Central Texas Angel Network

Abilene’s startup ecosystem is on the rise! As a chapter of the Central Texas Angel Network, the Abilene Angel Network is driving startup growth and investment in the Big Country. Since launching in 2024 in partnership with the Abilene Regional Growth Alliance, this chapter has been building a strong pipeline of investors and founders—expanding opportunities and fueling innovation. With Michael Bob Starr leading as Regional Director and Courtney M. Queen, Ph.D. sourcing founders and identifying promising startups, Abilene is strengthening its investment pipeline and expanding opportunities for early-stage startups. In just one year, Abilene Angel Network has: ✅ Onboarded six members ✅ Hosted a kickoff event & Dyess AFB innovation tour ✅ Invested in its first startups As the Abilene Angel Network continues to grow, CTAN invites interested partners, founders, and funders to join this exciting venture. Together, we can build a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem that creates opportunities for the entire region! For more information or to get involved, please contact our team. Read the full press release:

CTAN’s Angel Speed Dating is back on April 11! Get one-on-one conversations with experienced angel investors. If you’re raising capital or looking for strategic investor feedback, this event is for you! According to Mike McCormick, CEO of CorRen Medical Inc.: “This was one of the most valuable investor events I have attended as a founder. This is the second time I’ve done this event, it’s so valuable that I flew across the country to participate both times.” Spots are limited—RSVP now: https://lnkd.in/gd5WFQdT #startups #angelinvesting #entrepreneurs #ctan #austintx #mentorship

CTAN Invests in Rebel Medicine’s $4.9M Series A to Disrupt Post-Surgical Pain Management The opioid crisis starts in the operating room—but it doesn’t have to. Rebel Medicine is leading the charge with Alevatrix, an extended-release bupivacaine gel that delivers up to four days of post-surgical pain relief in a single injection—offering a real alternative to opioids when patients need it most. CTAN is proud to be part of their $4.9M Series A round, alongside Crocker Ventures, LLC, Utah Innovation Fund, Sorenson Impact, and others. This funding will fuel Phase II clinical trials, bringing the company closer to changing the way post-surgical pain is treated—without the risks of opioid dependency. Rebel Medicine is on a mission to transform pain management, and CTAN is excited to back them. #startupfunding #angelinvesting #ctan #innovation #healthcareinnovation Read the full press release:

SXSW Mentor Sessions are LIVE! If you're a founder looking for insights on entrepreneurship and funding, don't miss the chance to meet with Katie Russel, CTAN's Executive Director, during her SXSW Mentor Session on March 10. Secure your spot now. See you there! #SXSW #Entrepreneurship #Funding #AngelInvesting #CTAN

CTAN at the Founder Institute Texas Founder Showcase! Two of our Central Texas Angel Network members recently participated in the FI Texas Founder Showcase, where some of the fastest-growing founders from across Texas pitched to a panel of investors. Events like this highlight the strength of our startup ecosystem, and we love seeing the innovation coming out of Austin! A big thank you to Martín Martinez and Founder Institute for organizing a fantastic showcase and for supporting early-stage founders on their journey. #CTAN #AngelInvesting #TexasStartups #FounderShowcase #StartupCommunity

Attention Founders! Looking for startup funding? CTAN's next Funding Cycle begins mid March with a virtual information session on March 11. What to expect: - Learn about CTAN’s funding cycle process - Important upcoming deadlines - Live Q&A Join us at Noon CT to have all of your questions answered prior to the March 17 application deadline. Register on Eventbrite to attend: https://lnkd.in/g3Sp_6vJ #startups #austintx #angelinvesting #ctan #austinstartups #startupfunding #entrepreneurs

CTAN Leads $1.2M Investment in Austin Based Steam Trap Company, Imperium Technologies Imperium Technologies, Inc has raised $1.2 million, led by the Central Texas Angel Network (CTAN) and Springbok Ventures, to solve a massive industrial problem: failing steam traps—one of the biggest sources of wasted energy. Why it matters: 🔹 37% of global fossil fuel use goes to steam production—20% of that is wasted due to undetected failures. 🔹 Imperium’s InteliTrap™ and SteamView platform provide a data-driven solution to cut waste, lower emissions, and reduce costs. 🔹 Early momentum: SBIR/NSF grants secured, key contracts signed, and early units sold at 2.5x production cost. "This funding allows us to scale production, expand our team, and help industries recover lost energy," said Brad Medford, CEO & Co-Founder. #CTAN #AngelInvesting #Startups #AustinStartups #AustinTX Read the full press release:

When an event is truly valuable, founders go the extra mile—or in Mike’s case, over 1,000 miles! Mike McCormick from CorRen Medical Inc. flew to Austin from Minneapolis, MN just to participate in CTAN’s Angel Speed Dating. Here’s what he had to say: "CorRen Medical had the opportunity to participate in CTAN’s Angel Speed Dating, a unique event where founders meet one-on-one with multiple angel investors for candid feedback and strategic direction. The fast-paced 10-minute sessions challenged me to sharpen CorRen’s pitch while ensuring plenty of time for investor Q&A. The angels were highly engaged, genuinely interested, and provided valuable insights that refined our approach. Beyond the feedback, the event was an incredible opportunity to build meaningful connections. A big thanks to Central Texas Angel Network (CTAN) for fostering such a strong startup ecosystem and supporting founders with the experience and perspective needed to move forward." When founders are willing to fly across the country to be in the room, you know it’s an event that makes an impact. If you’re a startup looking for real-time investor feedback, CTAN Angel Speed Dating is one to have on your radar. Join the next event on April 11: https://lnkd.in/gd5WFQdT

Founders traveled from as far as Minneapolis, Kansas City, Dallas, and Houston to take part in CTAN's Angel Speed Dating today in Austin, TX! Entrepreneurs met one-on-one with experienced angel investors for focused, candid discussions. These rapid-fire sessions provided founders with real-time feedback and strategic guidance to refine their approach. Events like these highlight CTAN’s role in strengthening Central Texas’ startup ecosystem—giving founders access to the experience and perspective they need to move forward. Want to join the next Angel Speed Dating event or explore other opportunities with CTAN? Check out our full events calendar at ctan.com. #speeddating #startups #austintx #startupfunding #entrepreneurs #investors #ctan

Recap: CTAN Lunch & Learn – Decoding the Jargon: Navigating Life Science Investments Investing in Life Science startups comes with its own unique set of challenges—and a whole new vocabulary. At today's CTAN Lunch & Learn, members dove into the complexities of the sector with Joseph Liu, who broke down key terminology and investment considerations in biotech, medtech, and beyond. From understanding regulatory hurdles to decoding scientific milestones, this session equipped investors with the knowledge needed to navigate Life Science deals with confidence. A big thank you to Joseph for sharing his expertise and to everyone who joined us at Capital Factory and online! If you’re an investor looking to expand your knowledge and connect with a network of experienced angels, join us for future sessions and become part of the CTAN community. Learn more at ctan.com #CTAN #AngelInvesting #LifeScience #Investing #AustinTX #StartupFunding