March 29, 2024 by investor
On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Barry Etra, President of Keiretsu Forum, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Keiretsu Forum is a global investment community of accredited private equity angel investors, venture capitalists, and corporate institutional investors. With over 2,000 accredited angel investor members dispersed throughout 53 Chapter cities on 4 continents, Keiretsu Forum is the world’s largest and most successful accredited investor–private equity community.
Since its founding in 2000, Keiretsu Forum members have invested more than $1 billion in 1400+ different companies from a myriad of industries, including software, telecommunications, health/life sciences, biotech, real estate, mobile applications, Internet, consumer products, and other high-growth areas.
Barry Etra is a seasoned professional whose career exemplifies a deep commitment to fostering growth and innovation within the early-stage landscape, particularly in the southeastern United States. His journey began in the manufacturing sector, where he amassed experience over several years.
In 2014, Barry pivoted towards the entrepreneurial ecosystem and created the RAISE (Retention and Advanced Investment for the Southeast) Forum based in Atlanta. This move marked a significant shift in his career path toward the cultivation of a robust support system for early-stage companies in the region. In 2018, he was recruited to lead the Atlanta Chapter of the Keiretsu Forum, the world’s largest and most successful accredited investor-private equity community. Under his guidance, the Atlanta Chapter has grown to become a key player in the local and regional early-stage investment community, providing a conduit for investors to access high-quality investment opportunities.
In this episode, Barry discusses his transition from the manufacturing sector to early-stage investment. He highlights the challenges faced by companies in securing funding and the emergence of Koretsu Forum as a solution. Etra emphasizes the comprehensive due diligence process conducted by Koretsu Forum, which benefits both investors and entrepreneurs. He describes the collaborative decision-making process within the Atlanta chapter and the diverse profile of investors involved. Etra also discusses emerging trends in early-stage investments in the Southeast, particularly in healthcare, and advises listeners on how to get involved with Koretsu Forum.
For a full transcript, click here.
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Disclaimer:
Hall T Martin is the director of Investor Connect, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the education of investors for early-stage funding. All opinions expressed by Hall and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of Investor Connect. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for the basis of investment decisions.
