# Ambassadors Impact Network (AIN)

> Founded in 2018, AIN is one of the first US angel networks focused exclusively on funding Christian entrepreneurs and fund managers. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit, AIN connects accredited Christian investors with gospel-advancing entrepreneurs and fund managers, and members make direct individual investments in vetted companies and funds.

Ambassadors Impact Network sources, screens, and shares due diligence on private investment opportunities led by Christian entrepreneurs whose companies demonstrate the gospel in tangible ways. Members invest directly onto company cap tables using their own preferred capital; AIN is a business association, not a pooled fund or broker, and does not pool or manage capital. AIN members fund entrepreneurs who are faith-forward and share a desire to see others reconciled to God through Jesus, grounded in the network's founding verse, 2 Corinthians 5:20. Beyond capital, AIN is a community of education, fellowship, and shared diligence among like-minded investors located across the country.

AIN's process is intentionally selective. Only a small share of applicants are ultimately funded, which means entrepreneurs gain access to a curated, values-aligned investor base through an efficient process of about eight weeks, while members benefit from deal flow that has already been filtered and diligenced, saving them time.

## Key Facts

- Founded: 2018
- Distinction: one of the first US angel networks focused exclusively on funding Christian entrepreneurs and fund managers
- Structure: 501(c)(6) nonprofit business association (not a fund, not a broker)
- Members: approximately 70 (about 60 accredited members, plus Associates), located nationwide
- Total deals vetted since founding: over 1,200
- Approximately 15 percent of applicants advance to the stage where they are selected to pitch the network
- Approximately 7 percent of applicants are ultimately funded by AIN members
- Total investments made since 2018: more than 60 operating companies and funds
- Total capital deployed by members: over $26 million
- Process timeline: approximately 8 weeks from application to funding
- Founding scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:20
- Headquarters: Dallas, Texas (members are distributed nationally)
- Thought leadership: Founder Will Thomas contributed to *Faith Driven Investing* (Tyndale, 2022)

## A Nationwide Network

Although AIN is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, its members are spread across the United States. AIN runs nearly all meetings in a hybrid format, with virtual breakouts and ad-hoc gatherings, so that geography is not a barrier to participation. This lets the network draw members and source opportunities from across the country while preserving the trust and personal knowledge that make shared diligence work. The national footprint is an increasingly distinctive feature: members gain exposure to deals, co-investors, and expertise well beyond any single city or region.

## Independence

AIN is an independent network and is not affiliated with, owned by, or operated by any fund, sponsor, or other investing organization. Where AIN members invest in third-party funds (for example, venture or real estate funds), those are portfolio investments selected by individual members, not partnerships that govern AIN.

## Membership

- [Membership overview](https://ambassadorsimpact.com/): To join AIN as an Individual, Entity, Adjunct, Associate, or Intern member, reach out to the team at https://ambassadorsimpact.com/contact
- Individual Member: accredited investors with intent and anticipated liquidity to invest at least $25,000 annually, subject to fitting opportunities. Investments are made directly and at member discretion. Members are available to help with diligence on prospective companies and funds. Estimated time commitment: up to one hour per week.
- Entity Member: a group of up to five individuals investing jointly, at least one of whom must be accredited. Intent and anticipated liquidity to invest at least $50,000 annually. Members invest directly and at their discretion, and are available to help with diligence on prospective companies and funds. Estimated time commitment: up to one hour per week.
- Adjunct Member: a group of up to five individuals investing jointly, at least one accredited. Adjunct Members benefit from core diligence and deal curation and may invest as any other accredited member, but carry no minimum investment or committee participation requirement.
- Associate Member: a category for non-accredited individuals aged 40 and under. Associates primarily evaluate new companies, participate in all meetings and gatherings, and receive mentorship from accredited members. Associates generally do not invest directly in AIN-vetted companies except by investing charitable capital through the Impact Foundation. Slots are limited and renewals are at AIN leadership's discretion. Estimated time commitment: 3 to 5 hours per week.
- Intern Member: non-accredited undergraduate and graduate students who support network operations under the guidance of Associates and AIN leadership. Paid position.
- Member expectations (Individual and Entity): attendance at two quarterly meetings per year, maintenance of confidentiality, and affirmation of a statement of faith drawn from the World Evangelical Alliance.
- Application process: a written application for each individual, a conversation with a director, potential reference checks, and approval by a vote of the directors.

