ATIF Announces New Leadership, Growth Plans
PRESS RELEASE
Arizona Technology Investor Forum Becomes Separate Entity from ASU, Names New Director and Announces New Initiatives
(Tempe, Ariz. – Nov. 12, 2009) – The Arizona Technology Investor Forum (ATIF), an angel investment group focused on early stage technology companies, announces the organization has spun off from ASU and is focused on growing its presence and influence in Arizona. As part of the transition, ATIF named Paul Winandy, experienced investor and entrepreneur, as the organizations’ new director. Paul replaces Tom Duening, who founded ATIF in 2007. Duening left the Fulton School of Engineering at ASU to take a new position with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
“I’m excited to say that Tom Duening, our members, and key Fulton School faculty have embraced this change as an opportunity to grow ATIF and continue our mission for investors and tech entrepreneurs in Arizona,” said Paul Winandy, director of ATIF. “We look forward to an exciting new year for entrepreneurship and innovation. You can bet ATIF will be at the heart of some of Arizona’s most exciting ventures in 2010 and beyond.”
Paul Winandy has been a leading contributor to four successful startup businesses; two of which were named to the Inc. 500 list and concluded with acquisitions by public firms. Tom Duening remains an emeritus member of the ATIF board of directors. Additionally, the new board consists of some of the most influential investors and businesses people in Arizona including: Nicholas Aretakis, Arkayne; Ed Hall, Associate Dean in the Fulton School of Engineering; Michael Hool, Hool Law Group; Chuck Jirauch, Quarles & Brady; and Rob Logan, ShaMac Holdings.
Additional exciting changes at ATIF include:
- A new website: www.atif-az.org is the official website of ATIF. The new site contains important information for both entrepreneurs and investors.
- ATIF will now have four Investor Meetings a year (previously three meetings) to allow more startups to present to ATIF members.
- ATIF is now an independent, non-profit organization that still has tie to ASU but operates under it’s own private management.
- ATIF is aiming to partner with all major investor and entrepreneurship organizations to create more opportunity and growth to the states’ business community.
About ATIF
The Arizona Technology Investor Forum (ATIF) is an active community of accredited investors who invest in early-stage technology companies based in Arizona. ATIF was founded in 2007 and has quickly become an important resource for new technology ventures that are the future of our local economy. Since May 2007, ATIF members have invested over $2.3 million in Arizona-based technology ventures that have presented at ATIF meetings.
Greg is the CEO and founder of New Avenue where he consults with entrepreneurs and CEOs of growing companies to create successful marketing and growth strategies for their businesses. Head has grown two startup companies into successful businesses and global brands. He lives in Scottsdale, Arizona where he advises and invests in promising technology companies.