About Us
RGVAN Paving the Path to Success
RGVAN
RGVAN was founded in the summer of 2015 by local investors, educators and community leaders, who believed that early-stage investing could provide a meaningful return for investors while also spurring local economic growth. Under the direction of Dr. Mark Kroll, the then Dean of the College of Business at UT Brownsville and Laurie Simmons, former Director of the Texas Emerging Technology Fund’s Tropical Texas Regional Center for Innovation and Commercialization, the idea was presented to community leaders. With ten founding members and some seed money from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund, RGVAN was formed.
Mission
The Rio Grande Valley Angel Network (RGVAN) will spark economic growth in the region by connecting investment ready startups with seed funding through our accredited angel investor network.
Vision
Through our efforts, we seek to be a key source for funding and educational resources for entrepreneurs and a platform of meaningful investment opportunities for our members.
Who We Are
RGVAN is an organization that provides a platform for entrepreneurs to access capital and for Angel Investors to invest in scalable enterprises. RGVAN strives to impact the economic prosperity of the Rio Grande Valley and develop an entrepreneurial culture in the region.
Management
RGVAN is an independent member-based organization. RGVAN has a part-time Executive Director, and a fully engaged volunteer Board of Directors and leadership committees whose time, effort, and involvement allow RGVAN to fulfill its mission for investors and entrepreneurs.
Board of Directors
Investing in Entrepreneurship
Danny Juarez
Board Member
Founder and Managing Member of Siete Semilla Capital, Danny Juarez, has over 12 years of energy industry experience working for a global Fortune 500 company, Chevron Corporation, bringing large enterprise perspective, project management, engineering, and maintenance experience.