Pennsylvania and Wharton alumni to identify, fund, and support promising early-stage companies. Their mission is to provide capital and strategic guidance to startups, while also offering their accredited alumni members exclusive access to high-quality investment opportunities.

WAA primarily focuses on pre-seed, seed, and Series A stage companies across a diverse range of sectors, reflecting the varied expertise within their alumni base. While headquartered in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, their reach is global, with active chapters in major innovation hubs such as New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, Philadelphia, and extending into Europe and Asia. They seek out companies with strong management teams, large addressable markets, defensible technologies or business models, and a clear path to exit.

Since its inception, Wharton Alumni Angels has demonstrated a significant commitment to the startup ecosystem, having invested in over 100 companies. Their typical first cheque size ranges between $100,000 and $500,000 per company, though they can make exceptions for larger, strategic rounds. Beyond capital, WAA provides invaluable mentorship and connections, helping portfolio companies navigate challenges, secure follow-on funding, and scale their operations by tapping into the deep industry knowledge and professional networks of their Penn alumni investors. This combination of financial backing and strategic support positions WAA as a valuable partner for early-stage ventures.