Bridge Angel Investors are a group of passionate and committed investors who collaborate to fund local innovation. We qualify, fund, mentor and leverage our networks on behalf of our portfolio companies to provide a win-win opportunity for all.
Bridge Angel Investors (BAI) or BRIDGE was founded in 2017 to bring together resources, innovation, and dollars to growing enterprises (hence the acronym BRIDGE) in the Sarasota-Bradenton Area. We are an ever growing group of investor members in Sarasota with a focus on investing in early-stage companies based in Florida typically in syndication with other Florida-based angel investor groups. However, we broaden our reach throughout the US through trusted member and partner referrals. BRIDGE has joined forces with the Adi Dassler International Family Office (ADIFO) to invest in the leAD Sports & Health Tech Partners, the leading global sports and health tech investment ecosystem, inspired by Adi Dassler (founder of Adidas). Adi Dassler’s grandsons (Horst Bente and Klaus Bente) created leAD Sports, LTD (“leAD”) which consists of a group of shareholders dedicated to the acceleration of sports, health and fitness technologies for the benefit of entrepreneurs, clients of ADIFO, and ADIDAS. Bridge’s direct investment in leAD will facilitate access to a global network of investment opportunities.
Executive Director
Kim Miele
Kim Miele is a lifelong connector. Bringing together people and ideas is her passion, whether through her myriad of roles as past Executive Director of the Gulf Coast CEO Forum, the planning of large-scale events for Harvard Medical School, or as a consultant for Startfast Venture Accelerator. She is a results-oriented, high-energy leader with experience developing and managing strategic partnerships, communications strategy, community relations initiatives, conferences, and special events. In her personal time, Kim is dedicated to putting her gift of connection to good use by serving the Sarasota/Bradenton communities.
Click on the image for a Linkedin Profile
Managing Team
Our Managing Team includes our Executive Director Kim and four managing members.
Click on the image for a Linkedin Profile
Alain Bankier
● Co-founder New York Angels
● Co-President and CEO, The Manischewitz Company
● Managing Director/Head, M&A North America, BNP Paribas
Wendi Chapman
● Chair, Sarasota 01 Tiger 21
● Past Executive Director BRIDGE Angel Investors
● Director of Operations Brenn Foundation
● Vice President of Admin/Finance, General Counsel for Omeza, LLC
Paul Harder
● CEO, Owner, Founder with three successful exits in three different verticals.
● To Ford Motor Company after an 11-year CAGAR of over 20% in the automotive parts business.
● To Cott a public beverage company after an EBITDA growth from $28 to $84 million in four years.
·● PE with a software startup providing both a SAS option and full-service option to Healthcare Providers.
● Currently serving on private company boards and as advisor, mentor, coach and investor to both startups and fully operating companies.
Linda Jellison
● Currently serving on Private Boards
● Founder/President/CEO LTC Engineering Associates
● Former Executive Director ManTech Real Time Systems Laboratory (MRSL)
● Thirty five years in the Scientific and Technical Engineering fields
Peter Offringa
● Technology leader specializing in building large-scale software infrastructure for major Internet companies
● Prior CTO/VP Engineering roles at CBS Interactive, CNET, Comcast, Zoosk, Boatsetter
● Currently serving in advisory board roles for local start-ups.
● Active blogger about software company investing.
Rachel West
● Co-Founder, InfoAlliance LLC
● Previous President, Boatsetter, technology and data-driven on-demand boating
● Digital, Cloud, Big Data Transformation Strategy Advisor, Dell Technologies
● Head of Data Management, Financial Service Practices, EMC Consulting
Member Investors
Members of Bridge Angel Investors are a group of committed investors who help pick and fund portfolio companies, provide mentoring and leverage their networks to help portfolio companies be successful.
Click on the image for a Linkedin Profile
Patrick Del Medico
● 30+ years of documented success in sales, marketing, training, product development and performance management
● Executive leadership roles both nationally and internationally
● Strategic business planning for large Fortune 500 Companies ranging from Proctor & Gamble, Stryker Corporation and Baxter Healthcare to start-up entities to family-owned businesses.
