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Desert Angels

Become a Startup
Investor.

A disciplined, peer-driven angel network built for experienced operators entering early-stage investing — often for the first time.

Accredited investors · Limited intake

Is Desert Angels Right for You
Built for operators who think like investors.
01

You’ve built meaningful wealth

You’ve reached a financial position where alternative assets make sense — and you’re ready to deploy capital with intention, not speculation.

02

You’re curious about early-stage investing

You’ve heard about angel investing but haven’t had a structured, trustworthy entry point — until now. You want access, not guesswork.

03

You value discipline over speculation

You want a rigorous evaluation process, not a hot tip. Desert Angels runs structured diligence alongside a network of experienced peers.

“Desert Angels is designed for experienced operators entering angel investing

— often for the first time.”

Learn How Membership Works
Accredited Investor — What It Means

Do you qualify as an accredited investor?

Desert Angels membership is open to accredited investors. Most people who ask this question discover they already qualify — they just haven't confirmed it yet.

The SEC sets two thresholds. Meeting either one is enough. Accreditation is self-certified — there's no exam, no formal application, and no documentation required before your intro call.

If you're unsure, your CPA can answer the question in under 15 minutes. Most senior executives, business owners, and people with diversified investment portfolios qualify on net worth.

$1M+
Net Worth
Individual or joint net worth exceeding $1,000,000 — not including the value of your primary residence. Investment accounts, retirement accounts, real estate equity (other than your home), business equity, and other assets all count toward this figure.
or
$200K
Annual Income
Individual income exceeding $200,000 in each of the two most recent years, with reasonable expectation of reaching the same level in the current year. Joint income with a spouse: $300,000.

Common situations that qualify

Home equity plus investment or retirement accounts together exceeding $1M
Senior executive, partner, or founder with significant equity in a company
Exited a business and received proceeds that put liquid net worth above $1M
Individual income consistently above $200K for the past two years
Holds a Series 7, 65, or 82 professional financial licence — qualifies directly regardless of income or net worth

How Desert Angels handles accreditation

You do not need to provide formal documentation before your intro call. Your accreditation status is confirmed as part of the membership review process — not as a barrier to entry.

The intro call is a 30-minute conversation where you learn what membership looks like in practice, and we learn about your background and investing interests. Both sides decide together whether it's a strong fit.

Membership is $2,300 per year. Members commit to investing a minimum of $10,000 per year in startups, averaged over each 3-year period. You choose which deals — there's no fund and no one invests on your behalf.

Unsure whether you qualify? The quickest path is a 15-minute conversation with your CPA or financial advisor — they can confirm in a single call.

Common questions

Does my primary home count toward the $1M?
No — the SEC specifically excludes primary residence value. However, if your mortgage exceeds the home's value, that negative equity does reduce the total. All other real estate counts in full.
Do I need angel investing experience?
No. Many Desert Angels members are investing in early-stage companies for the first time. Structured deal flow, peer diligence, and experienced members make it accessible at any level.
Do I need to confirm accreditation before my intro call?
No. The intro call is the first step. Formal confirmation of accreditation status happens as part of the membership review process — not before you speak with us.
What if I'm close but genuinely unsure?
Talk to your CPA — it's usually a quick conversation. Many people who believe they don't qualify discover that they do, particularly once all non-primary-residence assets are accounted for.

If you meet either threshold,
the next step is a 60-second form.

Submit your details and select "Yes, I am accredited" — only if you meet one of the thresholds described above. We'll follow up to schedule your 30-minute intro call. No commitment, no pressure.

Start Your Membership Inquiry Read the FAQ first →
Not sure if you meet the threshold? Our FAQ covers what angel investing looks like from scratch — including accreditation, time commitment, and what to expect as a first-time investor.
Explore the FAQ →

Free Resource

New to startup investing?
Start here.

The Startup Investor's Guide — Your free guide to startup investing, written for founders and executives entering early-stage investing for the first time.

