In this episode, Hall welcomes Grace Belangia, Executive Director and Founding Member of theClubhou.se. 

theClubhou.se is a co-working and collaboration space in the heart of downtown Augusta, Georgia. Today, theClubhou.se is a co-working space, a makerspace, a code school, a startup accelerator, a prototyping lab, a mentorship network, an organizer of events, and a think tank. It’s also a support resource for organizations in communities across the nation that are working to grow their local innovation economy.

theClubhou.se inspires ideas, creates companies, and builds community. Founded in 2012, theClubhou.se is a division of Hack Augusta, inc., a non-profit 501(c)3 dedicated to growing a culture of innovation and collaboration. They have 230 members and have helped grow 100 companies that created over 1000 jobs. Their events and programs serve over 25,000 people and their classes help thousands learn new skills in technology, business, and design, so they can thrive in an innovation economy. 

Grace is also the Executive Director and co-founder of the non-profit, HACK Augusta that connects leaders and learners in the technology, business and design sector. Grace works with national private and public foundations to engage community and civic leaders to leverage their knowledge, power, and influence in committing to helping citizens thrive. Challenging those in government, education, philanthropy, technology and business to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, she encourages entrepreneurs with an idea to execute it! She contributes a unique perspective to Augusta, Georgia having grown up in Silicon Valley, a graduate from UCLA, she holds a M.S. degree in Communications and Public Relations. She was an early-stage employee for a digital mobile marketing company and business partner for Innovation Architecture Firm, having raised more than $1,000.000 in funding. She is also an early-stage angel investor in two technology startups, including Sumo Robot League, an educational robotics platform. She was a former Adjunct Professor at Augusta University and is a published writer and associate editor. 

Grace speaks with Hall about how she has built a local ecosystem for entrepreneurs, the changes she sees coming up in the next five years along with the challenges, and theClubhou.se’s investment thesis.

You can visit theClubhou.se at theClubhou.se. 

Grace can be contacted via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/grace-anne-belangia-85169927/, via Twitter at www.twitter.com/GraceBelangia, and via email at grace@theclubhou.se.

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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.