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ICAN for Investors

“Campus-Born Ventures represent the most under-appreciated, high-potential asset class in the investing universe.”

                                              -- Dr. Thomas Duening

 

With nearly four decades of entrepreneurial experience and more than 30 years as a leader in entrepreneurship education, Dr. Tom Duening founded ICAN to solve a critical gap in early-stage investing: access to high-quality ventures emerging from college campuses around the world.

 

A successful entrepreneur and angel investor, Tom has:

 

  • Founded or co-founded 9 ventures, including ansrsource and the Arizona Technology Investor Forum, the state’s most active angel group

  • Enjoyed three successful exits over his 9 ventures and 41 years of venture-building experience

  • Mentored and invested in dozens of Campus-Born Ventures that he's nurtured and supported

  • Co-Authored the best-selling Technology Entrepreneurship: Taking Innovation to the Marketplace

  • Built and led university entrepreneurship programs at the University of Houston, Arizona State University, and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs

 

He’s worked at the intersection of campus innovation and venture funding for decades—and he knows what’s coming next.

Why ICAN?

 

      “The best deals never see the light of day. They’re quickly filled by insiders who are sharing deal flow.”

               ---Jason Calacanis, Angels

 

Tom’s response?

Let’s turn the lights on—on campus.

 

ICAN was created to give investors access to a growing category of ventures that have been historically overlooked but are now hitting the market at scale. As Tom puts it:

 

“Campus-based venture development programs have matured to the point where they’ve literally become accelerators themselves.”

 

While traditional investors chase deals coming out of private accelerators, ICAN looks upstream—to the universities and colleges now producing venture-ready startups at an accelerating pace.

 

Through ICAN’s partnership with Dealum, investors get early access to the most promising Campus-Born Ventures—before the insiders fill the round.

Become an ICAN Angel!

Exclusive access to 40+ curated Campus-Born Ventures each year

The ICAN Q2 2025 cohort closes on June 15, 2025

Quarterly virtual ICAN Investor Day pitch events

The next virtual ICAN Investor Day is August 15, 2025

Diversified deal flow across sectors and geographies

Sourced from top Campus-Born Venture development programs worldwide

Invest direct to cap table or via ICAN-managed syndication

ICAN has the tools to help negotiate terms acceptable to investors and founders

Invest in a unique and under-appreciated asset class

ROI on a $150K, 10-venture portfolio outperforms most other asset classes

Opportunities to mentor founders and join boards

Stay "in the game" through active board and mentoring op

Pledge a portion of capital gains

Our unique pledge-based investing model enables you "do good while doing well"

$

899

Annually

Terms of Service

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