Bill Payne, Leading US Angel Investor

With generous support from BNZ, FRST, and many other organisations around New Zealand, The ICEHOUSE has organised a six-month visit by Bill Payne from February to July 2010.

Bill Payne is one of the United States’ most decorated Angel investors.  In 25 years, he has invested in more than 50 companies, mentored hundreds, and founded four angel networks. In recognition of his contributions, Mr. Payne was awarded the 2009 Hans Serveriens Award, the US Angel Capital Association’s highest honour. 

The objective of Bill’s visit is to transfer his experience, knowledge, and US network to New Zealand’s entrepreneurs, universities, and investors. The ICEHOUSE has collaborated with a number of supporters to facilitate opportunities for these individuals and groups to engage with and learn from Bill. 

For more information on Bill Payne visit www.billpayne.com
Visit Bill's Blog - It's a GREAT Time to be an Angel 
 

Bill Payne was in the business of angel investing long before most of us had ever heard of it.

An engineer by trade he sold his company to Dupont in 1982 for a considerable sum and began a new business, investing and mentoring start up companies.

Mr Payne is in the country for the next six months as the BNZ University of Auckland business school entrepreneur-in-residence.

He talks about angel investing.

Bill Payne>

Bill Payne is an engineer, entrepreneur, angel investor, and educator. Bill sold, Solid State Dielectrics, a company he founded, to DuPont in 1982 and has since played a considerable role developing entrepreneurship and angel investing in the United States.

Bill Payne’s list leadership and director roles includes:
• Serving on five university advisory boards
• Teaching over 80 workshops and seminars on angel investing in five countries.
• Providing over 120 man-years of service on profit and non-profit boards of directors
• Acting as the president of the United States Advanced Ceramics Association, National Institute of Ceramic Engineers, and the American Ceramic Society.
• Serving as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence to the Kauffman Foundation for 12 years
• Serving on the founding committee of the Angel Capital Association (US)

Bill has vast entrepreneurial and investment experience and a track record of being able to share his experiences with others.  On his last visit to New Zealand, Bill led the Power of Angel’s seminars, a Kauffman Foundation seminar series that he helped created.