Clients: Angel Group Related
Angel Capital Association - Angel Catalyst's technology and processes powered the Angel Capital Association’s Silvertip Awards, the premier competition recognizing North America’s leading angel-backed companies. We fascilitated the judging process and through use of innovative crowdsourcing technology and in partnership with Babson, Bentley, Boston College, BU, MIT, and UMass, were able to bring in valuable new information on contestants that effected the judging significnatly.
River Valley Investors (RVI) of Springfield Massachusetts – Angel Catalyst founder Paul Silva began his relationship with the River Valley Investors in 2004 as an associate working under the founding manager, Joseph Steig. In 2005 Joseph stepped down as manager to launch a new venture. The group asked Paul to become its manager.
“Paul Silva partnered with me on River Valley Investors almost since it's inception. To put it bluntly, the angel group wouldn't exist without his work, his integrity, and his business acumen.”
– Joseph Steig, Founding Manager, River Valley Investors
Boynton Angels of Worcester Massachusetts (www.boyntonangels.com) – In 2006 Angel Catalyst provided start-up consultation to the then-forming Boynton Angels.
“Paul Silva provided early insight at several of the initial meetings that lead to the Boynton Angels starting up with significant momentum (15 members with active participation by local VC firms and universities). ”
– Mitchell Sanders, Ph.D., Founding Investor, Boynton Angels
References are available at both the River Valley Investors and the Boynton Angels.
Clients: Economic Development
Regional Technology Alliance (RTC) – In 2007 the RTC (based in Springfield, MA) asked Angel Catalyst to run its Language of Capital and Flavors of Capital seminars for local entrepreneurs.
“Paul’s presentation on 'Speaking Investorese' was so dynamic and interactive with the audience that I invited him to be the Facilitator of the RTC’s January 2008 Board of Directors Retreat. I am very happy to say, he accepted. Paul Silva is one of those rare folks who is: a) a doer who does b) a force so positive, you could jump start your car with him and c) a winner who not only thinks outside of the box – for him, there is no box. I will gladly turn to Paul Silva again and again. He is that good. Period."
– Ellen Bemben, President, the Regional Technology Alliance
UMass Amherst Entrepreneurship Initiative - Angel Catalyst founder Paul Silva has volunteered with the Initiative since 2000. In 2007 Paul and Angel Catalyst donated their services to the Initiative to aid in a radical restructuring of their program aimed at helping students become entrepreneurs. By the close of 2007 more than a half dozen student-run companies went beyond all expectations and secured over $250,000 in financing, launched real products, and generated revenue.
“From the start, Paul has played a pivotal and creative role in making entrepreneurship accessible to students. As an outstanding undergraduate himself (honored by the college as such), and to this day, he just MAKES THINGS HAPPEN. His commitment sustained the student club during lean times and he has always shown an ability to connect with people and get them involved in the projects he is passionate about.”
- Jaymie Chernoff, Director, Board Relations, University of Mass. Amherst
Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation (HGCF) – In 2007 HGCF, wishing to create an educational experience to help students become entrepreneurs, asked Angel Catalyst to create a regional student business plan competition to take place in 2008.
"Paul Silva delivers results. Period. Starting in 2005 we provided a small amount of funding to aid Paul's work at the UMass Amherst Entrepreneurship Initiative. In two years he leveraged that financial support to recruit a powerful team of fellow leaders, secured matching funding, attracted serious involvement from the local banking and investment community, etc. More importantly, however, the UMass Initiative delivers results: students have secured financing from banks and accredited angel investors, generated real revenues, routinely sweep regional competitions, and have created jobs."
- Brenda Wishart, Director, Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation's Entrepreneurship Initiative
Contact information of references available upon request.