VENTURESOUTH membership

Thank you for your interest in joining VentureSouth, one of the country’s largest early stage investment organization. While the majority of our members are within the markets listed below, accredited investors from across the US are invited to join.

We would be delighted to have you join us as we strive to Make Money. Have Fun. Do Good. Please click the “Join VentureSouth” button below to complete our membership application. Once the application is submitted, we will follow up for a formal onboarding.

VentureSouth includes more than 550 members, most of whom are in close proximity to one of our many VentureSouth Markets – but investors are welcome to join from anywhere.

VentureSouth Aiken

(Aiken, SC)

Formed in 2015 under the leadership of Peter Buckley and Paul Newsom.  Today Paul co-leads our efforts in the region with Bob Hottensen.

Aiken Market Directors

Bob Hottensen

Retired Equity Analyst, Goldman Sachs & Olayan Group

Paul Newsom

Associate Professor of Finance, USC Aiken

VentureSouth Asheville

(Asheville, NC)

Established in 2014 in partnership with the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County and the Asheville Chamber of Commerce.

Asheville Market Director

Jeff Kaplan

Director, Venture Asheville

VentureSouth Atlanta

(Atlanta, GA)

VentureSouth Atlanta launched in 2022, making it the first market expansion in Georgia.

VentureSouth market maps_Atlanta

Atlanta Market Directors

Mallory Lucas

Director of Venture Relations, VentureSouth

VentureSouth Charleston 

(Charleston, SC)

VentureSouth Charleston launched in 2014 as one of our first expansion markets. 

Charleston Market Director

Eric Thome

Managing Director of Business Development

VentureSouth Charlotte

(Charlotte, NC)

Formed in the Queen City in 2016 and led by Dan Roselli, an experienced venture investor and one of the top leaders within Charlotte’s investment community.

Charlotte Market Directors

Dan Roselli

Founder, RevTechLabs & CFV Ventures

VentureSouth Chattanooga

(Chattanooga, TN)

VentureSouth Chattanooga launched in 2022, making it the first market expansion in Tennessee.

VentureSouth market maps_Chattanooga

Chattanooga Market Director

JAY SHAFFER

Mentor, Advisor, Angel Investor

Jay Shaffer headshot

VentureSouth Fayetteville

(Fayetteville, NC)

VentureSouth Fayetteville successfully launched in early 2020, under the stewardship of local entrepreneur Marty Cayton. 

Fayetteville Market Director

MARTY CAYTON

Publisher at Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

757 Angels Powered By VentureSouth

(Hampton Roads region, VA)

VentureSouth has partnered with 757 Angels to continue to build on the strong momentum established by the group since its founding in 2015. The group is led by veteran investor and entrepreneurship ecosystem builder, Paul Nolde.

757 Angels Executive Director

Paul Nolde

Managing Director, 757 Angels

VentureSouth Jacksonville

(Jacksonville, FL)

Launched in the spring of 2023, VentureSouth Jacksonville is led by veteran angel investor Dr. Juliana Iarossi.

Jacksonville Market Director

Dr. Juliana Iarossi

Entreprenuer and Professor

VentureSouth Midlands

(Columbia, SC)

VentureSouth Midlands launched as our first VentureSouth expansion market in 2014.  Originally called Capital Angels, VentureSouth Midlands serves our investors in Columbia, SC and the surrounding areas.  

Midlands Market Directors

Austin Rhodes

Co-Founder & President at Rhodes Branding

Thomas Rhodes

Entrepreneur and Business Leader

VentureSouth Oxford

(Oxford, MS)

VentureSouth Oxford officially launched in early 2022.

VentureSouth market maps_Oxford

Oxford Market Director

Steve McDavid

President, The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation

Stephan McDavid headshot

VentureSouth Pee Dee

(Florence, SC)

The Pee Dee region of South Carolina organized its VentureSouth group in 2021.

Pee Dee Market Director

Curtis Lee

Founder/Principal at Kairos Sophos Consulting

VentureSouth Piedmont

(Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem, NC)

VentureSouth Piedmont launched in 2017 to serve the Triad area of North Carolina.

Piedmont Market Directors

Matt Bailey

Investor and Director of Soelect Inc.

Malay Shah

General Partner Piedmont Summit Capital

VentureSouth Rock Hill

(Rock Hill, SC)

VentureSouth Rock Hill was one of our earliest expansion efforts in 2015.

Rock Hill Market Director

Jay Rinehart

President/CEO at Rinehart Realty Corporation

VentureSouth Spartanburg

(Spartanburg, SC)

VentureSouth Spartanburg officially launched in February 2015 as Spartanburg Angels in partnership with the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce. 

Spartanburg Managing Director

John Gramling III

Activist Investor and Investment Banker

VentureSouth Triangle

(Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, NC)

VentureSouth Triangle officially launched in September 2021. Since the summer of 2023, Jonathan Heigel has led the group in the region.

Triangle Market Director

Jonathan Heigel

Founder, Operator, Venute Investor

VentureSouth UCAN

(Greenville, SC)

The Upstate Carolina Angel Network (UCAN) is the original investor group from which VentureSouth evolved.  UCAN launched in April of 2008.

UCAN Managing Director

Matt Dunbar

Co-Founder & Managing Director, VentureSouth

VentureSouth Central Virginia

(Richmond, VA)

Established in 2021, VentureSouth’s group in Central Virginia was created in partnership with Startup Virginia, a nonprofit high-growth business incubator and entrepreneurial hub dedicated to advancing businesses that build a long-term, sustainable economy for Virginia.

Central Virginia Market Directors

Richard Wintsch

Executive Director at Startup Virginia

Noelle James

Director of Startup Growth at Startup Virginia

VentureSouth Wilmington

(Wilmington, NC)

Our Wilmington market joined the VentureSouth fold in 2019 and is now led by Josh Hallingse through a partnership with the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.

Wilmington Market Director

Josh Hallingse

VP of Small Business Development & Business Retention, Wilimington Chambe of Commerce