Business POV

The president of LaSalle Investments, Inc. has a portfolio of $30 million in 18 different companies. Investment amounts over the years have ranged between $50,000 and “several million.” Here's his advice for start-ups and other companies seeking funding.

This presentation was put on by DePaul University's Coleman Center for Entrepreneurship. It was held at the Union League Club on June 20.

Bob Geras, President of LaSalle Investments, Incorporated, has been an active participant in the VC and Angel community in Chicago for over 40 years.

Termed “a virtual Renaissance Man of Entrepreneurship” in a David Lundy Chicago Sun-Times interview, “one of the Big Three ‘old-timer’ angels in Chicago” in Crain’s Chicago Business, and featured in a July 2005 cover story in INC. magazine on “Angels in America”, many VCs, accountants, attorneys and other consultants call Bob when they have a client who needs experienced advice and a good dose of mentoring as well as some seed or early stage money for their young company. This is not only because Bob has been at it for so long, but also because he has extensive line operating experience as an entrepreneur and turnaround specialist in addition to having been a long time investor in a wide variety of deals.

Bob was given the “Angel of the Year-2002” award by the Chicago Software Association at their Annual CityLIGHTS ceremony in recognition of “Many years of exceptional service in fostering and encouraging Entrepreneurship in Chicago's Technology Community.” In December 2004 at the Illinois Venture Capital Association’s Annual Awards Night, Bob was presented the Fellows Award for “Extraordinary leadership in early stage venture funding in Illinois.” In addition, on March 1, 2006 Bob was also inducted into the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame.