Tech Coast Angels Provides Experts in Residence to Ventura Ventures Tech Center

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tech Coast Angels (TCA), the largest angel investment network in the U.S., today announced that the TCA Central Coast Network has been named one of the founding Experts in Residence at the Ventura Ventures Tech Center (V2TC), a unique entrepreneurial incubator started by the City of Ventura.

The Ventura Ventures Tech Center provides space for aspiring start-up companies. The Experts in Residence program brings leaders in all areas of business to the incubator to provide information and mentoring to the entrepreneurs. At least one TCA member will be available at the Center each month to give the companies advice on financing, angel investment and all the preparations necessary to make the leap to viability.

According to Mike Panesis who heads the TCA Central Coast Network, which serves entrepreneurs from Ventura to Santa Barbara County, "TCA is valuable to these new start-ups as a potential source of financing, but even more important, is the mentoring we can bring. We know what investors are looking for and can guide entrepreneurs in the development of the right tools and plans to both impress a group of angels or VCs, and to put the company on the road to success. This kind of mentoring is a fundamental part of the TCA Charter."

"Tech Coast Angels is a vital part of our tech sector growth effort here in Ventura. I'm thrilled that they'll be participating in V2TC's Expert in Residence program," said Bill Fulton, Mayor, City of Ventura.

According to Joey Briglio, executive director, Ventura Ventures Tech Center, "V2TC is all about reducing risk for start-up companies and connecting them to the right resources. Mike Panesis and the Tech Coast Angels offer tons of expertise when it comes to developing businesses and assisting entrepreneurs. That is why our companies will benefit greatly from their participation in our Expert in Residence (EIR) program."

About Tech Coast Angels

Tech Coast Angels, www.techcoastangels.com, is the largest angel investor network 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 clean technology, consumer products and services, digital and social media, financial services, hardware and software technologies, and life sciences and healthcare. 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 250 members in five networks in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Central Coast (Westlake/Santa Barbara) and the Inland Empire (Riverside and San Bernardino Counties). More information on Tech Coast Angels can be found at www.techcoastangels.com, www.facebook.com/techcoastangels or twitter.com/techcoastangels.

SOURCE Tech Coast Angels