Gulf South Angels

Last week, we brought "Funding the Future: Investor Social & Angel Network Insights" to the Northshore! Partnering with STartUP Northshore and St. Tammany Corporation, we hosted a fantastic event at the beautiful Money Hill, where leaders in St. Tammany Parish had the opportunity to learn more about angel investing, startup trends, and exciting new investment opportunities. A big thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible!

Spotlight on Our Member: Cynthia Pazos: In a recent interview with Authority Magazine, Cynthia reflects on her journey as a female founder and discusses her commitment to empowering other women entrepreneurs through her role in the Gulf South Angels. "As a member of GSA, I actively advocate for and support early-stage female-founded companies by providing not just capital, but also strategic guidance, mentorship, and access to our extensive network. GSA is committed to recruiting more female investors and prioritizing investments in female-founded businesses. In fact, 80% of GSA’s investments over the past two years have gone to female-led enterprises."  

Exciting Portfolio Addition! 🚀 We're thrilled to announce that Gulf South Angels has added Varda Space Industries to our growing aerospace and defense portfolio. Varda is revolutionizing commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical manufacturing to developing economical reentry capsules. Their recent breakthroughs, like successfully returning pharmaceuticals produced in microgravity during their first mission, are paving the way for cost-effective solutions that were once unimaginable on Earth. We are proud to support the next frontier of innovation and look forward to seeing how Varda accelerates advancements in both biopharmaceuticals and hypersonics.🚀

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Startup NOLA’s first-ever Access to Capital Program at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center yesterday! We had the privilege of hearing exciting pitches from 8 talented Louisiana-based startups, connected with fellow angel investors across the region, shared valuable insights on what investors look for in early-stage companies, and heard from Josh Fleig on state programs that foster startup growth.

We hope everyone fared well in the storm, and hope to see you next week at the First Access to Capital Program with StartupNOLA! Join us on Wednesday, September 18 at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center for an afternoon of curated pitches, networking, and educational sessions. Startup applicants for the pitching session have already been chosen, but registration is free and open to the public for the networking happy hour and following program here: https://lnkd.in/gAZuzuQQ

“The Gulf South Angels are thrilled to participate in this significant event and look forward to hearing from the talented Louisiana-based startups,” said Mike Eckert, Board Chairman of Gulf South Angels. “Events like these are essential for fostering innovation in our region and helping local entrepreneurs succeed.” 📣 Reminder! Startups interested in pitching at the upcoming Access to Capital Program at New Orleans BioInnovation Center on 9/18 must apply by 9/3! 📣 Read more in Biz New Orleans Magazine 👇

We are excited to announce our recent investment in MITO Material Solutions🤝 Here are some fast facts about MITO: ~ Based in Indianapolis, MITO is a female-led company, co-founded by Haley Marie Keith, who serves as the CEO. ~ MITO created the additives E-GO™ and ACRE™, which can be infused directly into resin systems. These additives enhance the strength, durability, and efficiency of composite components used in various industries. ~ Their technology is making waves across multiple sectors, from aerospace, automotive, and transportation to sporting goods like skis and golf clubs. These additives help create lighter, stronger, and more durable materials. ~ MITO is committed to sustainability, offering biomaterials that are natural and perform as well as, or better than, petroleum-based products. This innovation supports the transition to greener manufacturing practices. ~ MITO’s mission is to revolutionize the composite manufacturing industry, helping manufacturers make products that are not only stronger and lighter but also more sustainable.

We are looking forward to participating in StartupNOLA's Access to Capital Event on September 18th! Join us for an afternoon of curated pitches by Louisiana-based startups, networking, and educational sessions.

We are thrilled to announce that Gulf South Angels has invested in Balerion Space Ventures, a cutting-edge venture fund based in Dallas, TX, that focuses on investing in defense and space-related companies. 🚀 This strategic partnership provides our members with a unique opportunity to invest in groundbreaking technologies and innovative companies that are shaping the future of space exploration and defense. We are committed to fueling advancements in these crucial sectors. To learn more about the incredible work Balerion Space Ventures is doing, visit their website at balerionspace.com. 🚀

Gulf South Angels is thrilled to share a recent addition to its portfolio, TheraB Medical Inc. Congratulations Alexa Jones and team!