Description
VentureSouth is a member-led angel investment network and sidecar fund platform based in the Southeastern United States, with active chapters across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. The group aggregates accredited angels to invest in early-stage, high-growth startups, typically as a co-investor alongside a lead rather than a pricing lead.
Pre-Seed: Selective, usually when companies are graduating from friends-and-family with early validation.
Seed: Core focus; most VentureSouth investments occur at seed.
Series A: Occasional follow-on participation via members or sidecar funds.
Typical Check Size: $150K–$500K per deal (aggregated from members and/or sidecar funds).
Typical Ownership Taken: ~1%–4% at entry.
Upper Range (Selective): Up to ~5% in smaller seed rounds or when VentureSouth plays a heavier syndicate role.
Ownership Style: Minority, non-controlling.
Equity Structure: SAFE, convertible note, or preferred equity depending on round.
Board Seats: No board seats; occasional observer or information rights only.
Control: No control provisions; founder-friendly angel terms.
Submission Method: Founders apply via VentureSouth’s online portal or are referred by members and regional ecosystem partners.
Lead Requirement: Preferred but not mandatory; VentureSouth commonly follows a lead investor.
Review Cadence: Rolling, aligned with chapter meeting schedules.
Eligibility
Sector Focus: Broad tech orientation including B2B SaaS, fintech, healthcare IT, marketplaces, climate/industrial tech, and scalable software-enabled businesses.
Geography: Strong preference for Southeastern U.S. companies (or companies willing to establish presence).
Stage: Pre-seed to seed; early traction preferred.
Company Profile: Venture-scale opportunity with clear path to growth.
Team: Coachable founders with execution capability and regional engagement.
Process
Initial Intake: Review of deck, traction, and fit with Southeast focus.
Screening Committee: Selected companies present to a screening group.
Member Presentation: Finalists pitch at chapter meetings.
Due Diligence: Interested members conduct collaborative diligence.
Deal Structuring: Allocation sized to fit cleanly into the round without crowding future VCs.
What an Applicant can Obtain
Strategic Capital: Clean angel capital with modest dilution.
Regional Network: Access to a deep Southeast angel base and operators.
Follow-On Pathways: Introductions to other angel groups and early VCs.
Founder Support: Mentorship and regional customer/introduction access.
