Three experts discuss r-squared macro's potential for boosting Bham VC

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Tanveer Patel said Birmingham has a unique climate when it comes to early-stage startups.

Alan Alexander

Reporter- Birmingham Business Journal

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Earlier this week, I reported on a Birmingham startup that could improve the city's perception and spur outside attention among investors for Birmingham's growing technology scene.

Labeling itself as a global macroeconomic investment manager, r-squared macro will help institutional investors, such as pension funds or endowments, invest in global fixed-income, currencies, commodities and equity indexes when it launches in January.

Along the way, the company hopes to create a more positive buzz for Birmingham by giving them a chance to see investment opportunities in the Magic City they may have otherwise overlooked.

Here's what three local tech experts think of r-squared macro's potential:

Devon Laney, CEO of Innovation Depot

"Identifying sources of funding for startup companies is a perpetual request by the entrepreneurs we see at Innovation Depot. Having a company like r-squared in Birmingham will certainly help improve the visibility of our growing startup scene while also drawing attention to the potential of investing in these kinds of early-stage companies."

Sanjay Singh, vice president of community services at CTS, Inc.

"They have a good process by which they will go about getting funds, which is very analytical and detailed, and they are committed to recycling success back into the community. It will take some time, about two to three years, but we should start to see some serious benefits from them."

Tanveer Patel, president of the Birmingham Venture Club

"Our city is very unique with its amount of early-stage companies. I'm not sure how a larger investment company would fit into early-stage startups. It's rare. If it can't, then it won't help the companies here."

Alan Alexander covers health care, technology and education for the Birmingham Business Journal. Click here to follow him on Twitter.