Gulf South Angels

What Gulf South Angels does

Gulf South Angels (GSA) is a nonprofit angel investor network founded in 2014 and headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana. The organization operates a community-led model in which 175+ accredited investor members across 18 states collectively source, evaluate, and fund early-stage ventures, primarily at the Seed and Series A stages with select Series B/C participation. GSA serves two customer segments: accredited investors (who gain deal flow, due diligence support, tax-optimized exposure, and syndication access) and entrepreneurs (who gain capital, structured mentorship, and a pathway to larger funding rounds). The investment process follows a documented seven-step funnel — application, pre-screening, committee presentation, member pitch, due diligence, capital commitment, and post-deal stewardship — supported by third-party platforms including DealFlowManager (deal processing), Raklet (member portal), and Seraf (portfolio tracking).

The portfolio spans 74+ companies across 150+ funding rounds since inception, totaling $34 million+ in cumulative invested capital. Sector exposure is industry-agnostic but materially concentrated in biotech and healthcare (Bioceptive, Embera, Salarius, Renibus Therapeutics, JuneBrain), aerospace and defense (Anduril, X-Bow Systems), advanced materials and energy (Modumetal, Steelhead Composites, Advano), and select consumer and technology ventures. Notable transactions include early participation in Anduril and a syndicated space-economy allocation via Balerion Space Ventures.

GSA's revenue mechanics combine recurring membership dues (~$1,500 per accredited investor per year) with 5% carried interest on Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) it constructs to pool member capital into individual deals. As a nonprofit, GSA reinvests operating margins into the network rather than distributing them. Strategic priorities are evidenced by the May 2026 acquisition of MEDA Angels (adding 50 healthcare-focused investors), the TCA Venture Group cross-regional partnership, and the October 2025 launch of The Legal Brief webinar series with rotating regional law firm sponsors.

Name

Gulf South Angels

Legal name

Gulf South Angels

Website

https://gulfsouthangels.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Gulf South Angels is a nonprofit angel investor network, founded 2014 in New Orleans, that connects 175+ accredited members across 18 states with early-stage startups for Seed and Series A funding, having deployed $34M+ across 74+ companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Angel Investing Network

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (52394)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Micro-VC & Angel Funds (FSANAAAI)

Keywords

• Angel investor network
• Early-stage venture capital
• Seed funding network
• Accredited investor group
• Startup deal flow

Headquarters

HQ city

New Orleans

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Accredited investors pay annual dues of $1,500 to cover operating expenses, with discounted rates available for groups. This provides recurring revenue to sustain the nonprofit organization's operations.
2. Carried Interest (Carry): GSA generates carried interest from Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) it creates for investments. The structure provides 95% of distributions to investors and 5% to the SPV/Fund Manager after return of capital. This is the primary economic incentive for managing investments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Gulf South Angels is a nonprofit angel investor network connecting 175+ accredited investors with early-stage startups, primarily at the Seed and Series A stages. The network provides a structured seven-step deal flow process, collective due diligence, post-investment stewardship, and access to Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for pooled investments, with members across 18 states having invested over $34 million in 74+ companies since 2014.

Product overview

Gulf South Angels operates as a nonprofit angel investor network offering a comprehensive platform for early-stage investment. The core offering is its accredited investor membership network (175+ members) that provides access to investment opportunities in Seed and Series A rounds. The platform includes sidecar funds for passive diversification and Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) structured as LLCs for pooled investments. The investment process spans seven stages from application through post-deal stewardship, with rigorous due diligence and member-led investment decisions. Additional services include investment tracking via Seraf platform, syndication with national angel groups and venture capital firms, and access to tax incentive programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Angel Investor Network Membership Accredited investor membership providing access to early-stage investment opportunities, due diligence resources, mentorship, syndication with other angel groups and venture capital firms, and tax incentive programs (QSB 1202, state credits). Members pay $1,500 annual dues and commit to a minimum $10,000 investment per year.
• Seed and Series A Investment Rounds Primary investment focus on Seed and Series A financing rounds with select Series B and C opportunities for high-growth ventures with scalable models, strong leadership, and clear exit strategies. Targets early-stage startups through a structured deal flow process.
• Sidecar Funds Pooled investment vehicles allowing members to participate in a portfolio of early-stage companies without directly selecting individual investments, offering broader diversification and a more passive approach to angel investing.
• Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) Legal entities formed as Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) to pool investor capital for specific investment opportunities, enabling smaller investors to participate in deals with high minimum investment requirements. Distributions follow 95% to investors and 5% carried interest to the SPV/Fund Manager.
• Deal Flow Application & Screening Process Seven-step structured process for entrepreneurs to apply for funding, including application submission via Dealflow Manager, pre-screening committee review, screening presentations, full member network pitches, due diligence, capital commitments, and post-deal stewardship.
• Post-Investment Stewardship Ongoing support following investment including guidance, resources, and collaboration with portfolio companies to drive success, leveraging member expertise, industry connections, and operational mentorship.

