Chandigarh Angels Network: Investor Profile

Chandigarh Angels Network (CAN) is a community of successful entrepreneurs-turned-angel-investors based in Chandigarh, India. The network describes itself as the region's first angel investors' network, and has been facilitating seed-stage investment into disruptive startups since its launch in January 2016. Today it counts more than 80 angel investors as members, with over 40 startups in its portfolio and a couple of exits on record.

For founders, CAN offers more than capital. Its model combines growth funding with mentoring, business-plan validation and access to the professional networks of its members — investors who are leaders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem with strong operational experience. The network welcomes propositions from the idea stage to the early revenue stage, and holds investor meetings every month where selected startups present their business proposals after multiple rounds of filtration.

Investment thesis and focus

CAN is firmly sector-agnostic, backing seed and growth-stage ventures across industries rather than specialising in one vertical. Its focus is on promising, disruptive businesses that can benefit from growth capital as well as bespoke mentoring and handholding. The network helps startups validate their business plans, so even founders who do not end up receiving funding typically walk away with sharp feedback from experienced operators.

Fund size and cheque size

CAN has not publicly disclosed a fund corpus — it operates as an investor network rather than a pooled fund. Its typical investments range between ₹10 lakh and ₹2 crore, depending on the stage of the company. The funding process runs in four stages: Prescreening & Application, where the screening committee evaluates the business model and market potential; Investor Presentation, where selected startups pitch to a curated panel of angels and venture capitalists; Deep Dive & Due Diligence, covering financials, operations, team strength and growth trajectory; and Term Sheet & Deal Closure, ending in investment and onboarding. Startups can apply through the network's website or write to [email protected].

Portfolio highlights

CAN's portfolio includes more than 40 startups, among them Yolo Health, Biryani by Kilo, LetsEndorse, Eckovation, The Gourmet Jar and Healers at Home — an online marketplace for home healthcare and wellness services whose IIT Kanpur-graduate founding team CAN backed alongside other investors. The network's members have invested in eight startups in the network's early years alone, spanning healthcare, food, education and consumer brands.

People and programmes

JB Singh, Director of CAN, has been the public face of the network's philosophy that not every successful business is investable, and not every business needs to raise money. The network launched its signature event CANNABLE in 2017 to help founders understand whether and when they should raise, and how angel investors think. Beyond investing, CAN's operations team reports mentoring dozens of startups and sensitising thousands of students and aspiring entrepreneurs.