ACA's mission is to increase the success of member angel groups.

The Angel Capital Association is a peer organization of angel investing groups in North America. The professional association focuses on networking and sharing of best practices among these angel groups.

ACA was founded by angel groups throughout the U.S. and Canada to help maximize the performance of groups of angel investors. The association is designed to:

• outline and share best practices for operating angel organizations
• develop industry benchmarks for success
• advise members on processes and relationships with entrepreneurs
• assist in the development of needed data and research on angel investing
• create and maintain a vibrant Web portal
• promote regional collaboration among angel groups, encouraging joint investment
• encourage individual angel investors to join angel organizations

ACA plans to accomplish these goals by holding annual summits and regular regional meetings of angel groups, developing best practice papers, and increasing access to data and information, among other things.

History

ACA is a natural outgrowth of four "Angel Organization Summits" held in 2002 and 2003. Representatives from nearly 80 groups attended one or more of these Summits. The concept of ACA was presented at the 4th Summit in November, 2003, and was endorsed by angel groups in attendance. ACA officially came into being in January, 2004. In late 2005, ACA was incorporated as a membership organization. A companion program, the Angel Capital Education Foundation (ACEF), was initiated at the same time to focus on the charitable purpose of education and research in the field of angel investing. Leaders of ACA member angel groups are involved in developing many ACEF educational programs.

Organizational Structure

ACA was recently incorporated as a non-profit professional association, and is led by a Board of Directors comprised of angel group leaders. Member angel groups may participate in committees focused on developing standards of excellence for angel groups, industry tools, and public affairs.