Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2010

I’ve noticed that some entrepreneurs seem to have no trouble attracting investors, while others with a great business plan struggle with it. The reality is that angel investors are humans, and personal traits often make or break the relationship, even before the investment is considered. Listens before answering questions.

Angel Investor 241

Angel Investor Technical Review Intellectual Property Elevator Pitch 241

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021

Most of these scenarios involve attracting outside investors, strategic partners, or key team members: You are the team and you don’t need outside funding. You need an investor, and want a document to mass-mail to everyone. You need an investor, and want to solicit professionals online.

Business Plan 316

Business Plan Technical Review Angel Investor Due Diligence 316

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 15, 2019

As a long-time business advisor and angel investor, I’m a believer that “two heads are better than one” in building a new business. The challenge is to recognize and recruit that ideal partner match early with minimal cost and risk. In fact, I would broaden the definition of partner from co-founder to “business partner.”

Cofounder 221

Cofounder Software Review CTO Hire Founder 221

The Startup Magazine

MARCH 14, 2022

A business plan is drawn up to attract investors and partners. There are various crowdfunding platforms through which investors can participate in funding rounds for deserving companies. Promoters try to raise this funding majorly from Angel Investors. 2) Laying out the genesis of the company. 3) Company formation.

Technical Review 146

Technical Review Due Diligence India Startup 146

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 25, 2020

As an angel investor, I quickly learned that luck has very little to do with it, and I now look for some personal characteristics and leadership styles that separate the potential winners from the losers. These differences are the reason that investors say that they invest in people, rather than ideas.

Technical Review 308

Technical Review Kentucky Due Diligence Japan 308

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

David Teten

SEPTEMBER 16, 2014

Source: Center for Venture Research – Angel Market Analysis Report. Q: What is the typical profile of angel investors? Angel investors are generally former entrepreneurs and/or executives, who invest in privately-held, early-stage companies. Q: Why do people become angel investors? approx 2004-09.

Angel Investor 114

Angel Investor Technical Review Venture Capital Pre-Money Valuation 114

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 22, 2017

In my activities as an angel investor, and my work with new ventures seeking investment, I find the “due diligence” stage to be fraught with the most risk. Usually this stage only really starts after an investor has expressed serious interest, or already informally agreed to invest.

Due Diligence 148

Due Diligence Bankruptcy Angel Investor Stock 148

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 154

Technical Review Software Review Illinois Due Diligence 154

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2013

I’ve noticed that some entrepreneurs seem to have no trouble attracting investors, while others with a great business plan struggle with it. The reality is that angel investors are humans, and personal traits often make or break the relationship, even before the investment is considered. Listens before answering questions.

Technical Review 273

Technical Review Intellectual Property Angel Investor Elevator Pitch 273

NZ Entrepreneur

MAY 31, 2021

The Angel Association of New Zealand ( AANZ ) is co-hosting with New Zealand Growth Capital Partners ( NZGCP ) a series of workshops on early-stage investment. For the angel investor, their own expertise and time to help guide companies makes the biggest difference to their portfolio’s success.

Portfolio 81

Portfolio New Zealand Management Technical Review 81

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 18, 2012

I’ve noticed that some entrepreneurs seem to have no trouble attracting investors, while others with a great business plan struggle with it. The reality is that angel investors are humans, and personal traits often make or break the relationship, even before the investment is considered. Listens before answering questions.

Technical Review 294

Technical Review Intellectual Property Angel Investor Elevator Pitch 294

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 29, 2017

Yet I recommend to every entrepreneur that there are still situations where an NDA (sometimes called Confidential Disclosure Agreement) makes sense compared to normal situations, where your risk of losing an investor or advisor is greater than the risk of your idea being compromised. Don’t ask for an NDA from trusted investors and advisors.

Non-disclosure Agreement 153

Non-disclosure Agreement NDA Technical Review Due Diligence 153

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Most of these scenarios involve attracting outside investors, strategic partners, or key team members: You are the team and you don’t need outside funding. You need an investor, and want a document to mass-mail to everyone. You need an investor, and want to solicit professionals online.

Business Plan 274

Business Plan Technical Review Angel Investor Due Diligence 274

Up and Running

JULY 2, 2014

Picking the right attorney in your startup is as important as picking the right business partner. My business partner and I made many mistakes in our first tech startup, and so many of them were the result of choosing a lawyer who was a terrible fit. My business partner and I were elated. We set off to raise our money.

Technical Review 118

Technical Review Angel Investor Due Diligence Dilution 118

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 23, 2014

I’m sure you have seen many new ones, and now understand even better the due diligence required to validate the opportunity, and the executions steps required to make it happen. Use that same technical and business expertise that served you well on this startup to find the next opportunity. Ignore the voices of dissent again.

Technical Review 262

Technical Review Entrepreneur Due Diligence Institutional Investors 262

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 14, 2018

I’m sure you have seen many new ones, and now understand even better the due diligence required to validate the opportunity, and the executions steps required to make it happen. Use that same technical and business expertise that served you well on this startup to find the next opportunity. Ignore the voices of dissent again.

Technical Review 149

Technical Review Due Diligence Institutional Investors Angel Investor 149

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 8, 2012

As an Angel investor, I quickly learned that luck has very little to do with it, and I now look for some personal characteristics and leadership styles that separate the potential winners from the losers. These differences are the reason that investors say that they invest in people, rather than ideas.

