Next Wave Impact
Next Wave Impact is a Denver-based angel investment fund manager deploying capital from 99 women Limited Partners into early-stage companies led by women and people of color, using a learning-by-doing model that combines LP education with impact-focused investment across a 15-company portfolio.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersDenver, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Next Wave Impact does
Next Wave Impact is a Denver-based private angel investment fund manager that operates the Next Wave US Impact Fund I, deploying capital from women Limited Partners into early-stage companies led by women and people of color. Founded around 2017 by Alicia Robb, a former Kauffman Foundation Senior Fellow and 2020 Hans Severiens Award recipient, the fund employs a learning-by-doing model in which LPs participate in company screenings, due diligence, and investment decisions, distinguishing it from conventional angel vehicles. The fund's investment committee comprises ten credentialed women with backgrounds spanning P&G Global R&D, State Street Global Advisors, Cornell MBA, Yale MBA, and prior angel networks.
The fund's core product is the Fund I vehicle itself, supported by an Investor Education Platform (videos, webinars, and training on cap tables, due diligence, and impact investing), Proseeder-based deal-flow management, Zoom-powered monthly investor calls, and Survey Monkey-based LP feedback collection. Capital is deployed in $100K-$250K initial checks with $250K-$500K follow-on capacity in years three and four, targeting impact sectors including education, health, fintech, cleantech, and agriculture. The 15-company portfolio is intentionally diversified by industry and geography, with 100% of holdings led by women and people of color; the ConnXus exit via Coupa Software in May 2020 represents the first material realized return.
The business model relies on management fees on committed LP capital plus carried interest on portfolio exits, supplemented by educational and community-building activities that differentiate the offering. LP distribution is closed and referral-based, with new investors sourced through IC members or existing LPs; deal-flow originates from the same community plus a syndication network spanning Toniic, Investors Circle, Golden Seeds, Astia Angels, Pipeline Angels, 37 Angels, BlueTree Angels, and Portfolia. The fund was developed in partnership with the Kauffman Foundation, Angel Capital Association, and Go Beyond Investing as an evolution of the Rising Tide Pilot Angel Training Program, which had previously deployed across nearly 200 women in US and European pilots.
Next Wave Impact firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Next Wave Impact
- Legal name
- Next Wave Impact
- Website
- https://nextwaveimpact.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Next Wave Impact is a Denver-based angel investment fund manager deploying capital from 99 women Limited Partners into early-stage companies led by women and people of color, using a learning-by-doing model that combines LP education with impact-focused investment across a 15-company portfolio.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Next Wave Impact industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Angel Investment Fund / Impact Venture Capital
- NAICS
- Other Investment Pools and Funds (5259), Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (52394)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282), Finance Services (6199)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Micro-VC & Angel Funds (FSANAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sustainable Private Markets (Impact PE/VC, Private Credit, Infrastructure) (FSAAALAG), Impact Investing (Intentional, Measurable Social/Environmental Outcomes) (FSAAALAC), Gender Lens / Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Funds (FSANAJAM)
Keywords
Where Next Wave Impact is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denver
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Next Wave Impact business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Portfolio Returns: The fund generates returns through equity investments in early-stage companies. The fund follows a triple-bottom-line model (people, planet, prosperity) seeking both social impact and financial returns. Returns are realized through portfolio company exits (acquisitions or IPOs). Investment sizes range from $100K-$250K per company initially, with follow-on investments of $250K-$500K in years three and four.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Next Wave Impact product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Next Wave Impact operates an early-stage angel investment fund (Next Wave US Impact Fund I) using a learning-by-doing model that combines angel investor education with capital deployment. The fund makes initial investments of $100K-$250K (with $250K-$500K follow-ons) in women-led and minority-led companies across education, health, fintech, green technology, and other impact sectors. Limited Partners participate directly in deal screening, due diligence, and investment decisions while learning angel investing fundamentals.
Product overview
Next Wave Impact is an investment fund organization, not a software product company. Its primary offering is the Next Wave US Impact Fund I, a learning-by-doing angel investment fund that educates women investors while making impact-focused investments. The fund operates with 90+ Limited Partners and uses the Proseeder cloud platform to manage deal flow and communications. The organization also provides an Investor Education Platform with videos and webinars for angel investing training. The portfolio consists of 15 companies across diverse impact sectors including education, health, fintech, cleantech, and agriculture.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Next Wave US Impact Fund I An early-stage angel investment fund using a learning-by-doing model that enables women investors to build diversified portfolios of impact investments in women-led and minority-led companies. The fund follows a triple-bottom-line model (people, planet, prosperity) with initial investments ranging from $100K to $250K per company and follow-on capability of $250K-$500K. Investment focus areas include education, health, fintech, green technology, and other impact sectors.
- Investor Education Platform Educational resources for angel investors including videos, webinars, and training materials covering portfolio strategy, cap tables, due diligence, valuations, term sheets, and impact investing best practices. Developed as part of the Rising Tide Pilot Angel Training Program in collaboration with the Angel Capital Association, Kauffman Foundation, and Go Beyond Investing. Offered to fund LPs as part of their participation.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% of portfolio companies led by women and people of color
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Next Wave Impact
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Next Wave Impact technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Next Wave Impact partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and major.
