Tech Coast Angels
Tech Coast Angels is the leading source of funding to early-stage companies in Southern California.[1][2] TCA has over 450 members and is also one of the largest angel networks in the world.[3] An analysis by CB Insights ranked TCA No.1 out of 370 angel groups on “Network Centrality” and No. 5 overall in “Investor Mosaic.”[4]
Type | Mutual-benefit nonprofit corporation |
---|---|
Industry | Private Equity |
Founded | 1997 |
Headquarters | Southern California, United States |
Products | Angel Investing Group |
Website | www.techcoastangels.com |
History
Since its inception in 1997, TCA members have focused on building valuable companies, personally invested over $255 million in over 465 companies, and helped portfolio companies attract more than $2.2 billion in additional capital, largely from venture capital firms and strategic investors.[5] In 2020, TCA invested $20 million in 64 companies.[6]
TCA members provide companies capital, counsel,[7][8][9][10] mentoring and access to a network of potential investors and partners.[11][12][13] TCA has chapters located in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and the Inland Empire.[3]
Furthermore, TCA had invested about $15.4 million in a total of 41 companies in 2022, as noted in its 2022 Annual Report and it total investments have largely exceeded $10 million for twelve years. While there were also 10 shutdowns, 21 of them of the 41 companies receiving funding were new additions to TCA’s portfolio, representing 72% of investments, compared to 48% in 2021.[14]
Company exits
TCA has had eleven IPOs and over 79 exits in total.[15] Three of those (Mindbody, Greendot and Sandpiper Networks) achieved multiples between 149 and 265.[16][17] TCA's successful exits include:
- Mindbody (wellness business services software)[18]
- Green Dot Corporation (over-the-counter prepaid debit card)
- Sandpiper Networks (internet infrastructure)
- Companion Medical (smart insulin pen system paired with diabetes management app)
- Leaselock (sells Certificates of Guarantee promising rent when tenant defaults)
- BlueBeam Software (PDF collaboration software)[19]
- Parcel Pending (electronic Smart Locker storage system for multi-family housing)
- Truecar (automotive lead generation)
- Green Earth Technologies (oil substitute made from waste beef tallow)
- Casestack (Integrated Logistics Outsourcing)
- One Stop Systems (manufactures Computers for Industrial Applications)
- Lytx (Drivecam (video event recorder for driver feedback safety)[20]
- Cytom X Therapeutics (antibody therapeutics for a variety of serious diseases including cancer)[21]
- WiseWindow (open qualitative content aggregation platform)[22]
- Vital Therapies (liver assist device)[23]
- Beam Global (portable solar EV charging station with no grid ties)
- Language Weaver (machine translation software)
- WeGoLook (dispatches in-person Lookers to verify claims made by internet sellers)
- Portfolium (online social portfolio network)
- AIRSIS (remote asset tracking & management)[24]
- Althea (cGMP manufacturing, analytical development, aseptic filling)[25]
- N Spine (spine stability system)[26]
- OptionEase (stock option audit financial software)[27]
- Retrosense Therapeutics (biologic approach to vision restoration in retinal degenerative conditions)
- Greenplum (Intelligent Data Routing Systems)
- Savara Pharmaceuticals (inhalable antibiotic for the treatment of MRSA in Cystic Fibrosis patients)
- ClearCare (management of home care agencies)
- eTeamz (B2C Amateur Athletic Community)
- Olive Medical (HD surgical camera)[28]
- Pictage.com (online event photography services)[29]
- Trius Therapeutics (antimicrobial drug)[30]
- Molecular Medicine BioServices (contract clinical manufacturer)[31]
- Allylix (artificial fragrance production)[32]
In addition to the 79 exits, 103 companies in the portfolio were shutdowns with no returns. Based on all outcomes to date, TCA's portfolio has returned 4.8 times invested capital, and achieved an IRR of 22% on its portfolio.[33]
Investment portfolio
The TCA investment portfolio page lists investments in general categories such as Life Sciences, Internet and Apps, Software, Consumer, CleanTech and Industrials, Hardware, Financial, and Business.[34] Active portfolio companies include:
- Apeel Sciences (tasteless edible coatings for fresh produce)
- The Bouqs Company (Online Flower Shopping)
- Buy It Installed (button integrated into retailer e-commerce site to include installation)
- Cloudbeds (SAAS Hotel Hospitality Management Software)
- Cognition Therapeutics (Memory Restoration for Alzheimer's)
- ElephantDrive (storage-as-a-service software)
- Kickstart (Cadence Biomedical) (helps people with severe disabilities walk)
- myLAB Box (testing for STDs from the comfort of home)
- Ninja Metrics (measures social influence)
- PharmaSecure (mass serialization codes for products in emerging markets)
- Procore Technologies (Construction Management SAAS)
- Ranker (UGC – social platform for ranking things)
- Whistle (allows hotels to communicate with guests through Mobile Messaging and SMS)
- YouMail (voice messaging for cell phones)
References
- "Angel Capital Association Directory". Angel Capital Association.
