New Hampshire University’s (NHU) Centre for Venture Research (CVR) is launching a student-led angel fund with the backing of investment banker and alumnus Mel Rines.
The Mel Rines ’47 Student Angel Investment Fund will be managed by students as part of their studies with oversight from Jeffrey Sohl, director of CVR, and an advisory group of entrepreneurs and investors which will act as mentors for the students.
The search for the first class of student angels is underway. NHU is yet to indicate the size of the fund or the focus and whether or not it will invest in NHU startup and spin-out opportunities. However, the first semester of the class will focus on learning about startups and include meetings with regional angel groups before beginning to invest.
Mark Huddleston, president at NHU, said: “We are grateful to have the support of an alumnus like Mel Rines. Mel’s knowledge of the world of international investment banking is matched only by his generosity. When presented with the idea of establishing this new fund he immediately saw the value in it for our students and redirected an earlier more general donation to the university. Mel is a great champion of our students and a great friend to NHU.”
