Crimson Angel Network

At UA, we build legends. Now we're building legacies.

The Crimson Angel Network connects The University of Alabama alumni and supporters with the next generation of UA founders. Back student ventures at any check size — we handle the structure, the paperwork, and the deal flow. This is how Alabama's entrepreneurship ecosystem grows.

Free to join. No commitment until you invest.

If you are an entrepreneur interested in raising money on the UA platform, reach out to our team here.

$700K+

Raised to support AEI's new Crimson Accelerator

150+

Student startup teams funded with competition prize money

How It Works

Join the network

Review companies

Browse UA's vetted startups with full deal memos and founder interviews.

Invest

Write a check at any size. Your investment is pooled — we handle all the paperwork.

↓ Tell us how you want to invest and we'll take it from there.

Choose what fits you — we'll take it from there

Pick the option that describes you. Each one takes you directly into an onboarding experience built for that path. Deals are visible after you've signed up for an account.

Option 01

I want to see each company and pick what I back

One vetted company per month. You review it, decide if you're in, and invest at whatever level feels right.

Option 02

Invest a set amount on my behalf across UA startups

Commit a pool of capital once. We allocate it across companies as they come — no per-deal decisions needed.

Option 03

I want to invest through my DAF

Have charitable capital sitting in a Donor Advised Fund? Put it to work here — returns roll back into your DAF.

If you are an entrepreneur interested in raising money on the UA platform, reach out to our team here.

Play Money is the Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute's platform to manage and coordinate the Crimson Angel Network investments.

Direct questions about the UA program to Dr. Theresa M. Welbourne at tmwelbourne@ua.edu. Send questions about the Play Money platform to hello@letsplaymoney.com.

New to investing?

Angel Investing 101 — Five things worth knowing before your first check

You don't need to be a professional investor to be part of this. Everything you actually need to know, in plain language.

What angel investing actually is

SPVs, SAFEs, and what to expect from an early-stage portfolio — jargon-free.

Why small checks are the smart play

The math behind building a portfolio of 30–50 checks over 5 years — and why our average is $3,500.

What to look for at this stage

Founding team + early traction. That's it. Here's what doesn't matter yet.

Why the first check changes everything

The identity shift from "interested" to "investor" — and why starting small beats waiting for perfect.

How investing on Play Money works

Deal cadence, SPV mechanics, portfolio tracking, and your options for how to deploy capital.