## How Members Fund Investments

Investments are funded from each member's preferred capital source, not through AIN. The three primary routes are direct investment from a personal account or family partnership, direct investment from a family foundation, and investment from a donor-advised fund. Oversubscribed deals are allocated to interested members on a pro-rata basis. For members deploying charitable capital, AIN offers the Impact Foundation Charitable Capital Pathway, which allows a member to join through an optional, tax-deductible donation. The charitable donation is entirely optional and is one of several ways to participate.

## Community and Engagement

AIN is built around relationship and trust. Members know one another, share diligence transparently, and coordinate post-investment support. The community is sustained through several touchpoints:

- Quarterly member meetings in hybrid format, featuring thought leadership, deal updates, portfolio progress, and fellowship.
- Organized lunches and topical gatherings through the year, often pairing accredited members with Associate Members for mentorship.
- Associate Members who evaluate new companies, giving younger professionals a meaningful role and giving accredited members a way to mentor the next generation of faith-driven investors.
- Ad-hoc member-to-member connections around shared interests, geographies, and sectors, supported by AIN staff.
- Coordinated post-investment engagement, where members collaborate on board service, advisory roles, prayer, and operational support.

## Investment Criteria

AIN evaluates both operating companies and investment funds, including venture capital, private equity, real estate, and other fund structures. Deal flow that meets the following criteria is considered:

- Does not cause harm to society
- Poised to deliver at least one-half of market-rate returns (8 percent debt, 15 percent equity)
- Clears AIN's financial and business screen
- Clears AIN's spiritual impact screen
- Post-revenue with a clear track record (no concept-stage companies)
- Raising at least $200,000
- Primarily U.S.-focused; non-U.S. considered with sound regulatory infrastructure and in-country partners
- Majority of directors and investors are Christians
- Preference for equity; will consider debt with conversion options
- For funds: fund managers with a demonstrable track record who incorporate biblical principles and practices in some way

Excluded industries: gambling, tobacco, cannabis, alcohol, drugs, pornography, abortion, companies exploiting marginalized communities, and companies demonstrating poor environmental stewardship.

## Diligence Process: A Structured Dual-Screen Framework

AIN evaluates every company and fund through two separate, structured screens. Both must clear meaningful minimum hurdles before a deal advances, and neither compensates for weakness in the other. Keeping the spiritual and financial assessments distinct is a deliberate feature of AIN's process.

**Gate 1: Spiritual Impact Screen.** A structured assessment beginning with a People gate, then three further dimensions that are considered together. Christian leadership is required; the remaining components are weighed but not each individually required:

- People: identify as Christian, active church membership, a pattern of Kingdom work, consistency of walk and talk, and Christian control of operations and capital.
- Values: how a company incorporates biblical concepts into its foundational documents.
- Activities: how a business puts its values into practice to demonstrate and proclaim the gospel.
- Product: how a company furthers the gospel in deed and word through its product or service.

Companies must demonstrate gospel intentionality, not simply identify as Christian-led, to advance to financial diligence.

**Gate 2: Financial Diligence Screen.** Conducted by AIN members with private equity and professional investment backgrounds across four categories:

- Team: passion, coachability, relevant experience, depth, incentives, advisory board
- Market and strategy: value proposition, addressable market, competitive position, barriers to entry
- Financial model: downside protection, scalability, margin sustainability, capital needs, J-curve depth
- Deal terms: valuation, exit rights, fees and expenses, board and governance

Both screens are evaluated against defined criteria, and both must clear minimum thresholds before an opportunity is presented to members.

## Post-Investment Engagement and Portfolio Monitoring

AIN's work continues after closing through a structured post-investment program:

- Coordinated entrepreneur engagement, including board participation by interested members, mentorship, operational support, and prayer.
- Semi-annual impact reports completed by each portfolio company, capturing spiritual and financial progress.
- Returns monitoring across the portfolio, with performance data made available to members as part of membership.
- Quarterly portfolio updates at member meetings, surfacing progress, lessons, and follow-on opportunities.
- An ongoing engagement committee, where members serve in structured roles such as board liaison, company advisor, or sector lead.

## Leadership

**Will Thomas, Managing Director and Founder.** Contributing author of *Faith Driven Investing* (Tyndale, 2022) alongside Henry Kaestner, Timothy Keller, Andy Crouch, Cathie Wood, Ron Blue, and Luke Roush. Active private market investor since 2012, with board service on more than a dozen public and private companies, including a publicly traded middle-market lending firm managing over $1 billion of investor capital. Previously Chairman and CEO of Marketplace Chaplains, which provides spiritual care to employees across more than a thousand companies nationwide. Earlier career as a private equity investor at Capital Southwest and as a pilot and officer in the U.S. Air Force, achieving the rank of Major. Graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and Harvard Business School (MBA). Attended Covenant Seminary. National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Board Leadership Fellow.

