Across the American Inno network of publications that covers 45 cities across the U.S., the Fire Awards highlight innovative organizations that have had a year worth celebrating. Honorees can include later-stage tech pillars, growth-stage startups, accelerators, venture firms, meetup groups, nonprofits, etc.
From firms that have garnered investment, unveiled a new product, secured a big client, made a significant acquisition, expanded or pivoted — the Fire Awards are intended to recognize organizations that are having a positive impact on New Mexico's economy.
With those criteria in mind, Albuquerque Business First and New Mexico Inno put out a call for nominations for potential award recipients. The Albuquerque Business First team and New Mexico Inno reporter Collin Krabbe reviewed the applications. Investment, new products and expansions over the past year were all considered.
A special ceremony celebrating the 2022 Fire Awards recipients was held on May 4 at Explora and sponsored by Comcast Business, Mesa del Sol and Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union.
Meet today's honoree: New Mexico Angels.
Are you an early-stage entrepreneur ready to make a deal?
If so, and that deal includes investment, you may want to reach out to the New Mexico Angels. An angel investment organization based in Albuquerque, the group is focused on providing funding to new companies they see potential in.
New Mexico Angels has been involved in helping to build many businesses in New Mexico, spanning from biotech to arts to entertainment to health care. EveryDay Contacts, Parting Stone, Circa and TNeuroPharma are just a handful of the companies in its investment portfolio, according to the New Mexico Angels’ website.
New Mexico Angels invested more than $4 million in 2021 in local startups. Going forward, it also plans to work on a new fund, called the New Mexico Vintage Fund, said New Mexico Angels president Drew Tulchin. The fund’s goal, like is the goal of the overall organization, will be to help early-stage companies and entrepreneurs.
Since Tulchin took the helm of the New Mexico Angels in November 2021, membership has more than doubled, he said. That figure currently stands at 120.
In 2021, they had roughly 2,500 people attend the organization’s events, training opportunities and educational programs. Tulchin also noted the organization’s mentor matching.
“We’ll take an entrepreneur and connect them to a New Mexico Angel member — or a partner or a sponsor and give a chance for one-on-one connectivity and feedback,” he said.
The organization hosts various events including “startup office hours” in partnership with ActivateNM where people can receive feedback network and chat about business topics such as sales, investment and marketing.