  • ✓ How the returns model actually works — and why diversification changes everything
  • ✓ What investment structures to accept, and which to avoid
  • ✓ Why your business experience is your edge in early-stage diligence
  • ✓ What Desert Angels membership looks like in practice

No spam. One email with your download link. Unsubscribe anytime.

Free Guide

The Startup
Investor's Guide

What experienced founders and executives need to know before writing their first check

da
Desert Angels · desertangels.org

What's inside

01 What angel investing actually is
02 The honest downsides
03 The startup operator's unfair advantage
04 How the math works
05 Understanding investment structures
06 What Desert Angels membership looks like
07 Is this right for you?
Why Now

Why experienced operators are entering early-stage investing.

Many of our members joined with no prior angel investing experience.

Diversify beyond public markets

Early-stage equity offers uncorrelated returns unavailable in traditional portfolios — with the upside potential that comes from getting in early.

]

Connect with experienced startup teams

Without a network, finding quality deals is nearly impossible. Desert Angels members vote only the most promising companies into further review.

Apply your operating experience

Your hard-won expertise becomes your edge. Members add real strategic value to portfolio companies — and get better outcomes as a result.

Learn alongside seasoned investors

No experience required. Desert Angels has onboarded first-time angel investors since 2000, with education resources and a community of peers doing diligence together.

How Desert Angels Works

A simple, structured process.

Step 01

Review Curated Deal Flow

Attend hybrid, live & remote pitches by pre-screened companies. Companies pass a rigorous multi-stage screening before reaching you — saving you time and filtering out noise.

Step 02

Participate in Structured Diligence

Join working groups where members pool expertise across sectors — legal, medical, technology, and finance. You’re never doing diligence alone. The network is your advantage.

Step 03

Invest Alongside the Network

Invest directly on your own terms, at check sizes you choose. No Pressure. Full autonomy. Typical minimum investment @ $10k, varies by deal.

See Membership Details
25+ Years of Disciplined Investing

A track record that speaks for itself.

YEARS ACTIVE

CAPITAL DEPLOYED $MM

PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

ACTIVE MEMBERS

PORTFOLIO

Reglagene
NuvOx Therapeutics
Imperium Technologies
iQure Pharmaceuticals

VIEW ALL →

“I came in with zero angel investing experience. The structured process and the peer network gave me the confidence to write my first check — and my third.”

Member Since 2019
Former Founder , Phoenix, AZ

“Desert Angels has been exceptional in providing me and the rest of our leadership team mentorship and advice.”

Chris Dugan,
CEO, Calimune, Inc.

“The quality of deal screening here is unlike anything I’ve seen. I trust the process, and that trust lets me focus on what I actually know — evaluating companies.”

Member Since 2009
Former Physician , Marana, AZ

“Desert Angels is the cornerstone for Reglagene, through multiple rounds of investment. One of their members serves as our independent board director.”

Richard Austin
PhD, CEO Reglagene, Inc
Houston, TX.

Membership Overview

What Membership Includes

  • Accredited investors only – selective admission
  • Monthly, or more frequent, curated pitch sessions with pre-screened companies
  • Collaborative due diligence working groups
  • Direct investment, or Member-organized co-investment options
  • Investor education resources & onboarding support
  • National angel investor network access
  • Limited annual intake — applied by committee review

Ready to Explore Membership

The consideration process starts with a brief introduction. No commitment required. Our team will follow up within 2 business days.

 ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP — $2,300 / YEAR

Request Investor Consideration

Submitting the form above begins Step 1. You’ll be invited to schedule a brief intro call.

Seeking Funding?

Desert Angels reviews early-stage company applications separately. We invest in Preferred Equity and Convertible Notes — not SAFEs. Desert Angels application review is ongoing, with review meetings held monthly and more frequently as needed. Click Apply for Funding to learn more today.

Apply for Funding →

Curious About Angel Investing?

Start the conversation. No commitment, no pressure — just a brief introduction.

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