ACA Partners

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

The Angel Resource Institute is a charitable organization devoted to education and research in the field of angel investing, a growing driver of our entrepreneurial economy. Information, education, data, and research analysis is available to investors, entrepreneurs, policy makers, state and local entrepreneurial support professionals, university faculty and students, and others interested in learning more about angel investing.

LEGAL SERVICES

Foley Hoag LLP is a leading national law firm in the areas of dispute resolution, intellectual property, and corporate transactions for emerging, middle-market, and large-cap companies. With a deep understanding of clients strategic priorities, operational imperatives, and marketplace realities, the firm helps companies in the biopharma, high technology, energy technology, financial services and manufacturing sectors gain competitive advantage. The firm's 225 lawyers located in Boston, Washington, and the Emerging Enterprise Center in Waltham, Massachusetts join with a network of Lex Mundi law firms to provide global support for clients largest challenges and opportunities. For more information visit www.foleyhoag.com.

View an article for an introduction to sidecar funds for angels - by Peter Rosenblum of Foley Hoag

View the archive of the March 2, 2011 ACA, ACEF & Foley Hoag Webinar - Nuts & Bolts of Executing Successful Exits - Presentation Slides

BANKING AND PRIVATE EQUITY

Silicon Valley Bank is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs succeed and grow their businesses, faster and smarter. The SVB Accelerator offers:

• Comprehensive, competitively priced financial products and services for each stage of growth whether you're just getting started or on your way with more complex financial needs.
• Dedicated service representatives who work with startups every day and understand their unique banking needs.
• An online commercial banking platform that accommodates multiple employees with varying permission levels, and is compatible with Intuit® QuickBooks.
• Flexible lending solutions designed to differentiate between perceived and real risk. Our credit solutions are tailored to manage risk most banks try to eliminate it.
• Simplified management of company-issued stock and options with CapMX®, our eProsper unit's proprietary, web-based corporate equity management solution

More information is available at www.svb.com/accelerator.

DEAL FLOW AND COLLABORATION SOFTWARE

Gust (formerly Angelsoft) is ACA's official software for administering angel investment groups. Gust's software provides a secure system to manage angel group deal flow and syndication with other angel groups and smart investors. The platform allows angel groups to capture deals, process them through a customizable work-flow process and collaborate with other investors. As the official platform of the world's leading angel and venture associations, Gust is the industry standard.

For entrepreneurs, Gust provides the complete tool set for professional investor relations from pitch to exit.

BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR DUE DILIGENCE

For over a decade Castle Branch has been helping businesses make safe and informed hiring and investment decisions by providing the best in employment and business-to-business background screening. Castle Branch background screening investigates an individual or organization's criminal, financial and legal history, potentially bringing to surface a background of criminal and civil records, bankruptcy and divorce. In-depth background screening from Castle Branch is an excellent complement to the due diligence process of ACA members.

SOFTWARE FOR STARTUPS

Ignite your startup by enrolling in Microsoft BizSpark, a global program designed to accelerate the success of early stage startups. BizSpark provides fast, easy access to current full-featured Microsoft development tools and productions licenses of server products; professional technical support from Microsoft; and connections to a global community of business experts who can help guide you through the hurdles of growing your business. Microsoft BizSparks requirements are minimal and there are no upfront costs to enrollment. So get fired up and visit the Microsoft Startup Zone to learn more.

MEMBER RECOMMENDED SERVICE PROVIDERS

Many entrepreneurs and investors have asked for suggestions of service providers that work with angel investing groups. This section profiles firms that work with and are recommended by ACA members and that have paid a fee to be included in this directory. It is not a complete listing of all of the firms that work with our membership and the firms should be viewed as endorsed by members, rather than ACA itself. Any time you are considering entering into a contract with service firms, we encourage you to conduct your own due diligence first. This is a new service on the ACA Web site, so note that we will be adding new firms - and new categories of service firms - regularly.