GRAND RAPIDS ? The Grand Angels has a face, Jody Vanderwel, who has been named the group?s first president. Vanderwel formerly was Corporate Counsel and Vice-President of Corporate Giving at Herman Miller.
Grand Angels one of three major groups in the state that builds networks of angel investors ? high net worth individuals that invest in start up companies, many involved in technology and life sciences. The Grand Angels was started in January 2004 by former Grand Bank Founder and CEO Charles Stoddard. He will remain Chairman.
?We are delighted to be able to partner with the MEDC; it was time for us to move our group forward,? said Stoddard. ?Jody?s legal background, coupled with her extensive business experience, makes her the ideal candidate to increase entrepreneurship and investment in West Michigan.?
Membership in Grand Angels has grown from eight founders to more than 40 members who pay $1,000 each to take a look at deals screen by IdeaWorks in Grand Rapids. Other angel groups in the state include Great Lakes Angels in Birmingham and Ann Arbor Angels.
?West Michigan is ripe for Angel investing,? says Vanderwel. ?Our region has been blessed with gifted entrepreneurs and patient, wise investors. I look forward to working with the MEDC to help bridge the two groups.?
Grand Angels have invested in two deals so far, SimpleDine and Salamander, and are currently in the ?due diligence? stage with two other investments.
To learn more, click on GrandAngels.Org
