1. To be a leading provider of products and services that launch businesses rather than start businesses, creating a substantially different “go-to- market” strategy that attracts the proper mix of debt and equity, experience and vision, desire and reality.

2. To establish in the marketplace a superior alternative to ineffective capital formation methods, thereby creating a thriving environment for start-ups and emerging growth companies.  Ultimately, this will create a vehicle for  wealth creation  for true entrepreneurs and investors seeking high-risk, high return opportunities.

3. To bring economic vitality to the local community by contributing to the financial capability and efficient operation of small businesses, ultimately creating jobs and providing a return to shareholders and the financial community.

Karen Rands Founder and President   At LAUNCHfn small businesses get help developing and building their companies so that they can attract capital and execute on their business strategies.  Kugarand Holdings, LLC acquired the Network of Business Angels and Investors (NBAI) in early 2005.  Since 1994, the NBAI investment membership club has invested in 67 companies totaling over $34 Million (www.nbai.net ).  The pillars of these two models: investment group and business development organization, builds the foundation for fulfilling her personal goal to help 500 companies succeed at building good scalable and fundable models by the year 2015.  Karen serves as President of both NBAI and LAUNCHFn.   Listen to a video message from Karen Rands.

Harold Brown Entrepreneur in Residence   Harold Brown has over 20 years experience as a serial entrepreneur and investor. He currently serves as a board member and advisor to several companies. After earning a BS in marketing and economics, Harold continued his education by earning an MBA.  In his early career, Harold worked in sales and management for some of the top Fortune Corporations, but soon left to pursue his dream of entrepreneurship.  He has owned and operated several franchises, ultimately becoming a Master Franchisee of one of the top selling U.S. franchised businesses.  He has created several start-up businesses and most recently launched a successful e-commerce business.  He enjoys helping entrepreneurs launch and scale their business; while advising many on their strategic planning process.  His motto is “Making Money and Having Fun with People You Like”.  Harold lives in Atlanta / Buckhead and travels extensively.   Harold will apply his years of experience in helping us grow our business model, providing keen insight to our clients, and attracting new investors to our community.

Roxie Thomas VP of Business Development   LAUNCHfn helps develop and build small businesses with capital.  Roxie develops and implements strategies to communicate and educate companies and investors about the world of private equity investing and capital funding options.  Responsibilities include strategic marketing and business development of Launch Funding Network, the Network of Business Angels & Investors, and the Private Equity Investor Forum.

