Helping shape your future
My name is Mike Staffenbeal, and I am the founder of Paragon Capital Endeavors, a company launched to invest in and assist entrepreneurs and their start-up ventures.
Let's talk
My mission
Through my extensive background in finance and strategic planning, covering more than three decades with Union Pacific Railroad, I am excited to now help others achieve their dream of starting and building their own company.
Guiding you each step of the way
My mission may be a little different than other Angels investing in start-up ventures. I’m interested in ventures that need more than just a passive investment, but ones that are also interested in my assistance along the way. That can mean a little involvement on my part, or a lot depending on the desire and needs of the entrepreneur.
Guiding you each step of the way
The entrepreneur’s goal need not to become the “next” fill in the blank. I’m interested in helping businesses of all sizes, from the smallest family run start-up to the sky’s the limit, as long as the business generally meets the criteria outlined below.
I don’t have a lot of “minimums” required for a potential investment, but I do think about the following as I consider opportunities.
Investment
criteria
01/07
Ventures located in Nebraska and Iowa; however, I will consider investments beyond my local geography if the circumstances are right.
01
02/07
Description of the idea, concept, product, or service.
02
03/07
The problem you are solving or the market need you are addressing.
03
04/07
Current financial picture (i.e. are you pre-revenue with a clear path to revenue generation and profitability, or are you currently generating revenue and cash?)
04
05/07
Long-term goals of the venture (It's not always about the sale or exit).
05
06/07
Entrepreneur's skill, expertise, and commitment level.
06
07/07
Use of cash investment by an investor.
07
Ready to get started?
So if you have a venture where you think Paragon may be a good partner for you...
How I can add value
Help can comprise many facets...
Financially it may mean an equity investment, which could be structured as equity (common or preferred), or a convertible security. It may mean a royalty arrangement. It may mean a business loan. Most important, the investment should be the right structure for the venture to attain long-term success.
In addition to a monetary investment, I welcome the opportunity to roll-up-my-sleeves with entrepreneurs and assist with my time and knowledge (all to ensure success... I’m not looking for a paycheck!)
Personal life
I grew up in Iowa and attended the University of Iowa for both my undergraduate degree in Finance and my Masters degree in Business Administration.
Having settled in Nebraska after graduation, I consider both Nebraska and Iowa my “home”. When not out fishing or hunting on some recreation property I own with others, I enjoy coaching youth basketball in the Omaha metro area.
I also enjoy promoting local fishing opportunities along with supporting cold water conservation initiatives by serving on the Board of the Nebraska chapter of Trout Unlimited.
Most importantly, I prioritize my life’s activities around my faith, my family, and my friends.
Find me on LinkedIn
Favorite
verses
Colossians 2:6
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so ye walk in him.”
Colossians 3:17
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.”
Investment
portfolio
- Member of the Nebraska Angels organization
- Investor in Fast Forward
- Investor in Nightfox Audio
- Investor in IDEM Irrigation
- Investor in Birds Eye Robotics
- Limited Partner in Proven Ventures, a Burlington Capital Fund
In addition, I assist and advise several other ventures and initiatives, but those relationships are private at this time.