THIS IS WHAT AN ANGEL LOOKS LIKE - Kellee Joost

Meet Pipeline Fellowship alumna Kellee Joost

Title: Managing Director

Affiliation: Golden Seeds

imageDescribe the moment when you decided to become an angel:
I met a woman entrepreneur in a South African township who started a business and it was helping her overcome deplorable conditions to improve her life and the lives of many others—I thought this is a notion worthy of investment.  

What investments have you made since graduating from the Pipeline Fellowship?
*Woman founder!

Company: DayOne Response
Founder(s): Tricia Compas-Markman*

Company: Bespoke Global
Founder(s): Gwen Carlton*, Pippa McArdle*

Company: Cravebox
Founder(s): Aliza Freud*, Kitty Kolding*

What are your investment deal-breakers?
50/50 co-founder agreements.  Someone has to have the final say and who that will be must be determined at the beginning, and not when the company is at a crossroad.

What types of companies do you look to invest in?
When I first started, I thought I would focus on a particular niche, but so far I’ve been drawn to very different kinds of companies.  What they have in common is strong, thoughtful women at the helm. 

What do you look for in an entrepreneur/founding team?
I want to see a relentless pursuit of the end goal while exhibiting flexibility and creativity to overcome the hurdles along the way.

How has your background played a role in your angel investing?
I’ve walked miles in the entrepreneur’s shoes—from the start up to the exit, and with the peaks and valleys in between.  So, I have a good idea of what the entrepreneur might need, even before she knows she needs it.

imageOne piece of advice to an angel-in-training?
Pay more attention to the founders than the business idea when evaluating an investment.  Investing is a long term relationship so you’ll want to like them, work with them, and feel confident that they can execute.

One piece of advice to an entrepreneur looking for capital?
Assuming you are already leveraging your network and leaving no potential investment stone unturned, make sure you know your financial model forward, backward, sideways, and for every imaginable and unimaginable scenario.

What does impact investing mean to you?
I like the idea of going beyond the traditional investment goal of a financial return and adding the element of progress for the greater good. 

How would you define a for-profit social venture?
One that effects positive and measurable social change while practicing financial sustainability.

Favorite quotation?
Life is an adventure to be lived, not a problem to be solved. —Unknown

Random fact?
Anchovies on pizza?  Absolutely.

Apply to the Pipeline Fellowship and help change the face of angel investing! 

Recap: 2012 Bay Area Pipeline Fellowship Pitch Summit

Women social entrepreneurs pitch for a chance to secure funding from inaugural class of Bay Area Pipeline Fellows. 

by A. Lauren Abele, COO, Pipeline Fellowship

On Friday, December 7, Golden Gate University sponsored the inaugural 2012 Bay Area Pipeline Fellowship Pitch Summit with opening remarks by Rachel Van Cleave, Dean of Golden Gate University’s School of Law.

The 2012 Bay Area Pipeline Fellowship class heard pitches from various triple bottom line businesses, including:

  • FEM Inc. is a technology venture focused on the role of entertainment as a lever to drive positive outcomes in society, with an emphasis on girls and women.
  • Matter, Inc. is an industrial design and consulting studio that creates innovative product solutions for social needs and donates to parallel partners.
  • PlayNovation’s NATPlay, the Myers-Briggs for ADHD learning typologies, can be used for educational accommodation and provides individualized curriculum grounded in play science.
  • Qnova Health offers access to the U.S. healthcare system for every U.S. citizen, regardless of insurance status.
  • Repurpose is on a mission to become the leading brand in plant-based disposables, bringing high-performing alternatives to plastic and styrofoam to mainstream retail.
  • Skip to Renew produces petroleum-free, non-toxic, and biodegradable lubricants for industrial applications, with comparable cost and performance to petroleum.
  • Solar Network Solutions provides structured solutions for the data challenges facing the commercial solar industry, making solar more efficient one terabyte at a time.
  • SolWorks Innovations has developed a simple, low-cost solar water heater that retails for US$200, targeting middle-income households around the world.
  • Yasa Sourcing transforms procurement by providing companies with access to qualified women-owned businesses through networking technology.
  • Zero Bound offers a new path to financial freedom by helping students and alumni reduce debt through sponsored volunteerism.

“The ten women that presented each had a uniqueness that surprised and impressed—from passion for their mission to accomplishments in their field of study,” observed 2012 Bay Area Pipeline Fellow Jenn Viane Riese while offering the following tip to entrepreneurs preparing to pitch, “Acknowledge potential shortfalls or challenges and outline ways you’re addressing those issues.”

