Southern Oregon Angel Investment Network Funding Consideration Meeting

Angel Investments are Being Considered for Two Southern Oregon Companies

Medford OR – Since mid-2015, SOREDI has facilitated for the Southern Oregon Angel Investment Network (SOAIN) the evaluation of more than 70 companies looking for seed capital to launch their business. Two scalable companies stood out during this process and have been selected to present to the angels. SOAIN will consider making investments in these companies during a meeting on Thursday, June 16, 2016.
The angel network is comprised of accredited investors residing in Southern Oregon. Since 2011, 58 individual investors and two institutional investors have participated in investing $1,400,000 in eight companies.
The two local companies being considered for seed capital investments are Alpaca Guitar, founded by Chris Duncan and MaskIT, founded by Shallan Ramsay.
Tim Root, Venture Catalyst for SOREDI says, “Alpaca Guitars and MaskIT fulfill the desire of the Southern Oregon Angel Investment Network to identify investable local companies.” Steve Vincent, Founder of SOAIN adds, “had either of these two companies entered any of the earlier angel conference contests, they would have ranked one and two in due diligence. We are eager to convene the angel network and consider an investment in these companies.”
Alpaca Guitar (alpacaguitar.com), produces The Alpaca, a go-anywhere adventure guitar designed to withstand the elements without sacrificing sound. Its rugged build features carbon fiber, flax fabric, and bio-derived resins. This combination produces an incredibly lightweight and strong instrument with clear mid-tones, bright trebles, and bass of twice its size.
MaskIT (maskit.us) provides a discreet and sanitary method for the disposal of used feminine hygiene items. Made from plant derived material, the bags are biodegradable and compostable. With a simple inversion process, the used hygiene product is sealed in a small opaque plastic bag which prevents the leaking of any fluids and blocks smells.
SOREDI is a private, membership-based, non-profit organization, governed by a 23-member board of directors. Its six-person staff is charged with local business expansion and new business recruitment efforts, financial assistance to start-up companies through its business loan fund, and management of Enterprise Zones in Jackson and Josephine Counties. The agency was formed as a regional economic development agency in 1987.