From a chance encounter to a global movement, BitAngels has been supporting blockchain, Web3, and AI startups since 2013. This is the story of how purpose-driven founders came together to build the future.
On May 19, we proudly mark the 12th anniversary of BitAngels, a community that began with a bold idea and has since grown into a global network of visionaries, investors, and builders shaping the future of blockchain. 
BitAngels was born from serendipity and visionary insight. On May 18, 2013, during the first-ever Bitcoin Foundation conference in San Jose, California, Michael Terpin and David A. Johnston met for the first time. Energized by the possibilities of the moment, they launched the first BitAngels gathering just 24 hours later, on May 19—just days before Bitcoin Pizza Day!
The crypto world was on the brink of transformation. Trust was fragile, Mt. Gox had yet to collapse, and the rules were still unwritten. Amid this uncertainty, BitAngels emerged as a radically new concept: an open-door investment community where founders could pitch their ideas and receive support not based on their connections, but on the merit of their vision. Beyond capital, BitAngels offered mentorship, valuable connections, and a deep belief in the power of decentralized innovation. Twelve years later, that initial spark of energy still drives us, and the door remains open for the next generation of trailblazers.
From humble beginnings as a group of angel investors aligned by a shared vision, BitAngels has grown into one of the longest-running blockchain investor networks globally. Over the years, we’ve hosted thousands of events and pitch competitions across cities worldwide, helping early-stage companies raise funds, form partnerships, and refine their ideas.
Throughout our journey, we’ve had the honor of spotlighting the early stages of groundbreaking projects that would go on to define the industry. In our early days, BitAngels showcased foundational projects like Mastercoin, a pioneer in tokenized assets, and Ethereum, which presented to our community before becoming a global platform for smart contracts and decentralized applications. The whitepapers behind these projects laid the foundation for entire sectors of the crypto economy. As time went on, our BitAngels network continued to amplify a diverse range of innovative ventures, including Storj, Shapeshift, Evercoin, BNK to the Future, TrustLayer, Aleph Zero, Fatom Protocol, CoinGenius, and many more that reflect the depth and evolution of Web3. Beyond these successes, we stand for an enduring belief in visionary founders building with purpose.
Today, BitAngels continues to expand with active chapters in dozens of cities and a presence at major blockchain conferences. The community remains decentralized by nature, bringing together local organizers, investors, founders, and educators to connect globally on what matters most: the ideas that will shape the future.
What makes BitAngels stand out is not just our longevity, but the quality of our community. Through flagship events like Consensus, TOKEN2049, ETHDenver, Money2020, LA Tech Week, and more, BitAngels has remained a trusted space for early-stage exposure, honest feedback, funding, and meaningful connections between builders and investors.
A major catalyst in BitAngels’ recent growth has been the leadership and boundless energy of Alyze Sam, a blockchain educator, founder, and community builder whose efforts have helped launch new chapters, mentor founders, and inspire the next generation of BitAngels leaders worldwide. Alyze leads with a rare blend of kindness and empathy that motivates those around her to show up as their best selves. Her energy creates spaces where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow—not just as entrepreneurs and investors, but as individuals.
BitAngels isn’t a fund or brokerage; it’s something rarer: a community built on trust, early support, and the belief in ideas, not pedigrees. It’s not an exclusive club. Since day one, anyone with a bold idea and a real plan has been welcome to pitch. The next world-changing innovation shouldn’t depend on who you know; it should depend on what you’re building. We facilitate the connections that make it possible.
As we celebrate this anniversary, we honor more than just a date; we celebrate a philosophy. One that believes the most important innovations often start small and quiet. One that values in-person connections and networking. One that has stood the test of time in a space where longevity is rare.
To everyone who has joined us on this journey—thank you.
Whether you pitched, invested, organized, judged, mentored, spoke on X Spaces, or simply listened, we’re grateful that you found your way to BitAngels.
Here’s to another year of meaningful connections and visionary creations. We are thankful to have you with us!
BitAngels.network