Wondering what else potential investors may be looking for in your pitch?  According to  2012 Bay Area Pipeline Fellow Tabitha Jordan, you should “succinctly describe the problem and your solution near the beginning of the presentation.  Don’t forget your personal connection, passion, and commitment.  What drives you?”

Interested in learning about angel investing and based in Boston, Chicago, DC, Miami, or NYC?
Apply to become a Pipeline Fellow: http://pfapply.bizodo.com/f/spring2013

Are you a woman social entrepreneur looking for funding from investors who value the triple bottom line?
Apply to present at an upcoming Pipeline Fellowship Pitch Summit: http://pfpitch.bizodo.com/f/8iJJML

imageA. Lauren Abele is the COO of Pipeline Fellowship.  Lauren holds a BA in English Literature and Environmental Studies from Washington University in St. Louis and an MPA in Economic Development and Comparative and International Affairs from Indiana University’s School for Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA).  You can find her on Twitter at @laurenabele.

THIS IS WHAT AN ANGEL LOOKS LIKE - Simone Castillo

Meet Pipeline Fellowship alumna Simone Castillo

Title: Senior Associate, International Development Assistance Services

Affiliation: KPMG

Describe the moment when you decided to become an angel:
When I learned about Pipeline’s mission, I saw the opportunity to continue my work with women and underserved communities while improving my investing acumen.  

image

What investments have you made since graduating from the Pipeline Fellowship?
*Woman founder!

Company: Happily Ever BorroWED
Founder(s): Brittany Haas*

What are your investment deal-breakers?
Does your pitch tell a story?  Is your board relevant and engaged? 

What types of companies do you look to invest in?
Women/minority owned startups, social impact, and STEM.

What do you look for in an entrepreneur/founding team?
Coachability and the capacity to pivot.  

image

How has your background played a role in your angel investing?
During high school, I was tasked with serving refreshments at my mother’s investment club meetings.  It was then that I was introduced to the importance of investing and doing so with a group of capable, like-minded individuals.  My interest in angel investing stems from this exposure and the desire to play a role in the advancement and development of women- and minority-led social ventures.

One piece of advice to an angel-in-training?
Jump in headfirst and don’t be intimidated by all the new information.  Lean on your fellow angels for help.

One piece of advice to an entrepreneur looking for capital?
Be as transparent as possible.  You should be able to clearly articulate your strengths and areas for growth.  

How would you define a for-profit social venture?
A for-profit social venture is a business that provides a service/product with a sustainable benefit to the public. 

Favorite quotation?
Don’t jump around your purpose, don’t simply step in it either.  Walk so deep in your purpose that you’re covered in it from head to toe. —Paul Carrick Brunson

Random fact?
I have a twin brother.

Apply to the Pipeline Fellowship and help change the face of angel investing! 

Entrepreneur Prep - Women entrepreneurs: Step up to the plate

By Natalia Oberti Noguera, Founder & CEO, Pipeline Fellowship

Women entrepreneurs don’t pitch as often as their male peers. I encourage women to step up to the plate, whether it’s asking for capital to fund their startup, or asking for a raise at work.

In 2011, only 12% of startups pitching to angels in the U.S. were women-led, according to the Center for Venture Research at the University of New Hampshire.  Out of that 12%, 26% secured funding.

Benefits of pitching
Feedback
Pitching your startup is a way that you can receive advice and suggestions from potential investors that can help your business model get closer to meeting market needs. 

Connections
Don’t view pitching as a zero-sum game where you either get funding, or you don’t.  Instead, view pitching as an opportunity for you to meet key influencers. While a potential investor may not be interested in investing in your startup, she/he may know someone who might want to learn more and, by pitching, you increase your network, as well as your chances of securing a relevant introduction.

And, yes, capital
One of my favorite sayings is, “If you want money, ask for feedback” (and we come full circle…).  Pitching is an opportunity for you to share your startup, engage people, and secure funding.  Whether someone wants to invest on the spot, or you receive a referral to a potential investor, remember that putting yourself out there can get you closer to raising capital.

Need a pep talk before venturing out to pitch?
Check out the Pipeline Fellowship Blog, which features candid interviews with members of our community, as well as an Entrepreneur Prep section.

