FundAthena with Investor Imaad Zuberi Launch First Regulation A+ Marketplace Online

Main Street investors are now allowed to invest in mid-sized companies via proprietary digital platform funded by key investor Imaad Zuberi. End Quote

San Diego, CA (1888PressRelease) October 15, 2015 - FundAthena (hyperlink) could be the new game changer for mid-sized $10-$100MM companies seeking $4MM to $50MM of growth capital.

FundAthena, launched May 2015, is the first Jobs Act driven SEC Regulation A+ marketplace platform to bridge the mid sized company-funding gap for gender diverse businesses. It is also the first digital marketplace for main street investors seeking investments in private companies.

"The RegA+SPO market is estimated to exceed $50 billion year invested capital by 2020. It is important that new fundraising platforms such as FundAthena pioneer this new opportunity to improve funding opportunities for gender diverse and women-run companies, says key investor and VP of Business Development, Imaad Zuberi. "This company will help create jobs in America. It was an easy decision for me to invest in and get involved with FundAthena."

FundAthena raises capital through its proprietary platform, making it the first to adapt the conventional IPO Underwriter model to the Internet. Most competitors are focused on startups as opposed to established businesses seeking growth.

The digital SEC Regulation A+ marketplace has developed TestTheWaters™, a propriety system that vets companies' fundraising offerings through an 8-stage offering and due diligence process. Their system also engages prospective investors, with companies in an interactive dialog to help the companies test and tune their offering until they are ready to file with the SEC.

FundAthena is the brainchild of serial entrepreneur Rod Turner. "Businesses and Main Street investors have never been given an opportunity like this and we are excited to be at the forefront of making access to sizable growth capital a reality for mid-sized businesses for the first time," said CEO and Founder Rod Turner.

Mr. Turner played a key role in building successful companies such as Symtantec/Norton, Ashton Tate, Knowledge Adventure and ArtSlant. He was also a founder of Irvine Ventures (VC firm). FundAthena is a division of his new firm, Manhattan Street Capital, more news to follow shortly.

"There exists a very large funding gap in the marketplace for companies positioned in between start-ups and multi-billion dollar market cap companies that have the scale for a traditional IPO," says Mr. Turner. "By focusing on the growth segment and leveraging our proprietary system, our goal is to become the leading SPO (Simple Public Offering) platform in the marketplace."

According to the 2014 Diana Report, only 2.7% of the companies that received venture capital funding between 2011 and 2013 had a female CEO. In 2013 venture funding, only 16.9% of the funded companies had a woman on their executive team. Yet, studies such as the McKinsey Women Matter 2.0 in 2007 show that companies with gender diverse teams outperform gender exclusive management teams by more than 200% as measured by operating margins.

"FundAthena is unique in this space filling the "Tweener Funding gap" as the first Jobs Act Regulation A+ digital marketplace allowing mid-stage companies to sell up to $50MM of stock to the public after registering with the SEC," says Imaad Zuberi. "This is also a huge market shift for main street investors as it's the first time in 80 years non high-net-worth investors have had the opportunity to buy shares and own a piece of private companies. It levels the playing field for main street investors."

FundAthena is also seeking to educate and partner with National Leaders (Fortune 500 corporations, venture capitalists and government leaders) to support, partner and invest in women-led businesses by asking for support for their "Help Us change the World for Women (will hyperlink the fund here in title, https://www.gofundme.com/fundathena.)" campaign.

FundAthena crowd funding outreach will send letters to inform Fortune 500 CEOs, venture capital firms, and government leaders about the benefits of investing, and partnering with gender diverse businesses. FundAthena's outreach is to encourage big business and government to commit to and practice gender diversity, making sure that more women are included in businesses across the country. Click here (hyperlink) to learn how you can support the campaign running until September 30, 2015.

About FundAthena
FundAthena is the first SEC Regulation A+ marketplace. Its focus is for Main Street investors to invest growth funds in the best mid-sized businesses run by gender diverse management teams. FundAthena also provides funded businesses with access to investors and advisors for feedback on their offerings and strategy. We address the problem of access to capital in the underserved market of excellent, mid-sized companies with gender diverse management teams and women-led businesses. Founders of FundAthena prior business successes include: Symantec (NASDAQ:SYMC). For more information, visit FundAthena.com.

Imaad Zuberi is vice chairman of Avenue Ventures.

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