NJ Golden Seeds and Rutgers University Partner for Angel Investing Forum

Golden Seeds’ New Jersey Chapter, supported by the NJEDA, Empowers Women Entrepreneurs Through Increased Access to Capital and Mentoring Opportunities

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (February 2, 2024) – The New Jersey chapter of Golden Seeds partnered with the Rutgers University Foundation to hold an angel investing forum in New Brunswick earlier this week, bringing entrepreneurs, investors, and alumni together for networking and pitching opportunities to support innovative women-led businesses. Supported by First Lady Tammy Murphy and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), the New Jersey chapter of Golden Seeds aims to close the funding gap faced by female-led startups and support their success by increasing access to capital and creating mentoring opportunities with angel investors and successful entrepreneurs.

“The New Jersey chapter of Golden Seeds continues to create opportunities for women-led startups and our state’s female entrepreneurs, leveraging a robust national network of angel investors to create a more equitable economy,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “Through collaboration with the Garden State’s leading research universities, Golden Seeds is ensuring the next generation of female founders has the resources and support they need to grow.”

The forum featured presentations from innovative founders and investors and provided networking sessions for attendees to discuss personal experiences and investment opportunities. The event also highlighted women innovators who are creating New Jersey-based startups based on Rutgers Research discoveries.

Opening remarks from NJEDA’s Chief Economic Transformation Officer Kathleen Coviello, Rutgers University Foundation Vice President for Central Fundraising and Engagement Irene O’Brien, and Rutgers University Office for Research Executive Director of Technology Transfer Deborah Pérez-Fernández, focused on the importance of creating pathways for women-led startups to succeed in New Jersey’s innovation economy and the role of universities as staging grounds for inventive ideas and research.

“Female founders face significant barriers in accessing capital and investment, and under Governor Phil Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey has led the way in creating an environment for early-stage, female-led startups to thrive,” said Coviello. “New Jersey Golden Seeds provides opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect with experienced investors and leaders of world-class research institutions, arming them with the tools they need to expand and grow in the Garden State”

“The Rutgers researchers who presented at today’s Golden Seeds Angel Investing Forum are emblematic of the amazing work being conducted across the Chancellor-led units, and the Office for Research is proud to have supported them in their entrepreneurial efforts,” said Deborah Perez Fernandez, Executive Director of Technology Transfer. “The Office for Research (OfR) collaborates with faculty, researchers, and students to help commercialize their ideas, whether through licensing or launching a startup. Currently, there are 100 active Rutgers startups, including those who presented today, all working to address world-wide challenges in such fields as medicine, climate change, mental health, and digital safety. We are honored to work with all our great innovators as part of the OfR’s mission to support the research, scholarship, and creative endeavors of ALL Rutgers faculty.”

Founded in 2005, Golden Seeds is one of the nation’s most active early-stage investment firms focused on creating opportunities for women-led businesses, investing over $175 million in over 240 companies. Golden Seeds’ members are dedicated to evaluating, funding, and helping companies with at least one woman in an upper management role who has an equity position.

To support Governor Murphy’s goals of building a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy and creating the most diverse innovation ecosystem in the nation, First Lady Murphy and the NJEDA organized the New Jersey chapter of Golden Seeds in 2020, contributing to the creation of a strong, cohesive, and equitable angel investing community that supports the growth of women-led businesses. To date, the New Jersey Golden Seeds chapter has invested over $9.5 million in female-led companies.

“Golden Seeds extends unique tools to women-led companies, offering access to a robust network of angel investors and successful entrepreneurs and providing crucial information on investment strategies and innovative programs that the Garden State offers,” said Golden Seeds Managing Director Gina Tedesco. “This week’s event with Rutgers University highlighted the inventive ideas and businesses emerging out of New Jersey’s universities, bringing alumni investors and female founders together for engaging presentations and discussions. Women entrepreneurs continue to face barriers in accessing capital, but through the efforts of Golden Seeds and the NJEDA, they have the resources and network they need to grow and thrive.”

The New Jersey chapter of Golden Seeds holds monthly Office Hours to connect entrepreneurs and Golden Seeds members and provide information on the angel investing process. To sign up for an Office Hours session, click here.

Investors interested in Golden Seeds membership and the broader angel investing community can join an online forum to observe members as they consider future investments. For more information, visit https://goldenseeds.com/angel-network/interested-in-joining/.

About the NJEDA

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.

To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 844-965-1125 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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