The Jewish Angel Network (JAN) launched in 2024 with the intention of combining our members' interest in angel investing with an opportunity to spent time together with our fellow community members on a regular basis. 

The origin story

Founded by 10-time serial tech entrepreneur Ron Wiener and spiritual leader Rabbi Levi Farkash of the Chabad of Bellevue and Director of Eastside Jewish Business Network, we proudly present the establishment of the first formal Jewish angel investor club for the greater Puget Sound area.

Our mission is simple yet powerful: to cultivate a thriving ecosystem for budding entrepreneurs and promising startups by providing not just financial support but also mentorship, guidance, and a network of invaluable resources.

At the heart of our group lies a commitment to uphold the values of community, collaboration, and progress. We believe in harnessing the entrepreneurial spirit while staying true to our Jewish heritage, creating a dynamic space where innovation meets tradition.

Whether you're an innovative startup seeking funding or an enthusiastic investor passionate about making a meaningful impact, we invite you to be part of this exciting journey. Together, we'll drive innovation, support groundbreaking ideas, and pave the way for a brighter, more innovative future.

Criteria for startups applying for funding

Entrepreneurs of all backgrounds are invited to apply to present at JAN monthly meetings. Founders do not need to be Jewish. In fact, we prefer to syndicate rounds with other "identity" angel groups in our network. Our investment thesis in this regard is that entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups can have more motivating factors and a greater perseverance to overcoming obstacles than the average startup founder, improving the odds of their success. By the same token, the Jewish investor network has great connections to offer these startups. 

Our geographical focus is the USA (ideally from the Pacific Northwest but we will consider deals from other regions) and Israel. Startups will typically have valuations in the range of $5M-$15M. They do not necessarily need to be tech deals, but must be highly scalable businesses. Startups can apply here.

Meeting structure

General meetings are held at the Venture Mechanics Coworking Studios of Bellevue on a monthly basis. Social events are planned around certain Jewish holidays.

Each monthly meeting will include a funding presentation from three or four startups, plus a presentation from a philanthropic cause that is in some way connected to the Jewish-American or Israeli communities. We may have a keynote speaker, or a short guided discussion involving some element of the intersection of Jewish values and business ethics, led by Rabbi Farkash.

Meetings generally take place on the second Wednesday of every month (with exceptions, check calendar), from 11:30am-1:30pm, at 14110 NE 21st St in Bellevue.

Criteria for membership

While the majority of JAN's members are Jewish, involved in the tech industry, and living in the Puget Sound region, none of these attributes are a requirement for membership.

As the group is new we have not yet established a paid membership dues structure. In the future, one will need to meet the federal investor accreditation requirements in order to participate in founder presentations where specific stock offering information is shared. However, we also welcome Jewish entrepreneurs, students and other startup community members who are not accredited investors to participate in many of our events and even our due diligence teams. Meeting participation is complimentary at this time.

Sponsorship opportunities

Our founding sponsors are Venture Mechanics and The Chabad of Downtown Bellevue, but we invite others with interest in potential sponsorship to reach out to the group for more information. Additional sponsors for the Feb 15th formation meeting include Bernstein Wealth Management, Visionary Private Equity Group and iMovR.

Come and be a part of this transformative venture as we embark upon this incredible journey. Together, let's build, innovate, and shape the future.

​For more information see www.jewishangelnetwork.com