ARI team background Michael Cain photo

Michael Cain

Former ARI Trustee, Founding Board

Michael Cain is the founder, investor, and managing partner of Wilmington Investor Network, LLC an angel investment fund he formed in July 2004.

He is a founder and managing Partner of Guardant Partners, LLC an investment management partnership and also a managing partner of their special situations fund both located in Greensboro, North Carolina. He is an investor and manager of Emergent Growth Fund II in Gainesville, FL. His angel funds have invested in over 50 early stage startup companies totally angel investments in excess of $25M. Each investment requires continuing angel involvement, mentorship, advice, and consultation.

Cain is a Trustee of the Angel Resource Institute, a non-profit angel research and education foundation originally created and funded by the Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City. ARI is the sister organization to the Angel Capital Association comprised of over 240 US based angel groups representing over 12,000 active angle early stage investors. He also serves on several for-profit and non-profit boards.

Prior to becoming a full time angel investor in 1995, Cain started, operated, and successfully exited a variety of businesses. These ranged from computer software sales and service, to drying equipment to the paper industry. During the 1980's he developed a 28 store regional Wendy's Franchise.

Cain received his Juris Doctor degree from Syracuse University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Vermont. Prior to becoming a full time entrepreneur, he practiced commercial law and was a States Attorney Prosecutor in Vermont.

 

HANDS-ON EDUCATION

Discover ARI programs

ARI has multiple courses designed for beginners to expert-level investors and entrepreneurs. Each course is ARI instructor led or ARI can train you to deliver courses.

Request a workshop proposal

ARI has delivered more than 400 courses across 38 states and 40 countries for angel groups, economic development organizations, and government initiatives to encourage early-stage investments and deal flow.

DIRECT RESEARCH

Join ARI's data collection initiative

ARI is continuously collecting data from Angel investors, groups, and entrepreneurs on early-stage and startup deals in order to provide better metrics.

View latest Halo Report

View the latest Halo Report and find out what trends will impact your current and future funding rounds.

COLLABORATION

ARI collaboration partners include:


 

Sue Preston, Angel Resource Institute, explains a new ARI program designed to educate women entrepreneurs and investors.

Books by ARI Lead Instructors and Others