Origin Investment Group

Origin Investment Group, a La Crosse-based angel group, was established in 2001 with the support of the SBDC. The purpose of the group is to invest in high-potential businesses that seek equity funding for growth and expansion. The SBDC coordinates monthly meetings on the UW-La Crosse campus to review proposals and discuss investment actions. There are 20 investor-members and since 2001 over 10 investments have been made, totaling approximately $1.2 million. At the time the LLC was formed, the UW-La Crosse Small Business Development Center (SBDC) assumed the managing role. The SBDC serves as a contact point for both prospective investor-members and also entrepreneurs seeking equity funding. The office provides meeting logistics and LLC record keeping. The SBDC provides assistance to the entrepreneurs in preparing for the presentation to the investment group. Most recently the SBDC is coordinating advisory meetings of selected angel investors with early stage entrepreneurs from Western Wisconsin. These companies are not yet ready to seek angel investments, but benefit from advice from the network of these successful business people.