- October 30, 2008 - Entrepreneurs are searching for alternative investment capital to begin and maintain their dream of business ownership now that traditional lending institutions and credit card limits have been reduced to all time, modern-day lows. Some entrepreneurs are finding less conventional methods of obtaining business capital in order to start a business that will make a difference along the way.

Twenty-two entrepreneurs from around the country are forging ahead with hopes and plans in-hand for the opportunity to present their business plans to accredited angel and venture capitalist members of Investors’ Circle Fall Venture Fair and Conference, November 10th thru 12th at the Boston Harbor Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts.

Alison Bailey Vercruysse, Founder and CEO of 18Rabbits, a socially responsible granola company who will attend Investors' Circle fall conference states, "The economic downturn has us on our toes more than ever. Despite the ups and downs of Wall Street, we have doubled our growth in the past few months."

According to Q1,2 2008 report from the Center for Venture Research at the University of New Hampshire "...Angels continue to be the largest source of seed and start-up capital, with 46% of Q1,2 2008 angel investments in the seed and start-up stage, on par with Q1,2 2007 (42%)."

The Small Business Administration estimates that there are at least 250,000 angels active in the country, funding about 30,000 small companies a year. Total angel investments have been estimated from $20 billion to $50 billion as compared to the $3 to $5 billion per year that the formal venture capital community invests. There are about two million people in the United States with the discretionary net worth to make angel investments.

Since the early 1900s, angel investors continue to be a great source of start up and later-stage capital for new and growing businesses. Many businesses, such as the twenty-two presenting to investors at the Investors' Circle fall conference, are able to look forward to providing jobs, products and services in their community to continue to build a stable economy for the future.

Since its inception in 1992, Investors' Circle members have invested over $130 million into 200 companies or small venture funds. The companies in which Investors’ Circle invests historically generate a 5% to 14% return.

To register or learn more information about Investors' Circle Fall Conference 2008, visit investorscircle.net.

Investors' Circle - SJF Institute

Investors' Circle - SJF Institute

SJF Institute was founded in 2001 as an independent nonprofit affiliate of SJF Ventures, a leading national impact investment venture capital fund. SJFI develops national and regional programs to connect, inspire and accelerate impact entrepreneurs and the fields that support them. SJFI has provided direct technical assistance to over 1500 impact entrepreneurs and has helped hundreds of others through its signature programs, including Getting Ready for Equity™, CleanLinks networking events, the SJF Cleantech Mentorship Program, the Green Jobs Award, and field-building reports such as Employees Matter: Maximizing Company Value Through Workforce Engagement.

Since 1992 Investors' Circle has built a network of over 150 angel investors, professional venture capitalists, foundations and family offices who are using private capital to promote the transition to a sustainable economy. During that time Investors' Circle has facilitated the flow of over $145 million into more than 220 companies and small funds addressing social and environmental issues. Members in IC's network of impact investors include some of the most experienced angels, early-stage and growth funds working to change the world.

Together, SJF Institute and Investors' Circle will increase entrepreneurs' access to capital, resources and networks, and will provide more opportunities for collaboration among impact investors.

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