Angel Capital Association
Encyclopedia
Angel Capital Association (ACA) is the official industry alliance of over 100 of the largest angel investor
groups in the United States. Since its founding in 2004, it has played a significant role in bringing together the previously separate angel and venture capital
industries, in order to make networking, practices, and innovation in the field of investment easier.
ACA, which grew out of four Angel Organization Summits convened by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
in 2002 and 2003, sponsors an annual summit meeting in a different city each year at which the leaders of the major organized angel groups, together with government leaders, academics and venture capitalists, share best practices and build new ideas based on this knowledge. ACA has become the nationally recognized voice of the angel investment community in the US, mirroring the role that the National Venture Capital Association
plays for the venture community.. ACA is the official US representative member of the World Business Angels Association
.
Since ACA was formed with a charitable purpose of education and research in the field of angel investment, chairmembers and leaders of ACA are frequently involved in educational programs such as the Power of Angel Investing Seminars produced by ACA's affiliated foundation, the Angel Capital Education Foundation
. While individual angel investors and angel group leaders participate in ACA events, membership in the organization itself is only for organized groups of angel investors that meet ACA's requirements, and not for individual investors. ACA's website lists angel groups across the nation which bring together investors in local regions or specific industries.
The founding Chairman of ACA was James Geshwiler of Common Angels in Boston
, who was succeeded by John May
of the New Vantage Group in Washington DC. The current chairman of the organization is John Huston of the Ohio Tech Angels Fund.
Angel investor
An angel investor or angel is an affluent individual who provides capital for a business start-up, usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity...
groups in the United States. Since its founding in 2004, it has played a significant role in bringing together the previously separate angel and venture capital
Venture capital
Venture capital is financial capital provided to early-stage, high-potential, high risk, growth startup companies. The venture capital fund makes money by owning equity in the companies it invests in, which usually have a novel technology or business model in high technology industries, such as...
industries, in order to make networking, practices, and innovation in the field of investment easier.
ACA, which grew out of four Angel Organization Summits convened by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a non-profit foundation based in Kansas City, Missouri. It has an asset base of $2 billion...
in 2002 and 2003, sponsors an annual summit meeting in a different city each year at which the leaders of the major organized angel groups, together with government leaders, academics and venture capitalists, share best practices and build new ideas based on this knowledge. ACA has become the nationally recognized voice of the angel investment community in the US, mirroring the role that the National Venture Capital Association
National Venture Capital Association
The National Venture Capital Association is the leading trade association representing the venture capital industry in the U.S. The NVCA represents the venture industry in public policy debates in Washington, DC, and promotes high professional standards, professional development, and interaction...
plays for the venture community.. ACA is the official US representative member of the World Business Angels Association
World Business Angels Association
The World Business Angels Association is an international, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to stimulate the exchange of knowledge and best practices in the field of global angel capital financing for high growth and innovative startups....
.
Since ACA was formed with a charitable purpose of education and research in the field of angel investment, chairmembers and leaders of ACA are frequently involved in educational programs such as the Power of Angel Investing Seminars produced by ACA's affiliated foundation, the Angel Capital Education Foundation
Angel Capital Education Foundation
The Angel Capital Education Foundation is a United States-based not-for-profit organization that carries out research and education activities related to the field of angel investing...
. While individual angel investors and angel group leaders participate in ACA events, membership in the organization itself is only for organized groups of angel investors that meet ACA's requirements, and not for individual investors. ACA's website lists angel groups across the nation which bring together investors in local regions or specific industries.
The founding Chairman of ACA was James Geshwiler of Common Angels in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, who was succeeded by John May
John May (angel investor)
John May is the Managing Partner of the New Vantage Group, which has organized five angel investing organizations in the Washington, D.C. area since 1999, placing funds into more than 50 companies.-Biography:...
of the New Vantage Group in Washington DC. The current chairman of the organization is John Huston of the Ohio Tech Angels Fund.