NO/LA Angel Network Rebrands as Gulf South Angels and Expands Across the Gulf South Region

New Orleans, LA (March 26, 2024) — As part of an expansion plan across the Gulf South, the region’s leading angel investment group, NO/LA Angel Network (NO/LAAN), has announced that it is rebranding as the Gulf South Angels (GSA). While its headquarters will remain in New Orleans, the GSA footprint will extend from eastern Texas to the Florida Panhandle to southern Arkansas to Tennessee and west of Atlanta. GSA will continue to broaden its membership and investment reach in this region. 
 
 
 
Over the past decade, NO/LAAN's 120 members have collectively invested nearly $20 million in 102 investing rounds in 51 early-stage companies located in 18 States, with an average investment size of $400,000 per company. After a record year of investing performance in 2023, NO/LAAN was recognized as being in the top 10% of active angel groups in North America by the Angel Capital Association. In addition, NO/LAAN’s membership has grown across nine states making it a truly regional investing entity.
 
 
 
Mike Eckert, Board Chairman of GSA, commented, “The new brand name more accurately  reflects what the NO/LA Angel Network has grown to become: an investing organization with a regional member-base that invests locally, regionally and nationally, supported by a sophisticated investment vetting process, a strong back-office, member education, and post-investment stewardship and tracking.” 
 
 
 
The Gulf South Angels will specialize in evaluating, funding, and nurturing early-stage companies, leveraging a network model that empowers members to make individual investment decisions. GSA members primarily focus on Seed or Series A financing rounds, but also on Series B and C rounds, of companies in dynamic growth markets, characterized by strong value propositions, sound business plans, and strong management teams. They seek ventures with regional, national, or international scaling potential and a viable exit strategy. 
 
 
 
GSA’s syndication partnerships with angel groups around the country allow it to bring capital from out of the region to help fill out funding rounds. Additionally, the organization boasts two sidecar funds, providing the opportunity for its members to diversify their investment portfolios;  and access to the early-stage asset class for more passive investors who may not feel confident in making individual investment decisions. 
 
 
 
 "The camaraderie and wealth of knowledge among our accomplished members instill confidence in investment decisions,” said Dan Schwartz, a Florida-based GSA member. “In addition, GSA’s syndication partners from numerous states give members access to better deals, and provide more capital for the companies we invest in.”
 
 
 
While GSA prioritizes emerging industries and innovations, its investment portfolio remains industry-agnostic, guided by a rigorous due diligence process. Past investments have spanned diverse sectors, from software to biotech to fashion to consumer packaged goods (CPGs) and beyond. Several companies in which GSA members have invested have incurred successful exits.
 
 
 
“NO/LAAN has supported us since day one, not only in our capital raise but also through the inevitable challenges that come with starting a business,” said Josh Johnston, CEO & Co-Founder of TrayAway, a NO/LAAN portfolio company. “They have been pivotal in our success, and ability to grow from a local company to a global player supporting luxury hotels in 30+ countries.” 
 
 
 
Gulf South Angels invites new members and deal inquiries across the Gulf South region, including New Orleans, La., Baton Rouge, La., Lafayette, La., Lake Charles, La., Monroe/Ruston, La., the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Jackson, Miss., Mobile, Ala., Birmingham, Ala., Memphis, Tenn., Corpus Christi, Texas, Beaumont, Texas, and Galveston, Texas. Learn more at gulfsouthangels.org and on LinkedIn. 
 
 
 
About Gulf South Angels
 
 
 
Gulf South Angels (GSA) is a premier angel investment network dedicated to fostering growth and innovation across the Gulf South region. Formerly known as the NO/LA Angel Network, GSA has rebranded with a vision to expand its reach beyond New Orleans, extending its impact from East Texas to the Florida Panhandle. With a decade-long track record of success, GSA comprises a diverse membership of seasoned investors committed to identifying, funding, and nurturing early-stage companies poised for dynamic growth. Through a collaborative network model and two sidecar funds, GSA provides its members with unique investment opportunities while leveraging collective expertise. GSA focuses on supporting companies with strong value propositions, sound business plans, visionary leadership, and clear paths to exit, irrespective of industry. By fostering a culture of collaboration and shared risk, GSA is at the forefront of fueling innovation and catalyzing entrepreneurial success throughout the Gulf South. Learn more at gulfsouthangels.org and on LinkedIn. 
 
 
 
 
 
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Sara Florence Scioneaux
Owner, Principal Designer & Strategist
 
Florence Creative Marketing