● Executive Partner | COO for Florida Region, Shepherd Insurance
● Currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Gulf Coast CEO Forum as well as USF Risk Management & Insurance Industry Board and on the Advisory Board for Cardinal Mooney High School
William Foster
● Retired; Wells Fargo Securities 2016 as Senior VP of Investments
● During his tenure Wells Fargo acquired Wachovia, merged in Prudential Securities, and acquired Foster Brothers and Webber Co.
● As an active investor, owns various public stocks, privately held companies and operates four real-estate LLC’s that invest in commercial buildings in Northwest Ohio and Sarasota Florida.
● Currently serves on multiple boards in many different capacities (Chair, Committee Chair, Managing Member, Committee Member, Advisory)
Angela Grant
● Executive Vice President, Dealer Relations for PHD Entertainment
● Founder and President for SP Kids Distribution
● Medical Sales for Omnicare Pharmacies
● Registered Nurse
Justin Hertz
● Born and raised in Sarasota, FL
● Co-Founder, Owner and Operator of www.LiquidBottles.com or Liquid Bottles LLC
● Investor in Loaded Cannon Distillery in Lakewood Ranch
Scott Hearne
● Retired, Co-Founder of Longmeadow Holdings LLC. A multifamily development and real estate firm. Exited 2022.
● Co-Founder and CEO of engineering, development and construction firm located in the Denver Colorado area.
● Engineering Manager for a multinational engineering and construction firm (Bechtel Corp.) with regional and overseas assignments
James Keefe
● Broad executive experience across industries as diverse as biotechnology, investment management, academia, non-profit, as well as entertainment/media
● Ability to help entrepreneurs, business owners, and investors capture the power of strategic innovation driven by unique insights to push forward new ideas across a range of sectors
● International exposure (lived and traveled to over 86 countries) highlighted the importance of relationships and truly connecting with individuals, maintaining a curiosity and dream for something unique and different to help others in their journey.
Allen Johnson
● Member and Sponsor of Atlanta Technology Angels 2012-2016
● Charter member of NBAI, an Atlanta based Angel Group formed in 1995
● Founding Partner of the Adi Dassler Family Office, Director of Wealth Manager, Investment Advisor Representative Appolon Wealth
Chip Moll
● Vice President, Corporate Development with MTD Products.
● Founded in 1932, MTD Products is a leader in outdoor power equipment headquartered near Cleveland, Ohio.
● Our engineering expertise and state-of-the-art facilities around the world fuel MTD’s reputation for innovation and award-winning products
David Moll
● Managing Director of InField Capital. Early Stage venture capital focused on Clean Technologies for the Transportation Industry, with a focus on Future Powertrain technologies.
● Vice President, Business Development of DataPlay, Inc.
● Director, National Account Management of MatchLogic
Travis Priest
● Entrepreneur in Residence at Vocap Investment Partners
● Serial entrepreneur with 3 successful SaaS startup exits
● Consults with Angel through Series B funded SaaS startups; board member; advisor
Aaron Weikle
● Chief Executive Officer of ArganoMS3. Founded in 2009 MS3 provides high quality services to US Government agencies. MS3 helps the government transform business into a new era of enterprise using efficient computing and cost reductions through Open Source programs. We have supported a number of the largest government organizations over the past 7 years including entities like DISA, USCENTCOM and DoS.
● Senior SOA Lead and subject matter expert
● Senior Software Engineer and Applications Programmer
Chris Williams
● 25 year career in mergers & acquisitions industry for middle market private credit / private equity / investment banking
● Former Co-Founder & Managing Partner for two industry leading middle market private credit firms (Madison Capital Funding and Twin Brook Capital Partners)
● Prior roles included: credit / investment committee, group head for specialty industries, third party fundraising and daily management & operation of the firm(s)
● Currently active managing a family investment vehicle and investing in middle market private equity transactions
Interested in investing in early stage companies?
Learn more about becoming an angel investor with Bridge Angel Investors