From $1K to $1M: Why Syndicates Work for Angel Investors

Angel Academy #6

From $1K to $1M: Why Syndicates Work for Angel Investors

Angel investing has changed. What used to be a solo pursuit—relying on your own network, your own diligence, and often large checks—is now increasingly collaborative. Syndicates have emerged as a powerful model that lets individual investors pool capital, share deal flow, and access high-quality startups that would otherwise be out of reach.

In a syndicate, a lead investor works with a network of angels to source and negotiate deals, and investors that are part of the syndicate get to choose to participate on a deal-by-deal basis. It’s an accessible way to gain exposure to early-stage startups, especially for those without deep VC networks or the capacity to write six-figure checks.

Compared to going solo, syndicates offer a few clear advantages:

  • Access: Syndicate leads often get into competitive, oversubscribed rounds thanks to their relationships with founders and funds. These are deals most individuals couldn’t access independently.

  • Diversification: Investing smaller amounts across more deals helps mitigate the risk that comes with early-stage startups—where outcomes are governed by power laws.

  • Shared Diligence: Rather than vetting each company alone, you benefit from a team of investors leveraging their collective experience, network, and analysis.

  • Operational Simplicity: Platforms like AngelList or Sydecar manage all of the legal, tax, and admin complexities so you can focus on what matters—evaluating the opportunity itself.

That said, it’s not a free lunch. Syndicates often charge a small setup fee and take carried interest (usually 20%) on successful exits. And you still need to decide which deals to back and how to construct your own personal portfolio. Syndicates vary in their expertise and their focus areas, so it’s worth being thoughtful about who you choose to invest alongside.

But for many angels—especially those starting out or looking to scale—syndicates strike a compelling balance between access, flexibility, and control. They make it easier to participate in high-quality deals, build a diversified portfolio, and learn alongside others in the process.

Interested in getting started?

Join Brinc’s Syndicate, for FREE, and get access to vetted startup deals shaping the future. Investments start at $1,000, though we regularly support investors deploying $100K to $1M.

How to join Brinc’s Syndicate:

  1. Apply to join for free

  2. Get deal memos straight to your inbox

  3. Attend webinars with founders

  4. Decide if you want to invest (or not)

UpRounds are companies in our portfolio that are raising new funding rounds at higher valuations. Our goal is to simply connect interested parties to these great companies. Simple as that.

Striga
Vertical: FinTech
Description: Striga is building financial infrastructure as a single set of APIs doing the heavy lifting of security and regulatory compliance for 30+ countries in Europe. As the “Stripe for digital assets” - they provide plug-and-play infrastructure for banking, card issuing, custody, trading and on/off-ramps.

MC² Finance
Vertical: Web-3
Description: MC² Finance, based in Switzerland, enables DeFi investment on stock exchanges via ETFs, cutting setup costs by 10x. Partnering with the Swiss Stock Exchange, they have solved the regulatory and technical barriers to bringing institutional-grade DeFi yields to traditional markets.

Re:meat
Vertical: Food Technology
Description: Re:meat is developing a turnkey solution for food producers to produce meat protein commodity below price parity of conventional meat. The company is focused on beef and collaborations across the value chain to accelerate scale-up.

Interested in connecting with any of our portfolio companies above? Click below for a warm introduction.

Portfolio Highlights

Omni’s Record Deal on Dragon’s Den

Brinc portfolio company Omni - a UK-based pet health startup - just made history on BBC’s Dragon’s Den, securing a joint investment from Stephen Bartlett and Deborah Meaden in exchange for 2.5% equity—a landmark moment for the pet nutrition sector.

Founded in 2021 by veterinarian Dr. Guy Sandelowsky and entrepreneur Shiv Sivakumar, Omni offers vet-formulated, protein-rich food, treats, and supplements made from novel ingredients like yeast and pulses. The brand’s mission? To combat pet health issues like obesity and allergies while dramatically reducing environmental impact. Omni’s products use up to 91% fewer resources than traditional meat-based diets.

Despite some bumps—like a hungry Labrador regurgitating food mid-pitch (thanks to overzealous TV producers)—the founders impressed the Dragons with their traction, science-driven approach, and 400% sales growth. With over five million meals served and 30,000+ customers, their case was compelling.

Bartlett called the team “pretty faultless,” while Meaden said Omni ticked all her boxes as both an investor and dog owner. The £75,000 deal marks the highest valuation ever achieved by a pet food brand on the show.

To see the full pitch, tune in on BBC iPlayer. And if you’re a dog owner—or a future-thinking investor—Omni is one to watch.

Thanks for reading!