The U.S. Department of Commerce, Empire State Development Corporation, and Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE) joined forces today to sponsor a daylong workshop to help investors understand opportunities for Angel Investing.
The workshop, "Seed Investing as a Team Sport," is taking place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Inn on Broadway, 26 Broadway, in downtown Rochester. More than 40 people are participating in the workshop, learning from national experts who are sharing their best practices, expertise and personal insights on how to be a successful angel investor.
Keynote speakers at the event are Phillip J. Bond, U.S. Undersecretary of Commerce for Technology, and Charles A. Gargano, Chairman of Empire State Development Corporation.
"Thanks in large part to the U.S. Department of Commerce — the major underwriter of today's workshop — Empire State Development Corporation and Greater Rochester Enterprise have been able to bring national seed investing experts to Rochester," said Michael Finney, President and CEO of Greater Rochester Enterprise Inc. "GRE cannot stress enough the importance of seed investing and angel investors to the economic vitality of Greater Rochester. Angel investors contribute funds in the early development stages, giving start-ups the resources they need to grow, prosper and ultimately, create jobs. Simply put, angel investors give companies — and our community — the chance to revitalize Rochester's future."
Today's workshop is just one way Rochester is reaching out to potential angels. Recently, GRE partnered with three other groups — High Technology of Rochester, the Rochester Venture Capital Group, and Digital Rochester — to establish the Angel Network Task Force. The task force is working collaboratively to create a more robust and effective angel network in the region.
"Seed Investing as a Team Sport" is a working seminar developed and facilitated by the National Association of Seed and Venture Funds, an 11-year-old national organization committed to building local economies by facilitating investment in local entrepreneurs. The seminar has been held in more than 80 locations around the country.
During the workshop, investors will learn the basics of pricing and structuring seed investments, experience the use of team-based approaches for making and managing investments, network with other investors in our region, and receive a manual of essential due-diligence questions and an annotated bibliography of the very best seed-investing resources.
Investors also have the opportunity to hear from a local panel of experts that includes angel investors, venture capitalists, attorneys and entrepreneurs. Among them are Robert Mechur, President, Rochester Venture Capital Group; David Hessler, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, High Technology of Rochester; and Tony Quenelle of the New York State Small Business Technology Investment Fund.
About GRE:
Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE) is a public-private partnership established to professionally market the Rochester metropolitan region as a competitive, high-profile place for business location and growth. GRE will collaborate with business, academia, not-for-profit organizations and government to ensure a unified approach to regional economic development efforts.