Freeze-Dried Breast Milk, a16z Raised 18% of VC Dollars in 2025, and Why "It's No Longer a Novelty for a Woman to Pitch"

Happy Thursday.

In today’s issue:

• Angel Deals of the Week | 131 Deals, 92 Networks

• Bookmarks I think you’ll enjoy

• The best nugget from my conversation with Loretta McCarthy and Angela Allen of Golden Seeds, America's Largest Women-Focused Angel Network

🔥 Angel Deals of the Week

Angel funding rounds announced in recent weeks, compiled from public sources. These deals represent the elite few that survived an angel network’s vetting process. Note: I have not personally analyzed these companies and am sharing for informational purposes only.

📊 Angel Network Investment Tracker: 131 Deals, 92 Networks.

Arcturus | Volumetric video for live sports

Participating Groups: Harvard Business School Alumni Angels of Greater New York

Arcturus is developing a volumetric video platform that captures and broadcasts real sports action in full 3D using computer vision and AI. The company enables broadcasters, leagues, teams, and venues to deliver 3D perspectives across 2D broadcast, social channels, interactive mobile experiences, and fully immersive VR/AR viewing. Arcturus recently raised $2.3 million in seed funding led by LDV Capital, with participation from Myelin VC, Vanderbilt University, and HBS Alumni Angels of Greater New York to support team expansion and product development.

Devin Horsman | $2.3M Seed | San Francisco, CA | December 2025 | Source

Milkify | Freeze-dried breast milk preservation

Participating Group: Aggie Angel Network

Milkify is developing a patented, contact-free process to freeze-dry breast milk for mothers, preserving nutrition while extending shelf life and improving portability. The service saves families time and money by eliminating traditional freezer storage limitations. The company recently closed an oversubscribed Series Seed round led by South Loop Ventures, with participation from institutional, biotech, and angel investors including Aggie Angel Network.

Pedro Silva | Houston, TX | December 2025 | Exclusive

Minno | Faith-based streaming platform for kids

Participating Group: Ambassadors Impact Network

Minno is developing a Christian streaming platform creating faith-filled content for kids and families. The company has scaled to the top 1% of direct-to-consumer paid subscription platforms, with its YouTube channel surpassing 1.3M subscribers and 150 million views in the past year. Original productions like Young David and the Minno Laugh & Grow Bible for Kids have established the company as a leader in faith-based children's media. Minno recently secured investment from Ambassadors Impact Network members to fund content production, marketing, and platform development as it works toward profitability by year-end 2026.

Erick Goss | Nashville, TN | December 2025 | Source

📣 Have an Angel Deal to Announce?

🔖 Bookmarks

1. 💰 Holy Moly a16z Just Raised $15B across 6 Funds: This represents 18% of all US venture dollars allocated in 2025.

2. 📍 CES 2026 Takeaways: Serhat Pala walked the floor so we don't have to. "Looks real" and "deployable" are very different things.

3. 🧬 From Bench to Bedside, Faster: NFX’s Omri Drory explains how AI, international trials, and better disease models are compressing timelines and creating faster paths to clinic.

🥇 The Nugget: My Top Takeaway from A Conversation with Loretta McCarthy & Angela Allen

It's no longer a novelty for a woman to pitch 🥂

20 years ago, the founding team at Golden Seeds faced genuine skepticism: "Is there even enough deal flow to build an angel group focused on women-led startups?" The question wasn't hostile - people legitimately wondered if the pipeline existed.

The answer - a resounding: “Yes.”

Fast forward to today, and the question kind of sounds absurd. Women-led startups pitch at every angel group across every sector.

It's no longer a novelty for a woman to pitch, and that's worth celebrating.

Want more? Check out my full conversation with Loretta & Angela 👇

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more.

Until Next Week 👋

Thanks for reading - have a great week.

-Andrew

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