
Angel investors are a great way to get your product off the ground, but finding the right ones to invest can be a challenge. Research has shown that 75% of angel investors invest in companies that are recommended to them by someone they know.
Start by identifying your target market and understanding their needs. This will help you create a product that solves real problems and appeals to a specific audience. For example, a product that solves a common pain point for entrepreneurs, like a time management tool.
Networking is key to finding angel investors who are interested in your product. Attend industry events, conferences, and meetups to connect with potential investors and learn about their interests. According to a survey, 60% of angel investors prefer to invest in companies that have a strong online presence.
What Is an Investor?
Angel investors are typically high net worth individuals who make investments very early into the formation of a new startup company, usually in exchange for convertible debt or equity.
Angel investors are usually high-risk takers, offering money to businesses that are nothing more than an idea or a prototype. They often act as a saving grace for a startup, providing the necessary capital to get the business off the ground.
In exchange for financial backing, angel investors usually take equity in the company, which means they become part-owners. This is considered a riskier investment, but it's often one of the only options for new businesses struggling to access other types of funding.
Angel investors are often the only option for new businesses because they offer money at such an early stage, when other funding sources are not available.
Why Invest in Startups?
Investing in startups can be a thrilling experience, and for good reason. Almost 70% of tech unicorns received funding from angel investors during development, which is a staggering statistic.
If you're interested in joining the ranks of these billion-dollar companies, finding an angel investor to get started is a crucial step. Angel investors provide much-needed capital for startups, which can be difficult to raise from other sources.
Some people invest in startups because they want to support friends who are starting companies. Others do it because they're interested in markets, business models, consumer trends, and technology, and want to test their ability to identify the next big thing.
Here are some reasons why angel investors invest in startups:
- Your friends are starting companies and you want to support them
- You want to help early stage companies get off the ground using your own experience and network
- You're seeking financial upside and are willing to take significant risk to get it
- You want to see if investing might be something you'd want to do full-time or in a more formal capacity
- You want to test your ability to identify the next big thing
Why Invest?
Investing in startups can be a thrilling experience, especially when you have a personal connection to the founders or are eager to test your skills in identifying the next big thing.
You might be motivated to invest in startups because your friends are starting companies and you want to support them. Ideally, you think they are smart and capable and will be successful in their endeavor.
Investing in startups allows you to help early stage companies get off the ground using your own experience and network, and be financially aligned with those companies.
You might also be interested in markets, business models, consumer trends, and technology, and want to test your ability to identify the next big thing.
Investing in startups can be a way to seek financial upside, but it involves significant risk.
Here are some reasons why people invest in startups:
- Your friends are starting companies and you want to support them.
- You want to help early stage companies get off the ground using your own experience and network, and want to be financially aligned with those companies.
- You want to see if investing might be something you’d want to do full-time or in a more formal capacity, such as at a venture firm.
- You are interested in markets, business models, consumer trends, and technology, and want to test your ability to identify the next big thing.
- You are seeking financial upside and are willing to take significant risk to get it.
Famous Startup Examples
Some of the most famous tech startups were funded by angel investors, including Google, which was initially funded by Andy Bechtolsheim, a co-founder of Sun Microsystems, with a $100,000 investment.
Google's early success can be attributed to the support of angel investors who believed in the startup's vision.
Facebook was also funded by angel investors, including Peter Thiel, who invested $500,000 in the company.
This early investment helped Facebook grow and eventually become one of the world's largest social media platforms.
Airbnb was funded by angel investors, including Paul Graham, who invested $20,000 in the company.
This initial investment helped Airbnb launch its platform and start growing its user base.
What Does It Take to Be a Good Investor?
To be a good angel investor, it takes a combination of skills and qualities. You need to have awareness of and access to the best teams before and during their fundraising process, which comes from a strong network and reputation. This means being generous with your time with those just starting out and making a few angel investments with other investors you can get to know.
You also need to be able to "pick" companies that have a good chance of success, evaluating a product, team, and market to decide if it's worth investing in. This takes time and experience, and it's not until years later that you can really see how your portfolio performs.
It's also essential to be able to sell yourself as an investor, explaining why someone should want you on their cap table. This means thinking about what expertise you bring to the table and what network you can help the founder access for hiring and/or customer acquisition.
