Angel investing nationwide grew 12.1 percent to $22.5 billion in 2011, according to the Center for Venture Research at the University of New Hampshire. Through the first six months of 2012 — the latest figures available — angel investment gained about 3.5 percent over prior year levels.

“That’s about where I’d expect it to come in for the full year,” said Jeffrey Sohl, director of the Center for Venture Research. “The activity level is up for angels, that’s for sure.”