A couple days ago, I was speaking with an attorney who works with a lot of startups in Chicago--and has been doing so since before the 2001-bubble. I asked him what he thought about early-stage investing here and the response I received was that the angel environment here isn't like it is on the coasts--and especially not what it's like in California.
Chicago isn't Silicon Valley, and I don't think it should strive to be like it. But Northern California does know how to do startups. One of the reasons that the startup culture out there is so strong is directly related to the investing culture. So how do we encourage more investors to start investing at earlier stages? Would it help if there were more pitching and funding events in Chicago? I ask because I noticed that Open Angel Forum is interested in expanding to more cities.
Our Mission: The Open Angel Forum (OAF) is dedicated to providing entrepreneurs with access to the angel investor community based solely on merit (and without fees). Additionally, we strive to build collaboration between angel investors and to inspire high-net worth individuals to become angels.
They are already in a bunch of cities across the country, such as Boston, Boulder, LA, London, NY, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley. But no Chicago. I know there are already a few angel groups in Chicago, but isn't there room for another? Any thoughts or suggestions on who might be able to make this happen?