Here are the key qualities of a good angel investor:
- Awareness of and access to the best teams
- Ability to "pick" companies that have a good chance of success
- Ability to sell yourself as an investor
It's worth noting that it can take 7 to 10 years to really see how your portfolio performs, so it's essential to be patient and persistent.
Finding and Meeting Founders
Finding and meeting founders is a crucial step in identifying potential products to invest in as an angel investor. Establishing a connection early is a great way to position yourself as a potential future investor.
You can reach out to founders through cold outreach or warm intros. Cold outreach involves reaching out to someone you don't know, while warm intros come from other investors or friends of the founder. Endorsements from a third party can be especially valuable.
Engaging with people in the replies and comments on Twitter and blog posts can be particularly fruitful in pushing your own thinking forward and broadening your network. It's also a good way to share your skills and perspectives more publicly.
If you're interested in joining the ranks of tech unicorns, you'll need to find an angel investor to get started. Almost 70% of all tech unicorns received funding from angels during development.
Learn from Others
Learning from others can be a great way to get started with angel investing. Ask people who are already angel investing about their process, how they got started, and how they meet founders.
Find people who are already doing it and ask them about their approach. You can learn a lot from their experiences and gain valuable insights.
Reach out to multiple people to get a feel for various approaches. This will help you understand the different ways angel investors operate.
Let people know that you're interested in investing and ask if they'd mind looping you in when they're looking at their next company.
Evaluating Companies
Angel investors typically look for a few key things when considering a company to invest in. They want to know about the team behind the project, the size of the market, and whether or not there's a competitive edge.
When evaluating companies, angel investors are looking for innovative ideas and a solid business plan. They want to see if your business has the potential to disrupt an industry or create a new market.
Angel investors believe in risk and are often willing to back ventures that traditional banks might shy away from. They're not just looking for a quick return on investment, but also for the potential to make a real impact.
Here are some key factors angel investors consider when evaluating companies:
- Team behind the project
- Size of the market
- Competitive edge
What They Look For
When evaluating companies, it's essential to understand what angel investors look for. The team behind the project is a crucial factor, as angel investors want to invest in people with a proven track record.
Angel investors also consider the size of the market, making sure there's a large enough customer base to justify the investment. This is a key consideration, as a small market may not be able to sustain the growth of the business.
Whether or not there's a competitive edge is another key factor, as angel investors want to invest in companies that have a unique selling proposition. This can give them an advantage over competitors and increase the chances of a successful exit.
Here are some key factors that angel investors typically look for:
- Strong team with a proven track record
- Large and growing market
- Competitive edge through innovation or uniqueness
IA
iAngels is a great example of a company that helps investors get involved in the Israeli tech ecosystem. It was started by Shelly Hod Moyal and Mor Assia to give women a platform to invest in startups.
The company has over 6,000 active startups in its portfolio, with over 1,400 new ones added each year. This is a huge opportunity for investors to be at the forefront of new and upcoming technologies.
iAngels gives investors exclusive access to some of Israel's best tech and scaleup investment opportunities. This is ideal for investors who want to build a customized venture portfolio led by top entrepreneurs.
Investors can benefit from iAngels' extensive network and expertise in the Israeli tech ecosystem.
Sources of Funding
Angel investors are a great source of funding for startups, and they typically invest their own money, which can come from a variety of sources, such as selling their own startup or local business.
Many angel investors have made their money in another industry or through previous investments in startup companies. Some even have family money or started life as wealthy individuals.
To access a wealth of resources that can help launch, expand, and create businesses with investors, you can use platforms like Funded, which has received several awards for its commitment to helping entrepreneurs succeed.
Here are some potential sources of funding for your startup:
- Angel investors
- Friends & Family Funding
- Microloans
- Seed capital
Keep in mind that finding angel investors can be a challenge, but there are steps you can take to find funding for your business, such as using platforms like Funded to connect with potential investors.
Primary Source of Funding for Investors
Angel investors typically invest their own money, which can come from a variety of sources. Many have sold their own startup or local business, or made a lot of money in another industry or previous investment in startup companies. Some angel investors have family money or started life as wealthy individuals.
