Central Texas Angel Network cracks the nation's top 10 in 2026 angel rankings

Central Texas Angel Network ranked No. 8 among U.S. angel networks and No. 9 in North America in the Angel Capital Association's 2026 Angel Funders Report. The result reflects four straight years of growth, with annual member investment rising from $1.6 million in 2022 to more than $8 million in 2025.

Why it matters: - CTAN's rise into the nation's Top 10 signals that Central Texas has become a larger force in early-stage financing. - The ranking also shows how angel networks are influencing startup funding beyond just writing checks, by mentoring founders and educating investors. - The broader angel market is still expanding, with U.S. angel investing up 12% in 2025.

What happened: - The Central Texas Angel Network was ranked the No. 8 most active angel network in the United States and No. 9 in North America in the Angel Capital Association's 2026 Angel Funders Report. - The report compiled activity from more than 250 angel groups, investment platforms and family offices. - CTAN's annual member investment grew from $1.6 million in 2022 to more than $8 million in 2025. - In 2025, CTAN members invested more than $8 million across 25 startup companies.

The details: - CTAN said the network's growth reflects a long-term strategy focused on strengthening the startup ecosystem, not just evaluating deals. - The organization works with founders before they are investment-ready. - CTAN also educates new angel investors and creates more pathways for capital to reach promising companies. - Since its founding in 2006, CTAN members have invested more than $142 million into 233 startup companies. - Those companies span artificial intelligence, healthcare, cybersecurity, enterprise software, energy, advanced manufacturing, climate technology and other high-growth industries. - CTAN now includes more than 140 accredited investors. - The network reviews hundreds of investment opportunities each year through a structured screening and due diligence process. - CTAN also mentors founders, delivers year-round investor education, manages the Texas Syndication Network and expands access to capital through regional and national syndication initiatives. - The report found that angel groups invested more capital per company in 2025 while becoming more selective. - Artificial intelligence and life sciences continued to take a larger share of angel investment activity.

Between the lines: - CTAN's ranking suggests that its ecosystem-building approach is translating into more deal flow and more capital deployed. - The alignment between CTAN's pipeline and national trends in AI and life sciences may help the network stay competitive as investors concentrate on emerging technologies. - The organization is also positioning itself as a regional platform for investor education and syndication, not only as a source of capital.

What's next: - CTAN said it will keep expanding founder mentoring, investor education, syndication and its Building the Startup Ecosystem thought leadership series over the coming year. - The series will share data, insights and best practices for entrepreneurs, investors and communities. - More information is available in the 2026 Angel Funders Report. - More information is available on Central Texas Angel Network.