University-Affiliated Angel & VC Funds
Discover investment vehicles from top US universities supporting startups, alumni founders, and university-affiliated entrepreneurs. Find funding opportunities and connect with university investment networks.
Featured Funds
Leading university-affiliated investment vehicles with proven track records and significant capital deployment.
Yale Angels Index Fund
Yale University
Diversified vehicle to back early-stage startups founded by Yale alumni, faculty, and students. Donates 100% of carry proceeds to Yale University or Yale-affiliated nonprofits.
Index Fund
The Engine
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Tough tech accelerator and venture firm supporting breakthrough technologies that require significant capital and time to develop. Focuses on "tough tech" - hardware, biotech, energy, and other capital-intensive innovations.
Venture Fund
$435M+
Stanford StartX Fund
Stanford University
Non-profit accelerator with associated fund that invests in Stanford-affiliated startups. Provides mentorship, resources, and funding.
Accelerator Fund
Explore Funds by Type
Browse university-affiliated investment vehicles organized by fund structure and investment approach.
Alumni Angel Fund
6 funds
Big Red Ventures (Cornell Alumni Ventures)
Cornell University
Alumni-led venture fund investing in Cornell-affiliated startups and entrepreneurs.
Related Programs:
Princeton Alumni Entrepreneurs Fund
Princeton University
Alumni-led fund supporting Princeton-affiliated startups and entrepreneurs.
Related Programs:
Harvard Business School Alumni Angels
Harvard University
Network of Harvard Business School alumni investors supporting Harvard-affiliated startups.
Related Programs:
Stanford Angels & Entrepreneurs
Stanford University
Network of Stanford alumni investors and entrepreneurs supporting Stanford-affiliated startups.
Related Programs:
MIT Alumni Angels
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Network of MIT alumni investors supporting MIT-affiliated startups and entrepreneurs.
Related Programs:
Wharton Alumni Angels
University of Pennsylvania
Network of Wharton School alumni investors supporting Penn-affiliated startups.
Related Programs:
Index Fund
1 fund
Yale Angels Index Fund
Yale University
Diversified vehicle to back early-stage startups founded by Yale alumni, faculty, and students. Donates 100% of carry proceeds to Yale University or Yale-affiliated nonprofits.
Related Programs:
Venture Fund
2 funds
The Engine
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Tough tech accelerator and venture firm supporting breakthrough technologies that require significant capital and time to develop. Focuses on "tough tech" - hardware, biotech, energy, and other capital-intensive innovations.
Related Programs:
Illinois Ventures
University of Illinois System
System-wide venture fund supporting University of Illinois startups.
Accelerator Fund
3 funds
Stanford StartX Fund
Stanford University
Non-profit accelerator with associated fund that invests in Stanford-affiliated startups. Provides mentorship, resources, and funding.
Related Programs:
SkyDeck Fund
University of California, Berkeley
Accelerator with associated fund supporting UC Berkeley startups.
Related Programs:
Purdue Foundry
Purdue University
Entrepreneurship hub providing funding, mentorship, and resources for Purdue-affiliated startups.
Related Programs:
Alumni Network
14 funds
Columbia Alumni Ventures
Columbia University
Network of Columbia alumni investors supporting Columbia-affiliated startups.
Related Programs:
Berkeley Angel Network
University of California, Berkeley
Alumni angel network supporting UC Berkeley startups.
UT Angel Network
University of Texas at Austin
Alumni angel network supporting UT Austin startups.
Duke Angel Network
Duke University
Network of Duke alumni investors and various university funding programs.
Related Programs:
Northwestern Alumni Ventures / The Garage Funds
Northwestern University
Alumni investment network and The Garage provides funding and resources for Northwestern startups.
Related Programs:
UChicago Alumni Ventures / Polsky Center Funds
University of Chicago
Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship manages various funds and connects startups with alumni investors.
