In this episode, Hall welcomes Eric Thome, Director at VentureSouth.

VentureSouth is an early-stage venture firm that provides capital and expertise to Southeastern startups through their angel investment network and funds.

Since their inception with the Upstate Carolina Angel Network (UCAN) in 2008, VentureSouth has grown to include more than 350 active investors, making them one of the largest angel investment groups in the United States – and they have been named a Top 10 angel group three times.

To date, VentureSouth has invested over $50 million in more than 80 companies.

Eric is the Managing Director of Business Development for Charles Towne Holdings, a boutique investment bank headquartered in Charleston. He is also the founder of Death Valley Ventures where he acts as a consultant and operator for businesses large and small. Through DVV, he is part owner of Barre3 Charleston and formerly acquired the folding Kayak company, Folbot, and launched GameDayBlazers.com.

Eric received his Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University and his MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia. He currently serves on the board of the American Red Cross of the Lowcountry, the board for InnoVision SC, the advisory board for Clemson Honors College, chairs the Investment Committee for Social Venture Partners Charleston, and is a leader of the Charleston Shared Future Project.

Eric and his wife, Eloise, live in Charleston, SC with their daughters, Anna, Landon, and Virginia.

Eric advises startups and investors and shares some of the challenges they face. He also discusses his investment thesis and what he thinks will be the biggest change we will see in the next 12 months.

You can visit VentureSouth at www.venturesouth.vc, via LinkedIn at  www.linkedin.com/company/venturesouth-vc/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/VentureSouth_VC.  

Eric can be contacted via email at eric@venturesouth.vc, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/ericthome.

For a full transcript, click here.

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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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.