What is the Angel Capital Association (ACA)?
- The Angel Capital Association (ACA) is the U.S. professional alliance of 250+ angel groups and 14,000+ accredited investors, founded in 2004 to provide education, data, public policy advocacy, and syndication tools for seed-stage investing.
- The 2026 CU Anschutz Innovation Forum: Pathways to Impact centers on helping innovators find the right route to market — whether through licensing, startups, consulting, or partnerships — while building teams and evaluating commercial viability early. Attendees will gain direct access to investors, experienced founders, and campus resources, plus insights into funding strategies and at least one tangible next step for their innovation. With 96% of 2025 attendees planning to return and average daily attendance topping 250, the Forum has become a cornerstone of the CU Anschutz innovation ecosystem.
- ACA 2026 – The Summit of Angel Investing runs April 21-23, 2026 at The Westin Westminster, bringing together new and seasoned angels, entrepreneurs, and sponsors for education tracks, co-investment opportunities, and sessions on AI, aerospace, and data-driven investing.
- The conference focuses on expanding networks and growing capital while emphasizing that judgment, trust, and conviction remain the core of early-stage investing, even as technology evolves.
- April 21, 2026 - CU Anschutz Innovation Forum 2026
- April 21-23, 2026 - ACA 2026 – The Summit of Angel Investing
What is the Angel Capital Association (ACA)?
The Angel Capital Association (ACA) is the professional alliance and national voice for angel investors in the U.S.. Think of it as the hub where the country’s most active seed-stage investors connect, share best practices, and advocate for policies that help startups grow.
Quick facts about ACA:
Key programs
The ACA Summit is the organization’s flagship annual gathering. It’s where newbie angels, seasoned investors, angel groups, entrepreneurs, and sponsors come together to learn, syndicate, and set the tone for the year ahead.
ACA 2026 details:
Vibe & community
The Summit blends professional networking with “IRL energy.” Expect founders like Airalux Medical’s Joshua Freedman, nonprofit partners like VentureWell, and lots of first-time attendees getting plugged into the ecosystem.
Why it matters
ACA uses the Summit to roll out new tools, share data from the Angel Funders Report, and align the community on priorities like increasing angel board representation and improving returns. It’s also where ACA onboards members to its new online community platform ahead of a full 2026 rollout.
If you’re angel-curious or already writing checks, ACA 2026 is designed to help you expand your network and grow capital while keeping the human side of investing — trust and judgment — front and center.
The Angel Capital Association (ACA) is the professional alliance and national voice for angel investors in the U.S.. Think of it as the hub where the country’s most active seed-stage investors connect, share best practices, and advocate for policies that help startups grow.
Quick facts about ACA:
- Founded: 2004, growing out of Angel Organization Summits convened by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
- Who’s in it: 250+ angel groups, accredited platforms, family offices, and 14,000+ accredited investor
- What it does: Education, data/research, public policy advocacy, networking, syndication tools, and resources for angel groups
- Scale: Members deploy over $650M annually in early-stage investments
- Role: ACA is the official U.S. representative member of the World Business Angels Association
Key programs
- Angel University: Courses for new and experienced angels, including Basics of Angel Investing, Advanced Angel Investing, and new 2025-2026 formats like Angel Group Formation and AU On Demand
- Angel Funders Report: Annual data-driven look at valuations, exits, board representation, and sector trends. The 2025 report flagged tighter early-stage valuations and declining angel board seats despite ∼8x better returns when angels are on boards
- Syndication: ACA’s online community and angelcatalyst.com platform help members share and co-invest in deals. In 2025, 87 deals were shared among 105 members
- Public Policy: ACA advocates in DC and at the state level for laws that protect angel investors and fuel job creation
- Attendees of the ACA Summit had the opportunity to also attend the CU Anschutz Innovation Forum 2026.
- The 2026 CU Anschutz Innovation Forum: Pathways to Impact centers on helping innovators find the right route to market -- whether through licensing, startups, consulting, or partnerships -- while building teams and evaluating commercial viability early. Attendees will gain direct access to investors, experienced founders, and campus resources, plus insights into funding strategies and at least one tangible next step for their innovation. With 96% of 2025 attendees planning to return and average daily attendance topping 250, the Forum has become a cornerstone of the CU Anschutz innovation ecosystem.
- Event Website Recap Article
The ACA Summit is the organization’s flagship annual gathering. It’s where newbie angels, seasoned investors, angel groups, entrepreneurs, and sponsors come together to learn, syndicate, and set the tone for the year ahead.
ACA 2026 details:
- ACA 2026 – The Summit of Angel Investing
- Dates: April 21-23, 2026
- Location: The Westin Westminster, Colorado
- Newbie angels, seasoned investors, advocates, entrepreneurs, angel groups, sponsors
- Education tracks for both new and experienced angels
- Syndication opportunities to co-invest in early-stage deals and collaborate across angel groups
- Sponsor connections with partners integral to the startup ecosystem
- New program tracks for 2026 include aerospace, AI-driven deal screening, data-driven investing, and a dedicated space for women in technology
- High-impact keynotes: At 2026, Angel Gambino spoke about why “judgment, trust, and conviction” are the real moats in early-stage investing, not just AI ACA
Vibe & community
The Summit blends professional networking with “IRL energy.” Expect founders like Airalux Medical’s Joshua Freedman, nonprofit partners like VentureWell, and lots of first-time attendees getting plugged into the ecosystem.
Why it matters
ACA uses the Summit to roll out new tools, share data from the Angel Funders Report, and align the community on priorities like increasing angel board representation and improving returns. It’s also where ACA onboards members to its new online community platform ahead of a full 2026 rollout.
If you’re angel-curious or already writing checks, ACA 2026 is designed to help you expand your network and grow capital while keeping the human side of investing — trust and judgment — front and center.
