WAKE FOREST, NC—The Triangle Accredited Capital Forum, (TACF) a nearly three-year-old angel investor network in North Carolina, told its board that more than $7 million has been invested in startup companies introduced to its members. The group’s chairman also says interest in angel investing is increasing.
TACF screens about 30 business plans every two months and selects the top ten percent to present to its accredited angel investor members. Rich Kramarik, general partner of Paladin and Associates and president of the Forum says TACF assisted eight of 41 companies in getting their first round of funding through its members and affiliates.
The Capital Forum has a membership of over 100 angel investors, including affiliations, with most of the angel networks and funds throughout the southeast. “We see an increasing interest in angel investing, as our membership continues to grow with many new members who are also new to investing,” said Bill Warner, managing partner of Paladin and Associates, and chairman of the Capital Forum.
The Capital Forum (www.capital-forum.com) is a member of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), and operates as an angel network, centered in the Research Triangle park area. Regional entrepreneurs submit their business plan summaries, which are evaluated on content, risk, reward, and readiness for angel investors.
The board of directors selects only those that are most ready and suitable for angel investment. The board of directors is made up of: David Bass of Arena Capital, John Draper of First Flight Venture Center, Mark Larson of Grant Thornton, Rob Tyler of Hutchison Law Group, Needham Boddie of Myers Bigel and Rich Kramarik and Bill Warner of Paladin and Associates.
ACA bullish on angel investing?
The ACA, in its recent Angel Group Confidence Report, expressed optimism about the climate for investments in early-stage businesses in 2007. This optimism came at the same time angel groups reported a 23 percent increase in average total investment dollars by group and 34 percent growth in the average number of deals the groups funded in 2006 over 2005.
They found angel groups forecast the quantity and quality of entrepreneurial investment proposals will increase in 2007, more than 80 percent of groups will continue investing in seed and early stage companies, there is a strengthened opportunity for more positive exits, and more plan to co-invest with other capital sources.
“These predictions bode well for angel group investing in 2007,” said John May, Chairman of the ACA. “Not only are angel groups funding early-stage ventures at an increased level, but many are also reserving follow-on funding for their portfolio companies to help them grow. All of this is good news for high potential entrepreneurs looking for capital to start and grow their businesses.”
The ACA is the professional alliance of angel groups in the U.S. and Canada. Currently, there are more than 120 affiliates and member groups representing more than 5,000 angel investors.
For more information see: www.angelcapitalassociation.org and www.capital-forum.com
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