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IrishAngels
IrishAngels launched in 2012 as a formal angel network for University of Notre Dame alumni, founded by John Garry, Timothy McSweeney, and Brian Kearney.
IrishAngels
IrishAngels launched in 2012 as a formal angel network for University of Notre Dame alumni, founded by John Garry, Timothy McSweeney, and Brian Kearney. The trio identified an untapped pool of accredited investors within the Notre Dame community who wanted exposure to early-stage private technology companies. The firm operates from Chicago, with an additional presence in South Bend, Indiana. The firm invests primarily at seed and Series A stages, with occasional follow-on participation into growth rounds. Publicly disclosed portfolio positions include Aunalytics, a data analytics and AI platform serving mid-market enterprises; SIMBA Chain, a blockchain-based supply chain security company spun out of Notre Dame research; and Vennli, a growth analytics platform. IrishAngels has deployed capital into sectors spanning enterprise software, artificial intelligence, digital health, industrial technology, and cybersecurity. Its geographic footprint concentrates on the Midwest — notably Chicago and the broader Great Lakes region — but extends to coastal hubs when sourced through the Notre Dame network. IrishAngels operates through a membership model: accredited investors join the network, review vetted deal flow at structured pitch events, and commit capital directly into individual portfolio companies. This syndicate structure means total deployment and AUM are not publicly aggregated or reported. The firm runs pitch events in Chicago, South Bend, and other cities with dense Notre Dame alumni populations. In recent years, IrishAngels has formalized its investment process, adding a fund vehicle alongside its traditional angel syndicate to streamline participation and allow for reserves allocation. Its model parallels other prominent university-affiliated angel networks — like Harvard Business School Alumni Angels — but remains explicitly tied to the Notre Dame ecosystem. What structurally differentiates IrishAngels is the depth of its single-university network. Rather than operating as a generalist angel syndicate, the firm functions as a gated community of investors united by a shared institutional affiliation, which creates a cohesive diligence culture and a proprietary sourcing channel. Startups founded by Notre Dame alumni, commercializing Notre Dame research, or backed by fellow alumni receive first-look consideration, giving the firm access to deal flow that generalist Midwest VCs rarely see.
General information
Firm type
Venture Capital
Year founded
2012
AUM
$50M – $150M (Altss estimate)
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Chicago
Corporate office
Chicago, IL, United States
Additional offices
South Bend, IN
Principals
John Garry
Managing Partner
Timothy McSweeney
Managing Partner
Brian Kearney
Managing Partner
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at IrishAngels?
Investment screening and due diligence are led by managing partners John Garry, Timothy McSweeney, and Brian Kearney. They curate deal flow, run the vetting process, and make final investment recommendations. Individual members retain discretion over whether to participate in each specific deal after the firm presents the opportunity.
How does IrishAngels source proprietary deal flow?
The firm sources heavily through the University of Notre Dame alumni network. Founders who attended Notre Dame, companies licensing university research, and referrals from existing members and university affiliates form the primary pipeline. This single-network concentration creates a sourcing moat that generalist Midwest funds cannot easily replicate.
Is IrishAngels structured as a fund or an angel network?
IrishAngels operates both models. It maintains a traditional angel syndicate where accredited members invest directly in individual portfolio companies on a deal-by-deal basis. It has also introduced a pooled fund vehicle that allows members to gain diversified exposure without selecting each investment individually.
What investment stages does IrishAngels typically target?
The firm focuses primarily on seed and Series A rounds. It will selectively participate in later-stage growth rounds for existing portfolio companies that demonstrate strong traction, but the core mandate is early-stage capital formation.
Does IrishAngels invest only in companies with Notre Dame connections?
While the Notre Dame connection is a strong filter, it is not an absolute requirement. The network prioritizes companies with alumni founders, university research ties, or referrals from trusted affiliates, but considers other opportunities that reach the partnership through credible channels — particularly those located in the Midwest.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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