C HAPTER 9: B UILDING A N ATIONAL A NGEL O RGANIZATION
The organization is structured as a hybrid of several models, thus allowing angels to interact and be represented in a way that is not available in other organizations and professional development groups. Many of the founding members also maintain relationships with other groups such as the Canadian Advanced Technology Association (CATA), Canadian Association of Family Enterprise (CAFE), Canadian Venture Capital Association (CVCA), Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (CALU), World Economic Forum (WEF), Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and others. None of these groups represent the unique and important interests of angel investors. The NAO will seek to create alliances or relationships with these and other business, academic and government groups as appropriate. CONCLUSION Since NAO’s founding in October 2002, it has emerged as the voice of angel investors in Canada, with a mission to improve the success of angel investors through networking and education. Studies indicate that Canadian competitiveness and resultant standard of living has fallen in the last ten years. By improving the probability of success and returns of angel investments in Canada, benefits accrue to the economy and society in general. NAO is founded on the premise that angels fund innovation by investing in young companies and that innovation leads to improved productivity, prosperity and consequently a higher standard of living.
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