Report for the 7th SABPA Entrepreneur Symposium (May 15, 2010)

The 7th SABPA Entrepreneur Symposium was held on May 15, 2010 at the Institute of the Americas, UCSD campus.  More than 60 people came to this event in a typically beautiful San Diego Saturday evening.  The event speaker Dr. Stephen Flaim, President of the Tech Coast Angels (TCA), presented an informative description of how TCA provide angel funding to startup companies in Southern California, particularly in the San Diego area.

Dr. Flaim first introduced the TCA organization, which was established in 1997.  Currently the TCA is the largest angel group in the U.S., with 250 members and 5 networks in various locations in Southern California.  Dr. Flaim described in detail TCA’s funding structure and process, including screening, due diligence, term sheet establishment, and final investment.  He also summarized the types of companies that TCA is interested in funding.  Last but not least, Dr. Flaim provided valuable information about what TCA investors are looking for in startups and what potential deal killers are for investments.  Given the current difficult funding climate, Dr. Flaim’s insightful account of how to attract investment is truly appreciated by many people in the audience who are contemplating starting companies.