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November 13, 2023 | Tom Ballard

Community Equity Partners has launched

Eric Dobson serving as Managing Partner of the new entity that includes Knoxville- and Nashville-based angel groups.

Eric Dobson announced last week the launch of a new entity named Community Equity Partners LLC (CEP) to pursue the growth and expansion of angel investing in the heartland.

In an email late Friday, the longtime player in the angel sector – he led the Angel Capital Group (AGC) before its merger with the Sheltowee Network in Louisville, KY – explained that he and Alex Day “have jointly come to the conclusion that breaking out our efforts into distinct business units will allow each of us to more effectively accomplish our business goals.” Day is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Sheltowee Business Network LLC.

Eric Dobson

Dobson is serving as Managing Partner of CEP which is described as an angel investment group and network investing in the best science and technology based start-ups in the “heartland” of America. It is focused on turning highly technical founders into high performing entrepreneurs.

“I will be leading the efforts for angel investment and managing the Sheltowee Venture Fund, while Alex will be focusing on the Konexons Platform and the Sheltowee Business Network,” Dobson explained. “This new clear division of efforts should allow each of us to accomplish more.”

As part of the changes, the old AGC will be backed out from the Sheltowee Network via an Asset Transfer Agreement, for which a definitive agreement has already been signed, to give both parts of the business the freedom to grow independently.

“To this end, I have formed the new entity, CEP, to serve as the umbrella organization that will support Marble City and Music City (groups) moving forward,” Dobson said. “CEP will continue to jointly manage Sheltowee Venture Fund II with the Sheltowee Network and share dealflow with Derby City Angels, which will stay within the Sheltowee ecosystem.”

He said members will see little change in the operations of the network except some new faces and a renewed commitment to provide you the very best investing experience possible.



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