34 Start-Up Companies Showcase Their Ventures to Ignite Their Business
Media Contact:
Jennifer Sherlock
Phone: (609) 369-3482
Email: jsherlock@jennacommunications.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
34 Start-Up Companies Showcase Their Ventures to Ignite Their Business
300 Angel Investors Join Together for 20th Annual Angel Venture Fair at the Union League
PHILADELPHIA, PA – April 10, 2018 – Over 300 regional Angel Investors will listen to 34 Entrepreneurs representing 15 industries from across the country for the 20th Angel Venture Fair on Friday, May 4, 2018, at the prestigious Union League.
The Angel Venture Fair, a non-profit organization, brings together the largest gathering of Angel Investors and Entrepreneurs in the Mid-Atlantic region. Within the last 20 years, the Angel Venture Fair has showcased over 500 companies, and continues to grow in attendance each year. The Angel Venture Fair will provide vast knowledge from Angel Investors, keynote speaker, Brian Cohen, and the opportunity for start-up companies to network with leading professionals.
“I took over eight years ago and we have seen the number of applicants grow from 70 to over 180 and on average we get applicants from on average 20 countries, 25 states and 20 universities,” said Marc Kramer, Executive Director of the Angel Venture Fair. “The growth of angels has helped tremendously, and we have developed a national reputation because the regional angel groups and professional service organizations have pulled together to help these companies succeed. We are also making head way in attracting more women and minority entrepreneurs meet investors.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2015 there were more than 675,000 new establishments created by entrepreneurs. In Philadelphia alone, 22,298 new establishments were created between 2014-2015. Ranging from education, to food and beverage, and biotechnology companies, the Angel Venture Fair received 180 applications from 19 different states, 16 universities, and 10 countries.
From start to finish, the program is a community effort, with every angel group in the Mid-Atlantic receiving relevant information on the Angel Venture Fair, and sending members to attend and scout the fair. Out of the 180 applicants, 50 have been chosen to be invited to Selection Day. During Selection Day, applicants to the AVF are reviewed by 80 judges, who will then select 24 non-university and 10 university companies to participate in the Angel Venture Fair.
Some of the chosen non-university companies include StiritUp, a healthy, deconstructed hummus product, Habitat, a food-delivery service app, and GameFace Solutions, which are cleansing wipes to help individuals purify post workout. “We are thrilled to have been invited to the 20th Annual Angel Venture Fair. Our business has had great momentum, and this event is a perfect opportunity to tell our story and showcase your hummustir Product,” says Rakesh Barmecha, CEO of Stiritup Inc.
Additionally, 10 university companies have also been chosen to showcase their ventures at the Angel Venture Fair. Orai, a communication coaching app, coaches you to reduce your filler words, speak clearly, and at a good pace. Founded by Drexel University students, Orai is aimed to conquer one’s biggest fear, public speaking, by utilizing artificial intelligence, and digital platforms.
“Philly has a thriving startup ecosystem, and AVF is one of those annual events where the ecosystem comes together under one roof. It’s a great opportunity for an early stage startup like Orai to put ourselves out there not only to find investors, but also potential partners and customers,” said Danish Dhamani, Co-Founder of Orai.
The Angel Venture Fair will take place on Friday, May 4, 2018 at The Union League, located at 140 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. with welcoming remarks kicking-off at 8:00 a.m. The event is expected to conclude at 4:00 p.m.
For more information or for tickets, please visit angelventurefair.com.
About Angel Venture Fair:
The 20th Angel Venture Fair will feature 34 companies from a cross section of industries. There are 24 non-university and 10 student companies. No longer is the United States alone in producing entrepreneurs. Countries such as China, India and Israel, to name a few, are developing world class companies. In order for the US, and in particular the Mid-Atlantic region of the country to grow economically we need to marry ideas with capital.