What Is AngelList and How It Helps Startups

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Posted Oct 19, 2024

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A group of young professionals brainstorming ideas in a startup office setting.
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AngelList is a platform that helps startups find funding, recruit talent, and grow their businesses. Founded in 2010 by Babak Nivi and Naval Ravikant, it's become a go-to resource for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

AngelList's platform allows startups to create a profile, share their story, and showcase their products or services. This helps potential investors and customers learn more about the company and make informed decisions.

By providing a platform for startups to connect with investors, AngelList facilitates funding opportunities and helps companies raise capital.

Benefits for Startups

AngelList has been a game-changer for startups, and here are just a few reasons why.

Founders have saved $22 million in legal and admin fees by using AngelList, which is a significant amount of money that can be used to grow their business.

The platform's most active sectors include Fintech, Healthtech, Web3, Biotech, and AI / ML, which are all areas that are seeing a lot of innovation and growth.

Credit: youtube.com, How Startup Funding works: Seed money, Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists explained

Here are some key benefits for startups on AngelList:

  • Tap into a vast network of startups and investors
  • Raise the capital you need to take your startup to the next level
  • Find the perfect job within a startup that aligns with your passion
  • Stay on top of the latest trends and innovations in the startup world
  • Learn from industry experts and seasoned investors
  • Build valuable connections with like-minded startup founders and employees

AngelList has also helped startups access venture funds that might have been out of reach otherwise, by eliminating many of the barriers that come with traditional venture capital.

Connecting with Investors

Connecting with investors on AngelList requires some effort, but it's worth it. You need to stand out from the crowd, and the best way to do this is to start trending on the platform.

To trend, you need a published page and a quality following. AngelList uses social mechanics to determine which startups are trending and hot by how many people are following and requesting to meet with you.

Publish your page with all your basic information and a good teaser. A teaser is a short blurb about what you're doing, but don't give away too much information – you want to intrigue people and make them want to follow your progress.

Credit: youtube.com, Angel Investors: How to Find Investors [in 2023]

To get people to promote you, reach out to those with large followings and ask them to promote your page on the same day you publish it. You're not asking for investments, just social validation to get on the hype cycle.

Here's a quick rundown of what you need to do:

  • Publish your page with all your basic information and a good teaser.
  • Reach out to people with large followings and ask them to promote your page on the same day you publish it.
  • Ask your partners, employees, advisors, customers, and investors (if you have them) to join AngelList, set up profiles, and follow your startup's page.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to getting noticed by investors on AngelList.

Summary

One of the most popular forms of obtaining external funding is cooperation with the right business angels.

Finding them can be problematic for budding entrepreneurs, but the AngelList portal is a tool that helps bring these two parties together efficiently.

Cooperation with business angels can achieve satisfactory benefits in the shortest possible time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AngelList good or bad?

AngelList is a reputable platform that thoroughly vets its startup deals, reducing the risk of investment. However, like any investment, there's still a chance of failure, making it essential to do your own research before investing.

Do you have to pay for AngelList?

No, you don't have to pay to access AngelList, but investors may incur fees when making investments to cover setup, management, and administrative costs.

Who can use AngelList?

AngelList is open to startups and companies formed as C-Corporations, Limited Liability Corporations (LLCs), and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), as well as other business entities listed in our FAQ. If you're unsure about your entity type, check our eligibility criteria to see if you qualify.

Caroline Cruickshank

Senior Writer

Caroline Cruickshank is a skilled writer with a diverse portfolio of articles across various categories. Her expertise spans topics such as living individuals, business leaders, and notable figures in the venture capital industry. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Caroline crafts engaging and informative content that captivates her readers.