About 1891 Angels

Johns Hopkins is the nation's #1 research university — where groundbreaking discovery is the standard, producing transformative companies and founders for over 150 years.

1891 Angels gives members exclusive, early access to startups born from this ecosystem. We're an alumni-led angel network backing Hopkins-affiliated founders nationwide — from faculty spinouts to alumni ventures across Baltimore, the Bay Area, New York, Boston, and beyond.

With 200+ alumni investors and growing, we're one of the most active university-tied investor communities in the country — turning Hopkins discovery into impact.

MANAGING PARTNERS

  • Kentucky Morrow

    kentucky@dialliance.com

    LinkedIn

    Kentucky Morrow is a Principal at Dental Innovation Alliance (DIA), managing a $70 million fund dedicated to advancing innovation in the dental industry.

    With a background in investment banking and private equity, Kentucky previously served as Vice President at England & Company, where he specialized in healthcare, technology, and industrial sectors. He is also a co-founder of Ralli, a consumer packaged goods (CPG) startup, showcasing his entrepreneurial acumen.

    Over the course of his career, Kentucky has led and advised on more than $1 billion in transactions, including mergers & acquisitions, growth capital investments, and strategic initiatives. He is an active board member across healthcare, technology, and consumer sectors, contributing his expertise to both companies and nonprofits.

    Kentucky holds an M.S. in Healthcare Management from Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. in Economics from Emory University. He is based in Nashville.

  • Jeff Spitz

    jeff@1891angels.com

    LinkedIn

    Jeff Spitz is a healthcare operator and strategist with over a decade of experience driving growth across private equity- and venture-backed healthcare companies.

    Jeff currently leads product and strategic initiatives at Lucent Health, a private equity-backed TPA, where he oversees product development and cross-functional growth strategies. Previously, he served as a Senior Manager at CVS Health, driving go-to-market initiatives for home health and retail pharmacy.

    As a Senior Consultant at Sage Growth Partners, Jeff worked directly with the management teams of venture-backed healthcare companies, advising on growth strategy, market positioning, and commercialization. Earlier in his career, he served as a Public Health Advisor at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, partnering with the NYC Department of Health on health equity initiatives.

    He holds an M.S. in Healthcare Management from Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Colorado. Jeff is based in Denver.

CORE VALUES

Passion for Innovation

Championing the relentless pursuit of innovation and the breakthrough ideas that change industries.

Community Impact

Creating opportunities for founders and start-ups to thrive through strategic support and mentorship.

Shaping Tomorrow

Dedicated to bringing the transformative benefits of discovery and innovation to the world.