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.
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.
To learn more, connect with the TSBDC, or to get started now, complete the AssistTN interest form.
Application period for Cohort 3 is open with courses starting in Summer 2025. If you are interested in applying for Cohort 3, please complete the TAP application.
Individuals must apply for and be accepted to be enrolled in TAP Cohort 3. All courses are presented live with in-person, hybrid, and virtual-only options available depending on location.
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.
Angel Investing Deeper Dive: Cohort 2
Sign up here for Angel Investing Deeper Dive Cohort 2
All courses will be from 4p-6p CT / 5p-7p ET
Basics of Angel Investing: Cohort 3
Apply here for Basics Cohort 3
Courses starting Summer 2025
To be considered for TAP, applicants must:
Basics of Angel Investing
Advanced Angel Investing
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
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.
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.
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.
