FAQs

Learn more about becoming a member or getting funded by BAG.

What is the mission of BAG?

Our mission is to accelerate the growth of the Brown entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing financial and other critical support to Brown alumni-founded startups.

Who are BAG’s members?

Our 1,000+ members are a diverse group of Brown alumni (and friends of Brown) from around the world, representing recent graduates all the way to graduates of the Class of 1969. Our members come from a wide range of backgrounds including serial entrepreneurs, superangels, venture capital investors, family offices, lawyers, physicians, professors, corporate executives, and public company board members.

Do I have to be a Brown graduate to join BAG?

Our membership is open to any accredited investors who have an affinity for Brown and want to support the Brown entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Is there a cost to become a BAG member?

Being a member of BAG is completely free. There are no annual membership fees or dues, and being a member does not obligate you to make an investment in any company at any time. That being said, we are looking for active members who want to write checks and help us support Brown entrepreneurs.

Why should an angel investor invest in Brown founders?

Brown students are known for their independent nature, pioneering spirit, creative ideas, diversity of thought, and desire to change the world. In our view, these are many of the qualities that make a successful entrepreneur. It’s no wonder that Brown alumni founders have created some of the world’s most successful companies including Workday, MongoDB, Starwood, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Warby Parker, Shutterfly, Netgear, ZipRecruiter, FM Global, The Wall Street Journal, McKinsey, CNN, Evite, Slideshare, Betterment, GoJek, Scopely, Figma, Dogfish Head, and Lyra – among many more.

How do I become a member?

Click here to fill out our membership form.

I’m raising capital for my company. What’s the first step to see if it’s a fit for BAG?

Click here to fill out our application form.

What are the requirements for a startup to receive funding from BAG?

At least one of the company’s co-founders must be a Brown alum, faculty member, or current student. This person must be a full-time employee of the company at the time of investment.

Is there a cost to apply for BAG funding?

No.

How does the BAG application and investment process work?

Our investment committee selects promising ventures based on a variety of quantitative and qualitative factors. Selected companies are presented to the BAG membership via an email that summarizes the business and includes a pitch deck and a short video of the Brown founder(s) introducing their company. Members can indicate their interest in a particular deal by filling out an allocation request form. When there is sufficient interest in a given company, we will provide access to a data room and organize a Zoom diligence call with the founder(s). Members then make their final allocation requests, sign documents, and wire funds to BAG. We pool all member capital into a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and invest in the company as a single entity on the cap table. The process generally takes about 4 weeks once the deal email goes out to members.

How much of a time commitment does the BAG process take for founders?

Typically, 2 to 3 hours. Our goal is to be efficient and effective with your time as we recognize that it is your most valuable resource.

What makes BAG different from other angel groups?

Many angel groups have processes that are long, complicated, and lack transparency. In other words, they are not founder-friendly. As founders ourselves, we understand the importance of delivering an experience that is effective, efficient, and respectful of a founder’s time. While we do need a founder’s engagement during the process, we’ve created a simple and transparent process that we believe delivers a strong ROI on the time invested.

What if my round is closing soon and I need a quick decision?

We are sometimes able to accommodate an accelerated investing process that can take as little as 2 weeks.

How does BAG generate deal flow?

Our high quality deal flow comes from a variety of sources, including inbound applications on our website, referrals from BAG members and BAG portfolio companies, and targeted outreach efforts to Brown entrepreneurs. We actively seek out companies with diverse founding teams.

How many companies does BAG fund per year?

We have no set target for the number of companies that we fund per year. Our twelve month rolling average is roughly 1 deal per month.

What is BAG’s average check size?

Our check sizes have ranged from $100,000 to $1,400,000. Our average check size is about $300,000. In general, we do not write checks below $100,000.

What is the minimum investment that a BAG member can make in a deal?

The minimum check size per member per deal is $10,000.

Can I invest via a self-directed IRA?

Yes, our members have invested in BAG SPVs via self-directed IRAs, most commonly via AltoIRA.

Does BAG invest only in early-stage deals?

We are stage-agnostic. We invest at any stage in the lifecycle of the business (pre-seed all the way through pre-IPO). Occasionally we will purchase secondary shares from a founder/executive. Click here to see our diverse investment portfolio.

Does BAG focus on any particular industries?

We are sector agnostic. We will invest in any industry that our members are excited about. Some of the areas where we’ve frequently invested include digital health, e-commerce, software-as-a-service, consumer packaged goods, and robotics. Click here to see our diverse investment portfolio.

What are examples of ways that BAG has helped its portfolio companies beyond financial support?

We harness the incredible power and reach of the Brown alumni network to give our portfolio companies an edge against their competition. This has included successful introductions to institutional investors, new customers, employee talent, advisors, mentors, peer entrepreneurs operating in the same industry, and even celebrity partners.

Is BAG officially affiliated with Brown University?

No, we are not a part of Brown University. We do have a friendly relationship with many individuals at the university, and some of them are active BAG investors. We are strong supporters of the university and are honored to be able to play a role in helping to increase the number of Brown entrepreneurship success stories. To that end, a portion of the profit from each investment we make is earmarked for the Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship at Brown University.

Is BAG affiliated with any investment firms?

We have no formal affiliations with any investment firms or groups.