Doug Clarisse (MBA’92)

Co-Founder and Board Member, Georgetown Angel Investor Network

What was your favorite memory from your time at Georgetown?

I was at Georgetown just after the Berlin Wall had fallen. Using the amazing contacts that were available both within the University and across DC, I started a group called SEED (Students for East European Development), which created internship opportunities for MBA candidates in central and East European countries. I ended up advising a free trade zone in Ostrava, which is in the Czech Republic, near the borders of Poland and what is now Slovakia. The other strong memory is that the MBA lounge was in the attic of Old North – no Hariri Center then!

Why did you join GAIN?  

I had three goals – to feel closer to the University; to augment my investing skills; and to diversify my angel portfolio – all have succeeded beyond my highest expectations!

How has GAIN enhanced your alumni experience?  

GAIN has definitely brought me much closer to the University. I have met so many colleagues from other classes and schools, and I’ve learned so much from them. I’m continually amazed at the knowledge and connections that my fellow Hoyas can provide.

How does GAIN fit into your wider investment strategy? 

I live in the UK, so most of my angel investments are headquartered there. GAIN has provided me an opportunity to confidently access investments in the US, allowing me to diversify my portfolio.

As an angel investor, what areas/sectors excite you most right now?   

Personally, I like B2B or B2B2C businesses. I need to believe in management and see a defensible market niche and a decent size market.  I like well-defined, novel opportunities that might be somewhat under the radar.  AI is the hot topic right now, but as a generalist investor I don’t have specific expertise in that area, so I would focus on AI-driven apps, rather than the underlying tech.