"The thoroughness of due diligence performed by this group, the expertise of the members, and the professionalism of the fund management have been first class. You have created an enjoyable, easier, and I think better way to do angel investing in Oregon."
- Doug Fieldhouse, CEO, Vesta
For Investors
Who Invests in OAF?
Participating investors in OAF are some of the region's most successful and respected business leaders, including professional investors, venture capitalists, serial entrepreneurs, and active and retired executives. Over 90% of OAF investors have led or founded a business.
How do OAF Investors Contribute?
OAF investors collaborate on due diligence and use an anonymous, electronic voting system to make group investment decisions. OAF's collaborative approach and disciplined methodology, supported by a team of professional fund managers, ensure rigorous and extensive due diligence is performed before investment decisions are made. In addition, the process enables a high-degree of learning and meaningful interaction among the investors and between the investors and applying entrepreneurs.
Post-investment, OAF investors actively contribute to each portfolio company’s growth and development. Investors and fund managers frequently serve as board directors or observers, assist with raising additional capital, recruiting employees, making customer and partner introductions, and helping with business planning.
What is Venture 2.0?
OAF represents a new model in venture investing. Just as Web 2.0 took previously scarce information and services and made them abundantly available and put Internet users in the drivers seat, OAF is popularizing "Venture 2.0" by taking the mystery out of early-stage investing and putting the "limited partner" back in control. OAF is like a venture fund with some 60 general partners sharing their collective expertise, relationships, and wisdom to make better researched and more informed investment decisions.
Investors participate in OAF not just for the comfort, safety, and negotiating leverage of being a part of a professionally managed group, but also to have the experience of being actively involved in researching, selecting, and managing the investments themselves.
What are the Benefits?
Whether one is a first-time investor or experienced angel, OAF is structured to better address the risks of early-stage investing through a highly methodical, rigorous, transparent, and information-rich approach and process:
- Excellent deal flow – The lure of a $500,000+ investment from OAF, funded in a timely manner,drives entrepreneurs to the fund. In addition, OAF’s close association with the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network and Capybara Ventures boosts deal flow.
- Deep due diligence – OAF employs a methodical, disciplined, and rigorous approach to researching investments. The 8-10 week process capitalizes on the extensive expertise, relationships, and experience of both the fund investors and managers.
- Knowledgeable and sophisticated investors – Many OAF investors are seasoned entrepreneurs and investors who offer valuable insights throughout the investment selection process and are motivated to roll up their sleeves and roll out their Rolodexes post funding.
- Professional management – Four experienced early-stage investment professionals handle the administrative and technical details of managing the fund, negotiating investment terms, and supporting the investors and entrepreneurs. The managers individually invest in OAF each year and are committed to its long-term financial success.
- Diversified portfolio – Many investors participate over several years, thereby assembling a diversified portfolio of the most promising local early-stage growth companies more quickly and affordably than otherwise possible.
- Continuous learning – In addition to the on-the-job learning derived from participation in the fund, OAF managers organize workshops throughout the year on due diligence, term sheets and deal structures, valuations, investment strategies and success factors, and related topics.
OAF’s structure and process is designed to make angel investing fun and profitable. A recent Kauffman Foundation-sponsored study found that group angel returns significantly outpaced venture capital over the past 18 years. Higher returns were correlated with investing small amounts early in a company’s life cycle, establishing a diversified portfolio, collaborating with other investors, and actively engaging with portfolio companies.
Member Login
Members of the Oregon Angel Fund may login here to access business plans and supplemental materials, OAF due diligence write ups, meeting notes, calendar of upcoming meetings and events, portfolio company updates, OAF annual reports, and other resources and templates. Please contact OAF at 503-943-0913 if you need assistance accessing the secure website on Angelsoft.net.
Disclaimer
Membership in the Oregon Angel Fund is by referral and invitation only. Angel and venture investments involve a high degree of risk. Participation in the Oregon Angel Fund is limited to "accredited investors," as defined by the general rules and regulations of the Securities Act of 1933 of the Securities and Exchange Commission AND to investors who have such knowledge and experience in financial business matters that they are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of prospective investments.
This website is not an offer to sell or solicit investment in the Oregon Angel Fund, its portfolio companies, or applying companies. The Oregon Angel Fund does not operate as a broker-dealer or investment adviser and is not registered as such with any federal or state securities regulator.
"Imagine sitting in a room with the smartest, most interesting, most passionate businesspeople in Portland - and that's what OAF is. Surrounded and supported by this dynamic and inspiring group, one learns about all the up and coming companies in the area and has the chance to get 'in on the ground floor' of the region's best opportunities. OAF is unlike any experience I've ever been through and one that I highly recommend."
- Elicia Putnam, owner, 14 Hands
