The Hudson Valley Venture Hub at SUNY New Paltz announces its newest program, Hudson Valley Angel Hub, a unique membership organization with a mission to educate and engage the pool of potential investors in the Hudson Valley.
At a time when the majority of American investment seems funneled to financiers thousands of miles away, rather than returned to our communities to help local businesspeople thrive, the Angel Hub aims to generate new sources of direct investment money into Hudson Valley business.
“Startups flourish when there is an entrepreneurial ecosystem to support them,” said Eliza Edge, director of the Hudson Valley Venture Hub. “We have a really active community who cares deeply about growing entrepreneurship in our region. We have entrepreneurs and small businesses who need capital to grow. With HV Angel Hub we’re hoping to bridge the gap through educational programming and building a community of investors.”
The Hudson Valley Angel Hub is creating a new pool of potential investors and capital in the Hudson Valley. The vision is that with more investments, businesses will grow, and attract more entrepreneurs. Through educational sessions that cover topics from how to approach businesses needing investment to tips on due diligence, HV Angel Hub meets bi-monthly to share content online and then meets in-person on the alternating months to listen and critique pitches in person at SUNY New Paltz.
Curious what it takes to be a local investor? Want to understand what the Hudson Valley Angel Hub is all about? Learn more and get your questions answered at our Zoom webinar on Thursday, Dec. 8 at noon. Please use this link to register.
“Angel investing may seem like an intimidating and even confusing process to many,” said Tony DiMarco, a Founding Manager of the Hudson Valley Startup Fund and Hudson Valley Venture Hub founder who is helping to roll out the new organization. “The Angel Hub demystifies the angel investing process and is a great way for aspiring and existing angel investors to learn more about the pitch process, making, and managing investments. The Angel Hub will also share the experiences and insights of the Hudson Valley Startup Fund, which consists of 64 angel investors who have invested $4M in 15 HV startups since 2016.”
Working alongside DiMarco and Edge to launch the Angel Hub are Jeff Werner, also a Hudson Valley Startup Fund manager, and Kristin Backhaus, dean of the SUNY New Paltz School of Business.
“Hudson Valley Angel Hub not only aligns with our mission to advance entrepreneurship via connection, education, and mentorship, but also creates a real opportunity to empower people who care about growing entrepreneurship in the Hudson Valley,” Backhaus said. “Startups in our region need capital, and our community wants to make investments that are enriching the economy of our region. As a public university, we are continuing to create programs that will directly impact our region and grow our economy. Hudson Valley Angel Hub is the innovative program our community needs, and New Paltz is proud to be breaking new ground.”
“I’m thrilled to be a part of educating and empowering many more impact investors to give startups the capital they need, from the neighbors and community members who want to see them thrive,” Edge added.
Those who are interested in getting involved with the Hudson Valley Angel Hub can visit us online for membership details and send questions to hvventurehub@newpaltz.edu.
