Our Team
The Carolina Angel Network (CAN) brings together the UNC-Chapel Hill entrepreneurial community and alumni network to empower the early stage startup ventures that drive our future.
Our mission is to support the UNC-Chapel Hill startup community with funding and advice from experienced alumni who are members of the network. CAN is a membership-based angel investing platform.
In 2016, CAN was founded and supported by the UNC Office of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, UNC Development Office, Kenan-Flagler Business School and Vice Chancellor of Finance & Administration. The team started evaluating its first deals in February 2017.
Brett Luing - Director
Brett Luing is a passionate advocate and capital facilitator for startup founders, supporting early-stage innovation through his role with CAN. Brett has a dedicated background in early-stage venture capital investments, developed through his previous roles across the innovation landscape.
Brett started his career on the “build” side, supporting founders and teams at accelerator programs and venture studios, later positioning himself as a capital allocator. Prior to joining CAN, he was the Program Director and Portfolio Manager at Capital Innovators, a prominent venture fund and startup accelerator in the Midwest. In this role, Brett actively led 21 early-stage investments and orchestrated startup accelerator programs, including the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's Accelerator program.
Beyond his venture capital work, Brett has leveraged his background to positively impact the communities he is a part of. While residing in St. Louis, he launched a local philanthropic education innovation grant fund, where he continues to contribute as a committee member. Additionally, he serves as a trustee of a private foundation exploring the applications of venture in philanthropy and community development.
Brett received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Business. Outside of the world of venture and startups, he enjoys culinary and travel adventures.
Alex Rassouli - Venture Coordinator
Randy Myer - Founding Executive Director (Retired)
In addition to running the Carolina Angel Network, Mr Myer is a professor at the Kenan-Flagler Business School on the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill campus. He joined the UNC faculty in 2000 and became a full-time faculty member in 2002, teaching Entrepreneurship courses. Besides his UNC activities, he is an investor in two venture capital funds, a private equity fund, and two local angel groups. He is a Board member of the Carolina Research Venture Fund. He is a former Board member of NC Idea and the NC School of Science & Math. Mr. Myer founded Best Friends Pet Care in 1991 (a national chain of high-quality pet care facilities). It was sold to a private equity firm in 1998. Before starting Best Friends, Mr. Myer was a partner with Booz, Allen & Hamilton for 13 years. Mr. Myer received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and received his MBA from Harvard University.