Loading organizations...
Key people at Red Bear Angels.
Red Bear Angels was founded in 2012 by Sam Sezak (Founder, Chairman) and Drew Bagin (Advisor & Co-Founder).
Red Bear Angels operates as an angel investment network, backing U.S.-based startups with clear Cornell University affiliation. It funds seed to Series A stage companies, typically deploying $100,000 to $1,000,000. The network connects founders with accredited investors, streamlining due diligence and logistical support for early-stage capital deployment. This structured approach helps navigate the complexities of early-stage investment efficiently.
Established in 2012 by Cornell alumni, including experienced venture capitalists and Board of Trustee Emeriti, the organization arose from a key insight. It recognized the significant potential in linking Cornell's entrepreneurial talent with its alumni base, creating a dedicated platform to support ventures from its community. This foundational vision aimed to formalize and empower the university's extensive network.
Red Bear Angels serves Cornell-affiliated startup founders and accredited alumni investors. Its mission connects promising ventures with capital, expertise, and a powerful network. Fostering these crucial connections, the group aims to cultivate and accelerate the success of Cornell's entrepreneurial ecosystem, driving future enterprises. The organization actively builds a bridge between innovation and investment within the Cornell sphere.
Key people at Red Bear Angels.
Red Bear Angels is an angel-investor community that sources, diligences, and syndicates early-stage investments primarily in startups founded or led by Cornell University students, faculty, staff and alumni; it combines pooled capital, deal execution support, mentorship and a Cornell-focused network to accelerate company formation and growth[1][2].
High-Level Overview
Origin Story
Core Differentiators
Role in the Broader Tech Landscape
Quick Take & Future Outlook
Quick take: Red Bear Angels has converted the Cornell alumni network into a repeatable, founder‑friendly angel syndicate that reduces transaction friction and supplies strategic support to university‑linked startups; its future impact will depend on sustaining a strong track record of follow‑on funding and exits and on expanding scalable vehicles (SPVs/funds) to match growing deal flow[1][2][3].
Red Bear Angels was founded in 2012 by Sam Sezak (Founder, Chairman) and Drew Bagin (Advisor & Co-Founder).
Red Bear Angels has 5 tracked investments across 3 companies. The latest tracked deal is $38.0M Series D in ProducePay in February 2024.