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 Blue Ridge Angel Investors Network, or BRAIN, is a group of individual accredited angel investors who want a stake in the future of western North Carolina. Its mission is to provide opportunities for members to obtain outstanding financial returns by investing in innovative companies with a presence in western North Carolina or a willingness to relocate or expand to the region, and that have intellectual property, job creation potential and realistic exit strategies. Since it was established in 2002, BRAIN members have invested $2 million in such companies, as well as their expertise and business experience, and western North Carolina companies have raised more than $10 million. While BRAIN investors work together to effectively evaluate investment opportunities, each member makes individual investment decisions.
BRAIN is the brainchild of the AdvantageWest Economic Development Group, which founded the group to be a catalyst for economic development in the North Carolina mountains. BRAIN will become an independent corporation in 2007.
BRAIN members meet quarterly to review pre-screened business plans. In its search for companies with intellectual property but barriers to capital, BRAIN reviews business plans from up to three entrepreneurs per meeting from many more companies that apply. BRAIN uses a rigorous screening process to select the most attractive companies to present to its membership.
BRAIN investors are entrepreneurs, current and retired CEOs, venture capitalists and business leaders who have founded and built successful companies. We mentor and coach the entrepreneurs in whom we invest, serve on their boards, provide contacts and assist with team building, strategic planning and fundraising. Members do not invest as a group. Rather, they collaborate on due diligence but make individual investment decisions. The investments they collectively make in companies ranges from $100,000 to $500,000.
Membership in BRAIN is by invitation only, and extended to individuals who share our vision, understand the risks and rewards associated with angel investing, and will actively contribute to our process.
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