What is the Women’s Capital Connection?
The Women’s Capital Connection (WCC) is a regional network of accredited angel investors dedicated to identifying and funding the most promising start-up business opportunities in the Kansas-Missouri region. WCC has two primary objectives: 1) To present high return on investment funding opportunities to its members; 2) To facilitate access to early-stage financing for high-potential women led businesses and entrepreneurs.
Angel investment is the “right” source of funding for only a small proportion of entrepreneurial businesses. When considering yourself for investment by an individual angel or angel group, ask yourself these key questions:
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Am I willing to give up some amount of ownership and control of my company?
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Can I demonstrate that my company is likely to realize significant revenues and earnings in the next 3-7 years?
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Can I demonstrate that my company will produce a significant return for investors?
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Am I willing to take the advice from investors and accept board of director decisions I may not always agree with?
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Do I have an exit plan for the company that may mean I’m not involved in 3-7 years?
Once your application and executive summary are received by WCC, the paperwork will be reviewed by a pre-screening team. Based on the team’s review of the opportunity, they may: 1) ask for a meeting in order to gather additional information about the company; 2) recommend that the entrepreneur present at a Screening Committee meeting; 3) determine the company is unlikely to receive WCC funding.
The following need to be submitted as part of an Executive Summary:
- Describe your company’s products and/or services
- Submit Sales and marketing plans. Describe how you propose to reach your targeted customers from marketing, sales & support perspectives.
- Describe the 3-5 year goals of the business & identify the several most important steps needed to reach the goals.
- Financial overview – projected financials for at least three years out.
- Describe fully your 3-7 year exit strategy?
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Who are angel investors?
Angel investors are high net-worth individuals who invest in early stage companies. Angel investors provide cash to young companies in exchange for equity (typically in the form of preferred stock). Many angel investors are members of angel groups like the Women’s Capital Connection and the Mid-America Angels in our region. These networks allow the angels to increase their access to investment opportunities and diversify their investment portfolio.
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2008 Angel Investor Roster
Original Founding Investors
Rania Anderson
Victoria Barnard
Carol Hallquist
Cheri Streeter
Founding Investors
Beth Alm
Kate Banks
Jeri Bartunek
Linda Campbell
Leslie Dicker
Kathy Dodd
Jo Anne Gabbert
Laura Greenbaum
Darcy Howe
Mary Lou Jacoby
Joan Jerkovich
Cheryl Jernigan
Laura Lee Jones
Maria Kunstadter
Jody Luth
Rebecca MacKinnon
Paula Porsch
Gwyn Prentice
Alisa Roth
Margo Shepard
Deneen Slack
Laura Ward
Carolyn Watley
Clareece West
Grisel Wiley
Connie Zack
Ronda Zillner