The Selection Process

I read a great article  in the Financial Times today regarding the “selection process” for MBA applicants. In the article, various admissions directors give tips for MBA applicants on how to best prepare oneself when applying to an MBA school.

One of the best quotes in the article is thus: ” We meet amazing people every day”, says Ms. Wallace (director of admissions at UNC-CH Kenan-Flagler), “The worst part is that you cannot reward all the people you meet.”

The same thing happens at the Atlanta Technology Angels. We meet amazing, brilliant, deserving people within young technology companies each year. However, we cannot ”select” to fund every early stage company we meet in Atlanta. Neither can Seraph, Noro-Moseley, HIG, Arcapita or TTV.

What’s the solution? More local capital. Bringing quality co-investment capital from outside the state help to fund good opportunities. BIG, high profile exits. Encouraging sucessful entrepreneurs to repeat. Retaining high-quality students from local Georgia universities. Getting out in the community and doing something about it if this issue worries you.

What’s not the solution? Complaining about it and doing nothing.