The number of organized angel investor groups is on the rise, according to a new study by the Angel Capital Education Foundation (ACEF) and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
The report found that the number of angel groups increased substantially in the past three years, from an estimated 150 in 2002 to 250 in 2005.
The National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship (NDE) notes that the professionalism and sophistication of angel groups is increasing along with the number of groups. NDE cites ACEF's analysis, which found that the average angel group invested $1.45 million and that the average angel group invested $266,000 per round and $387,000 per company during 2005.
As WRAL Local Tech Wire reports, "the increase could be good news for entrepreneurs who rely more heavily than ever on funding from wealthy individuals to get new ventures started."
That is particularly good news for the Southeast, which has over 20 active angel groups investing in the region.