Angel Investing, Investment Strategies and Mentorship- Gary Forni

Guest:Gary ForniChairman, Central Texas Angel Network (CTAN)Host:Melissa AarskaugExecutive Connect: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnectEpisode Overview:In this episode of Executive Connect, Melissa Aarskaug chats with Gary Forni, veteran angel investor and chairman of CTAN. Gary walks us through the world of angel investing—from spotting promising startups to what really goes on during the due diligence process. He shares the real-life lessons that come with backing winners and learning from misses, while also spotlighting the powerful mentorship culture within CTAN. This episode also unpacks where the startup ecosystem is heading, the trends to watch, and why angel investing isn’t just about capital—it’s about community, patience, and impact.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction and Background08:39 – Identifying and Selecting Startups for Investment23:56 – Lessons Learned from Successful and Unsuccessful Investments27:19 – Trends in the Startup Ecosystem and Angel Investing29:56 – The Future of Angel Investing34:33 – Advice for Aspiring Angel InvestorsConnect With Us:Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnectSocial:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaugX: https://x.com/melissaaarskaug