In 1998, Cathy Connett co-founded Sofia Fund, one of the first angel investors focused on women-led startups. St. Paul-based Sofia Fund invests in high-growth businesses in Minnesota and throughout the U.S. She also directs the $5.5 million Sofia Fund II, which invests from $100,000 to $500,000 in early-stage companies. The fund has 13 portfolio companies. Connett recently served as lead for Sofia’s investment in Pennsylvania-based Cognition Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics for neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. The company, led by CEO Lisa Ricciardi, recently exited the Sofia Fund through an IPO.