Launch of AngelConnect will offer Female Entrepreneurs access to Silicon Valley Angel Investors ~ no title

Astia and the Band of Angels announced the launch of AngelConnect, a partnership that will offer women-led start-ups in the Astia portfolio direct access to the Band?s network of seasoned, Silicon Valley angels that includes in its membership, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and other industry leaders.

Astia, the premier accelerator best known for its exceptional funding success rate of 60 percent, has joined with the Band to ensure that� female entrepreneurs gain access to the networks and relationships required to succeed in high-growth entrepreneurship.

Founded in 1994, The Band of Angels is Silicon Valley?s oldest angel investment group and serves as a model for angel organizations worldwide. Focused on seed stage high technology companies with strong teams, proprietary technology, and big markets. The Band invests in software, semiconductor, Internet, telecom/security, energy and life science/biotech companies. Typical deal size is $300k to $750k, and often lead a $2M ? $3M syndicate with other angel groups.

The Band?s mentorship syndication program is designed to enable companies currently raising their first round of capital no risk feedback about the readiness of their ventures for Angel investment.

?Almost half (43 percent) of the women-led companies that were invited to present to a Band of Angels dinner meeting received funding from the Band ? compared to about 30 percent for men,? commented Dr. Ian Sobieski, Managing Director, Band of Angels. ?With that kind of strong track record, it?s obvious we want to see more women-led companies in the future. Our partnership with Astia will be an important conduit to bring these sorts of promising high-growth companies to our attention.?

Starting May 3rd and ongoing throughout the year, Band members will provide expertise and advise for Astia start-ups within the sectors of technology, life science and energy.

?We are very excited about this relationship with the Band, one of this nation?s leading Angel groups. Astia views this relationship as profound validation that investing in women-led companies is not just the right thing to do ? but the smart thing to do,? stated Sharon Vosmek, CEO, Astia. ?This partnership helps to ensure women-led companies get access to the rich networks that lead to success.?

Founded in 1998 when just 12% of the deals presented to Angels were led by women, today Astia is a global network of individuals and organizations seeking to increase the number of successful women high growth entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs can learn more by visiting www.astia.org. Angel investors interested in learning more about the Band, can visit www.bandangels.com.