Seattle, WA – October 14th, 2015 – Keiretsu Forum Northwest, a region of the world’s largest angel investor network, today announced they have acquired the assets of ZINO Society and that Cathi Hatch, Founder and CEO of ZINO Society, has joined the Keiretsu Forum Northwest team and will continue to focus on angel investing and entrepreneurism serving in the leadership role of Seattle Chapter President.
“We are excited to welcome Cathi to our team and ZINO investor members to our community,” said Sherry Calvert, President of Keiretsu Forum Northwest. “Cathi brings with her an extensive network and facilitation skills which will be a great addition and benefit to our community of successful entrepreneurs and active angel investors.”
“This deal will allow ZINO Society investors to have access to the extensive Keiretsu Forum network of high quality deal flow and due diligence collaboration. We believe that combining the passionate ZINO Society community with the systems and full service support resources of the Keiretsu Forum will create a unique opportunity for our combined angel community to thrive,” said Cathi Hatch, Founder and CEO of ZINO Society.
“This strategic acquisition will strengthen and diversify our angel community and we look forward to working with Cathi to further expand our investor community together and fund even more great companies,” said Northwest Region Chairman, Nathan McDonald. McDonald is also the CEO of Keiretsu Capital, LLC, which announced the final closing of its first Co-Investment & Opportunity Fund in early July at just over $6 million and has already backed twenty-two companies with close to $2.5 million this year. The fund invests in early stage technology companies that are backed by Keiretsu Forum and other leading angel investing groups around the world.
The Northwest region of Keiretsu Forum is also celebrating its ten year anniversary this fall. In August, the region announced funding of $192 million for 302 companies by Keiretsu Forum members since it began in September, 2005. McDonald also announced that the region has totaled 34 individual investments totaling in $28.2 million in funding for companies through June so far this year.
About Keiretsu
Keiretsu Forum was founded in 2000 by Randy Williams in the San Francisco Bay Area. With 39 chapters and 1,500 accredited investor members, Keiretsu Forum is the world’s largest by invitation only angel investor network. Keiretsu Forum members provide early stage capital in the range of $250k – 2 million in high quality, diverse investment opportunities and collaborate in due-diligence, but make their own individual investment decisions. Through the Keiretsu Forum, more than $600 million of capital has been invested into technology, consumer products, Internet, healthcare, life sciences and real estate companies. For more information, visit www.keiretsuforum.com.
About ZINO Society
ZINO Society was founded ten years ago as an early stage investment forum for angel investors and entrepreneurs to connect. At over 100 investment forums produced over the past ten years, ZINO Society has screened, coached and showcased over 900 entrepreneurs from all business sectors seeking funding and resources, facilitated over $35 million in individual angel funding, while as part of the forum programs, featured over 1,000 keynote speakers, panelists and judges and 250 individual wineries, cideries, craft beer and spirit producers.
Contact: Sherry Zins Calvert, President, Keiretsu Forum Northwest / sherry@keiretsuforum.com