Quantifiable outcome

• Record $3.5 million invested across 12 companies in H1 2025 — highest activity level in organization's history
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MEDA AngelscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2026GSA is acquiring MEDA Angels, a Washington, D.C.-based healthcare-focused angel investor network. The acquisition adds 50 healthcare-focused investors and enhances GSA's presence in healthcare, biotech, biopharma, and medical technology sectors.
• Baker DonelsonminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026Baker Donelson, a national law firm with offices across the Gulf South, partners with GSA for The Legal Brief webinar series. Presented the May 2026 session on 'Startup Financing 101: SAFEs, Convertible Notes, and Equity Rounds.'
• AdamsIPminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 January 2026AdamsIP, one of the largest intellectual property law firms on the Gulf Coast, partners with GSA for The Legal Brief webinar series. AdamsIP presented the February 2026 session on 'Avoiding Pitfalls and Monetizing Intellectual Property.'
• Stone PigmanminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 October 2025Stone Pigman, a Louisiana law firm with nearly 100 years of history, partnered with GSA to launch The Legal Brief webinar series. Presented the inaugural November 2025 session on 'Essential Legal Tips for Startups.'
• TCA Venture GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership with TCA VG, an angel group headquartered in Southern California. The partnership includes co-investment opportunities, shared due diligence processes, and use of advanced platforms for faster, smarter decision-making. This expands deal-flow and enhances cross-regional collaboration.
• Angel Capital Association (ACA)coreOthersAll GSA members receive membership with the Angel Capital Association (ACA), the professional organization for angel investors. Provides national resources, connections, expertise, and educational content through both in-person and virtual sessions.
• Portfolio CompaniescoreOthersGSA has invested in 74+ companies across multiple sectors including biotech/healthcare, technology/software, aerospace/defense, industrial/manufacturing, and consumer/retail. Portfolio includes companies like Anduril, Salarius, Renibus Therapeutics, X-Bow Systems, and El Guapo.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Golden Seeds: U.S. angel network with a women-investor focus and multi-chapter structure (NYC, Boston, Texas, Bay Area). Comparable to GSA's recently expanded focus on women-member development (Marigny deMauriac, Fern Watters) and chapter-style regional expansion.
• Band of Angels: Silicon Valley-based angel group with a tech-leaning member base and structured screening process. Comparable as a long-established (founded 1994) regional-to-national angel network focused on early-stage deals.
• New York Angels: Large, member-driven NYC angel network with comparable accredited-investor screening committees and Seed/Series A focus. Useful benchmark for GSA's institutional-style process at large member scale.
• Keiretsu Forum: Multi-chapter global angel network with North American presence and a member-led model similar to GSA. Comparable for chapter-based regional expansion strategy and syndicated cross-region deal flow.
• Central Texas Angel Network: Austin-based angel network with a comparable regional model, accredited-member structure, and Seed/Series A deal focus. Together with Houston Angel Network, the most direct geographic adjacency to GSA's Gulf South territory.
• Tech Coast Angels: One of the largest and most active angel networks in the U.S., with comparable accredited-member model, screening committees, and Seed/Series A investment focus. Provides national benchmark for angel group scale and structure.
• Atlanta Technology Angels: Atlanta-based angel network previously chaired by GSA Founder/Chairman Mike Eckert. Directly comparable as a Southeast U.S. regional angel group with similar member-led due diligence, screening committee process, and Seed/Series A focus.
• Houston Angel Network: Texas-based regional angel network with comparable Gulf South geography, member-driven screening process, and energy/industrial investment exposure (GSA has portfolio companies like Modumetal, Steelhead Composites, Arix in similar sectors).
• TCA Venture Group: Southern California angel group with an active co-investment and shared due diligence partnership with GSA. Closely comparable member-driven angel model with regional focus and cross-region syndication activity.

Regional players

• New Orleans Startup Fund: New Orleans-based early-stage fund focused on local founders. Operates in the same geography and ecosystem events (e.g., New Orleans Entrepreneur Week) as GSA but is a managed fund rather than a member-led angel network. Useful comparator for understanding regional capital ecosystem dynamics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gulfsouthangels
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments4 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gulf South Angels