The Angel Capital Association proudly announced Marcia Dawood as the recipient of the 2025 Hans Severiens Award, the organization’s highest honor recognizing individuals whose leadership advances the field of angel investing.

Dawood’s journey began in 2012 when she was invited to an angel investing meeting — without even knowing what the term meant. It was a moment that sparked a mission. Realizing how few people understood they could invest in early-stage companies—and be the change they want to see in the world—she dove in. Since then, she’s become a very visible advocate for democratizing angel investing.

Over the past decade, Dawood has opened doors for hundreds of new investors—especially women and underrepresented communities—to participate in backing companies solving meaningful problems. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the SEC’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, ensuring early-stage investors have a seat at the federal policy table. She is also Chair Emeritus of the ACA. 

“We are thrilled to see Marcia receive the highest honor given to Angel Investors for her tireless dedication to demystifying, elevating, and  expanding Angel investing. She’s a purpose-driven visionary leader, multi-award winning author, and Podcaster who has created tremendous positive impact in our entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Sue Bevan Baggott, Founder & President, Power Within Consulting.

When Marcia Dawood attended her first Angel Capital Association (ACA) summit as a board member, she noticed something unusual: a line at the men’s restroom, while the women’s was empty. It was a small but telling sign of a bigger problem—women were significantly underrepresented in angel investing, both as funders and founders which led her to the creation of Growing Women’s Capital Syndication Group, showcasing founders and funders for more than six years.

“Marcia is the most deserving awardee of a prestigious angel investing award. She has demystified, democratized and expanded the angel investing asset class especially for under estimated communities and aspiring investors. As a leader, she champions others with her actions, her podcast platform and her genuine heart for servant leadership,” said Dr. Silvia Mah, Founder, Stella Foundation, Board Member ACA. 

A venture partner with Mindshift Capital and a long-time member of Golden Seeds, Dawood has invested in over 50 startups and funds, with a particular focus on women-led, mission-driven ventures. One example she often points to is Joylux, a company tackling women’s sexual health with grit, innovation and purpose. “The founder is scrappy, resilient and fearless about tackling a real, underserved issue,” Dawood said.

Through her podcast The Angel Next Door—which launched in 2021 and has now surpassed 120 episodes—Dawood has worked to make angel investing more accessible and less intimidating. Her TEDxCharlotte talk, Do Good While Doing Well, delivered in 2022, laid the foundation for her book of the same name, released in September 2024. The book has since won six awards including Best Audiobook. She is also an associate producer of the documentary Show Her The Money. Across all platforms, her message is clear: you don’t need to be ultra-wealthy or a finance expert to become an angel investor.

Across all platforms, her message is clear: you don’t need to be ultra-wealthy or a finance expert to become an angel investor.

“People don’t know they can participate and that lack of awareness creates gaps in who gets funded,” Dawood said. “I’m working to change that.”

Despite headwinds in the current exit market, Dawood remains optimistic. “Now is actually one of the best times to invest,” she noted. “Only the strongest companies are raising, and those are the ones that will thrive.”

The Hans Severiens Award, named in honor of one of the ACA’s founding members, celebrates individuals who advance angel investing through innovation, collaboration, mentorship and impact. Marcia Dawood now joins a distinguished group of recipients who have helped shape the future of early-stage investing.

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Press Contact:
Dannielle Stewart, Director of Marketing
Angel Capital Association
aca@angelcapitalassociation.org