Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 31, 2023

Based on my own career as a business owner and angel investor, in this age of change, I still see key successes and growth from the same team member work qualities. We all know a few professional office mates who never show up on time or waste your first hour talking about non-work events or general complaints.

Flash 303

Flash Technical Review Angel Investor Social Media 303

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2021

Here are the key considerations from my perspective: Dealing with known or trusted investors and advisors. If you are approaching a recognized venture capital group, or even an accredited angel investor, a non-disclosure agreement is counter-productive. Build trust first. Discussions with potential strategic partners.

Non-disclosure Agreement 399

Non-disclosure Agreement Technical Review Due Diligence Angel Investor 399

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2020

Planning for the future must be a regular activity, not just an early-stage or once-a-year event. Let me assure you that companies without marketing plans don’t get the attention of either investors or customers. As an angel investor myself, I’ve often heard the argument that your solution has no competition.

Intellectual Property 432

Intellectual Property Entrepreneur Technical Review Angel Investor 432

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2021

In my experience as an angel investor for new startups, I’m always surprised by how many entrepreneurs are looking for funding without outside advisors. At the very least, these board members extend your bandwidth to provide a presence at more industry events and networking conferences. Bandwidth is a constraint we all feel.

Advisory Board 356

Advisory Board Bandwidth Cofounder Technical Review 356

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 4, 2019

Based on my recent experience as an angel investor, and advisor to new business owners, I now recommend that all entrepreneurs, especially introverts, learn and practice the discipline they need to build and nurture relationships with key constituents through the following activities: Formalize a mentoring relationship with someone you trust.

Entrepreneur 261

Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Angel Investor Incubator 261

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 22, 2021

Most entrepreneurs have learned that it’s almost always quicker and easier to get cash from someone you know, rather than angel investors or professional investors (VCs). In fact, most investors “require” that you already have some investment from friends and family before they will even step up to the plate.

Technical Review 338

Technical Review Elevator Pitch Due Diligence Angel Investor 338

Steve Blank

MARCH 16, 2016

Founders can now access the largest pool of risk capital that ever existed –in the form of Private Equity (Angel Investors, family offices , Venture Capitalists (VC’s) and Hedge Funds.). BTW, Angel investors do not have limited partners, and often invest for reasons other than just for financial gain (e.g.,

Liquidity Event 120

Liquidity Event Founder Liquidation Preference Venture Capital 120

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 24, 2012

Every new startup I know dreams of being funded early by one of the 318,000 active Angel investors in the USA alone. Most of these investors are members of Angel groups that have a rigorous filtering and screening process, to select the top 3% and most fundable proposals. Build an investor presentation and summary.

Angel Investor 260

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Elevator Pitch Angel Groups 260

YoungUpstarts

OCTOBER 14, 2011

It was also evident that Asia is becoming the darling for technology innovation, and is increasingly attracting the attention of financiers – venture capitalists, angel investors etc – from all over the world. “Asia is well known as the current region of growth, with rising inflow of funds and investments.

Singapore 179

Singapore Technical Review Technology Incubator 179

Gust

JUNE 4, 2014

Somewhat to my surprise, I’ve found that most VCs and angels attend few, if any, events unless they are participating as a speaker. And at the events they do attend, their attention is primarily focused on the companies presenting or demonstrating on stage. The New York Angels Education Meetup.

New York City 150

New York City New York Angel Investor Affiliate 150

Gust

NOVEMBER 11, 2011

Many local angel investment groups work with a local event that creates the illusion of a business pitch contest, awarding investment to the winner. The event generates local buzz. Startups and investors discover each other, and the community wins because the event becomes visible evidence of new business and new jobs locally.

Software Review 79

Software Review Term Sheet Due Diligence Angel Investor 79

Gust

DECEMBER 16, 2012

ABC Shark Tank Angels via Elite Daily. Every new startup I know dreams of being funded early by one of the 318,000 active Angel investors in the USA alone. Here is my list of top ten action items to best prepare you for success in achieving a funding event with Angels: Incorporate the business now.

