December Investor Meeting Highlights

December 20, 2018

By: Dennis Ensing

Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the city, SWO Angels’ members were stirring, even their spouses. Angel portfolios were hung by chimneys with care, in hopes that successful exits soon would be theirs. Their founders, nestled all snug in their labs while visions of product-market fit danced in their heads.

But before any could settle down for the Holidays, one more Investor Meeting and a Party need be held. So out on the greens of Highland Country Club there arose such a clatter, many sprang to see what was the matter. Away to the projector Ensing flew like a flash, tore open his Mac and threw up the splash. The lamp on the breast of the new-drawn screen gave the lustre of mid-day to objects thereon. When, what to everyone’s wondering eyes should appear but Daryl of SmartTones, second screen in hand, and William of Chalk with his teacher workflow all mapped out.

More rapid than eagles SWO Angel’s members came, and Ensing whistled and shouted, and called them by name.

“Now, Batt! now, Gicante! now, Poulin! and Lover! On, Vanderlaan! on Beattie!, on, Mastorakos! and Hill! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now invest away! invest away! invest away all!”

Actually that’s not how our final event of 2018 unfolded, but everyone who attended the Investor Meeting and Holiday Party, including many members’ spouses, were in a festive mood, with the appreciated assistance of event sponsor BDC.

Snapshots of the 2 ventures who presented at our 4:00 meeting are included above. A short AGM then served as a transition before the bar opened and food offerings circulated.

Investment Update: We finished with a strong December that had 4 separate closings. So, 2018 finished with more than $2.5 million invested by SWO Angels members in 11 companies, including 2 follow-ons. The companies raised an additional $5 million in leveraged funds.

December Presenting Companies:

SmartTones combines their Fan Engagement Platform for brands with a Sports Loyalty Program for fans, leveraging the lean-in moments where the audience is most engaged to deliver advertising return on investment. Their technology connects TV, radio and sports directly to smartphones and other devices, delivering relevant, contextual calls to action and enabling measurement to solve the biggest problem for traditional media: attribution.

Deeper dive: Monday January 7

Chalk is a K-12 education software company that utilizes data to help schools. Chalk connects the curriculum, instruction, and assessment process and provides real-time insights for educators to improve academics. From small, independent schools to large, national school networks, Chalk is behind the academic strategies influencing millions of students.

Deeper dive: Wednesday January 9

Details of location and dial-in to be provided separately, or on request, for the deeper dives with company principals scheduled as noted. Both also presented earlier in the week to our angel group Alliance partners, Golden Triangle Angel Network (GTAN) and Angel One Network.

Event Update: Our next Investor Meeting is scheduled for 7:30 am on Thursday January 24 in the MVP Lab at the Convergence Centre. Please let me know if you are an accredited investor and interested in attending. Also, stay tuned for our 2019 Lunch & Learn Series to be announced early in the new year.

Best wishes for a happy & successful 2019!