Spring 2007
“The Best Gig in Town,” and MBA Fellows Rise to the Occasion
Every autumn, two new MBA fellows take over the day to day operation of the Alliance of Angels, 
screening business plans, working with entrepreneurs, and helping investors get the most out of their AoA membership. Rebecca Lovell and Avniel Dravid, the 2006-2007 program managers, are the latest in a line of energetic and knowledgeable MBA fellows serving as the public face of AoA. And they are overseeing a resurgence of investment by our members, culminating in the greatest number of deals completed of any year in the program’s history.
Since 1998, Alliance of Angels has excelled in bringing together investors interested in financing early-stage companies with high growth potential and innovative entrepreneurs seeking the dollars to go along with their dream. In 2005, AoA reached new heights in total funding directed to Pacific Northwest companies for the year. In 2006 it hit a new high with the number of deals completed, as 31 companies received a combined $5.8 million in investment directly from AoA members. Twenty of those companies were new to AoA, while 11 that had previously presented to the membership secured follow-on funding. Companies that participated in the AoA process received another $2.3 million in indirect funding last year, for a total program impact of $9.1 million.
“AoA has been on a roll,” observed AoA chair Dan Rosen. “Our deal flow, screening process, and assistance to entrepreneurs have led to a record number of deals being done. All of the deals AoA has funded in the last three years are still active, and most have received follow-on financings. We were cited as the most active angel organization in the U.S. This is indicative of the quality of entrepreneurs, the market conditions, and the maturing of our organization. This is a great time to be an angel.”
The MBA fellows who manage the screening process are integral to the program’s success and work closely with companies preparing to present to the AoA membership. Both of this year’s fellows brought to the program extensive knowledge and experience in working with entrepreneurs. As a result, the company screening and coaching process are thriving under their stewardship.
Rebecca, the 2006-2007 full-time K&L Gates fellow, received her MBA last June from University of Washington, where she was one of five members of the UW championship team that bested 50 other MBA programs in the international Venture Capital Investment Competition. She served as a leadership fellow coaching first-year MBA study teams, and as a career coach in the Business Connections Center. Rebecca also co-chaired the fundraising effort for the “Challenge for Charity” auction, which grossed more than $150,000 to benefit the Special Olympics and Boys and Girls Club. She was the UW MBA program’s first McGowan Scholar, awarded for academic achievement, entrepreneurship, leadership and community involvement.
Prior to earning her MBA, Rebecca was a business development manager at Preston Gates & Ellis LLP, after three years as the Director of Business Development for executive search firm Christian & Timbers. Previously, she hired, trained and managed teams from five to 20 staff at a $5 billion distribution company. With a passion for non-profit work and social service, she has been a consultant to Rosehedge, a non-profit AIDS housing and health care organization, and has served as a board director and on various committees of the Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas since 2002. Rebecca earned her bachelor of arts in history from Carleton College.
“The Alliance of Angels fellowship is the perfect confluence of business analysis, coaching and community enrichment, and I can’t imagine a better way to strengthen my experience and further develop my career,” said Rebecca. “The opportunity to work with talented and insightful investors, as well as inspired and driven entrepreneurs, has been incredibly rewarding.”
Rebecca will be staying with AoA when her fellowship concludes this summer as director, overseeing the new fellows and continuing to build upon the success of AoA’s entrepreneur education efforts.
Avniel, the 2006-2007 part-time Alliance of Angels fellow, is currently an MBA candidate at UW, where he serves as president of the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Club and as a leadership fellow for the incoming first-year MBA class. Avniel has also participated in leadership teams for the business plan competition sponsored by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship as well as the study tour to India sponsored by the Global Business Center. For a summer internship, Avniel was a Gates Fellow, a position supported by WRF Capital to provide practical experience to students with an interest in commercializing technology.
In his previous positions with Penn Mutual Life Insurance and C-bridge, Avniel led global technical teams and built enterprise solutions for the financial services industry. His prior experience included varied roles at several well-funded startup companies, including Wizzard Software, a speech recognition company, and The VINE, a portal for entrepreneurs looking for funding and services. Avniel earned his B.S. in management information science from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University.
“As someone new to Seattle, I wanted to join an organization immersed in the local startup scene,” said Avniel. “At the Alliance of Angels, I have an opportunity to meet seasoned investors and bright entrepreneurs, and to better understand the investment climate.”
“Simply stated, this is the best gig in town for a startup-minded business student.”
TA Annual Luncheon Preview: A Candid Conversation with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer
- Thursday, May 31, 2007
- Washington State Convention & Trade Center
- Seattle
- Networking and registration: 11:00 am in the Skybridge
- Doors open: 11:30 am
- Luncheon program: 11:45 am – 1:30 pm
We don’t call Washington the “State of Technology” for nothing. Washington is home to a vibrant cluster of world-class research institutions and innovative companies delivering breakthrough discoveries and new products and services that enhance our lives at home, at work and at play.
Microsoft’s impact on all three can not be overstated. It is one of the most influential technology companies in the world, and one that put Washington firmly on the innovation map. On Thursday, May 31st, TA board member Ed Lazowska of the University of Washington will sit down with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to find out how the company does it, where it goes from here, and what he thinks Washington needs to do to cement our claim as the “State of Technology” far into the future.
Stalking the World’s #1 Cancer Killer: Dr. Alan Nelson Shares His Vision for Regular Lung Cancer Screening at the Seattle Science & Technology Discovery Series
The World Health Organization estimates that one million new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed annually around the globe. At least 21 million people in the United States alone are considered to be at high risk of developing the disease, and 162,000 of those die of lung cancer each year at a cost of $50 billion. 
Most lung cancer cases are diagnosed in the later stages, when the five-year survival rate barely approaches 15%. Early detection could improve the rate to 75% or greater – if only we had an effective way to screen for the disease.
Thanks to Dr. Alan Nelson and VisionGate, we may soon have one. In his presentation to Seattle Discovery Series members, Dr. Nelson shared these grim statistics on lung cancer and how a breakthrough technology developed by his company, Gig Harbor-based VisionGate, Inc., has the potential to revolutionize how we deal with this killer disease.
The Science & Technology Discovery Series: Food for Thought!
Our Seattle and Spokane Discovery Series programs bring you the latest developments in science and technology from our state’s most innovative institutions and companies. All our members have to do is bring their curiosity – and a healthy appetite. Here, we look ahead to what’s on tap for the remainder of this season, and offer a sneak preview of what’s coming up in 2007-2008.
A Warm Welcome and Heartfelt Appreciation to Our New and Renewing Board Members
The Technology Alliance board is pleased to welcome four outstanding leaders to its ranks in 2007: Marc Diamond, KPMG LLP, Mark Emmert, University of Washington, Jeremy Jaech, Trumba Corporation, and Lura Powell, Advanced Imaging Technologies, Inc. The TA is also celebrating the continuing commitment of 13 members who recently extended their board service.