Gulf South Angels

Ever wonder what angel investors are looking for in a startup? Our Board Chairman Mike Eckert recently sat down with Baton Rouge Business Report to share just that. Click below to read the full interview, and if you're an entrepreneur with a company that's a strong fit for angel investing, head to gulfsouthangels.org to apply this #NationalEntrepreneurMonth.

This #NationalEntrepreneurMonth, Gulf South Angels Board Chairman Mike Eckert sat down with WVUE-TV Fox 8 to discuss how we are driving entrepreneurship and economic growth across the Gulf South region.

On Friday, November 8, Gulf South Angels brought together investors and innovators for our 3rd Annual Investor Conference. Led by GSA Founder and Chairman Mike Eckert, the event was packed with insightful discussions and networking, with attendees joining from across Louisiana and beyond. Highlights included: - Keynote speaker Dr. Ron Faucheux, president of Clarus Research Group, who shared post-election insights impacting investors and the startup ecosystem. - Inspiring presentations from founders backed by GSA, including Josh Johnson of Tray Away, Justin Crowe of Parting Stone, Adam Porter Price of Anduril, and Collette Courtion of JoyLux. Each shared valuable lessons from their journeys, offering a window into the opportunities and challenges in today’s startup landscape. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us to further our mission to support innovation in the Gulf South region!?

This National Entrepreneur Month, We invite entrepreneurs with bold ideas that have the potential to scale to apply for investment. Angel funding offers so much more than just capital—it’s an opportunity to partner with experienced investors who are deeply committed to your growth and success. Here’s how our angel investors help startups thrive: ? Mentorship: Our diverse network of experienced investors provides hands-on guidance, helping founders navigate challenges, and make strategic decisions. ?? Industry Connections: Through our extensive network, we open doors to partnerships, customers, and experts that can accelerate your growth. ?? Strategic Insight: We invest in companies we believe in, sharing valuable insights and operational expertise to help founders scale sustainably. ?? Access to Further Funding: As the largest angel network in the Gulf South, GSA can connect you to broader funding sources through syndication with other angel groups and venture capital firms—ensuring you have the resources needed for the journey ahead. If you’re an entrepreneur ready to make an impact, now is the perfect time to take the next step. Apply today to join the Gulf South Angels portfolio, and let’s work together to bring your vision to life. hashtag #NationalEntrepreneurMonth

Last week, we brought "Funding the Future: Investor Social & Angel Network Insights" to the Northshore! Partnering with STartUP Northshore and St. Tammany Corporation, we hosted a fantastic event at the beautiful Money Hill, where leaders in St. Tammany Parish had the opportunity to learn more about angel investing, startup trends, and exciting new investment opportunities. A big thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible!

Spotlight on Our Member: Cynthia Pazos: In a recent interview with Authority Magazine, Cynthia reflects on her journey as a female founder and discusses her commitment to empowering other women entrepreneurs through her role in the Gulf South Angels. "As a member of GSA, I actively advocate for and support early-stage female-founded companies by providing not just capital, but also strategic guidance, mentorship, and access to our extensive network. GSA is committed to recruiting more female investors and prioritizing investments in female-founded businesses. In fact, 80% of GSA’s investments over the past two years have gone to female-led enterprises."??

Exciting Portfolio Addition! ?? We're thrilled to announce that Gulf South Angels has added Varda Space Industries to our growing aerospace and defense portfolio. Varda is revolutionizing commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical manufacturing to developing economical reentry capsules. Their recent breakthroughs, like successfully returning pharmaceuticals produced in microgravity during their first mission, are paving the way for cost-effective solutions that were once unimaginable on Earth. We are proud to support the next frontier of innovation and look forward to seeing how Varda accelerates advancements in both biopharmaceuticals and hypersonics.??

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Startup NOLA’s first-ever Access to Capital Program at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center yesterday! We had the privilege of hearing exciting pitches from 8 talented Louisiana-based startups, connected with fellow angel investors across the region, shared valuable insights on what investors look for in early-stage companies, and heard from Josh Fleig on state programs that foster startup growth.

We hope everyone fared well in the storm, and hope to see you next week at the First Access to Capital Program with StartupNOLA! Join us on Wednesday, September 18 at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center for an afternoon of curated pitches, networking, and educational sessions. Startup applicants for the pitching session have already been chosen, but registration is free and open to the public for the networking happy hour and following program here: https://lnkd.in/gAZuzuQQ

“The Gulf South Angels are thrilled to participate in this significant event and look forward to hearing from the talented Louisiana-based startups,” said Mike Eckert, Board Chairman of Gulf South Angels. “Events like these are essential for fostering innovation in our region and helping local entrepreneurs succeed.” ?? Reminder! Startups interested in pitching at the upcoming Access to Capital Program at New Orleans BioInnovation Center on 9/18?must apply by 9/3! ?? Read more in Biz New Orleans Magazine ??