Grow your portfolio while backing fellow Buckeyes
Who can join the Ohio State Early Investor Network as an Accredited Investor?
Membership is open to all accredited investors including Ohio State Alumni, Students, Parents, Spouses/Partners, Grateful Patients, Fans and Friends.
We are a member of the Angel Capital Association, which provides extensive educational materials for both entrepreneurs and angel investors.
We also offer members only educational opportunities throughout the year on topics related to investing as well as the technologies behind the companies we are exploring or backing and research going on at Ohio State.
For investors, participation in the Ohio State Early Investor Network is limited to people or entities that meet the SEC’s guidelines for accredited investors.
What are the benefits of membership as an accredited investor?
There are many benefits of joining the Ohio State Early Investor Network as an accredit investor including:
Access to Promising Startups: OSEIN provides a unique opportunity to invest in and support innovative startups. These are ventures with tremendous potential, and by becoming a member, you can be a part of their journey.
Investor Education: OSEIN offers resources and educational opportunities for both seasoned investors and those looking to dip their toes into angel investing. It's a space to grow your knowledge and network.
Networking: You'll connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for startups and investments. The OSEIN community is supportive and vibrant.
Impactful Engagement: By joining OSEIN, you're contributing to the growth and success of entrepreneurs with strong ties to Ohio State. It's a chance to give back while potentially seeing returns on your investments.
Membership in the Angel Capital Association: This national organization provides networking opportunities, access to angel investing education and professional development and national events.
Membership Levels
Observational Members (Free)
Join us right now for free! At this level you gain access to all pitch sessions, lunch and learn events, and networking opportunities. Investors must upgrade to Annual Membership to invest in deals.
Annual Members ($1,500/year)
Annual dues provide full access to all OSEIN investment opportunities, plus exclusive events and opportunities providing a complete investor experience. Pay once a year and invest in multiple deals.
Lifetime Members ($15,000 one-time fee)
Enjoy access to OSEIN for the life of the network, including all deals, events, and resources without the need for annual dues. Includes special recognition as a lifetime member. This is only available for a limited time.
Are there any management fees, carried interest or minimum investment requirements?
Individual investors can participate in any OSEIN deal with a minimum investment of $5,000, while the total network investment must meet a minimum of $50,000. Please note that certain companies may have higher minimum check requirements based on their specific funding needs.
There are no additional management fees or carried interest when investing through OSEIN. However, each investment is facilitated via a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), which does incur some associated fees.
A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is a legal entity designed to pool investments from multiple investors into a single entity for a specific deal. SPVs simplify a company's capitalization table by consolidating several investments, allowing individual investors to contribute smaller amounts while benefiting from larger investment opportunities. Additionally, SPVs offer shared risk among investors, providing a more manageable way to engage in early-stage investments with limited exposure.
The Investment Process
We’ve designed a supportive, straightforward investment process:
Company Pitches: Each month, 1–3 companies selected by our experienced investment committee will present at pitch sessions.
Three-Part Pitch Sessions: These include a company presentation, Q&A with investors, and an investor-only discussion. Your questions and feedback are vital—there are no “stupid questions” here!
Decision Period: After the pitch, you’ll have about 10 days to review materials and consider the opportunity. Investments are signaled through Venture360, with a minimum check size of $5,000 per investor.
Due Diligence Verification: If OSEIN has enough investor interest we will begin a verification of the company’s information presented in their due diligence questionnaire, pitch deck, financials and any other data provided. This information supports your investment decision. Members are responsible for their own independent investment decisions. We want to make sure you understand that all investments in entrepreneurial companies involve a high degree of risk, and investors must be able to bear the risk of complete financial loss.
SPV Formation and Investment: After due diligence verification is complete, OSEIN will form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to consolidate and execute the investment. SPV formation and management are handled by our service provider, Venture360, with fees ranging from $3,500 to $7,500 per deal depending on the duration and level of service required. These fees are shared pro rata among all investors in the SPV. Venture360 also facilitates ongoing investment management, including company updates, streamlined communication, and annual tax documentation such as federal K-1s.
Monitoring and Annual Tax Reporting: Investors will be provided with annual tax documentation and company updates via OSEIN and the SPV.