- socalTECH (October 18, 2013). "Southern California Tech Companies Raise $709.8M In Q3".
- Freeman, Mike. "Investor network Tech Coast Angels pumped $14.2 million into start-ups last year". sandiegouniontribune.com. Retrieved 2018-09-21.
- "Ranking Angel Investment Groups". CB Insights. August 13, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- Tech Coast Angels (2019). "Tech Coast Angels Website". Tech Coast Angels.
- "Undeterred by the Pandemic, Tech Coast Angels-Los Angeles Chapter Wraps Up a Successful 2020". PR Web. December 19, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- Klein, Karen E. (12 June 2009). "Perfecting the Fund-Raising Pitch". Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg BusinessWeek.
- Tech Coast Angels (12 September 2010). "7 P's of Investor Presentations". SlideShare.
- Austin, Scott (January 11, 2010). "How To Pitch A Venture Capitalist On A Napkin". Wall Street Journal.
- Venture Capital Dispatch (August 2, 2010). "The Magic 8-Ball of Angel Investing". Wall Street Journal.
- Perloff, David & Sherman, Pat (October 2, 2011). "Cashing In San Diego investors write personal checks to propel local entrepreneurs". Pacific San Diego Magazine.
- Somers, Terri. "San Diego angels lend financial wings to entrepreneurs needing cash". San Diego Union Tribune.
- Norman, Jan (14 September 2009). "Local investors seek to jumpstart new O.C. ventures". The Orange County Register.
- "Tech Coast Angels Invested $15.4 Million in 41 Companies and Realized Highest-Ever Number of Exits in 2022". PRWeb. Retrieved 2023-07-27.
- "Tech Coast Angel Exits". Tech Coast Angels. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- Hardy, Quentin (October 28, 2002). "Where Angels Dare to Tread". Forbes. Archived from the original on November 15, 2002.
- "Green Dot Sets Pricing Range". socalTECH.
- "Mindbody IPO is the 'Uber of Wellness'". Fox Business. June 19, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- "Nemetschek Acquires Bluebeam Software". Bluebeam. October 3, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- "GTCR Announces Acquisition of Lytx". PR Newswire. February 18, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- "No Drug Yet In Clinic, But CytomX Raises $80M In Discounted IPO". Xconomy. October 8, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- "KPMG Acquires WiseWindow". SocialMedia Analysis. April 29, 2012. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- "Vital Therapies banks $54M in a downsized IPO retry". FierceBiotech. April 17, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- "Oceaneering Announces Acquisition of AIRSIS". PR Newswire. June 2, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- "Ajinomoto Co., Inc. agrees to acquire Althea Technologies, Inc". Ajinimoto Co. March 6, 2013. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- "Swiss Synthes buys U.S. N Spine for around $75 mln". Reuters. November 13, 2007. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- "Solium Capital Inc. Announces Acquisition of Optionease, Inc". Solium Capital. October 8, 2012. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- "Depuy Synthes Companies Acquires Olive Medical Corporation". Johnson & Johnson. February 10, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- "Apax Partners Invests $29 Million in Pictage, Inc., The Leading Provider of Online Solutions For Professional Wedding and Portrait Photographers". PR Newswire. March 2, 2006. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- "Cubist Adds Antibiotic Punch, Buys Trius and Optimer for $1.24B". Xconomy. July 30, 2013. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- "Sigma-Aldrich Acquires Molecular Medicine BioServices to Expand SAFC Pharma Capabilities". PR Newswire. May 8, 2007. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- "Evolva to acquire Allylix". Evolva. November 18, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- "Tech Coast Angels Performance". Tech Coast Angels. 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- TCA website. Tech Coast Angels Investment Portfolio.