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May 2009
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While angel investing is down across the nation by
26 percent, read more, and venture financing has all but
dropped off a cliff, read more, angel
networks and funds in Wisconsin significantly
increased their funding levels, up 28 percent in 2008.
Why
the large increase in a subset of a market that overall
has experienced declines? The efforts by the
Wisconsin Angel Network and Wisconsin's
investment tax credits can take some credit, but
the networks and funds themselves deserve the real
kudos. Some thoughts on why Wisconsin's networks
and funds have increased their activity is in the closing
to this month's eVestor.
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2009 Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference
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The Entrepreneurs' Conference, to be held June 9-10
in downtown Milwaukee, offers many
opportunities for investors to make connections and
preview some of Wisconsin's newest and best
start-ups. Investor highlights include:
- Midwest co-Investment Network meeting
- I-Q Corridor Investors' Forum discussion:
Preferred vs. Common stock, led by Tim Keane of the
Golden Angels Network and Basil Mundy of Wisconsin
Investment Partners
- The Top 12 Pitch: Finalists in the Governor's
Business Plan Contest square off for about
$250,000 worth of cash and prizes
- "Entrepreneurs' Edge" presentations, where
participants hone their skills in front of a panel of
investors and a live audience
Not to mention the great networking opportunities that
happen when spending a day and a half with more
than 400 entrepreneurs, investors and service
professionals. For more information on the
conference, click here.
Follow
this link to register for the conference.
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Catalyzing Tech Transfer and Start-up Financing
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The Midwest Research University Network (MRUN)
and the Wisconsin Angel Network (WAN) are holding
a catalyzing event designed to help network
technology transfer professionals and early stage
investors together while exploring one of the most
difficult aspects of investing, due diligence.
The event will be held on June 23 in Madison, Wis.
and
will be broken into two sections:
Part 1: 10:00 am - Noon, Designed for tech
transfer professionals. This portion of the day will
focus on an introduction to the concept of due
diligence, what investors look for from potential
investments and an introduction to programs
designed to help
start-ups connect with investors.
Part 2: 1:00 - 5:00 pm, Open to both investors
and tech transfer professionals. The second portion of
the day will be an advanced, hands-on workshop on
due diligence. This workshop is typically only open to
accredited investors, but through the collaborative
efforts of MRUN and WAN it will also be open to tech
transfer professionals.
Cost is $75 and includes materials, lunch and a
networking reception at the end of the
program. Download a
registration form here.
This program is made possible by the generous
support of our lead sponsor, the law firm of Whyte Hirschboeck
Dudek S.C.
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Lake Superior Angel Network: Due Diligence Workshop
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The Lake Superior Angel Network is pleased to
announce an upcoming workshop led by one of the
nation's leading angel investors, John May. Drawing
from more than 20 years of experience, May will lead a
discussion and interactive workshop on how best to
review potential investments in early stage
companies, referred to as due diligence.
The workshop will be held on June 24 from 1:00 - 5:00
pm in Superior, WI.
The event is being organized to help current and
potential Lake Superior Angel Network members
develop a more in-depth expertise at reviewing
entrepreneurial ventures. Angel investing has the
potential for providing significant returns to investors,
but is also a very high-risk endeavor that requires
much scrutiny. The free event is open only to
accredited investors.
Please RSVP no later than June 17 by downloading
and returning a completed registration form, follow this
link to download the form.
For more information on the event or the Lake
Superior Angel Network please contact Joe Kremer at
jkremer@lakesuperiorangels.com or (608) 442-7557.
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Angel Network Investments Up in 2008
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Bucking national trends, Wisconsin angel networks
and funds posted a 28 percent increase in early stage
investments in 2008, reaching more than $15 million
invested in 53 deals. Recently released data showed
that angel investing was down 26 percent nationally
for the same year compared to 2007, read more.
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2009 MidAmerica Healthcare Venture Forum
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The MidAmerica Healthcare Venture Forum, one of the
nation's largest regional platforms to showcase
healthcare start-ups and emerging growth
companies, will attract more than 200 private equity
investors to Madison in November, read more.
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Deals, Acquisitions and Exits
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TrafficCast Int'l, $1 million by DaneVest Tech
Fund*, DVTF Side Fund* and others.
*WAN investor-member
Are we missing a deal or other news?
Please e-mail us at
info@wisconsinangelnetwork.com.
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Wisconsin's angel networks and funds significantly
increased their investing activity during 2008, a year
when most investors were heading for the hills. There
are three main reasons for the increase. First,
Wisconsin's networks and funds have been helping
their portfolio companies ride through the current
storm as funding sources have dried up. While most
investors had hoped further investment would not be
needed, many kept 'dry power' on hand just for this
situation. Second, we have more investors in more
networks and funds than ever before. Wisconsin is
home to 22 angel networks and funds, up nearly four-
fold since the WAN was launched in 2005. The
decrease in valuations, about 60 percent on average,
is a third factor. This effect will likely be felt more in
2009 than in 2008. Investors like bargains and
the current
economic climate is helping them find
many.Please
forward copies of this month's eVestor; if
you're not on
our e-mail list, click here to
join.
Sincerely,
Joe Kremer, director
Wisconsin Angel Network
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