Thunderbird Investor Network will connect ASU patrons to emerging companies and give business or management school students the chance to gain experience in venture capital.
Arizona State University (ASU) is to open a new investors’ pool called Thunderbird Investor Network (ATIN) to connect ASU patrons to emerging companies from the university’s ecosystem.
The scheme will run in partnership with an existing angel network program run by ASU’s Thunderbird School of Global Management. It aims to reflect the university’s role as a public research university that drives research and discoveries for the community.
ATIN will be open to accredited investors who are ASU donors, faculty, staff and alumni or their parents and grandparents. Startups receiving funding through the scheme must have a founder, board member or C-level executive who is an ASU alumnus.
The initiative’s structure consists of an operating team of experts tasked with performing company research, as well as an advisory board to provide high-level strategy, governance and mentoring.
Groups of students from Thunderbird School and WP Carey School of Business will have the opportunity to assist with due diligence on ATIN investments to gain applied insights into the venture capital industry.
