By: Pat Gouhin, Chief Executive Officer

The Angel Capital Association along with the Association of University Research Parks, International Business Innovation Association, SSTI, University Economic Development Association, Association of Public & Land-grant Universities, Center for American Entrepreneurship, National Venture Capital Association and Technology Councils of North America recently pledged their support for the Regional Innovation Program (RIS; now Build-to-Scale) within the Department of Commerce.  The RI Program encourages and supports the development of regional innovation strategies by funding flexible awards with a 1:1 match. This program received funding of $33 million in Fiscal Year 2020. 

By: Pat Gouhin, Chief Executive Officer

I just returned from another trip to Washington, DC where I teamed up with our tax coalition partners; National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) , Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed).  We conducted a series of congressional visits with key representatives from the tax writing Senate Committee on Finance and House Committee on Ways and Means. We also met with the Assistant to the President for Financial Policy on the National Economic Council.  This coalition, started by ACA over four years ago by Public Policy Chairman David Verrill, brings a consistent voice to US tax policy that impacts investors and entrepreneurs. It is managed by ACA’s consultants at GrayRobinson.

By: Linda Smith, ACA Chair Emeritus

As we approach the anniversary celebration of our nation’s birth, there is also much to celebrate about your professional organization, the Angel Capital Association (ACA).  It has been my privilege to serve as the Chairman of the ACA for the past two years. I have had the opportunity to work with many of you to enhance our association’s impact, stature and relevance to the innovation ecosystem, particularly the key role we play in capital access and job formation. Thank you for your support. 

By: Jen Levy and Deb Doyle, Managing Directors of Golden Seeds

Reposted with permission from Golden Seeds blog.

How one woman’s journey into motherhood, coupled with her passion for transformational beauty products and medical devices, led to an innovative health solution for the enormous, but underserved female intimate care market.

Joylux is a FemTech company that creates innovative consumer and medical devices and products that transform women’s pelvic floor health, empowering women to live their best lives. Joylux seeks to improve vaginal health for postpartum, perimenopausal and menopausal women through its portfolio of non-invasive, at-home solutions using innovative red light, thermal energy and sonic vibration under the vSculpt and vFit brands. Joylux recently won the prestigious Luis Villalobos Award, given each year by the Angel Capital Association to the company considered the “most innovative company.”

By: Marianne Hudson, ACA Executive Director Emeritus

Two new board members were elected at the ACA Annual Members’ Meeting at the 2019 ACA Summit in Chicago.  Three current board members were re-elected for a second term and a new Chair and Vice Chair were elected.  The Board of Directors is currently made up of 15 members and four Chairs Emeritus. 

By: Emily Angold, ACA Marketing Manager

There are big things happening at the Angel Capital Association!  ACA is pleased to share that Patrick Gouhin began his new position as ACA’s new CEO on Monday, May 20.  Pat will step in to the leadership role previously held by ACA’s Founder and Executive Director Emeritus, Marianne Hudson, who is retiring after a transition period. 

By Lucy Howell, ACA Director of Partnerships 

The seventh annual Innovation Showcase took place last week at the 2019 ACA Summit in Chicago.  This special series of events provides selected companies the opportunity to present their pitch to the entire ACA Summit audience over the course of the Summit.  The Innovation Showcase is by invitation only and presenting companies are nominated by organizations - ACA member angel groups, venture funds, accelerators, and universities government agencies or trade commissions - that underwrite the Innovation Showcase.  The “showcase” represents an incredible opportunity for these underwriters to showcase their best portfolio companies to the angel investors and startup ecosystem leaders at the Summit.

By Sarah Dickey, ACA Membership Director

The Angel Capital Association had the very distinct honor of awarding Marianne Hudson the Hans Severiens Award at the 2019 ACA Summit in Chicago.  This annual national award recognizes one individual’s work in advancing the field of angel investing.  The criteria for this prominent award include depth of the individual’s impact on advancement of angel investing, leadership in bringing awareness of the field and contribution to the knowledge base of angel investing.  Marianne clearly demonstrates these qualities through her work in founding the association and growing it as ACA’s Executive Director.  ACA has become an important institution for angel investors and the startup ecosystem, providing education, data, smart practices and public policy advocacy for angel investors in every American state and five Canadian provinces.

By Sarah Dickey, ACA Membership Director

Congratulations to Joylux, a Seattle based women’s health technology company, which was awarded the Luis Villalobos Award today at the 2019 ACA Summit in Chicago.  The Luis Villalobos Award recognizes outstanding ingenuity, creativity and innovation among startups backed by ACA members.

By Sarah Dickey, ACA Membership Director

Three amazing companies funded by ACA members are finalists for the Luis Villalobos Award, honoring companies for ingenuity, creativity and innovation. The companies are:

• Aquacycl LLC – San Diego (nominated by Next Wave Ventures and also funded by the San Diego Angel Conference)
• GrandPad – Orange, CA (nominated by Tech Coast Angels and funded as well by Pasadena Angels and Harvard Business School Angels)
• Joylux – Seattle (nominated by Alliance of Angels and also funded by numerous ACA member groups:  Golden Seeds, Houston Angel Network, Puget Sound Venture Club, Belle Capital, Keiretsu Forum Northwest, Keiretsu Capital Fund, South Coast Angel Network, Portfolia and Sofia Angel Fund)