Seeding with the Angels

Discover how Angel and Seed investors approach the problem of making a good investment. Go behind the scenes of the decision making to discover the process our panelist-investors use to choose and to invest in emerging and seed stage companies.  Whether you are planning to launch a company or you are planning the next level, a Seed or Angel investor could be the funding source you are looking for.  Maybe you’re not even sure what angel investment is? This panel will focus on the nature of angel and seed investments in New England technology based companies, and on how to obtain that initial or angel or seed-stage investment in your company.. The panelists will also offer candid views and discussion on how to prepare a company for raising angel capital or seed stage investment, the raise itself, and how to work with angel groups or seed investors after getting the investment.

We have three excellent speakers for that evening, two are active angel investors, one is a founder CEO who has received seed and angel funding.   Our moderator is one of “Boston’s 20 top startup lawyers” and ENET chairman.

Agenda: 

6:30-7:30 PM – Registration & networking 

7:30-7:40 PM – ENET Chairman’s announcements

7:40-7:55 PM – E Minute – Up to 3 Startup companies’ presentations

7:55-8:45 PM – 3 expert speakers on the night’s topic

8:45-9:00 PM – Audience / Speakers Q & A

900-930 PM – Final networking includes meeting presenting speakers

A question and answer session follow the presentation, and panelists will be available afterwards for responses to individual questions.  As with every ENET meeting you will also get the chance to network with the panelists and other meeting attendees, both before the start of the meeting and afterwards.

Speakers:

Henry Kay, active angel investor and a member of Boston Harbor Angels and Sky Venture Group, both Angel investing groups in the Boston area.  He retired from Boston Scientific in 2006, where he was Group Vice President of New Market Development / Strategic Planning, Endosurgery Boston Scientific Corporation (BSC). Prior to joining BSC, Henry was based in the UK for five years as Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Allergan Europe, a global eye care company.  He has 40 years of experience in the medical industry in roles which include R&D, International Marketing, Regulatory Affairs, and Strategic Planning for major pharmaceutical companies, including Schering-Plough, American Home Products, Sterling Drug and Allergan. Henry is a retired fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (UK). He is invested in more than 15 companies, several of which are in Canada (e-Sight, Exact Imaging, Cellaegis, MyndTec).  He currently serves on the Boards of several start up health care companies, including Smart Cells (sold to Merck in 2010), Cool Systems, Cristcot Medical, and Cannuflow. He was a member of the board of Directors of Microfluidics, a public company in the equipment space for pharmaceutical manufacture (sold to IDEX in 2010). Internationally, he serves on the board of a Canadian Medical Device company (MyndTec) in Toronto and as an advisor to 2 Halifax based companies.  Henry works closely with the Canadian Consulate in Boston to mentor several Canadian startups. He serves on the Board of Overseers of Beth Israel-Deaconess and Newton Wellesley Hospitals. Henry holds Bachelors (Augusta College) and Master’s Degrees in Chemistry from Rutgers University, and an MBA in International Marketing from Seton Hall University. Henry and his wife Laurie have one grown daughter and reside in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

John Hallal, an active angel investor, who has built a track record of success in entrepreneurship, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and in operating and advising emerging growth companies.  For the first 12 years of his business career, John practiced as an attorney in Boston. From 2003 to January 2005, John served as Vice President of Rehab Medical, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of medical devices used to rehabilitate joints after surgeries. John led management in its sale of Rehab Medical to Otto Bock Healthcare, L.P. in January 2005. John then successfully co-founded a durable medical equipment supply company. He launched the company, assisted in raising millions of dollars, hired key employees and ultimately merged it with a public company in 2008.   John has invested in, advised and counseled a number of other start-up and emerging growth companies. He is the managing director of Network Blue, a M&A advisory firm, and a member of a Boston Harbor Angels. Currently, John is the Chief Operating Officer of a cannabis products start-up company located in Northern, California. As an Adjunct Professor at Babson College F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business, John teaches M&A for Entrepreneurs. John also serves as a Mentor in Babson’s Launch Pad, advising start-up businesses on structure, operation plans, sales, and fundraising. John is a graduate of Bucknell University (1987) and Boston College Law School (1991).

Jennifer J. Davagian, founder, President and CEO of Cristcot, a global biotech pharmaceutical development company located in Concord, Massachusetts, www.cristcot.com .  Ms. Davagian has 20+ years experience assembling teams of individuals to build businesses from conception to commercialization.  In 2014 Cristcot launched Sephure, the first-of-its-kind disposable suppository applicator. The device, invented by Ms. Davagian, has FDA clearance, global patent protection, and is manufactured in the United States and Cristcot has ISO-13485 certification. Cristcot intends to launch its first over-the-counter drug by the end of 2016 and anticipates approval of its first prescription drug in late 2018.  As an IBD patient, Jennifer knows the daily struggles of IBD patients and compliance decisions facing healthcare outcomes. As a businesswoman in the area of Science, Technology and Manufacturing, she has a keen understanding of new medical technology development, regulatory submissions and GMP compliance, in addition to new product commercial execution. As an IBD patient, Jennifer knows the daily struggles of patients and compliance decisions facing healthcare outcomes. As a business woman in the area of Science, Technology and Manufacturing, she has a keen understanding of new medical technology development, regulatory submissions and GMP compliance, in addition to new product commercial execution. Ms. Davagian teaches at Boston University School of Management on a variety of business topics. She has written for both the National Institute of Health and the Food and Drug Administration.

Moderator:

ROBERT ADELSON, business and tax attorney, partner at Boston law firm of Engel & Schultz LLP, and Chairman of The Boston Entrepreneurs’ Network.  Rob has been an attorney for over 30 years specialized in business, tax, stock and options, employment, contracts, financing, trademarks and intellectual property.  Rob began as an associate at major New York City law firms before returning home to Boston in 1985 where he has since been a partner in small and medium sized firms before joining his present firm in 2004.  Rob represents entrepreneurs, start-ups and small companies, independent contractors and employees and executives. Rob is a frequent speaker on business law topics and author of numerous articles published in Boston Business Journal, Mass High Tech and other publications. He has been named among the “Top 20 Boston Startup Lawyers” by ChubbyBrain.com, a website that provides tools for entrepreneurs. Rob has been on the ENET Board since 2002, was Vice Chair 2005-2009, and ENET Chairman since 2009.  He was also a Co-Founder and Board member of the 128 Innovation Capital Group (2004 -2015). In 2016, he received the IEEE USA Professional Achievement award for “extreme dedication to the entrepreneurship community.” He holds degrees from Boston University, B.A., summa cum laude, Northwestern University (Chicago), J.D., Law Review, and New York University, LL.M. in Taxation. His website – www.ExecutiveEmploymentAttorney.com