Extending Angels Throughout Georgia

I’ve been working on a plan for three to years to help the state of Georgia build angel investor groups or communities. I have worked with initial angel groups primarily in Augusta, Columbus and Savannah and have talked to numerous others. Progress has been made, but it has been slow at times.

That’s changing.

Now, Don Betts, the Program Director of The Georgia Centers of Innovation has stepped up to the plate in a big way. He is currently working with the Angel Capital Association to bring the “Power of Angel Investing”seminar to communities throughout the State of Georgia. The seminar has been held already in Savannah and Gainesville and is scheduled for another three communities in Georgia through June, 2008.

Mr. Betts has also scheduled a “Starting an Angel Organization” seminar January 24 to be held here in Atlanta at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center at 85 Fifth Street. There is no registration fee, but registration is required.

To register, send an email here: sandy.lake@innovate.gatech.edu 

This is forward thinking by the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute at its best!

We have to acknowledge the paucity of early stage venture capital in the state. So, instead of despairing or counting on a doomed Senate bill, the Georgia Centers of Innovation have chosen to capitalize on a known, but sometimes nebulous, source of capital in abundance in the state–net worth (angel) capital.

If you are interested in “starting” an angel group, I’d suggest attending the January 24 meeting here in Atlanta. If you are interested in the “Power of Angel Investing” seminars, you might want to get in touch with Don Betts or the Angel Capital Association (full disclosure: I am on the BOD of the Angel Capital Association).

I will be at all of these events, so feel free to contact me via email, phone or this blog.

All in all–A 21 gun salute to Don Betts and the Centers of Innovation for innovative solutions to a known capital problem!