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Keiretsu Forum Southeast

Southeast U.S. chapters of the global Keiretsu Forum angel investment network.

Atlanta, GA, USA

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Description

The Keiretsu Forum South-East (K4-SE) is the regional chapter of the global angel investor network, connecting accredited investors with high-growth, early-stage companies. Established in 2014, the region includes chapters in Atlanta, Jacksonville (North Florida), and West Palm Beach (South Florida). 
  • Seed & Series A/B: K4-SE primarily invests in companies seeking between $750,000 and $5 million in funding per round.
  • Traction Required: They look for businesses with justified valuations, often with $500K to $1.5M in initial friends and family investment already in place, ready for significant scale. 
  • Method: Entrepreneurs apply online via the Keiretsu Forum DealRoom website.
  • Materials: A comprehensive business plan and pitch deck are required. Note that initial proposals do not require an NDA.
  • Fees: There is no fee to apply or present at the initial Deal Screening. However, a fee is required if a company is selected to present at the main Forum Meetings to cover administrative costs. 

Eligibility

  • Geography: Primarily the Southeastern United States (GA, FL, LA, NC, SC, AL, TN, MS).
  • Sectors: Industry-agnostic, with significant activity in Technology/Internet, Life Sciences/Health Care/Medical Devices, Consumer Products, Real Estate, and Social Ventures.
  • Exit Strategy: The company must have a clear exit strategy and potential for strong returns (5-10X ROI).

Process

The process emphasizes rigorous pre-screening and peer-to-peer due diligence: 

  1. Online Application: Founders submit their plan through the application portal.
  2. Pre-Screening: Committees of industry specialists vet applications, selecting 8-12 companies for the monthly Deal Screening meeting.
  3. Deal Screening: Selected companies present for 12 minutes with an 8-minute Q&A via Zoom. The committee decides who advances to the main Forum Meeting.
  4. Forum Meeting: Finalists present to the full network of investors across the South-East and Mid-Atlantic regions during monthly virtual meetings.
  5. Due Diligence (DD): Interested members form a collaborative DD team for a rigorous 4–8 week review of the business, technology, financials, and legal standing.
  6. Investment: Members make individual investment decisions, with rounds typically ranging from $1 million to $15 million. 

What an Applicant can Obtain

  • Strategic Capital: Access to a large pool of capital from an extensive network of accredited investors, VCs, and institutional partners.
  • Expert Mentorship: Guidance from successful entrepreneurs and business leaders who actively participate in the due diligence process and advisory roles.
  • Global Exposure: The potential to present to over 50 Keiretsu chapters across four continents and access a global online deal room.
  • Credibility: The rigorous vetting process provides significant validation that can help secure follow-on funding from other angel groups and VCs.