Angel Investing is a key way for growing start ups to access money and key advisors. This episode is an interview with the Team at the San Diego Angel Conference. You do not need to live in Southern California to learn a lot about Angel Investing from this interview (and investors and companies from all over the country are welcome to apply to be part of SDAC.
Mysty Rusk and Jason Scharf are from The San Diego Angel Conference (SDAC)—one of the largest programs nationwide connecting startups and angel investors. SDAC attracts entrepreneurs and investors in California and beyond with over $1M given to startups in the past 2 years and a low investment threshold of ~$6,000 per unit, ideal for first-time, as well as experienced, angel investors.
About Mysty Rusk and Jason Scharf
Mysty Rusk is founder of SDAC, drawing on a strong background in innovation, investing and entrepreneurial ecosystems to foster/accelerate startups and growth-oriented expansions. She is the Executive Director of USD’s Free Enterprise Institute and launched the Brink SBDC (focused on innovation-focused, scaling businesses) at University of San Diego, transforming it into San Diego’s #1 rated accelerator in its first year. She is also Partner of AngelGen, an angel conference consulting practice.
Jason Scharf, Associate Director leading the delivery of the commercial strategic and operating plans and the pursuit of new growth opportunities for Illumina, was initially personally drawn to the low investment threshold and the chance to learn by doing at SDAC. He now also serves as a co-fund manager for SDAC. Over the past 15+ years has specialized in driving strategy and innovation across biopharma, medtech, and diagnostics companies. He also works closely with the Illumina Accelerator coaching startups and working to catalyze the genomic entrepreneurial ecosystem. He is an active member of the start-up community as a co-fund manager of the San Diego Angel Conference, an investor with Tech Coast Angels, and a mentor with the NexCubed Digital Health Accelerator.
About Thom Singer
Thom Singer works for Stanton Chase, a leading executive search firm that specializes in helping companies and associations place key hires. He is also a keynote speaker and professional master of ceremonies / EmCee
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After a successful career in sales and marketing, Thom Singer became a growth leadership speaker in 2009. A decade later he has brought his high energy presentations and action-oriented content to over 900 audiences. Thom knows that as the speaker or master of ceremonies he has a responsibility to set the tone for a strong conference attendee experience. Known as “The Conference Catalyst” he creates an atmosphere of fun and interaction that lasts beyond his presentation.
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Thom earned his Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) in 2014 and is committed to the business of meetings. He is the author of 12 books and is the host of the popular “Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do” podcast. On his show he has interviewed over 400 entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, business leaders and others with a focus on discovering how the most successful people get farther across the gap between potential and results.
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At 50 years old Thom decided to reinvent his life and make age 50 to 75 the best years of his life. This meant saying yes to things that scared him, and trying new things. Since that time Thom has jumped off buildings, took up running (and lost 30 lbs) and began performing stand up comedy.
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After a successful career in sales and marketing, Thom Singer became a growth leadership speaker in 2009. A decade later he has brought his high energy presentations and action-oriented content to over 900 audiences. Thom knows that as the speaker or master of ceremonies he has a responsibility to set the tone for a strong conference attendee experience. Known as “The Conference Catalyst” he creates an atmosphere of fun and interaction that lasts beyond his presentation.
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Thom earned his Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) in 2014 and is committed to the business of meetings. He is the author of 12 books and is the host of the popular “Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do” podcast. On his show he has interviewed over 400 entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, business leaders and others with a focus on discovering how the most successful people get farther across the gap between potential and results.
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At 50 years old Thom decided to reinvent his life and make age 50 to 75 the best years of his life. This meant saying yes to things that scared him, and trying new things. Since that time Thom has jumped off buildings, took up running (and lost 30 lbs) and began performing stand up comedy.
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