Wisconsin River Business Angels

08/09/2022

If you put 10K or more in the stock market each year…

Do NOT take your money out of the stock market right now. Keep it in for when it rebounds.

But…

If you’re looking for another, more stable place to put your money, a place that’s not subject to being buffeted by the uncertainty of the market during these volatile times, we recommend angel investing. It is an option for accredited investors. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/accreditedinvestor.asp

3 problems with investing in the stock market:

1️⃣ You need to invest in the total market to beat the average
2️⃣ Stock prices often don’t reflect the company’s performance
3️⃣ Mob mentality mucks things up, especially in volatile, uncertain times like the present

Why angel investing is different:

1️⃣ We invest because of the prospects of the company and its team, not just price per share
2️⃣ We get to actively influence the value of the company through our mentorship
3️⃣ Investing as a group means strength in numbers - lots of smart people in the room who can jump in and solve problems
4️⃣ Angel investing grows and mentors local companies that directly impact communities you care about
5️⃣ Volatile times mean lots of entrepreneurs start innovative companies to solve problems - it’s when they’re at their best!

And we STILL beat the average thanks to diversifying our portfolio. According to the Angel Capital Association (ACA), “The average return of angel investments in this study is 2.6 times the investment in 3.5 years— approximately 27 percent Internal Rate of Return (IRR). This average return compares favorably with the IRRs of other types of private equity investment.”

Interested? Want to talk with us about how angel investing could help your portfolio? We can help you navigate the challenges. Set up a Zoom or coffee meeting with us: [email protected]

Want frequent updates on the investment activities of the WRBA? Join the mailing list at https://midwestwealthventures.com/subscribe-to-the-angel-impact-newsletter/

Learn more about investing with the Wisconsin River Business Angels, Central Wisconsin’s only angel investing group at: https://midwestwealthventures.com/

06/28/2022

All of us in the Wisconsin River Business Angels family congratulate WRBA investor-member Richard Okray for this tremendous honor!

We are fortunate to have Dick in the community and the WRBA. Glad to see your life's work and legacy honored at the World Potato Congress!

Okray was presented with the honor at the World Potato Congress, held in Dublin, Ireland, on May 31.

06/13/2022

The Wisconsin Technology Council (WTC) is hands-down one of our most important partner organizations.

In the thirty-second episode of Angel Impact we conclude a 2-part conversation with special guest Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council.

https://youtu.be/hE4GwgeutOs

We discuss:

1. How the WTC sees its role on the continuum of the entrepreneurial process in Wisconsin

2. Why the WTC can act like Switzerland in the investment world

3. Why Tom thinks the common public perception of equity investors as greedy is wrong, and what he sees more often as their primary motivation

4. The impressive amount of investment dollars in angel deals in Wisconsin in 2021 and why it’s part of a promising trend

5. How Wisconsin is attracting more and more out of state investment

6. How Wisconsin compares to other midwest states in terms of angel investment, and how we are working and poised to improve our standing

7. Why the WTC is such an important part of Wisconsin’s recent growth in entrepreneurship, technological innovation, and equity investment

8. How significantly Wisconsin has built entrepreneurial infrastructure over the course of Tom’s tenure with the WTC

9. Why the WRBA is actually a small but crucial part of a greater vision being carried out by Midwest Wealth Ventures (MWV) and how the WTC has helped to shape that vision

10. One of the important ways the WTC has helped to influence policy in Wisconsin to help grow and cultivate the entrepreneurial ecosystem

11. Closing thoughts from Jeff, Leon, and Jay about the value and importance of the WTC

12. Why the WTC relies on groups like the WRBA to carry out the WTC’s vision and mission on the ground in local communities

13. Why Tom is so optimistic about future of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Wisconsin

14. How the WTC helps Wisconsin to be a leader among states in investor collaboration

15. What Tom is most excited about in Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial ecosystem

Thanks for watching!

In the thirty-second episode of Angel Impact we conclude a 2-part conversation with special guest Tom Still of the Wisconsin Technology Council https://wisco...

06/09/2022

As usual we enjoyed attending the Governor's Business Plan Contest in conjunction with the Wisconsin Technology Council's Entrepreneur Conference.

We congratulate the winners for their much-deserved success!

This contest is always a valuable part of our investment pipeline, exposing us to valuable opportunities, and facilitating syndication efforts with fellow angel organizations.

Next week we're going to record and release a brief discussion about the opportunities we are pursuing for investment with the WRBA and why we are excited about them. We'll see you then!

The Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference begins this week (6/1-2) in Milwaukee!

