Who is eligible for the Tri-Star Angels Program (TAP)?
To be considered for TAP, applicants must:
- Reside in Tennessee
- Apply for acceptance into the training cohort
- Identify as a current or future small business owner, entrepreneur, or investor (this includes SEDI/VSB business)
- Commit to completing the six required Angel Capital Association basic courses
- Participants who receive the basic angel investing certification may be eligible to participate in four additional advanced angel investing courses
Who is TAP for?
Small business owners and entrepreneurs
Private Wealth Advisors and Donor Advised Funds
Foundations
Banks, Credit Unions
Private Equity Groups
Angel Investors and Venture Capital Groups
Local Citizens
Economic Development Groups
What courses will be offered?
Basics of Angel Investing
Fundamentals of Angel Investing
Risks in Angel Investing
Angel Returns & Portfolio Strategy
Term Sheets
Due Diligence
Valuation
Advanced Angel Investing
Advanced Cap Tables
Angel Exits
Startup Board Basics
Startup Boards in Action
View TAP course descriptions.
What is an angel investor?
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) provides a broad variety of information on investing types and risks for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Learn more on the SEC’s website.
Angel investors are individuals who invest money in business startups in exchange for equity ownership of a business. An angel investor provides initial seed money for businesses usually in exchange for equity ownership in a company.
The Angel Capital Association (ACA) provides expertise on how angels think and invest. Learn more on ACA’s website and through the links below.
Here is a helpful Angel Investor Glossary of Terms.
ACA Videos:
For Entrepreneurs: Fundraising for your Business
For Investors: Angel Investing as an Asset Class
What are the advantages of completing TAP?
Offered for a limited time, at no cost
Earn an industry recognized certificates – Basics of Angel Investing and Advanced Angel Investing (Deeper Dive offered in spring-summer of 2025)
Access to course instructors and advisors active in angel capital community in Tennessee and nationally
Network with other entrepreneurs statewide
Flexibility: you can join others in your area for a course live or log-in from home, and if you need to miss a live session, you have some time to catch-up
Why should I take this course?
It is for entrepreneurs and investors who want to increase their knowledge and build their network around angel investing. Entrepreneurs and investors will benefit from learning about angel investing as an asset class and the diligence/requirements that go into each deal as well as connect with other entrepreneurs and potential investors statewide.
Is Angel Capital really a thing?
Yes. A few companies that you have heard of started with angel capital like Google, Uber, Airbnb, or SpaceX, but there are thousands of others whose companies are in all different sectors, like food, health sciences, energy, medical devices, and agriculture. Some you would recognize, others not because companies were sold and became offerings a larger company. Angels are critical, often first dollars in for the equity space. Learn more through the ACA’s podcast, The Angels Next Door.
What if I cannot attend every live session?
Recordings will be made available after each session for a limited time for participants that are not able to attend the live event. Course instructors will hold office hours so participants can take a deeper dive into various relevant course topics. Times and dates will be made available to participants.