Women social entrepreneurs, step up to the plate. Apply to present at an upcoming Pipeline Fellowship Pitch Summit for a chance to secure funding: http://pfpitch.bizodo.com/f/8iJJML

Article originally posted at Ideas Lab.

Natalia Oberti Noguera is Founder & CEO of Pipeline Fellowship. Natalia holds a BA in Comparative Literature & Economics from Yale.  She has been featured in Bloomberg Businessweek, Dowser, Forbes CSR Blog, ForbesWoman, Mashable, New Prosperity, Reuters Money, TechCrunch, and The New York Times.  Natalia was named to the Forbes list “Top 20 Women for Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter” and was selected as a Readers’ Pick for HuffPost Tech’s “27 Women in Tech You Need to Follow on Twitter.”  Women’s eNews recognized her as a 21 Leaders for the 21st Century for 2012.  Find her on Twitter (@nakisnakis).

Source: ideaslaboratory.com

Pipeline Fellowship Opens Call for Applications for its East Coast Programs

Angel investing bootcamp for women philanthropists announces 2013 spring programs in Boston, DC, and NYC.

The Pipeline Fellowship has opened a call for applications for its Boston-, DC-, and NYC-based angel investing bootcamps.

Please spread the word!  Here are some sample tweets:

#changetheratio in action! @PipelineFellows opens call for apps for #Boston, #DC, & #NYC angel investing bootcamps: http://pfapply.bizodo.com/f/spring2013

Based in Boston, DC, or NYC? Apply to Pipeline Fellowship’s spring 2013 angel investing bootcamps: http://pfapply.bizodo.com/f/spring2013 #changetheratio

Change the face of angel investing! -> Apply to Pipeline Fellowship’s spring 2013 East Coast programs: http://pfapply.bizodo.com/f/spring2013

ABOUT
The Pipeline Fellowship is an angel investing bootcamp for women philanthropists.  Fellows commit to invest in a woman-led for-profit social venture at the end of the training.

CRITERIA
The Pipeline Fellowship’s three main criteria are:
a) Meeting one of the accredited investor definitions
b) Interest in group learning model
c) Passion for philanthropy and/or social change

For most of our Fellows, this is their first angel investment.  They are attracted by the program’s three components (education, mentoring, practice) and benefit from the diversity of each cohort. Our Fellows are intergenerational (ranging from late twenties to 60+) and come from a variety of professional backgrounds.

“The Pipeline Fellowship was a fantastic experience and learning opportunity,” noted 2012 NYC Pipeline Fellowship graduate Galia Gichon, “The angel investing education was thorough, taught by top-notch business people in the industry and comprehensive.  At the same time, I was able to fulfill my personal mission of socially conscious investing and meet interesting women from various backgrounds.  I cannot recommend this experience enough!”

To learn more about our alumnae and how the Pipeline Fellowship is changing the face of angel investing, check out Pipeline Fellowship Blog’s “This is What an Angel Looks Like” section.

PROGRAMS
The Pipeline Fellowship has opened a call for applications for its Boston, DC, and NYC local programs (spring 2013).  Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis.

To apply, go to: http://pfapply.bizodo.com/f/spring2013

Are you a guy who supports the Pipeline Fellowship?  Encourage a female friend/colleague to apply.

Thanks in advance for sharing this opportunity with your networks!

THIS IS WHAT AN ANGEL LOOKS LIKE - Jessica Roazzi Magoch

Meet Pipeline Fellowship alumna Jessica Roazzi Magoch

Title: Founder & President

Affiliation: Get Hungry Get Happy Get Healthy

imageDescribe the moment when you decided to become an angel:
When I realized I could have more growth and make more of an impact by investing in private companies rather than large publicly traded ones.

What investments have you made since graduating from the Pipeline Fellowship?
*Woman founder!

Company: PhilanTech
Founder(s): Dahna Goldstein*

What are your investment deal-breakers?
The founder must have a strong advisory board and be willing to step down from her position when she realizes she’s outgrown her expertise.

What types of companies do you look to invest in?
Healthcare and software.

What do you look for in an entrepreneur/founding team?
Flexibility and an open mind to make changes and take advice from experts

How has your background played a role in your angel investing?
My expertise is in sales and that is usually one of the main areas lacking in a start up; if I feel I can help I will likely invest.

imageOne piece of advice to an angel-in-training?
Jump in headfirst and don’t be intimidated by all the new information. Lean on your fellow angels for help.

One piece of advice to an entrepreneur looking for capital?
Don’t look at investors as a necessary evil—consider them valuable advisors and cheerleaders.

