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Post a RequestAngel Free Investor
Where can you find free directories of angel investors?
A quick search online will result in a variety of free angel investor lists. Many of these are divided by geography since angels typically invest close to their home. One of these websites is www.Invstor.com. It is a community connecting entrepreneurs, investors, advisors, job seekers, and service providers. Membership is free, though a small fee is charged for subscriptions to get the contact information of network members. Entrepreneurs should tailor their search to investors specifically interested in their industry. Sometimes, especially with angel investors, this is difficult to do since many angel investors find deal flow through their own network of contacts. In this way, angels can control the quality of the deals they see.
The network of an entrepreneur is a free method of getting an angel investor. Since angels invest close to home, it may be more effective for an entrepreneur to be referred by local professionals such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, and bankers. To do this, he may rely on his network to provide quality contacts or begin developing his network further through networking meetings and local business organizations.
How should you contact them?
What do angel investors want to see in a startup company?
Angel investors are searching for a variety of conditions in a startup business plan. First, the angel must be convinced that the entrepreneur knows the business and industry inside and out. The business plan must be well thought out and be able to answer the basic questions of any investor. The financial projections must be reasonable with expenses listed comprehensively. It is a good idea for an entrepreneur to project numbers based on different assumptions. An angel realizes that projected numbers usually are inflated when compared with the actual data later. The marketing portion of a business plan should tell the same story as the financials. Finally the angel investors will want to see an experienced, successful management team that is able to execute quickly. They also require willingness on the part of an entrepreneur to compensate for weaknesses by hiring capable people.
Motivation of an Angel Investor
What exactly is an angel investor?
“Angel investors got their name 100 years ago in New York City when struggling playwrights--with limited financial means--had theatrical productions funded by a wealthy and visionary individual (usually at the last minute). It was likened to an angel floating down from heaven with money so the show could go on. But these were also very astute investors with a keen eye for plays with great market potential for tremendous profitability. The bottom line is that these angels funded productions to get in on the ground floor of an extraordinary opportunity for financial gain. Plain and simple, they were in the deal to make money, and in today's business financing arena, that hasn't changed.”
Summary |
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Whether you find your angel investment from your rich uncle
Ted or a prominent angel investor group, it’s important to know that the
universe of angel investors looks like and what you’re really shopping
for. If all you need is a little bit of cash to be on your way, then
perhaps looking to your friends and family is the way to go. However,
if you think what you really need is a partner to grow this idea to the moon,
it may be worth while to pursue a professional angel investor as not only a
source of funding, but also a mentor. Organized angel groups may be able to provide even larger amounts than individual angels. |
Sources: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,277472,00.html
“An Explanation of Angel
Investors” by David Newton