Startup Funding Resources
Angel investors are a great source of funding for startups, and you can find them through various channels. You can search online for angel investor events happening in your region, which can be a fantastic opportunity to pitch your startup to a range of investors.
Angel investors typically invest their own money, so it can come from a variety of sources. Many have made their money from selling their own startup or local business, while others have made a fortune in another industry or through previous investments in startup companies.
If you're looking for a platform to connect with angel investors, Funded is a great option. It's more than just a place to find investors; it offers a wealth of resources to help launch, expand, and create businesses with investors. Funded has received several awards for its commitment to helping entrepreneurs succeed.
To find angel investors, you can also explore online resources such as Funded's Lender Match feature, which connects founder pitches to the right investors quickly. You can create a profile and connect with people, businesses, and investors, including angel investors, venture capitalists, private equity firms, and seed capital.
If you're new to startup funding, it can be overwhelming to navigate the different options. Here are some additional resources to get you started:
- Types of Startup Funding
- How to Get Funding for a Startup Business
- Tips for Bootstrapping Your Startup
- Friends & Family Funding Guide
- Top Venture Capital Firms
- Angel Investor Groups
- Crowdfunding Sites
- Startup Accelerators
You can also check out online articles and guides, such as "13 Best Angel Investor Groups for Startups" and "How to Start a Startup in 10 Steps (2024 Guide)".
Investor Networks and Platforms
Angel investor networks and groups can be a great way to get in front of multiple investors at once, but they're often bombarded with pitches and proposals, so do your homework and find a warm connection.
Angel Capital Association is one such platform, with a member directory that allows you to choose your location and see a list of angel investors near your area.
AngelList has a long list of angel investors in North America, and you can even see details like their location and number of investments.
You can also use online platforms like Fundable.com, which has over 10,000 accredited angel investors.
Another option is Angel Investment Network, which has over 300,000 investors and has helped entrepreneurs raise over $300 million.
Some platforms, like Envestors, also provide information about the latest news, events, and resources for entrepreneurs.
Here are some popular platforms to check out:
- Angel Capital Association (ACA)
- AngelList
- Invstor
- Angel Investment Network
- Envestors
These platforms can help you find angel investors without even leaving your couch, and some even offer resources like fundraising courses and market reports to help you succeed.
Finding Investors
Finding the right investors can be a challenge, especially for new entrepreneurs. You don't have to have a huge web of connections to find angel investors.
To start, you need to know what you're looking for. Understand the type of investment you need, whether it's $10,000 or $1 million. This will guide your search and make you look polished and confident.
Angel investor events are a great way to get your startup in front of a range of angel investors. Do a quick search engine search to see if any events pop up in your region.
However, be aware that angel investor networks and groups can be a mixed bag. If you can find them, so can other founders, and they often receive more deal flow than they can handle. To stand out, find a warm connection, even when approaching an angel group or angel investment network.
You can also look for angel groups or networks that can introduce you to potential investors. But remember, these groups are not a guarantee of success.
Here's a summary of the key steps to find angel investors:
- Know the type of investment you're looking for
- Attend angel investor events in your region
- Look for angel groups or networks that can introduce you to potential investors
- Find a warm connection to stand out from the crowd
By following these steps, you can increase your chances of finding the right investors for your startup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to ask angel investors for money?
To ask angel investors for funding, highlight your business's unique value proposition and ask for warm introductions from mutual connections to increase credibility. Craft a concise pitch that showcases your business's most compelling aspects within 15-20 minutes.
What types of businesses do angel investors invest in?
Angel investors typically invest in start-up companies with high-growth potential and scalability. They seek opportunities that can drive economic growth and offer a strong return on investment.
What percentage should you give an angel investor?
Angel investors typically take 10-40% equity in exchange for their investment, depending on the deal. If you're considering angel investment, be prepared to give up a significant portion of ownership in your business.
Sources
- https://medium.com/@juliadewahl/how-to-start-angel-investing-8f2eb779e96f
- https://www.startups.com/articles/how-to-find-angel-investors
- https://startupsavant.com/startup-center/best-angel-investor-websites
- https://www.lendio.com/blog/how-to-find-angel-investors-small-business/
- https://uvaro.com/blog/what-is-an-angel-investor
Featured Images: pexels.com