The Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (IFEL) has acquired Pipeline Angels to enhance capital access for diverse founders and promote a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Target Information

The Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (IFEL) announced its acquisition of Pipeline Angels on July 18, 2023. Pipeline Angels is an angel investing network dedicated to enhancing investor diversity and increasing funding for women (inclusive of trans and cis), nonbinary, two-spirit, agender, and gender-nonconforming founders. This acquisition merges the efforts of two pioneering organizations with a shared mission: to improve capital access and foster a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

IFEL has been a champion of economic inclusion and wealth-building through entrepreneurship for over 20 years. It has engaged with more than 6,800 small business owners and nurtured a volunteer community of over 1,000 professionals across the nation. Notably, IFEL’s initiative, The Making of Black Angels, has introduced more than 250 individuals to the realm of angel investing since its launch in 2020. The acquisition of Pipeline Angels leverages both organizations' strengths to create an impactful platform aimed at addressing systemic barriers surrounding capital access.

Industry Overview

The landscape of venture capital and angel investing has evolved significantly, with increasing recognition of the importance of diversity and inclusion in funding practices. As the entr