Most businesses don’t just need money. They need founders who understand financials. They need clean legal formation and to be in compliance with relevant laws.

AssistTN is designed to connect small business owners and entrepreneur's with the resources and tools they need to be ready to receive a loan or investment.

AssistTN

Access the legal, accounting, or financial advisory services your business needs for the loan or investment you are seeking. The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) also offer a variety of training resources covering many business topics.

How to participate

To learn more, connect with the TSBDC, or to get started now, complete the AssistTN interest form.

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Tri-Star Angels Program

Fund Tennessee is excited to offer Tri-Star Angels Program (TAP) participants access to Angel University in partnership with the Angel Capital Association (ACA)!

TAP participants will learn from experienced angels who are subject matter experts on the topics they present. They share cutting-edge insights, practical tips, and lessons learned for early stage investors. TAP partners with Regional Entrepreneur Centers, cowork spaces and other ESOs to align the needs of angels, entrepreneurs, and the startup community.

If you want to learn more about investment in startup companies locally and regionally, how to expand capital through angel investing, mentoring startup founders, strengthening deal flow, and learning from other angel investors, then join us at a Regional Kick-off Event and become part of a TAP Cohort!

Apply for TAP

Application period for Cohort 1 is closed. If you are interested in applying for the next cohort, please complete the TAP interest form to be notified when TAP cohort 2 application opens.

Individuals must apply for and be accepted to be enrolled in TAP Cohort 1. All courses are presented live with in-person, hybrid, and virtual-only options available depending on location.

TAP Application (PDF)

Get started

Participate in TAP

Participants will engage with other startups and founders alongside those who want to learn more about becoming angel investors. Course instructors are experienced in the angel capital space and eager to help grow angel capital in Tennessee! Learn more at a kick-off session.

Basics of Angel Investing: Cohort 1
Current Schedule


Tuesdays, 4p-6p CT / 5p-7p ET

September 24: Fundamentals of Angel Investing
October 1: Risks of Angel Investing
October 8: Angel Returns & Portfolio Strategy
October 15: Due Diligence
October 22: Term Sheets
October 29: Valuation

What's Next?



Basics of Angel Investing: Cohort 2
Coming early 2025
Sign up here to receive updates

Advanced Angel Investing: Cohort 1
Only open to those who have completed the Basics of Angel Investing

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

    Find out if you qualify