New technology companies may get some heavenly help in the near future, with investment from a just-formed angel investor group.
AngelPolleNation (APN) is the brainchild of attorney Jeffrey Robbins of
Messerli & Kramer.
After representing entrepreneurs in his practice for nearly three
decades, Robbins began to notice that angel investors were lacking in
the state more than ever before. Some news reports early this year
confirmed his suspicions, and he thought there must be a way to amp up
angel funding in the area, especially for technology firms.
Although
there are a number of organizations that serve entrepreneurs with
resources and networking connections, the crucial angel investment
component has been dwindling, Robbins believes.
"When you go to
entrepreneurial events, the number-one topic is money," he says.
"Everyone in early-stage companies struggles with where to find enough
money for what they want to do."
At the same time, investors
benefit from joining together, Robbins notes, instead of attempting to
fund companies on their own. "It's hard to be a solo investor," he says.
"It's really nice to be connected to others."
The initial phase
of APN will focus on getting investors and entrepreneurs communicating,
and Robbins hopes to draw a number of angels to the group. In July,
APN's first meeting at Interlachen Country Club attracted about 70 local
investors, and featured presentations by other angel groups like Twin
Cities Angels and Minnesota Angel Network.
The next APN event is
set for mid-September, and Robbins anticipates that there will be
quarterly meetings from that point onward.
Source: Jeffrey Robbins, AngelPolleNation
Writer: Elizabeth Millard