Related Programs:
CMU Alumni Ventures / Swartz Center Funds
Carnegie Mellon University
Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship provides funding and connects startups with alumni investors.
Related Programs:
Georgia Tech Alumni Ventures / CREATE-X Funds
Georgia Institute of Technology
CREATE-X program provides funding and resources, with alumni investment networks supporting Georgia Tech startups.
Related Programs:
UW Alumni Ventures / CoMotion Funds
University of Washington
CoMotion manages various funding programs and connects startups with alumni investors.
Related Programs:
Johns Hopkins Alumni Ventures / FastForward Funds
Johns Hopkins University
FastForward provides funding and resources, with alumni networks supporting JHU startups.
Related Programs:
Vanderbilt Alumni Ventures / Wond'ry Funds
Vanderbilt University
Wond'ry provides resources and funding, with alumni networks supporting Vanderbilt startups.
Related Programs:
Rice Alumni Ventures
Rice University
Alumni investment network supporting Rice-affiliated startups.
Related Programs:
USC Alumni Ventures / USC Viterbi Startup Garage
University of Southern California
Alumni investment network and startup garage providing funding and resources.
UMN Alumni Ventures
University of Minnesota
Alumni investment network supporting University of Minnesota startups.
Related Programs:
University Fund
8 funds
Harvard Innovation Labs Ventures
Harvard University
Harvard i-lab provides resources and connections, with various affiliated investment vehicles and angel networks supporting Harvard-affiliated startups.
Related Programs:
Penn Wharton Entrepreneurship Fund
University of Pennsylvania
Supports Penn-affiliated startups through various funding mechanisms and programs.
Related Programs:
UCLA Ventures
University of California, Los Angeles
Various venture programs supporting UCLA-affiliated startups.
Related Programs:
UCSF Innovation Ventures
University of California, San Francisco
Technology transfer and investment programs supporting UCSF startups.
Michigan Angel Fund / Zell Lurie Institute Funds
University of Michigan
Multiple funds supporting University of Michigan startups through the Zell Lurie Institute and other programs.
Related Programs:
Longhorn Startup Fund
University of Texas at Austin
Student/alumni startup fund supporting UT Austin entrepreneurs.
Related Programs:
WARF Ventures / Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
University of Wisconsin-Madison
WARF manages technology transfer and has associated investment vehicles.
Related Programs:
ASU Skysong Innovations
Arizona State University
ASU's technology transfer and venture arm supporting Arizona State University startups and innovations.
Related Programs:
Why University-Affiliated Funds Matter
University-affiliated investment vehicles provide unique advantages for startups, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
Alumni Network Access
Connect with successful alumni investors who understand your university's ecosystem and can provide strategic mentorship.
Early-Stage Capital
Access funding specifically designed for university-affiliated startups, often with more founder-friendly terms.
University Resources
Leverage university research facilities, IP support, and commercialization resources alongside investment capital.
Understanding Fund Types
Different fund structures serve different needs. Here's what each type offers:
Alumni Angel Funds
Networks of alumni investors pooling capital to support university-affiliated startups. Often provide mentorship and network access.
Index Funds
Diversified vehicles tracking university-affiliated startups. Often donate carry proceeds back to the university.
Venture Funds
Direct university or foundation-managed funds with professional investment management and larger capital deployment.
Accelerator Funds
Funds associated with university accelerators, providing both capital and structured program support.
Alumni Networks
Informal networks connecting startups with alumni investors, providing introductions and deal flow.
University Funds
University-managed investment vehicles supporting university-affiliated startups through various mechanisms.
Looking for Funding?
Connect with university-affiliated funds and explore funding opportunities for your startup or innovation.
Related Resources
University Tech Transfer Hub
Explore top universities for tech transfer and commercialization opportunities.
Whitepapers & Research
Download expert insights on innovation commercialization and funding strategies.
SBIR/STTR Funding Guide
Learn about federal funding opportunities for university research commercialization.