Posts
Please join us for the Grand Opening of my big sister's new store:
INDIE Candy
in Crestline Village
Friday 12/11/09
2:30-5:30
Hot Chocolate, Free samples, Gummie Bingo
(and a special appearance by the Rockettes!)
4:00 Ribbon Cutting with Mayor Oden
73 Church Street
INDIE Candy (IndieCandy.com) is an All Natural Candy store specializing in delicious nut-free, gluten-free and allergen-free sweets! Handmade artisan gummies and marsmallows drizzled with chocolate and we also feature organic candy, nut-free chocolates, lollipops, candy canes and custom gift baskets.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
BAN Letter:
This email sent to the attendees and members following the BAN presentation meeting last night...it truly was a very good meeting and I am really proud of our group.
BAN,
I want to take a minute to thank our BAN sponsors, to everyone who helped out and to those who attended last night's meeting. It was definitely the best yet.
We had well over 20 in attendance with both Facilitaire and Tattoo Armor presenting and we had an active Q&A period for both. The webcast even seemed to work with only minor hiccups, thanks to a lot of help from Katie. For members that were not able to attend I will be sending out a link to the webcast recording along with rating sheets in a short bit.
I have briefly reviewed the rating sheets from last nights attendees and it clearly shows we had an engaged group with some insightful review that I think will be instructive to both members and companies alike. *(I will be compiling those and sending out a summary once the non-attending members get a chance to review.)
On a membership note, we picked up some excellent new members as well and look forward to their participation. For visitors that didn't get a chance to grab an application, I have one attached as well.
Thanks again to all who helped out and I look forward to seeing you all soon.
This email sent to the attendees and members following the BAN presentation meeting last night...it truly was a very good meeting and I am really proud of our group.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Following up with some prior BAN presenters (Loco-X and Motus)
It's always fun to watch these new companies as they grow and mature. Since we see them so early at BAN, I usually feel pretty paternal and can't help but root them on as they strive for success.
With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to update you all on some of our prior presenters and what they are up to now.
Loco-X (parent and owner of Locomx.com) principals David Scilabro and Greg Brock came down last quarter as the first of (hopefully) many syndicated deals from our sister angel groups in the state. Specifically, Loco-X came from Huntsville as a part of their tour of the state's angel groups. Since that time Loco-X has almost finished there current capital raise, including some of our BAN members, (apparently they are open for about two more weeks) all while working hard to grow their core business and it looks like it is paying off. Dave says Loco-X is ahead of schedule this year and is planning, in about two weeks, to move into their new 50,000 square foot facility in preparation for launching a sister site before Thanksgiving.
Another fairly recent BAN presenter, Motus Motorcycles (www.motusmotorcycles.com), publicly announced a partnership with Pratt & Miller Engineering "to develop a revolutionary sport touring motorcycle." An announcement which has already garnered international attention from the likes of Motorcyclenews.com in their September Issue. (Click link).
Not bad for a couple of little startups from Alabama and I can't wait to see where they go from here.
With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to update you all on some of our prior presenters and what they are up to now.
Loco-X (parent and owner of Locomx.com) principals David Scilabro and Greg Brock came down last quarter as the first of (hopefully) many syndicated deals from our sister angel groups in the state. Specifically, Loco-X came from Huntsville as a part of their tour of the state's angel groups. Since that time Loco-X has almost finished there current capital raise, including some of our BAN members, (apparently they are open for about two more weeks) all while working hard to grow their core business and it looks like it is paying off. Dave says Loco-X is ahead of schedule this year and is planning, in about two weeks, to move into their new 50,000 square foot facility in preparation for launching a sister site before Thanksgiving.
Another fairly recent BAN presenter, Motus Motorcycles (www.motusmotorcycles.com), publicly announced a partnership with Pratt & Miller Engineering "to develop a revolutionary sport touring motorcycle." An announcement which has already garnered international attention from the likes of Motorcyclenews.com in their September Issue. (Click link).
Not bad for a couple of little startups from Alabama and I can't wait to see where they go from here.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Birmingham Angel Network Selects 5 for Presentation Pool
Last week the Birmingham Angel Network had our 3rd Quarter screening meeting along with this months Birmingham Entrepreneur meeting.
It was a big crowd at innovation depot that came to hear Roddy McKinney speak about how he grew Satellites Unlimited into a major player in the TV market and no one was dissappointed. Mr. McKinney has a great charm and wit that was on full display, along with a deep knowledge of sales and how to grow a business.
Following the speech, we had a great group (including several new members) stay to evaluate the business plans. After over an hour of review, we finally voted to accept a slate of five companies into the presentation pool including:
1. The Manning Group, LLC
2. Facilitaire, Inc.
3. Strawfire, LLC
4. AlwaysHD, Inc., and
5. Innovative Products, LLC DBA Tattoo Armor, LLC.
Those companies will be assigned mentors and we look forward to following their growth and hearing more about them at future meetings.
