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Ozark Angels founder looks to hand off organization

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Ozark Angels founder Devin Dillon is looking to hand off the 2-year-old angel investor group.

Dillon announced at a recent 1 Million Cups event that he was seeking someone to run Ozark Angels days before his plans to move out of state. Dillon has since moved to Denver, which he said was a relocation for personal reasons.

Ozark Angels is a network that connects local entrepreneurs with capital. Dillon said the No. 1 problem an entrepreneur faces is finding investors.

“There’s more of a need now than there was before,” Dillon said. “We have a thriving community, and there’s no angel groups. There’s no cohesive platform or organization or network for capital and startups to get together.”

Ozark Angels has helped connect angel investors with at least eight startups, including Arkansas-based LIVSN Design Inc., which produces sustainable clothing for outdoor activities. The company surpassed $100,000 during a recent Kickstarter campaign, according to an article by Arkansas Money and Politics.

Ozark Angels also has helped connect a startup called Anchor. Essentially an Uber service for boats, the company – now operating in the Lake of the Ozarks and throughout Florida – provides a mobile app service that allows users to reserve cruises with boat owners serving as freelance captains. According to past Springfield Business Journal reporting, the company also participated in two business accelerators, St. Louis-based Capital Innovators and Tampa Bay Wave. Dillon said Anchor has so far exceeded $1 million in 2019 revenue.

Other companies that have utilized the platform include:
• CarbonCycle LLC;
• Engine;
• JobShakers Investors LLC;
• MowBotix;
• PicPocket Labs; and
• StaffedUp LLC.

The group has not had any new activity for a few months now, he said.

Dillon said he’s received some interest from potential successors. He’s looking for someone who is connected to the local startup scene and has experience in either raising capital or investing in startups. It’s currently structured as an unpaid volunteer position, he said.

Dillon also was co-organizer of 1 Million Cups Springfield, which came to the Queen City in 2014.

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