Viktoriya Tigipko is one of the most recognized names in the Eastern European VC community and is a native of Ukraine.
She runs TA Ventures, a pre-seed and seed stage VC, since 2010. Additionally she founded iClub (an angel network), WTech (a community for women in tech), and is Chair of the Board at the Ukrainian Startup Fund.
Guest Author: Viktoriya Tigipko
One vehicle that we manage is iClub.vc, a platform for angel investors to easily invest in startups that we have vetted.
And I see a lot more potential for this model in the coming years as I think there are a lot of winds at our backs.
Today I’ll explain more what I mean.
Private angel networks have grown a lot
The numbers don’t lie – private angel networks are experiencing explosive growth in the tech ecosystem.
In 2023, these networks facilitated over $8.2B in early-stage investments, marking a 156% increase from 2020. What’s even more fascinating is that the average network size has doubled from 85 to 170 members in just 36 months.
Here in Eastern Europe, we’ve seen the number of formalized angel networks jump from 24 to 78 since 2021, with the average check size increasing from $25K to $75K.
The reasons for their growth
Several factors are driving this remarkable expansion.
First, the democratization of startup investing has created a new generation of tech executives eager to reinvest their wealth. These aren’t just passive investors – 73% of network members have founded or led tech companies themselves.
The rise of digital platforms has also made it easier than ever to coordinate large groups of investors, with 89% of networks now using specialized software for deal flow management.
Additionally, the post-pandemic shift towards digital collaboration has eliminated geographical barriers, allowing networks to tap into expertise across continents.
Why do investors invest in them?
Smart money knows better than to fly solo.
According to recent surveys, 82% of angel investors cite “access to vetted deals” as their primary motivation for joining these networks.
The power of collective due diligence is pretty compelling:
- networks typically spend 3.2x more time evaluating deals compared to individual angels.
- 67% of members report that knowledge sharing among peers has significantly improved their investment decisions.
- These networks help distribute risk
- Deal flow: the average member participates in 2.4x more deals annually compared to solo angels.
Startups also benefit a lot from them
For startups, these networks are becoming goldmines of smart capital.
Beyond the obvious financial benefits, companies backed by angel networks report 2.8x faster time-to-market for new products. The reason?
Access to a diverse pool of expertise. A typical network in our region brings together experts from 12+ industries, creating a powerful advisory ecosystem.
Data shows that startups backed by angel networks have a 40% higher survival rate after three years compared to those backed by individual angels.
The “warm introductions” effect is real – these startups are 3.5x more likely to secure follow-on funding.
I see a lot more growth in the coming years
Looking ahead, the trajectory is clear – private angel networks are just getting started.
Conservative projections suggest the total capital deployed through these networks will reach $15B annually by 2026.
Also, we really like our combo iClub + TA Ventures model as I think they give each other a number of synergies:
- TA Ventures (TAV) team discovers startups and leads deals.
- TAV later presents deals to iClub investors. Typically this is for the next round of funding, but occasionally we will present to iClub for the same round if we are very confident in the team.
- TAV only presents deals/teams that we think are solid because we only make money on carry and so our interests are very much aligned.
Do you want to work with us?
There are a variety of ways of working with us. The easiest way is if you are considering angel investing then have a look at iclub.vc.
This is our angel network that consists of 1,000+ angels in 40+ countries and growing. iClub is backed by TA Ventures and is a great place to start for first time angel investors.
There is a simple form to fill out on the site and after being qualified you will have access to our exclusive deal flow.
If you’re interested in TA Ventures than you can see our team here and you can reach out to the person that you feel is most appropriate to your inquiry: https://taventures.vc/team/.
