IFEL's Acquisition of Pipeline Angels Promises Increased Investment for Marginalized Groups Including Women

The Institute for business Leadership (IFEL) announced its acquisition of Pipeline Angels on July 24, 2023 in a step towards more diversity and inclusiveness in the business sector. By increasing angel investment options, the strategic merger intends to provide financial assistance for historically marginalized groups including women, agender, two-spirit, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming persons.

IFEL, a well-known advocate for economic inclusion and wealth creation through entrepreneurship, boasts a volunteer community of over 1,000 professionals across the country. Over the past two decades, they have worked with more than 6,800 small business owners and entrepreneurs. In 2020, IFEL launched "The Making of Black Angels," which introduced approximately 250 people to angel investment.

The acquisition of Pipeline Angels, a company founded in 2011 by Natalia Oberti Noguera, is expected to bring together two innovative organizations that prioritize inclusivity in their investment strategies. Pipeline Angels has been instrumental in reducing barriers to capital access through its inclusion-focused training for early-stage investors, who often serve as the initial support network for entrepreneurs in need of funding.

The merger of IFEL and Pipeline Angels is seen as a significant step towards creating a more diverse and innovative entrepreneurial environment. The combined expertise, resources, and knowledge of the two organizations are expected to serve as a driving force for change in the finance availability landscape. By centering inclusion in their investment thesis, the newly formed platform aims to address and overcome systemic issues that have hindered the growth of diverse entrepreneurs.

Jim Johnson, co-founder, and CEO of IFEL expressed optimism about the acquisition, believing it will have a transformative effect on the industry. He stated, "Our goal is to no longer be discussing the same issues in ten years."

Natalia Oberti Noguera, Founder and CEO of Pipeline Angels, shared her enthusiasm for the paradigm-shifting strategy that the merger will bring. She highlighted the importance of fostering investor inclusivity, founder-friendliness, and equity to improve the investing and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

With IFEL leading the way, the newly united Pipeline Angels group is poised to make substantial strides in supporting underrepresented innovators and creating a more inclusive and equitable landscape for entrepreneurship. This acquisition represents a pivotal moment in the fight for economic empowerment and diversification of the startup world.