What does impact investing mean to you?
If you believe your money is energy and that which you direct your energy toward will expand, it makes sense to put your money towards positive social impact.

How would you define a for-profit social venture?
A company whose primary mission is to have positive social impact and secondarily supports that in a for-profit structure

Favorite quotation?
How you treat yourself is how you treat God because you are the representation of God on this earth. —Iyanla Vanzant

Random fact?
I make a mean tomato sauce!

Apply to the Pipeline Fellowship and help change the face of angel investing! 

Ask our Network - Joy Anderson

Meet Gender Lens Investing Champion Joy Anderson

Title: Founder & President
Affiliation: Criterion Institute

Pipeline Fellowship Associate Angela Giacchetti sat down with Joy Anderson to learn more:



We need as many voices as possible not just practicing [gender lens investing]—practicing that is the first step…but then the second step is to say that out loud because others need to hear that you’re thinking about that, so we can amplify not just the practice, but the message behind the practice. —Joy Anderson

Learn more about Pipeline Fellowship’s gender lens investing approach at the 2012 Bay Area Pipeline Fellowship Conference.  To register, go to: http://2012bayareapipelinefellowshipconference.eventbrite.com/

Entrepreneur Prep - 5 Ways to Win Over a Social Angel

By Geri Stengel, President, Ventureneer

Don’t assume a socially conscious angel will be a soft touch. To win their money, you’ve got to get a lot of things right.

Angel investors bridge the gap between the money you have and the money you need to grow your business. Angels provided $8.9 billion for 26,300 entrepreneurs in the first half of 2011, according to the Center for Venture Research. That’s a nice pot of money, and by all indications, it’s even larger now.

Still, getting your share of it into your social enterprise is no small feat. Most pitches to angels fail.

To figure out how a social entrepreneur might beat the odds, I spoke with Dahna Goldstein, and two of the 10 women angels who in October last year invested $105,000 into her social venture, PhilanTech, an online system that increases the efficiency of managing nonprofit grants. Here is their advice:

1. Find the right angel for your start-up.
Goldstein struck her deal with graduates of the angel investing boot camp, Pipeline Fellowship, a for-profit venture started by 27-year-old entrepreneur Natalia Oberti Noguera to channel women philanthropists into angel investing.  To enter the program, women have to be what’s known as accredited investors (generally speaking, that means a net worth of at least $1 million or income of at least $200,000) and have a strong commitment to doing good in the world.

After intensive training in how to evaluate start-ups and pairing with a seasoned angel mentor, 10 partners pool their money to back a women-led, for-profit, social venture of their own choosing. Goldstein was a perfect match.

2. Present with clarity
“If you want my money, you better tell me how you are going to spend it wisely,” says Kelly Hoey, a Pipeline Fellow who is a lawyer and former law-firm manager. Going through the Pipeline training gave Hoey the confidence to co-found  Women Innovate Mobile (WIM) Accelerator and sit on three start-up advisory boards. Some applicants may think that women  will be “less rigorous than other angels,” said Hoey, and they therefore can skimp on the financial portion of their presentation. That’s a good way to get rejected, Hoey promises.

That’s true even of socially focused angels like Pipeline Fellows. Yes, they want to see a balance between financial return and social or environmental good, but that doesn’t mean they are easy marks. “You still have to clearly explain what your product does and how you will make money,” says Elizabeth Crowell, co-owner of the Brooklyn gift shop and ecommerce site Sterling Place.

Your graphics, presentation, and demeanor must all be professional and businesslike. Make sure critical financial information is easy to find and read; provides all the information needed (cash flow, revenue and expenses, etc.); and is based on realistic projections. When it’s time for the actual pitch, Goldstein urges:

  • rehearse
  • make all your points within the time allotted
  • hit all the criteria your angel cares about; for social enterprises that means addressing all three bottom lines: people, planet, and profit

3. Show the fire in your belly
No one wants to invest in a project that doesn’t  excite even the presenter. You’ve got to believe, you’ve got to care, and you’ve got to project that passion. A good pitch will make hearts race—yours and those of the angels.

4. Be persistent
A “no” is not a loss; it’s a lesson. “You may get a lot of no’s, but you’ll get valuable feedback and practice,” said Crowell. Since every angel has unique criteria for selecting an investment, a “no” from one doesn’t mean you can’t get a “yes” from someone else. Ask why you got turned down, tweak what needs fixing or look for an angel that wants your kind of venture. Make sure you’re pitching the right angels. Ask and ask again.

