Summer 2009
Greg Huey Brings a Wealth of Investment Experience to Position of AoA Program Director
Alliance of Angels was pleased to welcome Greg Huey, former principal at Seattle-based Frazier Technology Ventures, as the new AoA program director. Greg's primary mission as he takes the helm will be to strengthen investor outreach and education, building on the program's robust deal flow and status as the Northwest's premier entrepreneur-friendly angel investing group.
"I'm very excited to join the AoA team and build upon the great work that everyone has been doing here," said Greg. "I am particularly eager to work with the Seattle entrepreneurial community again as well as leverage my private equity and venture capital background to serve as an asset to the organization and its members."
Greg joins AoA at an exciting time in the program's history. Having directed $6.4 million to 36 early stage companies in 2008 - a 64% increase over the previous year's investment and the second-highest yearly total in 11 years of operation - AoA is poised to amplify this impressive level of activity with its new Seed Fund ready to co-invest in deals with individual angels.
While at Frazier, Greg participated in all aspects of the firm's venture investing. This included the sourcing and structuring of deals, due diligence, and service on the boards of Frazier's portfolio companies.
"Greg emerged as the exceptional candidate from a very competitive field of applicants for this position," said Dan Rosen, chair of Alliance of Angels and CEO of Dan Rosen & Associates. "He was a member of AoA during his time at Frazier Technology Ventures, so he brings a familiarity and appreciation for what we do in addition to a wealth of experience working with investors and startup companies."
Before arriving at AoA, Greg spent 18 months in London, England overseeing corporate development for Hewlett-Packard in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He previously held positions at private equity firm GTCR Golder Rauner, LLC and investment bank Alex. Brown & Sons, Inc. He holds a Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgetown University.
Alliance of Angels Launches Seed Fund to Supercharge Early Stage Investment
Building on its well-earned reputation as one of the most active angel groups in the nation, Alliance of Angels announced this spring the launch of its new AoA Seed Fund. The Fund will capitalize on AoA's screening process and network of savvy investors to have an even greater impact in supporting the growth of innovative, young companies in the region.
The Fund made its first investment in June, directing $235,000 to online project management software developer LiquidPlanner. The investment was in addition to a combined $385,000 the company received from individual AoA members in recent months.
Think of it as angel investing, supercharged.
Framing the Future of Computing and of Washington's Long-Term Competitiveness
On May 1st, more than 700 business, research and policy leaders from across the state were on hand for the premier event for Washington's innovation community: the Technology Alliance's 2009 State of Technology Luncheon.
Governor Chris Gregoire kicked off the event, expressing appreciation for the innovative, forward-looking members of the audience who represent Washington's economic future. Other highlights included the Alliance of Angels 2009 Company of the Year announcement and key findings from the Technology Alliance's latest study benchmarking Washington's competitiveness in the drivers of a successful innovation economy.
The program culminated in a keynote conversation featuring one of those forward-looking innovators, Microsoft Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie.
An experienced entrepreneur and industry visionary, Ozzie joined TA board member Ed Lazowska of University of Washington Computer Science & Engineering onstage to share his insights into the future of computing.
TA Chair Jeremy Jaech Urges Washington to "Put the Pedal to the Metal" in the Race to Grow Our Innovation Economy
Since 2003, the Technology Alliance has periodically benchmarked Washington's progress in advancing the essential drivers of a successful innovation economy: excellence in K-12 and higher education, strong public and private research, and a robust entrepreneurial climate.
At the 2009 State of Technology Luncheon, Jeremy Jaech, CEO of Verdiem, revealed which states are in pole position.
Important Dates
- September 1
- Alliance of Angels 10-Minute Pitch Clinic
- 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- Seattle
- September 11
- Science & Technology Discovery Series
- Featuring: Tadayoshi Kohno, University of Washington
- Computer Science & Engineering
- 7:30 am - 9:00 am
- Seattle
- September 17
- Technology Alliance Board Meeting
- 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Seattle
- September 28-30
- Technology Institute
- Leavenworth
