Membership
Build your portfolio. Shape the community.
Longleaf brings together investors with different levels of experience, areas of expertise, and approaches to early-stage investing. What they share is an interest in evaluating companies seriously, learning from one another, and building an angel portfolio over time.
Who is Longleaf for?
For accredited investors who want to participate more actively in early-stage investing. Some of our investors have years of angel, operating, board, or investing experience. Others may be making their first angel investments and want more education and support as they learn.
You do not need prior angel investing experience, but you should be interested in learning about companies, participating in the investment process, and building an angel portfolio over time.
What makes Longleaf different?
State-backed capital relationships. Longleaf is connected to state-backed investment programs, including SSBCI-supported capital, which can create opportunities for private investment to be matched or amplified when a company and round qualify.
Member-managed. The people writing the checks help shape the deal flow, diligence process, investment priorities, and culture of the group.
Collaborative. We expect to invest alongside trusted angel groups, funds, and syndication partners rather than operate in isolation. That can bring more capital, expertise, and relationships to the founders we back.
We believe the best angel investing happens in community. Investors do more than write checks together. They learn from one another, share expertise, participate in diligence, and stay connected to founders after the investment is made.
Do I have to be an accredited investor?
Yes. Investment membership is limited to accredited investors under applicable securities rules.
What is the difference between an Investor and an Emerging Investor?
Investors are accredited investors who are ready to participate independently in the angel investment process. They may prefer smaller or larger checks depending on their personal portfolio strategy.
Emerging Investors are accredited investors who are genuinely new to angel investing and would benefit from additional education, mentoring, and guided participation. Emerging Investor is intended as a supported entry point, not a label for someone who simply prefers to write smaller checks.
Do I have to invest in every company?
No. Every investment decision is yours. Longleaf provides access to opportunities, diligence, discussion, and shared analysis, but investors decide independently whether to participate in each deal.
How involved do I need to be?
Participation can take different forms. Members may evaluate opportunities, join company presentations, contribute to diligence, source companies, share industry expertise, mentor newer investors, or support portfolio founders.
Longleaf is not designed around a rigid monthly hour requirement. The goal is meaningful participation, not busywork.
What kinds of companies will I see?
Longleaf is sector-agnostic and primarily focused on early-stage companies, generally from pre-seed through Series A. We look for founders who understand the problem they are solving, show early evidence of market demand, and have the potential to build a scalable business.
Our network is rooted in the Southeast, although we are not limited exclusively to companies headquartered here.
What support is available if I’m new to angel investing?
Emerging Investors receive more structured support, which may include angel-investing education, mentoring from experienced investors, guided participation in diligence, help understanding deal terms and investment documents, and opportunities to take on more responsibility as experience grows.
The goal is to learn by participating in real investment reviews, not only through classroom-style education.
Can I bring companies to Longleaf?
Absolutely. Investor-sourced opportunities are an important part of the Longleaf model. A referral does not guarantee that a company will advance or receive investment, but members are encouraged to introduce founders and companies they believe are worth evaluating.
Join Us
Prospective investors complete a membership application so we can learn about their investing experience, interests, areas of expertise, expected participation, and accreditation status.
For accredited investors who are new to angel investing, the Emerging Investor level may be the appropriate starting point.