FAQs
What is ZINO Society?
ZINO Society is a Seattle based angel investment membership network that connects accredited investors with entrepreneurs seeking financing. ZINO Society connects people with ideas and capital to create opportunities for business commerce, education, social interaction and innovation. Formed in 2005, we have successfully facilitated $20.3 Million for early stage companies in the consumer products and services, technology, green and clean, and life science spaces. ZINO Society has regularly scheduled meetings throughout the year where ZINOpreneurs present compelling investment opportunities to our investor group.
At ZINO Society we have passion for helping entrepreneurs achieve their business goals and dreams. We connect accredited investors to entrepreneurs through unique events which promote camaraderie. We are advocates for our ZINOpreneurs and their businesses through our membership and extensive community contacts. In addition, ZINO Society carefully screens investment opportunities and provides coaching to increase the probability of success for entrepreneurs and investors.
Who are ZINO Society Investor Roundtable Members?
Within our membership are many highly successful business and community leaders who bring many years of expertise in their respective fields, adding value to the investors and entrepreneurs. They are private equity investors who have served in executive roles for some of the Puget Sound’s most notable companies, individuals who have built successful businesses from the ground up, as well as those who are actively involved in philanthropic causes for a broad range of community needs including social and human services and the arts.
Our members are active business people, investors and entrepreneurs who serve as business and community leaders. They are interested in collaboration in business and philanthropic endeavors. Membership is by member referral or invitation.
Apply for Investor Roundtable membership
How does ZINO Society work with Entrepreneurs (ZINOpreneur Members)?
ZINO Society facilitates events which give entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their businesses and connect with investors. We create a unique business and social environment that provides a comfortable and relaxed opportunity to bring entrepreneurs and investors together and to get to know investors on an individual basis.
ZINO Society hosts evening Roundtable Investment Meetings a minimum of eight times or more per year where three to four carefully screened companies present their investment opportunities to the audience. Typically there are 50-75 people attending each evening Roundtable Investment Meeting. As guests arrive, there is an opportunity for investors and entrepreneurs to mingle and share a glass of wine while entrepreneurs showcase their businesses. The business session begins with a brief keynote address from a local business or community leader, followed by the entrepreneur presentations. The evening culminates with a casual wine tasting and additional individual interaction between members, guests and entrepreneurs. In addition, lunchtime Roundtable Investment meetings are scheduled on the Eastside or in Seattle.
Annually, ZINO Society hosts the all-day ZINO Zillionaire Investment Forum which features a broad range of early-stage companies seeking angel funding. In 2007 and 2008, a $150,000 Family of investment was awarded as follows: $50,000 to the Best Technology Investment, $50,000 to the Best Technology Investment and $50,000 to the Best Overall Investment. Non Cash awards for Best Investment Opportunity and Best Presentation are also awarded.
In addition to the ZINO Zillionaire Investment Forum, ZINO Society facilitates half-day Targeted Investment Forums which showcase 10-12 ZINOpreneurs at each session along with an expert panel, both of which are focused on a particular business sector.
ZINO Life Investment Forum: life sciences
ZINO Green Investment Forum: clean technology, energy efficient, sustainable products and services
ZINO Entertainment: Film, Gaming and Handheld Devices
ZINO Marketplace Investment Forum: consumer products and services
Through ZINO Society’s well-regarded screening and coaching processes, we provide access to some of the area’s best and brightest business people for networking and coaching, expanding contacts and refining fundraising pitches. We have developed a network of outside advisors and consultants that we can recommend to companies to satisfy the particular needs of entrepreneurs. We also have a growing list of experts in various fields that have the interest and the skill to serve as advisory board members that we can suggest to our entrepreneurs.
ZINO Society provides value-add coaching by seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders, well-managed events where entrepreneurs are connected to potential investors and advocacy for the presenting companies to the community through press, website and strategic showcasing at business and social events.
What are additional resource programs within ZINO Society?
zInvestor Connector
• A program sponsored and managed by ZINO Society which enables accredited investors to invest in presenting companies through use of a pooled investment vehicle.
• The use of a special purpose entity, e.g. a specially formed limited liability company, the “SPE” will allow eligible members to invest in presenting companies in smaller dollar amounts than minimum unit size requested by presenting companies by pooling their investment dollars.
• For example, a presenting company may not accept a subscription for less than $50,000, but may have indicated willingness to accept an LLC as an investor. Therefore, if five ZINO Society members all wish to invest $10,000 each, ZINO Society through the zInvestor Connector will facilitate this collective investment.
Business Insights:
ZINO Society offers a monthly Business Insights, held over a casual lunch in an intimate setting where members, ZINOpreneurs and business professionals are ecouraged to ask questions of whomever is leading the Business Insights. Examples of past topics include: The landscape of social media-Term Sheets-Due Diligence and what to avoid and IT Infrastructure.
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