San Diego Tech Coast Angels Establishes John G. Watson Foundation

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The San Diego Network of Tech Coast Angels (TCA), the largest angel group in the United States, announced that the organization has established the John G. Watson Foundation to support entrepreneurism in the San Diego region. The 501(c)(3) Foundation is enabled by a $1 million gift to TCA San Diego from the family of John G. Watson.

"John loved investing, innovation, and the entrepreneurial spirit that he discovered when he arrived in San Diego," said Gillian Ison, John's sister. "We believe that a foundation supporting entrepreneurism is the best way to honor his memory and his life."

The Foundation will use investment earnings from the Watson family gift to fund specific TCA-San Diego network activities that promote entrepreneurism, beginning with the provision of cash awards to winners of the annual San Diego Quick Pitch event.

"John had an extraordinary ability to evaluate investment opportunities and enjoyed the Quick Pitch evaluation and selection process," said Stephen Flaim, president, San Diego Tech Coast Angels. "In 2009, he organized one of our most successful TCA San Diego Quick Pitch events ever, so it is fitting that the new Foundation will initially support winners of this annual activity."

John Watson joined the TCA San Diego network in 2008 following a long and distinguished career in pharmaceutical and life sciences. Over the course of 35 years, he served in various marketing, managerial and executive positions at companies including Dow Chemical, Johnson & Johnson, Wyeth Laboratories, and ICN Pharmaceuticals. John served as COO of both Vestar Inc. and Galagen Inc., before becoming CEO and president of Ionian Technologies in San Diego.

Shortly after his 2008 retirement, John joined TCA San Diego. He was elected to the network's Board of Directors the following year. In addition to his TCA activities, John regularly volunteered in the San Diego/La Jolla community and enjoyed athletic activities, including ocean swimming, hiking, biking, and skiing.

An English native, John earned a bachelor of science degree in economics from Cambridge University before coming to the United States to study as a Fulbright Scholar at Indiana University, where he earned a master's degree in marketing and finance.  

About Tech Coast Angels

Tech Coast Angels, www.techcoastangels.com, the largest organized angel investor group in the United States, provides funding and guidance to more early-stage, high-growth companies in Southern California than any other investment group. Since its inception in 1997, TCA members have focused on building valuable companies, personally invested more than $115 million, and helped more than 187 portfolio companies attract more than $1.4 billion in additional capital, mostly from venture capital firms. TCA members give companies more than just capital; they also provide counsel, mentoring and access to an extensive network of potential investors, customers, strategic partners, and management talent. TCA has more than 300 members, including its venture capital affiliates, in five networks in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Central Coast, and the Inland Empire.

For More Information:
Michele Parisi
(925) 429-1850
[email protected]

SOURCE Tech Coast Angels, San Diego