05/20/13 – St. Louis Arch Angels Ranked top Angel Group in the Great Plains Region during 2012

St. Louis, Mo., May 20, 2013… The St. Louis Arch Angels Network, which works to provide seed and early-stage capital to local entrepreneurs, has been recognized as the top angel group in the Great Plains region for 2012. The recognition comes from the Angel Resource Institute’s 2012 Halo Report, which was released  in April. A collaborative effort with Silicon Valley Bank and data powered by CB Insights, The Halo Report highlights the activity and trends of all participating angel groups in the nation.

Consisting of Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas and Oklahoma, the Great Plains region had approximately 30 participating groups during 2012. Of those 30 angel groups, the Arch Angels was named as the most active based on total deals.

In all, the Arch Angles invested $5.6 million in 16 new and existing startups in 2012, the largest number of companies the Arch Angels had ever funded in a single year.  “We are proud to be recognized as the most active angel group in this region because it showcases  our commitment to entrepreneurial endeavors and the growth of our St. Louis region,” said Gil Bickel, chairman of the St. Louis Arch Angels .  “And we believe the level of activity will continue to grow in 2013 as the Arch Angels network continues to expand.”

Numbers from the first quarter of 2013 would indicate that the network, which  grew its membership base by nearly 43 percent during 2012, is certainly on track for another banner year.  By the end of March, $3,111,000 had been invested by Arch Angels members, with $462,000 in seed money provided to three new companies: Adarza BioSystems, BacterioScan and Kogent. Additionally, eight follow on investments totaling $2,649,000 have been made in previously funded companies.

For more information about the St. Louis Arch Angels, visit www.stlouisarchangels.com or call 314-444-1151.

The St. Louis Arch Angels Network was established in January 2005 as an independent, 501c(6) not-for-profit corporation. Arch Angel members provide seed and early-stage capital in the range of $250K-$1M, an investment range not generally served by venture capitalists. To date, the St. Louis Arch Angels Network has invested more than $34.6 million in 42 companies.

For more information, contact:            

Julie Hauser, The Hauser Group, Inc. 314.436.9090

Chris Walsh, St. Louis Arch Angels. 314.444.1151