With the onslaught of big money special interests in the US political process a new generation of organizations and companies are mobilizing to counterbalance that.
And a national network of angel investors has formed to facilitate those organizations, New Media Ventures.
Their goal is to fund companies and organizations - the next MoveOn.org or Huffington Post - that drive progressive change through a combination of innovations in new media and technology.
"Ultimately, New Media Ventures aims to help investors support projects that increase citizen engagement and participation, creating lasting social change," they say.
So far, about 60 angel investors are in the network, which has already invested in 10 early-stage companies with plans to fund another dozen this year.
As all angel investors do, they are also look for strong teams, solid revenue models, and the ability to grow rapidly.
The 10 initial investments are:
Upworthy - a social media platform that encourages members to pass meaningful information on virally. The founder is MoveOn's former executive.
NationalField - software that helps political campaign groups with internal communications and that was spun out of a tool used by the Obama campaign in 2008
TurboVote - which helps people cast their vote from home
The Story of Stuff - which uses videos to share environmental messages
Daily Kos - a political analysis blog written from a progressive perspective
Strategic Districts - software that automates state and national redistricting plans
Friendfactor - a gay rights initiative
Sum of Us - an organization fighting the influence of corporations on government policy
ActBlue Civics - an online tool that supports grassroots fundraising efforts
UltraViolet - a women's rights community
Here's their website:
