LOS ANGELES and PASADENA, Calif. – November 28, 2018 – Tech Coast Angels (TCA) today announced that Pasadena based VC firm SWS Venture Capital (SWS) recently became an affiliate member of Tech Coast Angels. General Partner and chairman of SWS, Steve Streit, is also founder of Green Dot, which received capital and mentorship from TCA when the company was in early stage development. The company, now a multi-billion-dollar NYSE company, went on to be one of TCA’s most successful investments.
TCA is one of the country’s largest and most influential angel networks. SWS is a firm focused on both active and passive investments in early stage companies within the consumer products and technology sectors. The affiliation of the two entities provides startups with an opportunity for introduction to more investors who support the entrepreneurial ecosystem at all funding and maturity levels, so that young companies can transition from angel-to-VC capital and organizational needs.
“This is truly a full-circle story,” said Greg Jones, President & CEO of SWS. “TCA provided support and backing to Green Dot, and now, 17 years later, we are able to partner with TCA again, albeit in a different role.”
“Our relationship with SWS is one of many steps we’re taking to grow partnerships and develop a truly strong small –and large—entrepreneurial and funding ecosystem for exceptional young companies,” said David Friedman, TCA Orange County Vice President and creator of the TCA Affiliate Member program.
Kirby Ryan, COO of SWS, agrees. “TCA provides a great bellwether for the startup ecosystem, allowing us to see patterns early on in the maturation process. Its relationships with other angel networks and the UC System are second to none. Working with TCA helps us make connections with remarkable entrepreneurs earlier than we normally would.”
“TCA members have such a broad spectrum of expertise – there are medical professionals, engineers, scientists, CEOs of companies from all areas as members – with so much diversity and different careers,” said Mr. Jones. “As professional investors, we would normally have to outsource to find this caliber of qualified people outside our field.”
“Green Dot was one of our portfolio companies and went on to achieve huge success. It is our belief that cultivating companies and solidifying relationships with a flexible VC firm like SWS provides our region with a stronger, more unified, and robust investment community, with better deal flow — and through these affiliations, grow an even more vibrant startup community so that there are more Green Dot-type successes,” concluded Mr. Friedman.
TCA affiliate membership is available to family offices, foundations, corporate venture, non-profits, and venture capital funds. Affiliate members are not required to be located in Southern California. Visit https://tcaventuregroup.com/angels/ for information about TCA’s membership programs. #