By Ashley Scott
At RICE, we know greatness when we see it — and for us, greatness has a name: Sig Mosley. In Atlanta’s entrepreneurial circles, few names command as much respect and admiration as Sig Mosley. Known as the “Godfather of Angel Investing” in the Southeast, Sig has spent decades shaping Atlanta’s startup landscape. From landmark deals like MindSpring and Tradex to mentoring new investors and founders, his fingerprints are on nearly every part of our region’s entrepreneurial rise.
Over the course of his career, Sig has invested in over 120 startups, notching 82 exits (successful company sales or IPOs) along the way. This prolific deal-making, paired with his outsized returns, cemented Sig’s reputation as the most prolific angel investor in Atlanta tech history. Yet if you ask entrepreneurs and fellow investors about Sig, they’re just as likely to mention his personal qualities as his financial success. Despite overseeing so many deals, Sig is known for being humble, always willing to listen, and incredibly generous with his time. For example, he played an instrumental role in establishing new venture funds in Atlanta – even serving as a mentor and venture partner for emerging fund managers like Shila Nieves Burney, of Zane Venture Fund. When Shila was raising her first fund, Sig quietly opened doors for her: he personally called at least one prospective investor on her behalf, securing their commitment sight unseen. Stories like this abound in our community – where Sig is the unseen hand helping others succeed, never seeking credit.
But at RICE, Sig’s impact runs even deeper. As a founding board member, Sig helped lay the foundation for our growth — guiding strategy, leading fundraising efforts, opening doors to critical partners, and helping shape programs that prepare Black entrepreneurs to raise capital and scale with confidence. He didn’t just believe in our mission; he rolled up his sleeves to build it alongside us.
Sig’s philosophy is simple but powerful: “My objective was always to be more than just a check writer — it was to be a mentor, an advisor, and a friend to entrepreneurs,“ he shared in a 2022 interview with VoyageATL. That spirit lives through his work with RICE every day.
“There have been so many encounters in so many different various spaces in Atlanta, before the Russell Center and beyond, where Sig is just in the midst,” Jay Bailey, RICE’s President & CEO shares in an AJC interview. “I don’t care if it’s a billion-dollar company, a billion-dollar idea or somebody that’s just got a few dollars in their pocket, Sig is really one of those individuals that’s going to show up.”
Sig has taught our team and our entrepreneurs that true leadership isn’t just about investment — it’s about investment in people. His mentorship, introductions, and unwavering belief in the next generation of innovators have made RICE stronger and our community better.
Now, it’s time to return the favor.
We invite all of our RICE community and partners to join us at an upcoming special event on April 29th, 2025, “Honoring a Legacy: Sig Mosley’s Impact on Southeast Venture,” hosted by TiE Atlanta. This event will be a tribute to Sig’s indelible impact on our region’s venture landscape – from the deals that made headlines to the countless lives he’s touched behind the scenes. It’s a chance to hear stories from Sig’s journey, celebrate his contributions, and be inspired by the path he’s blazed for future investors and founders, with a keynote address from our very own President & CEO Jay Bailey. RICE is proud to support this event and we hope to see many of you there to cheer on Sig.
As a special thank-you to the RICE family, TiE Atlanta is generously offering a 50% discount on event tickets for RICE Stakeholders and staff – just use the code TIE50 at checkout. We are deeply appreciative of this gesture, which allows more of our community to participate in celebrating Sig.
Sig Mosley’s story is a powerful reminder that one person’s belief — in ideas, in people, in possibility — can build an entire ecosystem. At RICE, we’re honored to have been part of his journey, and grateful that he’s been such a vital part of ours.
Here’s to you, Sig! Thank you for helping us dream bigger, build stronger, and believe harder.
Read More: Atlanta’s godfather of angel investing had his biggest hit 25 years ago
