About QCA Ventures
25 years of smart capital in the Midwest.
We began in 2000 as Queen City Angels — Cincinnati business leaders pooling their own capital and hard-won experience into the region’s most promising startups. A quarter-century later we became QCA Ventures, but the reason for being has not changed: back disruptive founders, and be much more than a source for money.
Our Story
From Queen City Angels to QCA Ventures.
Founded in 2000 in Cincinnati, Ohio as Queen City Angels, we are the longest-established organized angel group in the Midwest. In February 2026 the group rebranded to QCA Ventures — a name that reflects how the model has grown, while the mission stays exactly where it started.
QCA Ventures is a non-profit 501(c)(6) — a collective of 215+ Greater Cincinnati business leaders, most of them former CEOs and founders. Members pool not only their capital but their expertise, mentoring and coaching, directing all of it toward high-growth, technology-driven startups.
That combination is the point. Founders raising from QCA get accredited angel capital and a room full of operators who have built, scaled and exited companies of their own — people who show up to help long after the check clears.
What sets us apart
- Est. 2000, Cincinnati, OH — the Midwest’s longest-established organized angel group.
- Non-profit 501(c)(6) — organized around founders, not fund fees.
- 215+ member investors — former CEOs and founders who invest, diligence and mentor together.
- Startup College® — run through our wholly-owned 501(c)(3), the QCA Education Foundation (dba Startup College®), with more than 1,000 entrepreneurs trained.
- 50,000+ member-hours contributed to founders every year.
Our Mission
Much more than a source for money.
“QCA Ventures is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs drive the economy, solve problems, make lives better, create jobs and are QCA Ventures’ primary reason for being.”
Non-profit 501(c)(6) · 215+ former CEOs & foundersOur Values
- Respect & Integrity
- Contribute & Collaborate
- Education & Ongoing Counsel
- Purposeful & Knowledgeable
- Forward-Thinking & Success Driven
The Record
25 years, measured in founders backed.
Every $1 of member capital has historically unlocked roughly $8 of total capital for founders — a ~7.8× multiplier. Plus 215+ angel investors, 1,000+ entrepreneurs trained, and 50,000+ member-hours contributed annually.
A Quarter-Century
The QCA timeline.
Founded as Queen City Angels
A group of Greater Cincinnati business leaders organizes to invest their own capital, and their operating experience, into local high-growth startups — becoming the longest-established organized angel group in the Midwest.
Startup College® launches
The QCA Education Foundation, a wholly-owned 501(c)(3), begins training founders through Startup College®. Over the years that follow, more than 1,000 entrepreneurs come through the program.
A collective of 215+ leaders
Membership grows to 215+ former CEOs and founders, contributing 50,000+ member-hours a year in mentoring, diligence and board work alongside their capital.
Rebrand to QCA Ventures
Queen City Angels becomes QCA Ventures — a name that reflects how far the model has grown, while the non-profit 501(c)(6) mission stays exactly the same.
$1B+ syndicated for founders
$128M of member capital has syndicated into more than $1B of total capital across 375 investments in 123 companies — and the next round of disruptive founders is already applying.
Want to build something with us?
Whether you’re a founder looking for smart capital or a leader ready to invest and mentor alongside 215+ peers, there’s a place for you at QCA Ventures.
