A network of Notre Dame alumni investing in the world's best founders
We seek out the contrarians, the category creators, the founders who see the world differently. IrishAngels invests at pre-seed and seed, bringing not just capital but a 200+ person investor network of operators, executives, and entrepreneurs who've built and scaled exceptional companies.
We look for founders who've found early signal: real customers, early revenue, a hypothesis that's starting to prove out. We're most active in:
200+
Member Investor Network
Founded in 2012
IrishAngels was founded in 2012 as an angel network affiliated with Notre Dame.
What sets IrishAngels apart is the community behind every check we write. Our 200+ member investor network brings unmatched depth across industries, functions, and geographies. We actively connect our portfolio companies to prospective customers, strategic partners, and co-investors — turning our network into one of the most tangible, high-value resources on your cap table.
* A Notre Dame connection is not required for companies funded by IrishAngels.
“Irish Angels has given me the unique opportunity to invest and be active in best-in-class companies, as well as learn from talented entrepreneurs that I can apply to my other investment interests.”
Michael Stanley
IrishAngels Investor Since 2012
“Although we have grown to one of the largest angel investing groups in the country, we have maintained our thoughtful, personal and collaborative approach to supporting founders.”
Lisa Janek
IrishAngels Investor Since 2014
“Irish Angels is an elite network of investors with Notre Dame DNA. The broad network of highly experienced Domers is a great benefit to investors both new and old to venture capital.”
Paul Tencher
IrishAngels Investor Since 2021
“Joining IrishAngels has been transformative, offering access to top-tier VC investments while fostering a supportive community of talented investors.”
Amy Buchan Siegfried
IrishAngels Investor Since 2017
“It has introduced me to an inspiring amount of successful Domers I otherwise would not have the opportunity to cross paths with.”
Adam Mikos
IrishAngels Investor Since 2022
“I've formed relationships, been introduced to opportunities, and gained experience and confidence as an investor — all while rekindling connections to the Notre Dame community.”
Amy Mariani
IrishAngels Investor Since 2014
“I've become exponentially better at identifying and investing in potential — all while leveraging the Notre Dame network.”
Joe Klinker
IrishAngels Investor Since 2018
Caroline Gash
Managing Director
Caroline is the Managing Director at IrishAngels, one of the largest and most successful angel investing networks in the U.S. She leads a team focused on strategic investments in high-performing startups, overseeing the full investment process across B2B SaaS, vertical SaaS, fintech, consumer, and supply chain and logistics.
Caroline manages a growing portfolio of 100+ companies across 180+ rounds of capital and 250+ investors. Prior to IrishAngels, she held pivotal roles at two boutique private equity firms — one of which she co-founded — raising $330M+ across multiple funds. In addition to her professional endeavors, Caroline is deeply involved in her community through volunteer work and philanthropy. She advises and mentors with numerous organizations supporting emerging founders and fund managers, has chaired record-setting fundraising committees, served on the boards of nonprofit organizations and foundations, and received recognition for her contributions to educational and health-related causes. Caroline earned a B.S. in Science-Business from the University of Notre Dame and an M.S. in Finance and M.B.A. from the University of Denver. Her love for adventure and lifelong learning has taken her to 40+ countries (and counting). Colorado born and raised, she's happiest spending time in or on the water, especially with her Golden Retriever, Briggs.
Rye Finegan
Principal
Rye is a passionate startup ecosystem builder, founder, operator, and investor. At IrishAngels, Rye is focused on strengthening operations and execution as IrishAngels heads into its next phase of growth.
A Notre Dame 2012 graduate, Rye most recently led Partnerships & Policy at Stride Health, a Series C company building a portable benefits platform for America's independent workers. He also founded Gilpin Health, an AI-powered early detection platform for Alzheimer's disease, and Paired, a curated network of 500+ Colorado VCs, founders, and executives. Earlier in his career, Rye ran Denver Startup Week, the largest free entrepreneurial event in the world, and served on The Nature Conservancy's Corporate Practices team, where he led the organization's Global Business Council and worked with Fortune 500 companies to integrate ecosystem considerations into core business decision-making.
Estelle Beutz
Analyst
Estelle focuses on company diligence, portfolio performance, and investment committee engagement, helping strengthen the firm's evaluation and decision-making processes.
A graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a BBA in Business Analytics, Estelle began her career in investment banking at Bank of America, gaining valuable experience in strategic transactions and financial analysis across a range of sectors. Originally from Minnesota, she's passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship and is excited to champion early-stage companies at the intersection of mission and momentum.