Angel Investor 179

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Elevator Pitch Angel Groups 179

VC Adventure

JANUARY 24, 2014

I’ll be speaking at an Impact Angel Group event on February 12th. With a few other angel investors, I’ll be talking to other angel investors, along with prospective angel investors, about the role of impact investing the community, as well as in our own portfolios. The details are below.

Angel Investor 92

Angel Investor Denver Angel Groups Early Stage 92

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 5, 2023

In my experience, an introduction to an investor from a mutual friend or business associate will double or triple your odds of closing a deal. Talk to thought leaders at relevant industry events. Getting to know leaders at these events will get you visibility and credibility, as well as valuable feedback on your strategy and solution.

Angel Investor 246

Angel Investor Stealth Bootstrapping Early Stage 246

Growthink Blog

MAY 23, 2013

Importantly, the Center for Venture Research found that the number of angel investors providing the funding last year was 268,160 individuals. So, clearly, there are a lot of angel investors out there. So, you''re probably thinking: how do I find these angel investors? So go to these events and meet them.

Angel Investor 117

Angel Investor New Hampshire Networking Finance 117

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

Every new startup I know dreams of being funded by an angel investor. Here is my list of top ten action items to best prepare you for success in achieving a funding event with angels: Incorporate the business now. Build an investor presentation and summary. Build a prototype product. Finalize your financial model.

Angel Investor 224

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Technical Review Elevator Pitch 224

The Startup Magazine

NOVEMBER 28, 2018

The event presenter, FUND, is a national connector of entrepreneurs, VCs, angel investors, and industry experts with a focus on deal flow and making connections. The FUND Conference brings together over 100 startups to present their early-stage products and pitches in front of hundreds of investors and industry leaders.

Technical Review 153

Technical Review Software Review Illinois Due Diligence 153

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 21, 2023

Of course, that has be a repeatable event, with enough revenue to sustain the business. The conundrum is that once you have really proven the business model, you no longer need the investor money you asked for to start the business. Customer support is more than handling exceptions.

Business Model 273

Business Model Customer Angel Investor Bootstrapping 273

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Every new startup I know dreams of being funded by an angel investor. Here is my list of top ten action items to best prepare you for success in achieving a funding event with angels: Incorporate the business now. Build an investor presentation and summary. Build a prototype product. Finalize your financial model.

Intellectual Property 249

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Technical Review Elevator Pitch 249

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 20, 2019

If angel investors are pressuring you to set up a board and if you don’t have the leverage to push back a little then I might suggest a 3-person board in which all 3 seats are appointed by the common stock and you agree to appoint one of these seats to the angel investor but perhaps make it either time based or event based.

Venture Capital 236

Venture Capital Startup Angel Investor Silicon Valley 236

SiliconHills

MAY 2, 2019

May 1-2 FUND Conference When: May 1st and May 2nd Where: Fairmount Hotel in Downtown Austin Why: FUND Conference hosts an event in Austin annually to promote connections among entrepreneurs, VCs, angel investors, and industry experts. The post Austin Tech Events to Attend in May appeared first on SiliconHills.

Austin 103

Austin Angel Investor Hosting Networking 103

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 25, 2018

Even the homework is easier, with free and mobile access through the Internet to more business assistance sources, opportunity data, investors, and competitor details around the world. Yet, as an angel investor myself, I can attest that many potential entrepreneurs try to take shortcuts, or ignore the realities of business.

Technical Cofounder 184

Technical Cofounder Intellectual Property Silicon Valley LLC 184

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 13, 2020

Finding Angel Investors. One of the most common ways that a start-up acquires the necessary funding is to find an angel investor. They can be hard to find but there are some services that make finding investors easier. When an angel investor comes on board, they can offer capital and mentorship if they choose to.

Angel Investor 246

Angel Investor Startup Networking Government 246

Steve Blank

JANUARY 22, 2014

Angels & Crowdfunding : Coincident with the capital efficient movement came the current wave of angel investors, this time armed with the ability to collectively fund startups to the point of meaningful value creation on modest amounts of capital.

Early Stage 286

Early Stage Silicon Valley Oregon Technical Review 286

Growthink Blog

JULY 20, 2012

Importantly, the Center for Venture Research found that the number of angel investors providing the funding last year was 318,480 individuals. That's a lot of angel investors. So, the question that entrepreneurs always ask me is "how do I find these angel investors." So go to these events and meet them.

