About
AssistTN, operating under the Tri-Star Angels Program (TAP), is an angel investment group based in Nashville, Tennessee that focuses on developing Tennessee's early-stage startup ecosystem and cultivating the next generation of angel investors. TAP serves as a bridge between founders seeking capital and experienced investors looking to deploy capital in promising early-stage companies. The program is distinguished by its emphasis on education and practical knowledge transfer, offering participants comprehensive training in angel investing fundamentals led by instructors with direct experience in early-stage capital deployment. Rather than operating as a traditional single-check angel group, TAP functions as a community-building platform where founders, startup operators, and prospective angel investors engage together in a collaborative learning environment. This hybrid model allows emerging entrepreneurs to access mentorship and network with capital providers while simultaneously educating potential investors on deal evaluation and portfolio construction. The program's geographic focus is explicitly statewide Tennessee, reflecting a commitment to distributing investment capital and startup resources beyond major metropolitan centers. By combining structured education with deal flow access and networking opportunities, TAP addresses a critical gap in many emerging startup ecosystems: the shortage of informed, committed angel capital and the corresponding lack of investor sophistication among those willing to write early checks. The program is housed under Fund Tennessee, a broader economic development initiative, positioning it within a supportive infrastructure designed to strengthen Tennessee's entrepreneurial environment.