- ProseedercoreCloud-based platform used for managing deal flow and communications with fund members. Entrepreneurs upload presentations and complete submission forms through this platform. All due diligence documents managed via Proseeder. General fund information and documents housed here.
- ZoomcoreVideo conferencing platform used for monthly investor calls and company screening sessions. LPs receive links to participate in monthly calls from the Managing Director.
- Survey MonkeysupportingUsed to capture LP feedback after monthly company screenings. LPs complete company evaluations via Survey Monkey by the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
- Kauffman FoundationcoreSupported the development of the Rising Tide Pilot Angel Training Program in collaboration with Angel Capital Association and Go Beyond Investing. Kauffman Foundation funding and backing provided educational materials and program development.
- ToniicmajorGlobal action community for impact investors. Fund syndicates deals with Toniic network and team members like Janine Firpo are founding members of Toniic's Seattle Chapter.
- Investors CirclemajorImpact investing network. One of the syndication partners for co-investing in early-stage impact companies.
- Golden SeedsmajorAngel investment organization focused on women-led businesses. Part of the syndication network for deal flow and co-investing.
- Astia AngelsmajorGlobal community of women investors. Part of the syndication network for investing in women-led companies.
- Pipeline AngelsmajorAngel investing community creating capital for women entrepreneurs. Part of the syndication network.
- 37 AngelssupportingNew York-based angel investment network. Part of the syndication partners for deal flow.
- BlueTree AngelssupportingAngel investment network. Part of the syndication partners for co-investing.
- PortfoliasupportingInvestment platform for women investors. Part of the syndication network for early-stage investments.
- Angel Capital AssociationcoreACA membership provided to all LPs for the investment period of the fund. Includes access to education/training materials, resources, and member prices for conferences. Fund leadership (Marcia Dawood) serves on ACA board.
- Go Beyond InvestingcorePartner in developing the Rising Tide Pilot Angel Training Program educational content and videos.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Next Wave Impact competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Golden Seeds: One of the largest angel networks investing in women-led businesses. Direct competitor for women/minority-led deal flow and co-investor alongside Next Wave via syndication network.
- Portfolia: Investment platform for women investors backing women-led companies. Direct competitor targeting the same women-LP demographic with thematic angel funds, and an active syndication partner of Next Wave.
- Pipeline Angels: Angel investing community creating capital for women and non-binary entrepreneurs. Direct peer to Next Wave's mission of deploying capital from women LPs into women and minority-led companies, with overlapping investment criteria and learn-by-doing programming.
- Hera Fund: Angel fund investing in women-owned businesses, founded by Silvia Mah who sits on Next Wave's Investment Committee. Closely comparable thesis and shared ecosystem.
- JUMP Fund: Angel fund focused on investing in women entrepreneurs, managed by Kristina Montague who sits on Next Wave's IC. Closely comparable thesis on women-led impact investing.
- Toniic: Global action community for impact investors. Peer as an impact-angel network with shared LPs and active syndication partner of Next Wave; team members like Janine Firpo are founding members of Toniic's Seattle chapter.
- Investors Circle: Impact investing network connecting accredited investors with early-stage social and environmental ventures. Peer as impact angel network and Next Wave syndication partner.
- 37 Angels: New York-based angel investment network focused on educating and activating new angel investors. Direct peer in the women-led angel education and deployment space and a Next Wave syndication partner.
- Astia Angels: Global community of women investors backing women-led high-growth companies. Direct peer with comparable mission and syndication partner of Next Wave.
- BlueTree Angels: Angel investment network focused on early-stage companies with strong female participation. Direct peer for women-led deal flow and Next Wave syndication partner.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Next Wave Impact social profiles
Digital presenceNext Wave Impact financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Next Wave Impact leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Next Wave Impact funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Next Wave Impact M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments28 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Next Wave Impact
What does Next Wave Impact do?
Next Wave Impact operates an early-stage angel investment fund (Next Wave US Impact Fund I) using a learning-by-doing model that combines angel investor education with capital deployment. The fund makes initial investments of $100K-$250K (with $250K-$500K follow-ons) in women-led and minority-led companies across education, health, fintech, green technology, and other impact sectors. Limited Partners participate directly in deal screening, due diligence, and investment decisions while learning angel investing fundamentals.
Is Next Wave Impact a public or private company?
Next Wave Impact is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Next Wave Impact founded?
Next Wave Impact was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Next Wave Impact based?
Next Wave Impact is headquartered in Denver, United States, in the North America region.
How does Next Wave Impact make money?
One revenue line is on record: portfolio Returns.
Who are Next Wave Impact's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Golden Seeds, Portfolia, Pipeline Angels, Hera Fund, JUMP Fund, Toniic, Investors Circle, 37 Angels, Astia Angels and BlueTree Angels.
Does Next Wave Impact have an API?
No public API is recorded for Next Wave Impact.
What industry is Next Wave Impact in?
Next Wave Impact's product category is Angel Investment Fund / Impact Venture Capital. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAI, Micro-VC & Angel Funds, with a secondary code of FSAAALAG, Sustainable Private Markets (Impact PE/VC, Private Credit, Infrastructure). Its NAICS code is 5259 and its SIC code is 6282.