Executive forum:linking women's growth-oriented entrepreneurship policy and practice: results from the Rising Tide Angel Training Program

• Published in: Venture capital (London) 2018-04, Vol.20 (2), p.211-231
• Main Authors: Coleman, Susan, Robb, Alicia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: angel investing; Angel investors; Capital; education and training; Entrepreneurial finance; Entrepreneurs; Entrepreneurship; First year; Founders; Public policy; Training; Venture capital; Women; Women owned businesses
• ISSN: 1369-1066; 1464-5343
• DOI: 10.1080/13691066.2018.1419845

The Rising Tide Angel Training Program was launched to address the public policy priority of increasing the number of growth-oriented women-owned firms by expanding the entrepreneurial ecosystem in ways that will benefit women. In particular, the founders sought to address structural weaknesses in a key component of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, women's access to financial capital in the form of equity, mentorship, and contacts. The Rising Tide Angel Training Program was launched in the fall of 2015 with the goal of increasing the number of women angel investors capable of investing in growth-oriented women-owned firms through a program of education, training, and hands-on experience with the angel investing process. In this paper, we present our findings from the first Rising Tide training cohort in terms of changes in participants' motivations, attitudes, and expectations as they relate to angel investing. We also present findings on changes in knowledge, skills, and the ability to evaluate investment opportunities. Finally, we identify and discuss key "takeaways" from our first year's experience with the Rising Tide Angel Training Program and next steps.