What is ICAN?
ICAN's Investment Thesis:
​
Campus-Born Ventures are among today’s most under-appreciated asset classes.
Across the globe, colleges and universities are rapidly improving their ability to help students, faculty, and alumni launch investor-ready ventures. Innovation is thriving on campus—but funding remains a major obstacle.
Dr. Tom Duening founded the International Collegiate Angels Network (ICAN) after more than 30 years of building university-based entrepreneurship ecosystems. He observed a consistent pattern: while the support systems for venture creation were growing stronger every year, access to early-stage capital had not kept pace.
​
ICAN connects ventures to investors, mentors, and infrastructure they need to succeed. By syndicating investment opportunities, hosting Investor Days, and supporting a global deal room, ICAN mobilizes capital for the world’s most promising—but often overlooked—asset class: Campus-Born Ventures.
What Is a Campus-Born Venture?
A Campus-Born Venture is any startup founded by:
-
A current student (undergraduate or graduate)
-
A faculty member or staff researcher
-
A recent alumnus (within 3 years of graduation)
-
A participant in a campus-based accelerator, incubator, boot camp, or innovation studio
-
A venture that emerged from tech transfer or entrepreneurship center programs
If your venture began on campus, you belong in the ICAN community.
Dr. Tom Duening on Campus Ventures & the ICAN Model
Ready to Get Involved?
Whether you’re a founder, investor, or campus leader looking to build a dedicated angel group—we’d love to hear from you.
👉 Contact Dr. Tom Duening to explore opportunities with ICAN:
📅 Meet with Tom – Schedule a quick call
🔗 More About Tom