Angel Investor 95

Angel Investor New Hampshire Venture Capital Networking 95

Growthink Blog

MARCH 11, 2012

These other entrepreneurs can provide funding to you as "angel investors." They can introduce you to other angel investors they know. Yet, I was successful in meeting a lot of great folks at the event. In these closer-knit spaces/events, it was much easier to meet people, speak with them and form relationships.

Angel Investor 82

Angel Investor Hosting Networking Partner 82

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 29, 2017

Don’t ask for an NDA from trusted investors and advisors. If you are approaching a recognized venture capital group, or even an accredited angel investor, a non-disclosure agreement is counter-productive. The same is true for strangers who may approach you at networking events or industry conferences.

Non-disclosure Agreement 153

Non-disclosure Agreement NDA Technical Review Due Diligence 153

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 22, 2021

Of course, that has be a repeatable event, with enough revenue to sustain the business. The conundrum is that once you have really proven the business model, you no longer need the investor money you asked for to start the business. Customer support is more than handling exceptions.

Business Model 414

Business Model Angel Investor Bootstrapping Revenue 414

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 18, 2022

They are proactive and anticipate business change, rather than reactive to events. This is really the realm of bootstrapped startups, and a small segment of the angel investor community that is looking for a “quick hit” with a quick return. Radiate charisma.

Bootstrapping 374

Bootstrapping Angel Investor Differentiation Leadership 374

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 22, 2020

In my experience, an introduction to an investor from a mutual friend or business associate will double or triple your odds of closing a deal. Talk to thought leaders at relevant industry events. Getting to know leaders at these events will get you visibility and credibility, as well as valuable feedback on your strategy and solution.

Stealth 434

Stealth Startup Angel Investor Bootstrapping 434

David Teten

JULY 3, 2013

I hope you can join me for this program, cosponsored by Empire Angels ; HBS Alumni Angels of Greater New York ; and the The Young Venture Capital Society. So You Want to Be an Angel? what you need to know as an early stage investor: best practices in origination, evaluation, structuring and adding value.

Angel Investor 114

Angel Investor New York Accredited Investor New York City 114

David Teten

JULY 3, 2013

I hope you can join me for this: So You Want to Be an Angel? what you need to know as an early stage investor: best practices in origination, evaluation, structuring and adding value. 8 – 8:30 pm: Meet other angels. Keynote Speaker: David Teten ( Presentation sneak peek: Introduction to Angel Investing ).

Angel Investor 114

Angel Investor New York Accredited Investor New York City 114

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 2, 2022

As an active angel investor, I still hear entrepreneurs asserting large opportunities with minimal risk and no competition. First you need to assess the risks and value of investor funding and carrying debt. Outside of dreams, there is no real business opportunity without risk.

Burn Rate 382

Burn Rate Angel Investor Operations Demand 382

David Teten

JUNE 17, 2015

It’s fascinating to be an angel investor, but do most angels actually make positive returns? Angels usually invest before VCs, so they should budget for at least 1-2 more additional years before liquidity. I try my best to discourage them; I always emphasize the risks and downsides of angel investing. to 8 years.

Angel Investor 60

Angel Investor Angel Groups Liquidity Event IPO 60

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 19, 2014

Most entrepreneurs have learned that it’s almost always quicker and easier to get cash from someone you know, rather than Angel investors or professional investors (VCs). In fact, most investors “require” that you already have some investment from friends and family before they will even step up to the plate.

Technical Review 266

Technical Review Elevator Pitch Due Diligence Startup 266

YoungUpstarts

MAY 25, 2018

By his sophomore year in college, Patrick Mackaronis had become a full blown young businessman, as he attended school he created live-event promotions and marketing business targeting students over a dozen of the areas universities.

Developer 136

Developer Investment Bankers eCommerce Social Media 136

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 28, 2021

As an angel investor in early-stage startups, I’ve long noticed my peers apparent bias toward the strength and character of the founding entrepreneurs, often overriding a strong solution to a painful problem with a big opportunity. Virtuoso leaders know their life story.

Entrepreneur 414

Entrepreneur Angel Investor Leadership Early Stage 414