Internet, Software, and Media InvestorMichael Eckert

Name: Michael Eckert
Firm: Atlanta Technology Angels
Location: Atlanta, GA
Type: Angel Investment

Overview

Michael Eckert is the executive director of Atlanta Technology Angels. ATA is a group of accredited investors who invest in high growth startup or early stage businesses. They actively look for startups with great opportunities where their team can bring more to the table than just money. The Atlanta Technology Angel Group brings a wide variety of connections, knowledge, mentoring and operational assistance to bold early-stage entrepreneurs with game-changing ideas.  The members of ATA collaborate with each other on mentoring, deal screening, and due diligence but in the end they make individual decisions regarding potential investments.
 

Target Investment Categories

  • Internet Commerce
  • Content, Entertainment, Media
  • Software
 

Approach

ATA members invest in Georgia-based companies which have the potential to rapidly scale into market and financial leadership with high potential to provide an exit within 3 to 5 years.  This usually implies a company that has a potential for high growth, with an experienced team, a strong and protectable market position, or a sustainable advantage.
 

What they Look For

ATA Members look for the following attributes in any business plan:
  • A market opportunity sufficiently large to create a business with an addressable market of 100’s of millions if not a billion dollars within 5 years. 
  • A compelling, well articulated strategy for capturing and defending their significant market share.
     
  • Proprietary technology or other barriers to entry.
     
  • Strong management (not necessarily a complete team) with relevant and successful experience.
     
  • An exit strategy for the investors.
     
  • A willingness and desire by the founders to take advice and coaching - ATA members can bring more than money to the table.
     
  •  Lastly, the company valuation must fit within their risk/reward expectations for the investment.
Normally, members do not consider investments in companies based outside of Georgia unless we are syndicating a deal with other regional angel groups.
 

Summary

Atlanta Technology Angels is a group of Angel Investors that look for startup and early stage companies with high growth potential in the Georgia area.
 
Tags: Atlanta Angels, Atlanta Angel Investment, Angel Investors Georgia.