A slumping economy hasn't dampened the
interest of angel investors in the Silver and
Gold Conference, says Dave Archer, executive
director of Nevada's Center for
Entrepreneurship and Technology.
NCET presents the annual event alongside
Golden Capital Network. The conference,
which looks to match investors with start-up
companies, is scheduled in Reno this week.
This year's event has drawn the same
number of angel investors as prior years,
Archer says.
"Will economy change the amount of early
stage investing? If you're a high net worth individual,
this could be a good time to invest in
start-ups,"Archer says. "Nobody wants to be
in the stock market right now."
Bob Goff, founder and chair of Sierra
Angels headquartered at Incline Village, says
that during the first half of this year, investor
activity was nearly as strong as last year.
"Venture capital was down, but angel
investing remains strong," he says."By nature
it's a long-term investment."
In fact, Goff adds,"History shows some of
the best starter companies got investment during
times of downsizing by larger corporations."
That's because when corporate workers
lose their jobs, they apply their creative ideas
to business start-ups.
Sierra Angels provides coaching and connections
as well as capital.
Scott Wait, a managing director of the
McLean Group in Reno, says,"We're still seeing
activity in middle market: $5 million to $50
million. There's no credit crisis for this segment."
Activity persists on both buying and selling
fronts, he says, adding that "The technology
and health care segment is still doing fine."
McLean Group helps companies fund
transactions and find investors.
The 8th Annual Silver & Gold Venture
Capital Conference Tuesday at the Peppermill
Convention Center will showcase up to 40
start-up companies seeking seed and earlystage
investment capital. Investors from
throughout the West will listen to the company's
sales pitches.
The conference also will feature the Best of
the West Early Stage Expo, which brings
together all critical components of the earlystage
value chain entrepreneurs, angel
investors, business and technology executives
during the conference reception. The opening
"Ballroom Blitz" allows all presenting companies
make one-minute "Power Pitches" to
introduce their business.
Registration information is online at goldencapital.
net.