Technical Review 332

Technical Review Entrepreneur Kentucky Due Diligence 332

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 4, 2013

As an Angel investor, I quickly learned that luck has very little to do with it, and I now look for some personal characteristics and leadership styles that separate the potential winners from the losers. These differences are the reason that investors say that they invest in people, rather than ideas.

Technical Review 278

Technical Review Entrepreneur Kentucky Due Diligence 278

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022

As an advisor to many early-stage entrepreneurs, I caution them to always be prepared for that chance meeting with a famous investor, a potential partner or an industry guru. The investors I know are quick to do some real due diligence. Advance homework and preparation is key to every good first impression.

Due Diligence 321

Due Diligence Founder Angel Investor Affiliate 321

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

The Equity Kicker

SEPTEMBER 24, 2014

We see this all the time at Forward Partners where we invest right from the idea stage and most of the companies get a first version of their product live for less than £30k (that generally includes founder salaries and time spent doing customer research). Forward Partners and Crowdcube are both attacking elements of these problems.

Early Stage 119

Early Stage Development Team Review Technical Review Software Review 119

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 9, 2021

In a two-minute video clip, you can introduce yourself, show your passion and the engaging personality you need to win over customers, partners, and employees. For the more traditional investor, or for that chance meeting in a real elevator or meeting, you need a two-page brochure (two-sided page). Executive summary glossy.

Elevator Pitch 390

Elevator Pitch Entrepreneur Due Diligence Angel Investor 390

Up and Running

SEPTEMBER 15, 2014

So before you read these tips, first understand the difference between venture capital and angel investment and then you can add in 5 essentials for angel investment. And keep in mind, as you read that, that venture capital demands everything that angel investors do, and more. Are you still with me?

Software Review 124

Software Review Due Diligence Venture Capital Elevator Pitch 124

Growthink Blog

DECEMBER 27, 2017

And the desire to raise capital (whether from an individual “angel” investor or a venture capital firm) is often the key motivator in the business planning process. But how exactly will your business plan persuade investors to sign a check? Such analysis will relieve investor concern and enhance the plan’s credibility.

Venture Capital 129

Venture Capital Business Plan Technical Review Private Placement 129

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 3, 2013

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 273

Technical Review Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Due Diligence 273

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2016

Super-angel investors (micro-VCs). These terms refer to a class of professional investors who invest their own money, like angels, but have the larger resources and scope of venture capitalists with other people’s money. A seed round is intended to be followed by a bigger Series A round. Sweat equity. Equity crowdfunding.

Software Review 120

Software Review Sweat Equity Accredited Investor Angel Investor 120

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 10, 2016

As an angel investor, I quickly learned that luck has very little to do with it, and I now look for some personal characteristics and leadership styles that separate the potential winners from the losers. These differences are the reason that investors say that they invest in people, rather than ideas.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Kentucky Due Diligence Japan 120

Up and Running

DECEMBER 18, 2013

RocketHub also recently partnered with the TV channel A&E for marketing and funding help for their favorite fundraising campaigns. Kiva is a non-profit organization that partners with microfinance institutions (Kiva’s “field partners”) in third-world countries to offer small loans to budding entrepreneurs.

Kenya 119

Kenya Angel Investor Technical Review Software Review 119

Gust

DECEMBER 27, 2011

Due diligence should always be a two-way street. A while back, I published an article on “ Startup Due Diligence Is Not a Mysterious Black Art ,” describing what investors do to validate your startup before they invest. Taking on an investor is like getting married – the relationship has to work at all levels.

Due Diligence 119

Due Diligence Entrepreneur Offshore Angel Groups 119

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2015

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. Discussions with potential strategic partners. Build trust first.

Non-disclosure Agreement 120

Non-disclosure Agreement Technical Review NDA Due Diligence 120

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

I’m sure you have seen many new ones, and now understand even better the due diligence required to validate the opportunity, and the executions steps required to make it happen. Use that same technical and business expertise that served you well on this startup to find the next opportunity. Ignore the voices of dissent again.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Leadership Due Diligence Marketing 120

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 20, 2011

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.

Early Stage 247

Early Stage Technical Review Elevator Pitch Due Diligence 247

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 23, 2019

As an advisor to many early-stage entrepreneurs, I caution them to always be prepared for that chance meeting with a famous investor, a potential partner or an industry guru. The investors I know are quick to do some real due diligence. Advance homework and preparation is key to every good first impression.

Due Diligence 339

Due Diligence Startup Angel Investor Affiliate 339

Feld Thoughts

JUNE 2, 2010

I wasn’t able to make it to Boston yesterday for the Angel Boot Camp as I was running around NYC with the CEO of a company I invested in last week introducing him to a bunch of potential customers and partners. It sounds like Angel Boot Camp rocked. So – here’s the advice: 1.

Angel Investor 167

Angel Investor Boston Due Diligence Cofounder 167

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 10, 2015

Businesses will have the option to acquire extra cash capital from banks and financial institutions, angel investors, government funding, business bursaries or even venture capitalists (should their investment requirements exceed $5 million). Choose your business partners well.

Due Diligence 100

Due Diligence Startup Angel Investor Hiring 100

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 28, 2010

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 233

Technical Review Elevator Pitch Due Diligence Angel Investor 233