Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana

"With an early stage company, you are part of the executive team, helping them with legal issues, term sheets, getting the right management team, developing business strategies and managing cash flow. If you have been an entrepreneur, you’re a great asset for them."

Due to the geographic concentration of the formal venture capital industry, a number of states—particularly in the nation’s mid-section—have introduced a variety of programs in order to promote a local venture capital industry.

The Fund of Funds, a venture capital development program created by the state Legislature in 2002, is in the early stages of building a portfolio of up to 15 venture capital funds that will invest in companies ranging from start-ups to mature businesses nearing the buyout stage.

What are you doing to facilitate entrepreneurial activity in your town?

This year’s Angel Oregon winner-take-all prize of $150,000 also boosts last year’s total by $25,000.

Bush’s pitch: Set aside a big chunk of that for business investment.

So in spite of the odds, you still want to become an angel investor? Here is some advice…

Each day we read about startups in Seattle, Silicon Valley and many other communities receiving substantial funding from either Angels or Venture Capital Firms but not in Montana.

The new offerings are designed to complement ACEF’s existing introduction to angel investing with two to four hour detailed workshops that target more experienced angel investors. The expanded offering points to the rapid growth of the angel investor community

"Matching a technology still in the lab to an entrepreneur, then possibly tapping alumni to fund the deal can be a very proper way to get businesses started."