Jason Whitney of IU Ventures is one of four national experts speaking during a free online panel discussion titled “Building an Alumni Angel Group.”

Whitney is executive director of the IU Angel Network and associate vice president of IU Ventures. He will be joined by representatives from alumni angel groups at Baylor University, Harvard Business School and Princeton University. The hourlong panel will be hosted by Assure at 7 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Aug. 12. Register for the panel online.

Whitney said the panel is a wonderful opportunity to share information about the IU Angel Network, which has seen tremendous growth in 2020 despite the trying economic situation.

“We made education a large part of our mission, whether it means working with new angel investors to understand the process or working with other universities to share what we have learned during our rollout over the past year,” Whitney said. “The ‘Building an Alumni Angel Group’ panel from Assure provides an opportunity to share those findings with a larger audience.”

Whitney said audiences could be interested in the IU Angel Network’s operating model.

“Being supported by the structure of a more traditional venture fund is unique, and our recent success might inspire other universities to invest in or support early-stage venture funds,” Whitney said.

IU Angel Network launched in the 2019-20 fiscal year. Over the year, it has grown to 32 members around the nation. Ten Indiana University-connected companies made pitches to the network, and $385,000 has been invested in four companies.