Alliance of Angels
Facts
- HQ
- Seattle, Washington, USA
- Sectors
- Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
- Founded
- 1997
- Employees
- 121
- Registered name
- Alliance of Angels Seattle business license
Pioneer Square Labs spins out 25 startups in five years; six launched during pandemic surge
Seattle startup studio Pioneer Square Labs (PSL) spun out 25 startups in five years — six during a six-month pandemic stretch — by rapidly testing ideas, though it has yet to produce a breakout unicorn and faces criticism over founder dilution.
Tom Alberg invested in Amazon’s 1995 seed round, joined its board and co-founded Madrona to build Seattle’s tech scene
Tom Alberg invested in Amazon’s 1995 seed round, joined its board, and later co-founded Madrona Investment Group to back Pacific Northwest internet startups, helping shape Seattle’s tech ecosystem. His early bets and leadership influenced regional tech growth and left a legacy noted by Jeff Bezos and others.
Lighter Capital appoints Melissa Widner as CEO after layoffs; firm has invested $200M+ using revenue-based financing
Seattle alternative VC firm Lighter Capital named Melissa Widner as CEO; she succeeds Thor Culverhouse and joins a company that has deployed $200M+ via revenue-based financing and recently cut staff from ~80 to 23 before rising to 25 employees. Widner, a Sydney-based board member and former NAB venture managing partner, plans remote hiring as the firm seeks global growth.
Survey of 70 Seattle Founders: Local Angels Are Risk-Averse, Hidden and Losing Deals to Seed Funds
A February survey of 70 Seattle-area tech founders found widespread frustration with local angel investors, who are described as risk-averse, conservative, hidden, and out of touch; founders say angels must be more visible, faster, and willing to take bigger risks to compete with active local and Bay Area seed funds.
UW Spinout AnswerDash Acquired by CloudEngage; AI Q&A Tool Joins Personalization Platform
Seattle startup AnswerDash, founded from University of Washington research by Jake Wobbrock, Amy Ko and Parmit Chilana, has been acquired by Spokane-based CloudEngage after nearly eight years. The AI-powered contextual Q&A tool will join CloudEngage’s web personalization and live chat offerings to help clients reduce support costs and improve customer experience.
Boundless CEO Xiao Wang and Angel investor Dan Rosen urge startups to shift to 'wartime' survival, extend runway to 18 months
Startup leaders must shift from rapid-growth mindsets to survival strategies amid the COVID-19 shock, learning from past downturns and peers. Leaders like Dan Rosen and Xiao Wang recommend extending cash runway, cutting and renegotiating expenses, and using government programs to preserve teams and prepare for recovery.
Leading a startup through the crisis
For startup leaders accustomed to building their businesses in boom times, the economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic goes beyond mere setback, into the realm of complete shock. But even in these unprecedented times, there are lessons to be learned from past downturns, and from the steps other startups are taking to navigate the current crisis. "We have a whole generation of people who never went through anything that looked like a dislocation or a downturn," says Dan Rosen, chair of the Alliance of Angels, an investor, biophysicist and veteran tech executive who has been through multiple economic cycles. "This…
Dan Rosen of Alliance of Angels advises startups to cut burn and prepare for COVID-19 impact, expects treatments and vaccine in 12–18 months
Dan Rosen, chairman of Alliance of Angels, outlines how COVID-19's exponential spread will stress healthcare and startups, urging mitigation, cash-preservation, and preparedness while expecting treatments and vaccines within 12–18 months.
Visual Vocal Raises $3.6M Led by Eniac Ventures to Advance Virtual Reality Collaboration for Enterprises
Visual Vocal, a Seattle startup developing virtual 3D environment productivity tools for enterprises, has raised $3.6 million in a funding round led by Eniac Ventures. The company's cloud-based platform enables remote real-time collaboration using smartphone-viewable VR to improve design feedback in industries like architecture and aerospace.
VICIS Raises $8M Series Seed to Commercialize ZERO1 Football Helmet
VICIS, a private company focused on improved football helmets, closed an $8 million Series Seed funding round on January 20, 2016, to commercialize its ZERO1 Football Helmet.
People
-
Dan Rosen Chairman Emeritus
-
Geoff Entress Executive Committee Member
-
Lowell Ricklefs Board Member
