GWATA hosted the Flywheel Investment Conference (Flywheel) at the Confluence Technology Center on May 4, 2017. Attendees included entrepreneurs, local leaders, angel investors, private equity firms and venture capital firms.  Flywheel and the development of an angel network is led by GWATA and supported by the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Port of Douglas County, the Port of Chelan County, and a community leadership team. Flywheel is also considered one of the game changers for “How We Prosper” in the Our Valley, Our Future Action Plan.

During Flywheel, Wiley Kitchell of Moss Adams Capital LLC and Andy Cates of Moss Adams LLP presented on raising capital for startups and an experienced panel of speakers from around the state discussed angel investing, venture capital, and private equity.  Panelists included: Tom Simpson (Spokane Angel Alliance), John Pariseau (TJF, LP), Tom Lindquist (Headwaters Venture Group LLC), Geoff Entress (Pioneer Square Labs), Susan Preston (Seattle Angel Fund), Chrismon Nofsinger (Nofsinger Group), Aaron Richmond (Endeavour Capital), Andy Dale (Montlake Capital, LLC), Erik Benson (Voyager Capital), Todd Marker (Alpine Pacific Capital) and Cole Younger (Arnold Venture Group).

Three technology companies also presented. Jonathan Evans, CEO and founder of Skyward: A Verizon Company, was keynote speaker during lunch. Evans shared the startup story behind the best-in-class operations management platform for commercial drone operators.  Two startups were also on hand to present their plans for the future: Diane Wetherington, Founder & CEO of iFood and Adam Greenberg, Founder & CEO of IUNU.

Flywheel was developed as a dynamic, annual event that brings investors, capital resources and startup businesses together, to promote opportunities in North Central Washington, and allow GWATA to support the development of the technology sector.

If you are a local angel investor who would like to support efforts going forward, please contact Jenny Rojanasthien at 509-661-900 or info@gwata.org . GWATA is hosting a meeting for angel investors on June 8^th at 5:00pm in Wenatchee. Contact Jenny for more information about the meeting. For more details from Flywheel or the biography of the panelists visit flywheelconference.com .