Here are 10 reasons why you don't want to miss it!
https://bit.ly/3N10hzd

06/06/2022

The Wisconsin Technology Council (WTC) is hands-down one of our most important partner organizations.

In the thirty-first episode of Angel Impact we begin a 2-part conversation with special guest Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council.

https://youtu.be/zjK617sfrqo

We discuss:

1. Tom’s busy schedule, which includes helping Wisconsin lawmakers understand the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem

2. The 3 parts of the of the Wisconsin Technology Council’s mission

3. Why the WTC is “ecumenical” in its approach to industry, policy, and the investment world

4. Tom’s origin story and how he ended up in Wisconsin from Virginia

5. How Tom ended up at the WTC

6. Why the WTC helps the WRBA do the work that it does

7. How the WTC helped Jeff to shed misconceptions about angel investing and investors

8. How exposure the WTC gave Jeff a new perspective to share with his entrepreneurial students

9. How the WTC’s Governor’s Business Plan Contest and other events help to fill the WRBA’s deal pipeline

10. 2 of the companies that have come from the WTC’s events

11. How the WTC acts as a conduit between research, entrepreneurs, and investment dollars to the benefit of the state of Wisconsin

Enjoy, and tune in for part 2 next week!

In the thirty-first episode of Angel Impact we begin a 2-part conversation with special guest Tom Still of the Wisconsin Technology Council https://wisconsin...

05/27/2022

Recently Leon sat down with Angel Impact co-host Aaron Marx of Clearly Simple for a wide-ranging conversation touching on many of the areas the WRBA is currently involved in, and we’re releasing it as an exciting special 4-part series we’re calling Angel Update: From the Mind of Leon.

If you haven’t yet gotten a full sense of Leon’s brilliance, this is the series for you! We cover an investment pipeline update, Midwest Wealth Ventures’ plan for Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, new leadership in the WRBA, updates on current investments, and the upcoming Wisconsin Entrepreneur’s Conference through partner organization the Wisconsin Technology Council. Give a listen. If you are interested in entrepreneurship, investing, or Wisconsin’s economy you’ll definitely be glad you did!

Here’s Part 4 of 4, which includes:
• About the Wisconsin Entrepreneur’s Conference through the Wisconsin Technology Council (WTC)
• How the Governor’s Business Plan Contest has given the WRBA 2 opportunities for investment so far
• How the WTC provides a high level of networking for the WRBA
• How Jeff and Leon have a nose for finding opportunities at the national level through their network and awareness
• What Jay Wittman adds to the leadership of the WRBA and why he can see “the Matrix”
• How Aaron’s work has helped the WRBA to grow
• Some good vibes between Leon and Aaron

The Wisconsin River Business Angels is currently seeking to increase its investor base. If this conversation was interesting to you we invite you to learn more about the WRBA’s important work and how to become a member at: www.midwestwealthventures.com

05/26/2022

Recently Leon sat down with Angel Impact co-host Aaron Marx of Clearly Simple for a wide-ranging conversation touching on many of the areas the WRBA is currently involved in, and we’re releasing it as an exciting special 4-part series we’re calling Angel Update: From the Mind of Leon.

If you haven’t yet gotten a full sense of Leon’s brilliance, this is the series for you! We cover an investment pipeline update, Midwest Wealth Ventures’ plan for Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, new leadership in the WRBA, updates on current investments, and the upcoming Wisconsin Entrepreneur’s Conference through partner organization the Wisconsin Technology Council. Give a listen. If you are interested in entrepreneurship, investing, or Wisconsin’s economy you’ll definitely be glad you did!

Here’s Part 3 of 4, which includes:
• Updates on current WRBA investments
• How a WRBA investment is applying lithium ion battery technology to the massive forklift market
• How a WRBA investment is revolutionizing the way babies with jaundice are treated that is poised to capture international marketshare
• A memory of Aaron’s oldest child and what it was like to treat his jaundice
• Why a good angel group is a crucial strategic partner to scaling a company
• Why syndicating with other angel groups helps companies continue to scale

The Wisconsin River Business Angels is currently seeking to increase its investor base. If this conversation was interesting to you we invite you to learn more about the WRBA’s important work and how to become a member at: www.midwestwealthventures.com

05/25/2022

Recently Leon sat down with Angel Impact co-host Aaron Marx of Clearly Simple for a wide-ranging conversation touching on many of the areas the WRBA is currently involved in, and we’re releasing it as an exciting special 4-part series we’re calling Angel Update: From the Mind of Leon.

