The Whitman School of Management has launched the Orange Business Angel Network (OBAN), a groundbreaking student-led experiential learning program that will provide hands-on startup investment experience for students while connecting University-affiliated entrepreneurs with seed funding and mentorship. The program will begin in spring 2026 with an inaugural class of approximately 15 exceptional students and a founding cohort of angel investors.
Unlike traditional university investment programs, OBAN places students at the center of real investment activity. Selected students will conduct professional-level due diligence on actual startups, organize pitch events and facilitate the connections between entrepreneurs and accredited angel investors, all while earning academic credit through a rigorous three-credit course.
While over 40 universities operate angel investment programs, Whitman’s approach to and structure of OBAN set it apart. Students will conduct the due diligence that investors use to inform their decisions and aid in deal flow while allowing the angel to make their own investment decisions. This hands-on learning style has helped Whitman rank No. 11 nationally among undergraduate schools for entrepreneurship in The Princeton Review’s 2026 rankings.
Full story: Whitman School of Management Launches Orange Business Angel Network | Syracuse University Today
