About SBAA
We help build great companies with our
expertise, capital, and network.
Santa Barbara Angel Alliance (SBAA) was founded in 2016 to meet the growing funding needs of early stage businesses in the Central Coast region of California. Our focus is to support and partner with local companies where we can interact more meaningfully and effectively with company management, though we do occasionally invest outside of our local area. Although the population of the Central Coast is much smaller than our neighbors to the north (San Francisco Bay Area) and south (Los Angeles), our share of home-grown “unicorns” exceeds nearly all regions of the country on a per-capita basis.
Capital
Our objective is to provide a responsive source of capital and expertise for promising startups because we understand that these startups need to move quickly. We maintain a smaller group of members, which enables us to move rapidly and efficiently. We meet monthly to hear from two companies selected from those that are screened by the deal selection process. Our members collaborate in due diligence and invest as individuals. Since 2016, we have invested in over 40 companies. Most of our funded companies are in software, hardware, and life sciences.
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Santa Barbara Angel Alliance (SBAA) is a member of The Angel Capital Association, which is the leading professional association supporting the success of angel investors in high-growth, early-stage ventures.
Network
Our deal flow typically comes from SBAA members and within our extended network. Companies who are interested in seeking funding from SBAA should first establish a connection with one of our members who may then present the opportunity to the group. We also connect entrepreneurs to additional resources, providing critical support to the success of early-stage companies.
Expertise
Our members are successful professionals with experience in a variety of industries and on both sides of the table: as startup founders and as early-stage investors. We know first-hand what it takes for a young company to achieve its goals. Our members have strong backgrounds in information technology, computing software, communications, marketing, healthcare, biotechnology, and advanced energy technologies. We invest in our strengths and in other sectors where we find opportunity.