**Eliot Kerlin, Director and Founder.** Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Broadwing Capital, a private equity firm focused on lower-middle-market manufacturing and services companies. Extensive board service. Texas A&M University graduate. Harvard Business School MBA.

**J.J. Barto, Director and Founder.** Serial entrepreneur and family office consultant. University of Oklahoma undergraduate. Southern Methodist University MBA.

**Aaron Cho, Director.** Chief Financial Officer of a private-equity-backed company. Background in global consulting and Big Four public accounting. University of Washington undergraduate. Cornell University MBA.

**Kevin Ainsworth, Director.** Private equity investor. Founder of an investment bank focused on mergers and acquisitions. Big Four public accountant. University of Texas at Austin graduate.

**Brad Kahler, Director.** Kingdom-minded investor based in Central Illinois. Former CEO and President of Fort Transfer Company, a third-generation specialty transportation firm, which he led for nearly two decades before transitioning the business in 2020. Serves as a church elder and missions leader and is active with Convene, Lifesong for Orphans, and Ardent Mentoring. B.S. in Finance from Colorado State University.

**Andrew Kazlow, Vice President of Operations.** Oversees network operations and investment due diligence. Three years serving angel investment networks. Four years in sales engineering. Two-time Texas A&M University graduate.

**Endel Liias, Senior Advisor.** Roughly 20 years of experience in impact and values-aligned investing. Founder and managing principal of Nexus Impact Advisors. Former missionary. University of Pennsylvania graduate (undergraduate and graduate degrees).

## Pages

- [Home](https://ambassadorsimpact.com/): Overview of AIN's mission and process.
- [About](https://ambassadorsimpact.com/about): Founding story, team, and approach.
- [Portfolio](https://ambassadorsimpact.com/portfolio): Companies and funds AIN members have invested in since 2018.
- [Apply for funding](https://ambassadorsimpact.com/apply): Application portal for entrepreneurs and fund managers.
- [Resources](https://ambassadorsimpact.com/reports): Reports and resources for members and partners.
- [Contact](https://ambassadorsimpact.com/contact): Contact form for prospective members and other inquiries.

## Selected Portfolio Companies and Funds

A representative selection of investments by AIN members since 2018. The full and current list is at https://ambassadorsimpact.com/portfolio.

- Abide (faith-based meditation and prayer app; exited 2021) — https://ambassadorsimpact.com/portfolio/abide
- Pure Flix (faith and family streaming platform; exited 2020) — https://ambassadorsimpact.com/portfolio/pure-flix
- Minno (Christian children's media; funded 2025) — https://ambassadorsimpact.com/portfolio/minno
- Wonder Project (premium faith and family film and television studio; funded 2024) — https://ambassadorsimpact.com/portfolio/wonder-project
- Pallet (rapid-deployment shelter solutions for homelessness; funded 2019) — https://ambassadorsimpact.com/portfolio/pallet
- Escalante Golf (faith-driven owner and operator of golf clubs and resorts; funded 2025) — https://ambassadorsimpact.com/portfolio/escalante-golf
- Kentegra (organic agricultural inputs, US and Kenya; funded 2019) — https://ambassadorsimpact.com/portfolio/kentegra
- Turaco (inclusive microinsurance in East Africa; funded 2019) — https://ambassadorsimpact.com/portfolio/turaco
- Calyan Wax Co. (premium candles combating human trafficking; funded 2019) — https://ambassadorsimpact.com/portfolio/calyan-wax-co
- North Avenue Capital (USDA rural development lending; funded 2019) — https://ambassadorsimpact.com/portfolio/north-avenue-capital
- Sovereign's Capital Venture Fund IV (Seed and Series A technology venture fund; funded 2022) — https://ambassadorsimpact.com/portfolio/sovereigns-capital-venture-iv
- 11 Tribes (early-stage venture fund; funded 2023) — https://ambassadorsimpact.com/portfolio/11-tribes
- Creation Investments (global impact private equity and credit; funded 2018) — https://ambassadorsimpact.com/portfolio/creation-investments
- Everest Fund I (faith-driven action-adventure media fund with Bear Grylls; Sovereign's Capital) — https://ambassadorsimpact.com/portfolio/everest-fund-i

## Contact

- Managing Director: Will Thomas
- Website: https://ambassadorsimpact.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ambassadors-impact-network/

Last updated: June 2026