Hatter Angels Investment Program
The Hatter Angels Investment Program is a student-directed Signature Program at Stetson University that gives students real-world experience in angel investing, venture capital, and private company analysis. Students help source investment opportunities, meet with founders and CEOs, analyze financials, review deal structures and term sheets, and conduct due diligence on early-stage companies.
Each semester, students review approximately 50 to 75 investment opportunities, with more than 800 companies reviewed since 2021. Working with partners such as the Florida Venture Forum, early-stage venture capital firms, and other angel groups, students develop investment recommendations that are presented to the Hatter Angels, a group of Stetson alumni and faculty who are accredited investors.
The Hatter Angels use their own personal capital to fund selected investments, with no university or endowment funds used at this time. As of January 2026, the program has made twelve investments totaling $1.62 million in nine companies. The angels have also committed to donating 50% of future profits back to Stetson University to help grow and sustain the program for future students.
We have made twelve investments in nine companies totaling $1,620,000 since November 2021.
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Mile Auto
Our first cohort in 2021, Guilherme Pinheiro presents CEO Fred Blumer with our first investment of $120,000
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Verdego Aero
Sadie Jensen presents Eric Barch with our second investment of $265,000
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Xendoo Accounting
Jose Valcourt presents our third investment to CEO and founder, Lil Roberts, for $135,000
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EVQLV
Ryan Carroll and Kip Reeves present our fourth investment to CEO and founder, Andrew Satz, for $135,000
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Streann Media
Our fifth semester cohort at the Florida Venture Forum. We made an investment to CEO and founder, Gio Punzo, for$290,000 in June 2023
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Grocery Shopii
Our sixth semester cohort recommended Grocery Shopii. We made an investment to CEO and founder, Katie Hotze, for $105,000 in January 2024. Students in Stetson’s Venture Capital and Angel Investment Program, from left: Jacob Brown, Brandon Kozakevitch, Chamar Peterson, Bella Degenhardt, Aziel Aigbogun and Brayson Busse. Also: Bill Andrews, PhD, associate professor of Management.
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Streann Media
Our seventh semester cohort with Streann Media at the February 2024 Florida Venture Forum. We made our first follow-on investment to CEO and founder, Gio Punzo, for $100,000
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Kalogon
Our seventh semester cohort recommended Kalogon. We made an investment to CEO and founder, Tim Balz, for $75,000 in June 2024 to finish their fundraising round. Students in Stetson’s Venture Capital and Angel Investment Program from the Florida Venture Forum in Miami, February 2024.
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Zulu Pods
Our seventh semester cohort recommended Zulu Pods in May of 2024. Initially, they were oversubscribed but they allowed a secondary offering from early employees and founders. We made an investment for $175,000 in October 2024. Photo - our eighth cohort at Venture Atlanta October 2024.
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Zulu Pods
Our seventh semester cohort recommended Zulu Pods in May of 2024. We made a second investment in their Series B offering for $120,000 in April 2025.
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Estimate AI Solutions
Our first cohort in 2021, Guilherme Pinheiro presents CEO Fred Blumer with our first investment of $120,000
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Verdego Aero
Our tenth semester cohort recommended EstimateAI Solutions in December of 2025. We finished the remaining balance of $100,000 in their pre-seed round for a 4% stake in the company. Blake Christensen will serve as our board observer.
Founders
The Angels
- Andrei Mikhalevsky '76
- Brian Hill '85
- David Rinker '91
- Diana Hayes '83
- Eric Kissel '98
- Garham Forum '00 & '01
- Gino Santos '82
- Ian Shinnick '05
- Jeff Smeraglinolo '07
- Jill Jinks '79
- Lizhow "Ken" Hong '98
- Mickey Nolen '79
- Mike Bitter '87
- Patrick Browning '12
- Patrick Lane '82
- Richard George '76
- Robert Samaan '94
- Scott Alper '91
- Walt Kaczmarek '81
- Yiorgos Bakamitsos
Angels who also have offered their experience and time
- AJ Scarlato ’03
- Andrew Rush ’12 JD
- Bill Laird ’99
- Charley Todd ’11
- Frank Morreale ’93
- Gerald Keyes ’85
- Jason Freiman ’02
- Joe Berklund ’05
- Joe Malzacher ’98
- John Schuerer ’75
- Justin Dennis ’07
- Marc Wooten ’85
- Matthew J. Taylor ’15
- Michael Fassnacht ’03
- Peter Brockway ’78
- Peter Matulis ’93
- Ryan Benson ’03
- Scot Browning ’84
Please reach us at [email protected] and/or [email protected] if you cannot find an answer to your question.
I am a company seeking funding - how can I apply to the Hatter Angels?
Please forward your pitch deck and collateral materials to [email protected] and [email protected]
What is your typical deal size and structure?
Our average investment is $200,000 and we ask funded companies to provide a board observer position for one student for 3-6 months.
What types of investments have the Hatter Angels made?
We are industry agnostic and invest in a broad range of companies. We have made investments using convertible notes, fixed-price equity and SAFE agreements. We have made investments from each angel directly and also created Special Purpose LLCs to bundle our funds at the company's request.
Do you require a board observer seat?
We are a learning program and ask our portfolio companies to offer a board observer seat for our students to gain experience and contribute to the success of the company. Three out of four investments have provided a board observer seat for a designated student observer.
How do I join the Hatter Angel Investment Program?
You must be a graduate and/or faculty/staff of Stetson University and an accredited investor pledging 50% of your profits back to the program. If you meet our criteria, please reach out to [email protected] and [email protected] for an application.
How can I donate to the Hatter Angel Investment Program?
Please reach out to [email protected] and [email protected] to learn ways you can donate your time, your experience/talents and your money to this unique and incredible program.
Reach out to our three co-founders with any questions, comments or suggestions. Connect via email or phone to set up a meeting, become an angel or volunteer to work with our students.
Hatter Angel Investment Program Contact
Dan Glunt
[email protected]
(904) 708.3780
Milt Douglass
[email protected]
(408) 482.0291
Bill Andrews, PhD
[email protected]
Via US Mail: Hatter Angels Investment Program c/o Dan Glunt 830 A1A North, Suite 13-304 Ponte