The Investors’ Circle is the group working for the growth and expansion of businesses with high social and environmental impact. The group basically focuses on the entrepreneurs that wish to create a more sustainable world with their business. The Investors’ Circle offers such entrepreneurs a platform to meet and connect with a wide range of audience of angel and institutional investors, including both IC-members and non-members. It helps entrepreneurs to take advantage of the extensive formal networking with investors.
The Investors’ Circle invites early-stage entrepreneurs to apply for participation in its network of socially responsible angel investors, venture capitalists, foundations, and family offices at the next Venture Fair scheduled for Oct 26-28 in Philadelphia, PA. All applications will automatically be considered for other events (Virtual Venture Fairs, co-produced events), referral to other angel investment groups, and circulation amongst Investors’ Circle members on a rolling basis.
Investors’ Circle Staff Review
IC will review your application within four weeks of its submission to determine whether your company is a good fit for the Investors’ Circle network. Applications that meet the criteria of Investors’ Circle will be posted to Investors’ Circle’s deal database, accessible to member investors. New applicants will also be highlighted in the monthly member e-newsletter. Several companies in the past have received funding from this exposure alone.
Application Fee
Investors’ Circle charges a $100 application fee. For those that are not selected to present, Investors’ Circle will do everything to facilitate introductions to one of the many partners (e.g. incubators, accelerators, socially responsible banks, business plan consultants, venture capitalists, etc.) within its network that might be better suited to offer you the support you need. Investors’ Circle believes that these connections — along with the year-long exposure you’ll receive amongst its network, and the feedback Investors’ Circle delivers to every company that requests it — will help you achieve value in exchange for the application fee.
Selection Committee Process
Each season Investors’ Circle coordinates approximately six groups of member investors to review applications in each primary interest track (Energy & Environment, Sustainable Consumer Products, Sustainable Agriculture, Health & Wellness, Education, Social Media & Software, and Community Development) as well as new interest tracks. Over the course of a month, selection committees review the best applications that have been accepted into the network over the previous six months, as determined by IC staff. Some companies may be asked to provide additional information, such as a full business plan, to assist in the committee’s due diligence. The results of this selection process will be announced to entrepreneurs roughly five weeks prior to the venture fair.
Venture Fair Fee & Preparation
If you are chosen to present at an in-person conference, Investors’ Circle will ask you to pay a registration fee of $250 per person to cover some of the costs of producing the event. Investors’ Circle will work with presenting companies during the month proceeding the venture fair to prepare a Powerpoint presentation and other materials needed for the event. Each Powerpoint will be critiqued by a selection committee during one scheduled conference call. Investors’ Circle will also host a mandatory run-through of presentations on the day proceeding the venture fair at the conference venue.
Deadline for submitting the application is August 5, 2011.
For more information and details, visit this link.