5. Once your angels have invested, talk to them a lot
Chances are, people who have enough money to be accredited investors know a lot about how to build a successful business. So once they’ve invested in you, get to know them. Your business will benefit and you will build a relationship.

“It’s not just about the money,” said Goldstein. “[At Pipeline Fellows] 10 women also provide their expertise and access to their Rolodexes.” When Goldstein was working on her sales strategy, she reached out to a Pipeline investor with sales experience for help structuring the sales compensation plan. It wasn’t cash, but it was extremely valuable all the same.

Bottom line: Angels are people. They like to be respected and appreciated for more than their money. But first, you need their money.

Learn more about angel investing at the 2012 Bay Area Pipeline Fellowship Conference.  To register, go to: http://2012bayareapipelinefellowshipconference.eventbrite.com/ 

Geri Stengel is the founder of Ventureneer.com, which pulls together in one place information that helps women entrepreneurs power up their business. An owner herself, she understands the challenges of growing beyond $1 million. Geri’s WOMEN WITHOUT CEILINGS column on Inc.com has more resources and advice for women social entrepreneurs. Find her on Twitter (@ventureneer).

Article originally posted by Inc.com.

Source: inc.com

THIS IS WHAT AN ANGEL LOOKS LIKE - Monica Barrera Vidler

Meet Pipeline Fellowship alumna Monica Barrera Vidler

Title: Dentist

Affiliation: Private Practice

Describe the moment when you decided to become an angel:
Having two daughters that I have encouraged to be independent since early in life paired with learning how successful women can be when given the opportunity has inspired me to become an angel to learn and support women in their new business projects.

image

What investments have you made since graduating from the Pipeline Fellowship?
*Woman founder!

Company: PhilanTech
Founder(s): Dahna Goldstein*

What types of companies do you look to invest in?
Companies that have a product or service with great potential to grow and that have a clear social objective.

What do you look for in an entrepreneur/founding team?
Good ideas, good vision, and knowledgeable on how to conduct business. 

How has your background played a role in your angel investing?
My background has definitively played a role because I know how much more difficult it is for a Hispanic woman to establish herself as a business owner and how getting financial help can make a real difference.

One piece of advice to an angel-in-training?
Try to get a mentor with whom you can feel comfortable, communicate well with, and who gives you the time needed to help you become more familiar with the process of angel investing.

imageOne piece of advice to an entrepreneur looking for capital?
Have a product/service that has a good chance to succeed in the market, a clear and complete business plan, and be knowledgeable about the field of your new proposed business.

What does impact investing mean to you?
Impact investing not only looks to create social good or improve the environment, but also offers good financial returns.

How would you define a for-profit social venture?
A very creative model of business where results are not only measured by profits, but also on the impact created on targeted social issues.

Favorite quotation?
I think the key is for women not to set any limits. —Martina Navratilova

Random fact?
I want to go high, but I am afraid of elevators.

Apply to the Pipeline Fellowship and help change the face of angel investing! 

Announcing the 2012 Bay Area Pipeline Fellowship Pitch Summit

The Pipeline Fellowship opens call for applications from women social entrepreneurs.

Women social entrepreneurs are invited to apply to present at the upcoming 2012 Bay Area Pipeline Fellowship Pitch Summit for a chance to secure a US$50k investment in exchange for equity and a board seat.

ABOUT
Approximately 8-10 social enterprises will be invited to present at the 2012 Bay Area Pipeline Fellowship Pitch Summit on Friday, December 7, 2012.  Three businesses will move forward to the due diligence phase.  Ultimately, one company will secure a US$50k investment, in exchange for equity and a board seat, by the 2012 Bay Area Pipeline Fellows.  

Previous Pipeline Fellowship Pitch Summits (recaps here and here) have featured a wide range of women-led for-profit social ventures seeking funding.  

CRITERIA
In order to be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
1) Must be at least co-owned and co-founded by a woman
2) Must have a for-profit legal structure
3) Must demonstrate a social and/or environmental mission

DUE DATE
Bay Area call for applications will close October 8, 2012.

NOMINATE
To nominate a woman-led for-profit social venture, go to: http://bit.ly/SjcWO9

APPLY
To apply to present at the 2012 Bay Area Pipeline Fellowship Pitch Summit for a chance to secure capital in exchange for equity and a board seat, go to: http://pfpitch.bizodo.com/f/8iJJML