2026 Agenda

The 2026 Summit celebrates the innovation and growth of the early-stage ecosystem through the power of angel investing! Just as you would your next investment, we invite you to study the emerging agenda, check-in on our frequent additions to the available sessions, and plan your next crucial conversation with colleagues in the room. 

Women's Hike - Outside Registration Complimentary but Required powered by Lighter CapitalNetworking7:30 AM - 10:30 AM
CU Anschutz Innovation Forum for Life Sciences - Required / Capped / Complementary RegistrationNetworking8:00 AM - 1:30 PM
$$ Ann & Bill Payne Angel University - Angel Group FormationAnn & Bill Payne ACA Angel University10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
$$ Ann & Bill Payne Angel University - Angel Returns & Portfolio StrategyAnn & Bill Payne ACA Angel University10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
$$ Ann & Bill Payne Angel University - Startup Board BasicsAnn & Bill Payne ACA Angel University10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
EcoVG Investment Syndication Network Luncheon – Empowering the Next Generation of Innovation 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Welcome to the 2026 ACA SummitPlenary2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
Keynote - Peter Walker: Pre-Seed Investing in the AI AgeIndustry Trends Moving Forward2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
Navigating the Liquidity Crisis Industry Trends Moving Forward3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Innovation Funders ShowcasePlenary3:45 PM - 4:30 PM
Angel Investing 101: The Thrill, the Risks, and the ReturnsTimeless Education4:45 PM - 5:45 PM
International Investing - This Moment in our Market PlaceEcosystem Development & Integration4:45 PM - 5:45 PM
Investor Organizations - Smart Practices for Group Management (The Unconference)Investor Group Management4:45 PM - 5:45 PM
Preview of ACA 2026 Angel Funders Report and Latest Data InsightsIndustry Trends Moving Forward4:45 PM - 5:45 PM
Private Credit & The Gray Wave - A New Asset Class for Angel Investors?Advanced Investing Topics4:45 PM - 5:45 PM
Opening Reception Powered by V VodkaNetworking5:45 PM - 7:15 PM
ACA Summit Fun Run Hosted by the Diligent ObserverNetworking6:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Morning Mindfulness: Grounding, Focus, and Presence to Start the DayNetworking7:15 AM - 8:00 AM
Breakfast Briefing - Beyond the Spreadsheet: How AI Is Bringing Real-Time Transparency to Angel Portfolios Powered by GoodStreamNetworking8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
Breakfast Briefing - DeRisking Hardtech: Powered by SiemensNetworking8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
Breakfast Briefing - What If You Could Score a Company the Way FICO Scores a Borrower? The Case for a Risk Standard in Angel Investing: Powered by TrueSpaceNetworking8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
Growing Women's Capital BreakfastNetworking8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
Morning Connections BreakfastNetworking8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
2026 ACA Summit Welcome Back!Plenary9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Keynote: Angel Gambino - Built It. Backed It. Exited It. Lessons in Liquidity from Both Sides of the TablePlenary9:15 AM - 10:00 AM
ACA Member's Meeting & AwardsPlenary10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Innovation Funders ShowcasePlenary10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Networking BreakNetworking11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Networking Lunch & KeynotePlenary11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
Celebrate! 2026 ACA Luis Villalobos AwardsPlenary1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Networking Break 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
From Pitch to Portfolio: Real AI Implementations Across the Deal LifecycleIndustry Trends Moving Forward2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
The Board in the Red Zone: What Angels Do in a CrisisAdvanced Investing Topics2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
The Great Debate VTimeless Education2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
The Hockey Stick Also Goes DownEcosystem Development & Integration2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
Two Decades, Top Quartile Returns: Lessons from Building a Global Angel Group - Powered by Seraph GroupIndustry Trends Moving Forward2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
From Volatility to Opportunity: Cleantech in 2026 and BeyondIndustry Trends Moving Forward3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Recruiting the Next Generation of Angels: Building Programs that Attract and Retain InvestorsInvestor Group Management3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Tax, Policy and Retirement Planning Opportunities that Angels find Heavenly – but the Devil is in the DetailsPublic Policy3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
The Future of SaaS in an AI-First World; Is SaaS Still Investable—or Just a Feature in the AI Stack?Industry Trends Moving Forward3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Angel Tracker: The Engine Driving Engagement and Membership SuccessInvestor Group Management4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Deal Flow Alpha: How Top Angels Source, Screen, and Win the Best Investments in the Age of AITimeless Education4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Liquidity Curious? RBF to the Rescue!Industry Trends Moving Forward4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Stop Waiting for Exits: A New Playbook for Structured Angel Investor Liquidity: Powered by Keiretsu Forum Mid-AtlanticIndustry Trends Moving Forward4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Networking Reception - Venture Bucks Game: Powered by Alumni VenturesNetworking5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Women's Reception: Powered by Foley HoagNetworking6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
$$ 2026 AIF Texas Hold 'em Poker Tournament: Powered by Fox Rothschild - Additional Registration Required 7:30 PM
Morning Tai Chi: Centering the Mind and Body for the Day Ahead: Powered by Rockies Venture ClubNetworking7:15 AM - 8:00 AM
CleanTech/Impact BreakfastNetworking8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
Life Sciences Investors Breakfast Networking8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
Morning Connections BreakfastNetworking8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
University Investor Groups BreakfastNetworking8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
Welcome Back to the 2026 ACA Summit! Plenary9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Keynote - X. Eyeé: From Pattern to Prediction: AI’s Impact on Early-Stage InvestingIndustry Trends Moving Forward9:15 AM - 10:00 AM
Community as Capital: Growing Angel Trust Networks and Activating Untapped CapitalEcosystem Development & Integration10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Tapping the $48 Trillion in U.S. Retirement Accounts: Powered by Directed IRA 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Term Sheets, Valuation, and Beyond the BasicsTimeless Education10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Demystifying Aerospace & Defense Investing for AngelsIndustry Trends Moving Forward11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
How to Improve Due Diligence ROIAdvanced Investing Topics11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
The Ecosystem Advantage: Activating Local Data & Collaboration for Angel SuccessEcosystem Development & Integration11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Grab and Go Lunch with Networking Tables AvailableNetworking12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

TRACKS:

  • Advanced Investing Topics
  • Ecosystem Development and Integration
  • Industry Trends Moving Forward
  • Investor Group Management
  • Public Policy
  • Timeless Education