Calling All Northwest Angels: Join AoA for the 2009 Angel Capital Association Regional Meeting!

The national organization of angel investor groups, the Angel Capital Association, will convene its northwest regional meeting in Seattle on February 24th. Accredited investors from the region are invited to join host Alliance of Angels to discuss trends in angel investing and a special workshop featuring tips for lead investors.

The morning session will feature a presentation by Sarah Dickey from the ACA, who will share the latest angel group statistics and trends. Participants will also hear the latest news on regional investment programs, including updates from Bruce MacCormack, chair of Bellingham Angel Group and David Verrill, founder of Boston Hub Angels and chair of the ACA Syndication Committee. The morning will conclude with a panel discussion, “Angel Investing in a Downturn,” in which experienced angels, including Mike Crill, managing partner at Atlas Accelerator, and angel fund manager Basil Peters of the Vancouver and Bellingham angel groups, will offer their perspectives on the impact of current economic climate on startup companies and investors.

The afternoon will be devoted to a lead investor clinic presented by Alliance of Angels’ most active and experienced deal leads, including AoA program chair Dan Rosen and Geoff Entress, managing member of Rolling Bay Ventures. Participants in this interactive, case-based workshop will gain insights into syndicating a consortium of investors, conducting due diligence; negotiating term sheets; and investment stewardship.

Members of ACA enjoy the full day of programs on February 24th and are also invited to attend an exclusive networking reception the evening of February 23rd for $125. Half-day registration for ACA members’ choice of the February 24th morning or afternoon session only is $75. Members of Alliance of Angels are also eligible for a special rate.

Accredited investors who are not members of ACA may attend the full day of programs on February 24th for $175, or choose to attend either the morning or afternoon session for $100.

Don’t miss the chance to connect with fellow angels and stay on top of best practices in early stage investing. Register today by calling Katy Tollefson at 206.389.7259.

The Naked Truth: 7/24 Event Connecting Entrepreneurs to Journalists

Surrounded by entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and journalists, awash with beers and barbeque, my boss Susannah Malarkey and I attended "The Naked Truth" panel and party Tuesday night. Though we saw and got to chat with no fewer than 15 companies we’ve interviewed in recent months (and CEO of the AoA Company of the Year, event host Glenn Kelman), apparently a few of you may have missed this free, Madrona Ventures- and Redfin- hosted event. Attendance was capped at 200 and “sold out"ridiculously fast.

I kept myself to one cocktail during the panel discussion and took copious notes, some of which we’ll share here:

How do you get noticed on TechCrunch, Michael Arrington’s blog?
He says you need good product. “Even dysfunctional founders can do ok in the press,” he claimed (that may be true, but to get funding from AoA, a team that can execute is key!)

What kinds of entrepreneurial stories tend to interest the press?
John Cook (Seattle PI) prefers to focus on people, product, and funding, but needs a hook. Oftentimes this will be a financing event, which is “transformative in the company’s history.”

Tricia Duryee (Seattle Times) and Rebecca Buckman (Wall Street Journal) like to comment on trends (Tricia notes: even if you don’t hear back from the Times on a press release, individual examples help inform trend data, so keep her posted).

Who should talk to the press?
According to Fred Vogelstein (Wired Magazine): definitely the CEO (vs. a PR firm). “You guys are the best salesmen for your ideas,” he described. He also cautioned against engaging a PR firm if your motive is to save time. Proper management of a PR firm (and the efficient use of one) is a real commitment.

How does the press feel about off-the-record?

Answers ranged from “there’s no such thing,” (Becky) to “tell me everything then tell me what I can print.” (Michael). The take-away is that entrepreneurs should find out the journalist's policy before commenting.

At the end of the day, if the panel agreed on one topic, it was to avoid spin. Be succinct in your value proposition, avoid flowery marketing language, and tell the truth. Turns out that advice works in investor pitches too.