About
SDSU/Brookings Angel Fund, LLC is a South Dakota-based angel investment group formed in 2007 with a mission to catalyze regional economic development through seed-stage equity capital deployment. The fund operates as a member of RAIN (Regional Angel Investment Network), a network of 24 angel funds headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, connecting it to a broader ecosystem of accredited investors across the upper Midwest. The fund was established with a focused thesis: to selectively provide seed funding to area startup companies in need of equity capital, with particular emphasis on entrepreneurial ventures with growth potential in the Sioux Falls and Brookings region. Typical investments range from $25,000 to $100,000 per company, positioning the fund in the classic seed-stage capital range where institutional venture capital typically does not yet operate. The fund's approach emphasizes hands-on support from its member base of accredited investors who bring not only capital but operational expertise and networks to portfolio companies. By concentrating on early-stage companies within a defined geographic region, the fund leverages local knowledge and relationship networks while maintaining realistic expectations for deal sourcing and follow-on investment capacity. The membership structure allows individual investors to participate collectively in deal evaluation and decision-making, combining capital from multiple accredited sources to achieve meaningful check sizes while distributing individual risk exposure.