What is NCN?  Nashville Capital Network (NCN) is an organization that promotes entrepreneurial education and economic growth by being the hub for early stage capital formation in middle Tennessee. NCN's mission centers on the simultaneous development of two promising intiatives:

1) To help entrepreneurs with business ventures that have the potential to attract institutional equity to refine their business concepts and prepare for the fundraising process. NCN serves as an advocate for entrepreneurs and assists in the fundraising process by matching promising ventures with experienced and knowledgeable Nashville-based advisors and investors.

2) To build a stable and easily identifiable source of local early stage capital by delivering value to a network of investors via deal flow, investment analysis, and due diligence.

What does NCN do?
NCN receives, processes, and screens executive summaries and business plans from local companies seeking capital. Those plans with potential to attract institutional equity are taken to the advisory level. At the advisory level, significant time is spent educating prospective entrepreneurs about the capital raising process to ensure the completeness, accuracy, and clarity of their executive summaries. Once the plans are complete and approved by the initial screening team, the entrepreneurs will be matched with experienced financial and entrepreneurial advisors who will help revise the concepts, plan, and presentation. As an extension of the educational initiative, the advisors will help make introductions to the local investment community.

Why does it exist?
The process of connecting entrepreneurs needing early stage capital with private investors is very inefficient. It wastes time and energy on both sides. NCN was formed to bridge this gap and provide entrepreneurs with a more effective and efficient means to gain access to early stage capital while helping build quality deal flow for investors. The future of Nashville’s economy will be significantly improved by its success in growing its entrepreneurial endeavors.

Who’s involved?

• Tom Wylly of Brentwood Capital Advisors is Chairman.
• Sid Chambless, former Vice President for Nashville-based Surfari, Inc. and an Owen graduate, serves as NCN's Executive Director.
• Chase Perry, former Vice President for Brentwood-based FrontStream Payments and an Owen graduate, serves as NCN's Director. 
• Support staff is provided by students in the Vanderbilt MBA program.  

Why would I want to particpate in the NCN Angel Group?  If you make personal investments in early stage companies either for yourself, or directly representing others, such as a fund, you may find the following benefits:

• A simple way to view screened, local investment opportunities
• Exposure to quality deal flow
• A way to connect with other investors in middle Tennessee
• Access to an online, updated database of available investment opportunities
• Be a part of the growth of new businesses in middle Tennessee

What are the qualifications/criteria for participation?
To participate in NCN's Angel Group, you must be an accredited investor or official of a firm which is making investments, and have the sincere intent to invest a minimum of $25,000 each year through NCN.

What is expected of me?

• $1,500 annual fee will cover all your costs of participation, meetings, access to the database, and communications.
• An interest and willingness to evaluate opportunities and to invest in deals.

How many NCN companies have been funded? NCN’s Angel Group has participated in the funding of the following 21 companies:

• Armor Concepts
• onFocus Healthcare
• Medical Direct Club
• BreatheAmerica
• PharmMD
• edo Interactive
• Protein Discovery
• Continuum
• Spirit Broadband
• MyOutdoorTV
• Tricycle
• TrackPoint Systems
• Capital Confirmation
• The Documentary Channel
• Plumgood Food
• Smartvue Corporation
• The Enliven Partnership
• Pathfinder Therapeutics
• The Restaurant Rewards Company
• Silvercare Solutions
• Horizon Resource Group

What size companies are the best fit for the NCN process?
NCN targets early stage companies that are raising equity capital in the $500,000-$2,000,000 range. NCN wants to work with promising companies that are capable of raising institutional capital in following rounds.

What are the benefits of sponsors, underwriters, and patrons?  Nashville Capital Network strives to improve entrepreneurial growth in middle Tennessee. Through support from Sponsors, Underwriters, and Patrons, NCN can assist local fledging ventures locate mentors as well as seed capital to fund future growth. By participating in NCN, Sponsors, Underwriters, and Patrons support economic growth and entrepreneurial education in middle Tennessee, as well as providing for a program through which start-up companies receive the assistance they need to become serious contributors to the local economy.