There were a couple of other companies that we decided to call and work with a bit in hopes that they can resubmit or maybe participate in an open offer in the future.
Finally, we had some updates on previous presenters and look forward to following their progress in the future, which we hope to formalize with a "Company update" section of our BAN newsletter.
As always, if you would like to become a member, please feel free to fill out an application and forward it on to any of our board members.
It was a big crowd at innovation depot that came to hear Roddy McKinney speak about how he grew Satellites Unlimited into a major player in the TV market and no one was dissappointed. Mr. McKinney has a great charm and wit that was on full display, along with a deep knowledge of sales and how to grow a business.
Following the speech, we had a great group (including several new members) stay to evaluate the business plans. After over an hour of review, we finally voted to accept a slate of five companies into the presentation pool including:
1. The Manning Group, LLC
2. Facilitaire, Inc.
3. Strawfire, LLC
4. AlwaysHD, Inc., and
5. Innovative Products, LLC DBA Tattoo Armor, LLC.
Those companies will be assigned mentors and we look forward to following their growth and hearing more about them at future meetings.
There were a couple of other companies that we decided to call and work with a bit in hopes that they can resubmit or maybe participate in an open offer in the future.
Finally, we had some updates on previous presenters and look forward to following their progress in the future, which we hope to formalize with a "Company update" section of our BAN newsletter.
As always, if you would like to become a member, please feel free to fill out an application and forward it on to any of our board members.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
2010 Southeast Venture Conference - Feb 24-25, 2010
Join the 2010 Southeast Venture Conference in hosting some of the most dynamic high-growth companies in the Southeast, Feb 24-25, 2010 at the Ritz Carlton in Tysons Corner, Virginia.
The Fourth Annual Southeast Venture Conference will feature market relevant investor and executive panels, exclusive networking opportunities, featured speakers and dozens of the region's top private technology firms presenting to a national audience of venture capitalists, investment bankers and private equity investors.
The Southeast Venture Conference highlights both early stage and later stage investment opportunities from: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington DC.
The sold-out 2007, 2008 and 2009 SEVC’s held in Research Triangle Park, NC, Tysons Corner, VA and Atlanta, Georgia respectively featured over $80 billion in private equity investment capital represented in attendance.
Click here to see a sampling of some of the 2009 investor attendees.
Who Attends the SEVC? Close to 1000 of the region’s leading Entrepreneurs and High Growth Company Executives (from Startups to Pre-IPO), National Venture Capitalists and Private Equity Professionals, M&A facilitators and other leading professionals serving the high growth technology community.
The Fourth Annual Southeast Venture Conference will feature market relevant investor and executive panels, exclusive networking opportunities, featured speakers and dozens of the region's top private technology firms presenting to a national audience of venture capitalists, investment bankers and private equity investors.
The Southeast Venture Conference highlights both early stage and later stage investment opportunities from: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington DC.
The sold-out 2007, 2008 and 2009 SEVC’s held in Research Triangle Park, NC, Tysons Corner, VA and Atlanta, Georgia respectively featured over $80 billion in private equity investment capital represented in attendance.
Click here to see a sampling of some of the 2009 investor attendees.
Who Attends the SEVC? Close to 1000 of the region’s leading Entrepreneurs and High Growth Company Executives (from Startups to Pre-IPO), National Venture Capitalists and Private Equity Professionals, M&A facilitators and other leading professionals serving the high growth technology community.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Startup Professionals Musings: Ten Keys to an Investment-Grade Business Plan
Startup Professionals Musings: Ten Keys to an Investment-Grade Business Plan
Thanks to Glenn Kinstler for pointing this one out ( http://www.alabamalaunchpad.com/ ).
Very good bullet point post on the elements of a good pitch and probably something I will provide to our BAN presenter pool.
Now go build something.
Thanks to Glenn Kinstler for pointing this one out ( http://www.alabamalaunchpad.com/ ).
Very good bullet point post on the elements of a good pitch and probably something I will provide to our BAN presenter pool.
Now go build something.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Entrepreneurial Edge - In a Recession, Angel Investors Are a Little Less So - NYTimes.com
Entrepreneurial Edge - In a Recession, Angel Investors Are a Little Less So - NYTimes.com
Interesting article about some of the current issues facing both startup companies and their backers.
It's probably worth noting that here in Birmingham, I know of one VC firm that has recently raised a new fund and another VC group that has a portfolio company IPO planned in a couple of weeks, so things aren't completely grim.
Now get out there and build something.
Interesting article about some of the current issues facing both startup companies and their backers.
It's probably worth noting that here in Birmingham, I know of one VC firm that has recently raised a new fund and another VC group that has a portfolio company IPO planned in a couple of weeks, so things aren't completely grim.
Now get out there and build something.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)