Total number of investments significantly increased over previous years, continuing upward trend

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Tech Coast Angels (TCA), the nation's largest angel investment network, today announced it funded 37 investments in 2011 in a wide array of exciting, start-up businesses.

In 2011, TCA raised more than $45 million of total investment for its entrepreneurial companies, including more than $11 million through direct TCA investment – an 80 percent increase over 2010. Additionally, the total number of investments for the year is significantly up by almost 25 percent from 2010 and nearly 50 percent over the number of investments in 2009.

"We are more aggressive and investing actively as evidenced by the significant increase in the total number of investments over the past two years in innovative, forward-thinking new companies," said Stephen Flaim, Ph.D., FACC, FAHA, Chairman, Tech Coast Angels. "We are committed to identifying and nurturing bold, early-stage entrepreneurs with game-changing ideas and fostering their growth through connection, knowledge, mentoring and operational assistance – the cornerstones of our mission. This is an exciting time. We are energized about our upward trend and see no sign of slowing down."

This year's investment portfolio represented companies across a broad spectrum of growth industries including technology, biotech and pharmaceutical, social media, financial services, consumer products and green technologies. The companies funded by Tech Coast Angels in 2011 included Agilenano, Anabios, Angstrom Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Banshee Bungee, BeTheBeast, Continental Windpower, CosNet, Inc., Cyber-Rain, Define My Style, ExtendCredit, Groundmetrics, HitFix, H2Scan, LLC., Inhance Media, JobSync, Larada Sciences, LendAmend, Mobile Cause, Numira Bioscience, Inc., OlFactor, Olive Medical, Orion Data Analysis Corporation, PharmaSecure, Phone Halo, Ranker, Rx Timer Cap, SleepSafe Drivers, Social Rewards, Swarmology, Virtual Metrix, Vokle, WiSpry, Inc., YouMail, Inc. and Yowza.

About Tech Coast Angels

Tech Coast Angels (TCA) is the largest angel investor group in the United States. Its members provide funding and guidance to more early-stage, high-growth companies in Southern California than any other investment group. TCA members invest in companies in a wide range of industries, including the life sciences, biotech, IT, services, retail, Internet, financial, software, media, consumer products and tech startups. Since its inception in 1997, TCA has invested more than $119 million in direct funding to companies. 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. More information about investment with TCA can be found at techcoastangels.com, facebook.com/techcoastangels or twitter.com/techcoastangels.

SOURCE Tech Coast Angels

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.techcoastangels.com