Testimonials
Here's what entrepreneurs are saying about NWEA
"Not all angel groups are created equal. Brammo visited many while raising our Series A and NW Energy Angels was one of the best. The level of engagement was very good, they had done their homework, moved quickly and were very responsive. The networking and introductions made by this group were great and I would say the value add was as important as the cash they invested. If you get a chance to present to them, take it." -- Craig Bramscher, CEO and Chairman, Brammo, Inc.
"Northwest Energy Angels proved to be the catalyst for EnerG2’s successful Series A raise. They brought clean energy expertise as well as broad business and investment guidance to EnerG2. They led our angel round and brought in the other angel groups and institutional investors we needed to complete it. I've enjoyed working with Northwest Energy Angels and appreciate their continued contributions to our success." -- Rick Luebbe, CEO, EnerG2, Inc.
"Northwest Energy Angels have an inviting format for the greentech entrepreneur. We found the presentation process to be professional yet welcoming, the members engaging and the presenter/audience interactions were respectful, smart and succinct. The follow-up due diligence was similarly well organized and efficient and yet remained personal and friendly. I am grateful for the investment made by the Northwest Energy Angels especially because it helped catalyze our round during these most difficult economic times, allowing us to exceed our minimum financing goals." -- Tom Malone, President and CEO, MicroGREEN Polymers, Inc.
"Northwest Energy Angels has been vital to Farm Power Northwest's transition, from a start-up with an idea to a growing biomass developer with a completed $3.5 million biodigester. Lead investor David Bangs and other NWEA members provided invaluable encouragement, financial backing, and political support. Even presenting was a great experience; any entrepreneur trying to make a difference in the clean energy industry should apply for the opportunity." -- Kevin Maas, President, Farm Power Northwest, LLC
"Raising early stage capital is challenging. Raising early stage capital for a cleantech company is even harder, as most investors aren't experienced in the space. NWEA solves this problem by offering unique access to the most sophisticated cleantech angels in the region. The feedback we received was invaluable. The investment process was well organized and professional, enabling a seamless interface with our venture investors who came in soon after." -- Rob Elam, Founder and President, Propel Fuels, Inc.
Here's what members are saying about NWEA
"Putting capital into the clean economy is not only a good investment; it's the right place to put your money to work. For me, as an entrepreneur and cherub investor, NW Energy Angels is a perfect fit. Oh, and the members are smarter than me and enjoy a good laugh now and then." -- Gino Borland, Co-founder, Cake Ventures, LLC
“Out of all the angel investor groups I have experienced, NWEA is most valuable to me because it is focused specifically on clean tech and there is deep experience in this sector among members. I don't have to sit through presentations on chocolate company startups. I value member comments, the sharing of experience and the respectful conversations. There have been great presentations from industry veterans who share concrete insight about their particular technology niche and give us the 4-1-1 on what really is important to know when evaluating companies in that space. I have also connected with members outside of meetings to get advice or use their expertise for start-up companies I have invested in.” -- Kiki Tidwell, Private Investor
"For me, investing in young cleantech companies is the intersection of my hopes for the world I’ll leave my children, my personal interest in clean energy and my desire to make a good return on my capital. Northwest Energy Angels provides quality deal flow in this exciting new space. And the value of shared due diligence for understanding the risks in a deal can’t be overstated. I’ve found that NW Energy Angel members consistently bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the process and willingly share their insight." -- John Merrill, President, Merrill Images, LLC
"The clean tech space for start-ups is a unique one. Entrepreneurs draw upon much of the same sources for technology but must deploy their products and services into much different markets amongst a forest of regulatory hurdles and government incentives. The members at the Northwest Energy Angels “get” this like no other angel group and I’ve found that my membership has been a huge help for me to identify the real investment opportunities as well as the “gotchas” that most others would miss." -- Bill Lemon, Senior VP, Investment Banking, Source Capital Group, Inc.
"When I first heard about NWEA, I immediately joined the group. What interested me was the opportunity to see interesting deal flow exclusively in cleantech. But the biggest reason I've continued being a member is the great interaction with other members and the learning that I get from their experience. This is true not only in the general meetings where we hear from and do Q&A with new companies, but especially in the due diligence process where it's been invaluable to work with other members." -- Lars Johansson, President, Energethic, LLC
Here's what sponsors are saying about NWEA
"As a leader in renewable energy commercialization, Harris Group has found its partnership with NWEA to be a critical link in maintaining a relationship with emerging technology providers. We have found NWEA to be a true network of industry leaders." -- Mark Warner, Vice President, Harris Group
"As an early-stage venture capital investor focused on cleantech in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest, we have found our active involvement as a member of Northwest Energy Angels to be extremely valuable for building relationships, accessing resources, and gaining insight into what this region's most talented cleantech entrepreneurs are working on at the earliest stages of development. What a great resource this entrepreneur and investor network is to the Northwest." -- Kirk Washington, Partner, Yaletown Venture Partners
“Northwest Energy Angels offers a unique service in our region, connecting investors and early-stage ventures in one of the most exciting spaces in the new economy. As a firm representing cleantech entrepreneurs and investors, and energy developers and operators in biofuels, biomass, wind, ocean and tidal, solar and geothermal energy projects, we appreciate NWEA’s exclusive focus on this sector. NWEA provides our attorneys with opportunities to engage with and give back to the community that has helped us develop one of the largest renewable energy legal practices in the country.” -- Christopher J. Voss, Partner, Stoel Rives LLP
