Gust

Gust operates a global software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform designed for the early-stage venture ecosystem, catering to entrepreneurs, angel investors, and venture accelerators. Founded in 2004 by serial entrepreneur David S. Rose, the company was established to streamline the startup funding and investment process. Rose, an active angel investor and a significant figure in the New York tech scene, often referred to as the "father of angel investing in New York," leveraged his extensive experience to build a platform that addresses the core needs of both founders and investors.

The company's primary offering is a comprehensive platform that facilitates connections between entrepreneurs seeking capital and a vast network of investors. For startups, Gust provides tools for every stage of their journey, from incorporation as a Delaware C Corp and cap table management to creating a detailed company profile that functions as a universal application for angel groups and accelerators. Entrepreneurs can use the platform to benchmark their ventures against others, plan co-founder equity splits, and manage their fundraising efforts by connecting with over 85,000 investment professionals. The service aims to simplify legal, financial, and back-office operations, allowing founders to focus on growth.

For the investment community, which includes angel groups, venture capital funds, and accelerators, Gust delivers tools for managing deal flow, due diligence, and portfolio company relationships. Investors can filter and evaluate startups based on detailed profiles that include business plans, financial data, and pitch decks. The platform facilitates secure communication and document sharing to streamline collaboration and negotiation between parties. Gust's business model is rooted in its SaaS offerings. For entrepreneurs, it provides tiered subscription packages, such as Gust Launch, which bundles incorporation, legal services, and operational tools for an annual fee. For investor organizations, it offers a subscription-based platform to manage their investment activities. The company has successfully supported hundreds of thousands of startups and is the official platform for numerous leading angel federations and venture accelerators worldwide.

Keywords: startup funding, angel investing, venture capital, equity crowdfunding, entrepreneurship platform, SaaS, deal flow management, investor relations, cap table management, startup incorporation, investment network, David S. Rose, Company as a Service, CaaS, startup ecosystem, seed funding, venture accelerators, high-growth companies, early-stage investment, financial modeling