A venture capitalist's lifeline is his connection to the high tech community.
In 1984, I was managing 3i Ventures, one of the largest and most successful venture capital firms in Southern California. The original idea of Monday Club was to expand 3i Ventures' network of contacts -- for access to investment opportunities and to people who could help build successful businesses.
In the early 1990's, there were about a dozen members. But the number of new high tech businesses began to grow rapidly, and the membership of Monday Club followed suit. As it adopted a monthly format of having two companies present their business plans, interest grew and the membership expanded to about 265 people.
In 2011, Mike Grimshaw established a new "chapter" of Monday Club -- Monday Club, South Bay, which is attracting over 50 members to eachg meeting.
The purpose of Monday Club is to help companies improve their business plans and to introduce them to helpful resources. Because many members of Monday Club are also members of the Tech Coast Angels ("TCA"), presenting companies have often "graduated" to TCA to receive financing.
Periodic status reports by "Past Presenters" show that Monday Club has been extremely effective in helping companies to improve their business strategies, find people who can help in different ways, and raise capital.
Dr. Fred M. Haney
Private Investor and Venture Capitalist
President, Venture Management Co.
Founder:
3i Ventures, CA
Monday Club
Co-founder
Tech Coast Angels
California Technology Ventures
Novadigm Therapeutics, Inc.
DRC Computer, Inc.
PulSentry, Inc.
Immunotx, Inc.
Education:
Ph.D. in Computer Sciences
(Carnegie Mellon University)
Current Board Seats:
NovaDigm Therapeutics, Inc.
PulSentry, Inc.
Caldera Medical, Inc.
Advisory:
USC Entrepreneur Program
LA BioMed Tech Transfer
Honors:
Director of the Year, 2002 (FCD);
Angel/Mentor of the Year, 1999