If you haven’t yet gotten a full sense of Leon’s brilliance, this is the series for you! We cover an investment pipeline update, Midwest Wealth Ventures’ plan for Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, new leadership in the WRBA, updates on current investments, and the upcoming Wisconsin Entrepreneur’s Conference through partner organization the Wisconsin Technology Council. Give a listen. If you are interested in entrepreneurship, investing, or Wisconsin’s economy you’ll definitely be glad you did!

Here’s Part 2 of 4, which includes:

• An introduction to VentureHome and how it will supercharge the ecosystem ecosystem of Wisconsin by keeping entrepreneurs in Wisconsin and bringing natives home

• Current locations of VentureHome and how it will come to Central Wisconsin

• How to get involved in making VentureHome a reality

• How university researchers can work together with business and marketing students using Opportunity Analysis (OA) to coordinate their efforts

• How Leon’s entire career has prepared him for the work of growing Wisconsin’t economic ecosystem through MWV

The Wisconsin River Business Angels is currently seeking to increase its investor base. If this conversation was interesting to you we invite you to learn more about the WRBA’s important work and how to become a member at: www.midwestwealthventures.com

05/24/2022

Recently Leon sat down with Angel Impact co-host Aaron Marx of Clearly Simple for a wide-ranging conversation touching on many of the areas the WRBA is currently involved in, and we’re releasing it as an exciting special 4-part series we’re calling Angel Update: From the Mind of Leon.

If you haven’t yet gotten a full sense of Leon’s brilliance, this is the series for you! We cover an investment pipeline update, Midwest Wealth Ventures’ plan for Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, new leadership in the WRBA, updates on current investments, and the upcoming Wisconsin Entrepreneur’s Conference through partner organization the Wisconsin Technology Council. Give a listen. If you are interested in entrepreneurship, investing, or Wisconsin’s economy you’ll definitely be glad you did!

Here’s Part 1 of 4, which includes:

• Investment Pipeline Update, with thanks to WIP

• An opportunity with WiSys to capture more innovation in the UW system

• Why green initiatives present opportunities for savvy angel investment

• The benefits of having diverse expertise in an angel investing group and network

• The stunning breadth of Leon’s global network

• Leon and the MWV’s vision for a mechanism to capture innovation in the UW system

• Why researchers understand their materials but not the needs of the market and why that matters in building a profitable business

The Wisconsin River Business Angels is currently seeking to increase its investor base. If this conversation was interesting to you we invite you to learn more about the WRBA’s important work and how to become a member at: www.midwestwealthventures.com

05/10/2022

Thanks to Tom Still and the Wisconsin Technology Council for this terrific article about the work we are doing in the Wisconsin River Business Angels (WRBA). We were pleased to have Tom present the keynote address last week at our annual investor social and dinner last week.

Also watch for a special episode of the Angel Impact Podcast featuring Tom which will drop soon.

InsideWis: Up the river with a paddle: Wisconsin River investors making waves by Tech Council | May 5, 2022 | Featured, Inside Wisconsin, NEWSROOM, Tech Council News By Tom Still PLOVER, Wis. – The village and town of Plover near Stevens Point are not unlike many mid-sized communities in Wisconsin...

04/28/2022

Thanks to Ignite Young Professionals and UW-Stevens Point School of Business and Economics for inviting WRBA President Jeff Ebel to present the keynote speech at this great event last night. So great to see all the young, growth-minded people in our community seeking to develop themselves professionally and entrepreneurially!

04/27/2022

We really enjoyed our conversation with Brad Bodden of Wisconsin Investment Partners (WIP).

In the the thirtieth episode of the Angel Impact Podcast we conclude this 3-part conversation and tell some fun stories about how everyone wins when angel investing groups collaborate.

Take a listen!

https://youtu.be/r4-J8nontH0

We cover:

1. All about WRBA and WIP’s collaborative investment, Nurse Disrupted and how the entrepreneur’s deep experience and business savvy combine to make a great investment

2. All about WRBA and WIP’s collaborative investment, Pyran and how its simplicity is one of the most impressive aspects

3. Why being an angel investor allows you to learn about exciting cutting edge technologies before they reach the marketplace

4. Why the value in use of Pyran was ultimately persuasive to WIP

5. Why the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Wisconsin was crucial for identifying Pyran as a scalable, investment-worthy business

6. Why the WRBA is an important leader in the Central Wisconsin region

In the thirtieth episode of Angel Impact we conclude a 3-part conversation with special guest Brad Bodden of Wisconsin Investment Partners (WIP) http://wisin...