The Flourishing Business Elizabeth Gordon The Flourishing Business provides entrepreneurial companies with business consulting, strategic marketing expertise and business advisory services.   Our focus is on: Strategy & Execution... Helping business owners achieve the financial and personal rewards that should come with entrepreneurship.   We do this by leveraging proven best practices, coupled with creative ideas, and good business acumen, to help our clients achieve high and sustainable growth on a limited budget to increase the value of their business and their attractiveness to investors.  Our senior consultants also act as a sounding board whenever you need advice and support.   Our clients think of us as part of their team and a key component to their overall business strategy for growth.   By helping smaller organizations to proactively identify areas for improvement and areas of opportunity, they are able to react quickly to marketplace conditions, make smart and strategic business decisions and exploit profit opportunities.  We’d love to talk about making your business a Flourishing Business!  Main number: 404-521-2401. RockRidge Financial Services Andrew Levy, CPA Trusted Business Advisors and Certified Public Accountants providing cost-efficient outsourced financial consulting, management, and accounting services, RockRidge Financial Services, LLC provides the comprehensive suite of financial services that accomplish your accounting needs while working towards a corporate financial goal and mission. Get to know our team of highly-specialized, highly-organized chief financial officers, controllers, tax specialists, senior accountants, and bookkeeping specialists, and learn how we can help your organization. Contact Andrew at 678-421-9977. Public Financial Services, LLC Joel Arberman Many private companies are seeking faster, easier and less expensive methods to raise investment capital, complete mergers and acquisitions, attract and retain employees and create shareholder wealth and liquidity by going public through the Direct Public Offering process.  As strategic business advisors, Public Financial Services, LLC plans and manages all the steps required for your Direct Public Offering. By outsourcing these functions, your corporate objectives can be achieved faster, easier and often at a lower cost than if you tried to handle it yourself. Dream2Concepts, Inc. Michael Burkholder, CEO A boutique business development firm that specializes on providing New Venture Creations the business resources and planning tools necessary to complete the steps to a successful startup and launch. Incorporated in 2001, significant projects include the completion of the Sales and Marketing Plan [Including the Acquisition and Transition Strategy] for JobOptions.com, an online competitor to HotJobs and Monster. The completion of the Business Development Plan [National Fisheries Institute] for Global Food Exchange [An Online Trading Platform that raised over $20Million in Venture Capital]. Dream2Concept has specialized in the presentation of business plans to the SBA community, and has assisted several ventures in the presentation of their business strategies to these institutions. Winslett & DeFoor CPAs PC Greg DeFoor, CPA Winslett & DeFoor CPAs provides a broad range of accounting, tax and financial management services to privately owned companies and business owners. In addition to being a CPA, Greg is also a licensed Business Broker and can represent buyers or sellers as a Mergers & Acquisitions Intermediary. Services provided to new or growing companies include tax services, accounting assistance, financial management assistance, accounting due diligence, pre and post closing transition assistance, monitoring compliance with loan and/or investor covenants, expense controls and building value. A monitoring program can be custom designed based on the needs of each  individual business and/or investor(s).  NextGen Data Services, Inc. Frank Koperda, President Frank has successfully created advanced data products for over twenty years. Among these groundbreaking products are the original IBM desktop computer, wireless LANs, cable modem, ADSL systems, and home networking products. Frank's work included participating on development teams, in standards committees, forming technology alliances, evaluating company alliances, and working on helping clients on derivative patents and tightening up existing patents. As a result, Frank holds 26 Domestic / 22 International Patents, has participated in 13 Major Publications, and written many standards papers. A Perfect Plan, Inc. Nicco Duncan Nicco helps busy entrepreneurs prepare the investor or bank ready business plan so they can secure funding.   Her team brings decades of experience  in the corporate and small business arena to work for their clients.   They offer top notch analytical services to help a company fully develop their marketing strategy  and market opportunity, positioned against obvious and not so obvious competitors and other obstacles.  A Perfect Plan develops and documents quality Business Plans for new or existing businesses.  Business Plans developed with A Perfect Plan have received financing from Banks, The SBA, and other outside lenders.  RighstepDPO, Inc. Jim Harris, President Over the past thirty two (32) years, Jim Harris has served on 27 small business, non-profit and government agency boards of directors, organized and directed the turnaround of 3 Federally-chartered financial institutions, managed investment and loan portfolios of $30MM. He has 22 years of experience in community development lending, having worked as CEO of a community bank, developed and managed two community development loan funds, advised and directed entrepreneur mentoring programs. He has advised and coached hundreds of entrepreneurs. His company RighstepDPO, Inc. specializes in micro-enterprise design, business plans, and direct stock offerings. Horten CC Michael Horton Michael Horten is a US and European educated lawyer with 34 years’ experience as a practicing attorney.  Mr. Horten began his legal career with Sullivan & Cromwell in New York and Paris.  He then spent 25 years with King & Spalding in Atlanta.  At the end of 1999, he retired from the King & Spalding partnership to launch Horten CC, a legal practice that focuses on the needs of the small and medium size companies that now play such an important role in our economy. Mr. Horten’s experience covers a wide variety of corporate, commercial, technology and financial transactions, including domestic and international mergers, acquisitions, securities offerings, joint ventures and strategic alliances.  Michael Broughton, CPA Michael Broughton Founded in 1992, this unique professional financial consulting firm provides interim and outsourced CFO, controller, and accountant services to companies in the metro Atlanta area. Drawing on sixteen years of Big 4, Fortune 500 and entrepreneurial experience, our firm has the skills, flexibility, and responsiveness to help clients meet their goals. Our clients range from Fortune 500 companies to start-up firms. Michael currently serves on the boards of directors for the Starlight Children’s Foundation of Atlanta, MedCare Staffing, Inc. and West Park Properties. CMA Financial Services Chris Morris Chris brings extensive experience working with companies managing their financial wellbeing.   He began his career as a consultant in accounting for a big 8 accounting firm.  He gained prominence with his fiduciary responsibilities as a Controller, CFO and Assistant Treasurer for several Insurance and Service companies, both private and public companies.  He took two companies through their initial public offerings, prepared one secondary stock offering, and an initial bond offering before entering into private practice.  Chris Morris (MBA, CPA, CFP, RFC, CEPP) CMA Financial Services.  Chris guest lectures at various local business schools. AACC, Argentine-American Chamber of Commerce of Georgia Dennis Bruce Throughout his 25 year career, Dennis has overseen projects within 60 countries and acquired extensive experience in business management, technology, international trade and channel partner development, as well as in business consulting services. He has served as CIO of several companies including Cencosud and AA2000 in Argentina. He is currently President of Tangonet Business Solutions, a company dedicated to helping businesses grow and increase profitability through international commerce, strategic sourcing and business support programs.  He is fluent in English, Spanish and French.  . He is currently President of Tangonet Business Solutions, a company dedicated to helping businesses grow and increase profitability through international commerce, strategic sourcing and business support programs.  He is fluent in English, Spanish and French.   Institute for Independent Business (IIB):  Accredited Associate with the IIB - an international, non-profit organization dedicated to providing invaluable information and access to assistance to meet the needs of independent businesses locally, regionally and globally,  International Clearing House (ICHICH):  Partner/Agent with the ICH whose mission is to assist businesses in becoming internationally active and prepared for global challenges specific to their situation (opening new markets, creating new sources, importing, exporting, in-sourcing, outsourcing, or e-Commerce),  Global Hotel Broker's Alliance (GHBA):  Independent agent  with the GHBA whose objective is to identify opportunities for potential buyers, sellers, investors and developers in the hotel industry worldwide, GeorgiaHispanic Chamber of Commerce:  Member, Argentine-American Chamber of Commerce in Georgia: President: President. New Paradigm Marketing Tim Smith "Inspiring business growth through innovative strategy, compelling marketing and hands-on expertise." New Paradigm Marketing is a full-service marketing agency that serves entrepreneurs and growing businesses. We provide marketing solutions that help businesses generate more leads, an improved conversion ratio, increased sales and a higher marketing ROI. For information on the methodology we use, see Our Approach.  Our principal is a 30-year veteran of marketing and has executive management experience in advertising agencies, corporate marketing and media. If you're serious about getting your project funded, you'll greatly increase your chances if you follow the 5 key tips outlined in this month's article, "Investor Presentations that Blow their Socks Off." Click here to read it. http://newparadigmmarketing.com/investor_presentations.htm    We offer a variety of affordable services for early stage businesses seeking investor capital. If you're trying to raise capital, learn about our Market Based Capital Presentation. Call   (707) 888-9700 for a complimentary consultation.