Last week, the ACA Public Policy leadership, alongside members of GrayRobinson, made a visit to Capitol Hill to support expansion of Section 1202 exclusion of gain from the sale of qualified small business stock. ACA has been the driving force behind the legislation because it serves as a catalyst for investment and innovation within the Angel community. The legislation, HR 3937, has passed through the Ways and Means Committee and is awaiting debate on the House floor. In addition to Section 1202, the group also urged legislators to protect financial thresholds in the current definition while also opening up measures of sophistication with additional entryways.

Angel Capital Association (ACA) CEO Pat Gouhin and North Coast Ventures Founder and ACA member Clay Rankin were in Washington D.C. from March 27 to March 29, 2023. During that time, they met with relevant legislators and federal agencies to discuss ACA’s concerns regarding Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) regulations and the possibility of expanding the Accredited Investor (AI) definition.

The near-term crisis has largely been averted with the Federal Reserve, Treasury and FDIC regulators announcing that depositors regained access to 100% of their money starting Monday and that no losses will be borne by the taxpayer. The move should restore confidence and keep startups solvent and their employees employed, but there likely will be some longer-lasting psychological effects relating to capital risk that we should all be on the lookout for.

How the Accredited Investor Definition Unfairly Limits Investment Access for the Non-wealthy and the Need for Reform.

The bill will authorize the Department of Labor to conduct a three-year, multi-state study to review the outcomes of these programs and report its findings to Congress. Learn more about this kind of policy online.

By: Pat Gouhin, Chief Executive Officer

Looking back over the past few years of uncertainty and effort, The Angel Capital Association has made it through stronger than ever because of the work of our dedicated members, volunteers and professional staff. We are deeply grateful to our dedicated volunteers and professional staff for their leadership, expertise and dedication to our mission. Without you, none of our accomplishments would have been possible and our hope for the future would be unfounded. More importantly, without you, our economy would be weakened and society’s ability to innovate would be stunted.

ACA believes in the impact and benefits of angel investing to entrepreneurs, job growth and the economy. Deeply active on the federal legislative and regulatory fronts, ACA helps safeguard and galvanize the rights of American angel investors so that we can protect the foundation that fuels the startup economy. ACA represents our members, but we invite investors to lend their efforts - a combined voice matters.

July 19, 2022 - ACA CEO Pat Gouhin, alongside Clay Rankin, Chris McCannell and Blair Hancock of GrayRobinson, P.A. were in DC this week on behalf of angel investors to conduct a series of meetings with legislators, regulators and government officials to set the stage for important priorities for the investor and entrepreneurial community.

By: Chris McCannell, Senior Government Affairs Consultant at GrayRobinson

With less than two months remaining in 2021, Congress is again facing a number of deadlines that will impact the angel investing community. 

By: Pat Gouhin, Chief Executive Officer

As new developments unfold regarding President Biden's proposed tax increases, the Angel Capital Association, in collaboration with our partners at GrayRobinson, pledges to keep our members updated with information as it becomes available. ACA, along with our Public Policy team, is working diligently to continue to protect our members and angels in the startup ecosystem.